DX LISTENING DIGEST AUGUST 2003 ARCHIVE HOME presents...
DX LISTENING DIGEST AUGUST 2003 ARCHIVE
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-157, August 31, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3h.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1197: RFPI: Mon 0030, 0630, 1230, Wed 0100, 0730, 1330 on 7445 [nominal times subject to delay or pre-emption] WBCQ: Mon 0415 on 7415 WWCR: Wed 0930 on 9475 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1197h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1197h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1197.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1197.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1197.ram UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIAL May I be allowed to issue a 'reminder' that if you are having any difficulty with Wordpad or Notepad, regarding Glenn's DXLD (or any other Text Files for that matter), that the best thing to do, seems to be to Download to your 'Favourite' Word Processer (Even a DOS one!). This is because Glenn very thoughtfully provides his DXLD primarily in Text (=.txt) form, which makes a VERY healthy contribution to its 'Universality'. You can also easily download to a Floppy Disk if you prefer, just make sure that either the Box at the top of the Save As shows Floppy A:\ or you can also insert, where it comes up DXLDxxxx. e.g. a:\dxldxxx, this of course can be used for other Partitions, Drives and Folders as well (Ken Fletcher, 0950UTC=1050UTC+1 August 30th 2003, BDXC-UK) ** AFGHANISTAN. Looks like autumn, also on the bands. AM was highlighted by India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka last week. QTH this time: Jalasjärvi, Western Finland. Rx: Racal RA-1792, Yaesu FRG-100. wires: 700 m 100 grad, 500 m 180 grad, 500 m 270 grad, 700 m 290 grad. 1107, often 1630-, R. Afghanistan, Kabul. New 400-kW unit seems to be in top condition, but how long. 1296, every evening 1700-, Azadi R, Kabul. VOA Afghan programming, Dari & Pashto. Funniest moment was when the lyrics of country & western song were translated into local language by the speaker. Great signal. BBC sign-on 1927 UT spoils a bit of the fun (Jari Lehtinen, Lahti, Finland, Aug 20, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** ANGUILLA. After a modest absence, Caribbean Beacon on 11755 with Dr. Gene Scott program at 2100 tune in. Signal as strong as ever (Dale Thomas, location unknown, Aug 30, hard-core-dx via DXLD) You mean 11775, also confirmed here Aug 31 at 1948, poor, but better than WWCR 13845; more than modest, about a month (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARGENTINA. BRAZIL? Olá amigos, Existe alguma estação brasileira na "X Band", ou programação retransmitida por alguma emissora do exterior? Escutei hoje, por volta das 2330 PY, emissão brasileira religiosa (pentecostais) em 1610 kHz. O nome do programa era "Encontro com Jesus". Fiquei intrigado, até gravei trechos da transmissão em MP3. A emissora também dispunha de anúncios: sobre material de contrução, "Eletrônica Miller", etc. Citado endereços "Rua Bélgica, 654, Jd. São Luiz", "Av. República Argentina" duas vezes, uma como "Bairro Morumbi 1" e "Jd. São Miguel", "Foz do Iguaçú". Telefones "525-1730, 3025- 5574". Tel do programa "525-0999". O máximo de sinal era 43333, com interferência da Rádio 9 de Julho. Fica a questão para a turma MW-DX, HI! 73! (Flávio Archangelo, Jundiaí -SP, Aug 30, radioescutas via DXLD) Archangelo, Esta emissora está em Puerto Iguazú, Argentina; transmite em espanhol e português. Você poderá ouvi-la também em 6215 kHz como Radio Baluarte. Em Onda média (1610 kHz) se identificava como Rádio Maranatha; não sei se mantém os dois nomes ainda. 73 (Samuel Cássio Martins, São Carlos SP, ibid.) ** AUSTRALIA. After some discussions with Roger Broadbent from RA, detailed HF freq information is now included on the RA web site. the schedules may be found at: http://www.abc.net.au/ra/hear/ 73 (Glenn, VK4DU, Aug 31, EDXP via DXLD) Like pulling eyeteeth --- I guess that`s progress, but you still have to pretend your are in some target country, such as Christmas Island, and get only the transmissions for your area, and in local time! Is it still too much to ask for a comprehensive transmission schedule on one page showing all broadcasts in all languages, in UT? USA (never mind Canada), in three versions, East Coast, West Coast, and Central, is found under EAST PACIFIC, where else? But yay, the Great Center finally gets recognized, tho times are in UT -6, currently observed nowhere in the Central zone! We`d like to take it as a fraternal condemnation of DST --- But nice anyway for the non- Arizonan Montagnards, who are thus inadvertently recognised (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. Hundreds of employees at Australia's national radio and TV broadcaster ABC stopped work in Sydney in protest at the suspension of a presenter who had written an article for a major newspaper. More than 300 staff downed tools to take a vote on whether to take further industrial action if the Religion Report's presenter Stephen Crittenden was not given his job back. Crittenden was suspended six weeks ago for "serious misconduct" after his article appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald. --- Read more? http://tinyurl.com/lrs3 http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/08/27/1061663852060.html (via Georges Lessard, CAJ-list, via Ricky Leong, DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. The Howard government's attack on the editorial independence of the ABC, as reported in Saturday's New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/30/international/asia/30AUST.html (Chuck Albertson, Seattle, WA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER TAKES ON BROADCASTING SERVICE http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/30/international/asia/30AUST.html?ex=10 62820800&en=e40c055a2de379fa&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) Same: AUSTRALIAN PRIME MINISTER TAKES ON BROADCASTING SERVICE August 30, 2003 By JANE PERLEZ http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/30/international/asia/30AUST.html?ex=10 63263806&ei=1&en=866361855f2ffafc SYDNEY, Australia, Aug. 25 - The government of Prime Minister John Howard is in a battle with the publicly financed Australian Broadcasting Corporation, accusing it of "biased, and in particular anti-American" coverage of the war in Iraq. Australia sent combat troops to Iraq, and the conservative Mr. Howard's battle with the well-regarded broadcasting system has focused public attention on the importance he places on Australia's relationship with the United States. The Ministry of Communications released a bill of particulars against a popular morning current affairs radio program, AM, citing 68 examples of what it contended was biased coverage during the conflict in Iraq. Among the complaints were that the program gave too much attention to accidental killings of soldiers by their own troops and to civilian casualties and that it gave too little prominence to successes, including the "strategic achievements" of the Australian troops, the ministry said. The system, known to Australians as ABC or just Auntie, includes a radio network and a national television channel. It is patterned after the British Broadcasting Corporation, including a multi-tiered system to review complaints. ABC's ombudsman, Murray Green, looked into the accusations and issued a report that rebuffed the government. Mr. Green found that only 2 of the 68 citations had merit: one story about the tenor of the daily Pentagon briefings veered toward sarcasm, he said; another dealing with President Bush's decision not to watch the televised first night of the bombing of Baghdad was too speculative. Mr. Howard, like Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain, is now waging political wars at home against both the public broadcasting system and against those who contend that the government exaggerated the extent of Iraq's inventory of weapons. A parliamentary inquiry that opened in the capital, Canberra, last Friday somewhat mirrors the British inquiry into the intelligence dossier that the BBC charged had exaggerated the threat posed by Iraq to make a stronger case for war. But statements by an Australian intelligence analyst, Andrew Wilkie, that Mr. Howard's office overstated the threat from Iraq's weapons have failed to raise anything like the firestorm that similar accusations raised in Britain. Mr. Howard appears to be benefiting from the fact that Australians supported their soldiers in Iraq, even if they were not largely in favor of sending them. Also, unlike Mr. Blair, Mr. Howard brought almost all combat soldiers home once the war was over. In his report, Mr. Green said he compared the 68 news reports the government found objectionable with reports on the same subjects filed by the international wire services, major American news outlets and statements by the Bush administration. In some cases, the wording of the ABC radio reports was exactly the same as that of the wire services and the American reports. For example, the ministry complained that the ABC had said the war was likely to result in "hundreds of thousands" of refugees. Mr. Green pointed out that wire services carried the same prediction based on public statements by the International Committee of the Red Cross. Many of the complaints turned out to be what some commentators here belittled as nitpicking, but what others said established a pattern of bias. The Howard government was not deterred by Mr. Green's findings. It sent its accusations to a five-member independent complaints review panel of literary and public service luminaries, which is now considering the case. If the government does not get its way with the review panel, it is likely to take the matter to the governing board, where most of the members are appointees of the Howard government. To drive home its displeasure with the ABC, the government last month turned down a request for an increase in the budget for this year. Unlike the BBC, which raises revenue from individual home license fees as well as the government, the ABC is entirely dependent on the government. Unlike the Public Broadcasting System in the United States, the ABC has no provision for private sponsorship of programming. There has been much speculation in the Australian press about why the Howard government has persisted with the case. Mr. Howard has criticized the ABC many times since coming to office in 1996, but this is the first time his government has charged a program with being unfair toward the United States. Many commentators have concluded that Mr. Howard is unhappy because the ABC is no longer the custodian of conservative views that he remembers hearing on the radio when, as a youth, he was molding his own political outlook. In those days, the ABC radio news opened with a piece of heraldic music, "Imperial Fanfare." Cricket matches from Britain were faithfully relayed for days on end, and the coronation of Queen Elizabeth was broadcast live from Westminster Cathedral in 1952. The organization is highly esteemed by Australians, who ranked it in a survey last year as second only to charities as a cherished institution - well above big business, which supports the Howard government. "Howard is fighting a cultural war with the ABC," said Gregory Hywood, a columnist in The Sydney Morning Herald. "He thinks it is biased to the left and wants to move it to the center, and he is using funding and continual complaints of bias for leverage." Copyright 2003 The New York Times Company (via DXLD) ** BELGIUM. Hello Glenn, I've seen that you used my Dutch language message in DXLD. Here is a translation that is probably of better use. Seen in Radio Vlaanderen Int`l 'Onder Ons' leaflet. RTBF is transmitting again via Waver. They are using the a.o. old VRT/RVI transmitters. RTBF transmits only on one single frequency. They use 9970 kHz the whole day long. Transmitting on one single frequency is not really a habit in the short wave world but without switching they hope to save the obsolete parts. (end quote) It was not specified what 'the whole day long' means but their web page at http://www.rtbf.be/ri/ says that 9970 is on air between 0400 and 1900 UT. So it is again possible to hear a Belgian transmitter-site on short wave. 73, (Guido Schotmans, Belgium, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Tnx, Guido; but I thought RTBF had been using 9970 for quite some time now after a brief break (gh, DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. 4780.96, Radio Tacana, Tumupasa, 0230 - 0250, Aug 27, Spanish, Musical program, man announcer, tc, ID "4780 megahertz, banda de 60 metros, ésta es Radio Tacana", Very weak signal, better in LSB. 6054.46, Radio Juan XXIII, San Ignacio de Velazco, 2129 - 2135, Aug 27, Spanish, female announcer, news program, IDs "gracias por estar junto a Radio Juan XXIII" "Radio Juan XXIII presenta...", 23332 (Nicolás Eramo, Argentina, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 5045, R. Guarujá, 30 Aug 2338-2353, A few soft ZY romantic pop ballads, but mostly talk by live M announcer who liked to play the "Guarujá Guarujá, Brasil" shouted by M jingle often!! Gave a TC at 2346. Played a soul song at 2349 with M announcer voice-over again giving many "Guarujá"s and many IDs. Although there was something on 3235, I couldn't //. This frequency so nice it was an easy copy!!! (Dave Valko, DXpedition somewhere in PA? -- see EUROPE, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) Could have been PR romantic pop ballads (gh) Prezados, Seguindo a sugestão de alguns colegas da lista, fiz uma visita hoje à Rádio Guarujá, aqui de Florianópolis, para questionar o motivo de não responderem aos IR's enviados. Fui muito bem recebido pelo sr. Carlos Alberto Silva, executivo de contas da emissora, que me disse que tem respondido a todas as correspondências que recebe. Mas que atualmente tem recebido apenas cartas do exterior, nenhuma do Brasil. O que pode estar ocorrendo, segundo ele, é que os IR's chegam para setores da emissora que não dão importância e não encaminham a ele. Conversamos por um bom tempo e ele me garantiu que a emissora tem muito interesse em receber os IR's, pois assim fica sabendo da qualidade do sinal e das transmissões. Me disse que costuma responder com adesivos e cartas confirmatórias. Me mostrou inclusive uma correspondência de um dxista de Hannover (!) para quem respondeu enviando uma edição do "Dicionário Ilhéu". Ganhei alguns adesivos e a sugestão de repassar à lista o nome e endereço do sr. Carlos, para quem devem ser encaminhados os IR's. Aqui vai: Rádio Guarujá AM Rua Nunes Machado, 94 - 10º andar Centro - Florianópolis - SC CEP 88010-460 A/C Carlos Alberto Silva Um forte abraço a todos (Marcelo Herondino Cardoso, Florianópolis - SC, radioescutas via DXLD) IR = reception report; v/s given Amigo Marcelo, Que excelente iniciativa foi a sua! São atitudes como esta que demonstram o verdadeiro espírito radio escuta. A tua informação será de enorme valia para todos do nosso hobby. Nunca perca este entusiasmo ! Parabéns ! Um abraço (Adalberto, PY4WTH, Barbacena, MG, ibid.) ** BRAZIL. Hello Glenn! Many DXers have had for the last weeks problems with a religious station on 6060 kHz. Here in Quito I´m hearing Radio Tupi, Curitiba on 6060.18v kHz in // with 11765.03 kHz. Some months ago I also heard Tupi, Curitiba on 9565 (don´t remember the exact freq.) in // with these 2 frequencies. Tupi has the program "A Voz da Libertação" and "Iglesia Dios es Amor". I checked the ID this morning on 6060.18v kHz at 1058 UT = "Radio Tupi". 73s de (Björn Malm, SWB América Latina, Quito, Ecuador, Aug 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. Radio Canção Nova prepares the Second International Promoting Day to Canção Nova Communication System on September 13th. - ' D Day '. It will be one special day where TV, Radio and Internet will be live, all day long chatting, transmitting through TV and Radio commentaries from every part of Brazil and world about the initiatives to promote this communication system. If you want to receive our QSL confirmation, you can send us a recording to: Radio Canção Nova P.O. Box 57 Cachoeira Paulista SP, Brazil 12630-000 Or MP3 recording to: alemfronteiras@cancaonova.com Live contact during the day; just type: http://www.cancaonova.com/chat and chose Radio AM room radio reports to: alemfronteiras@cancaonova.com See you there. We confirm radio reports on the air and 100% QSL back. Program: Além Fronteiras (Beyound Boundaries) Every Saturdays: 22:00 to 23:00 (GMT) AM 1020 khz- SW 49m 6105 kHz -SW 60m 4825 kHz - SW 31m 9675 kHz - (Eduardo de Moura, RCN, dxing.info via DXLD) Beware: religious station (gh) ** CANADA [and non]. Loveline --- REUTERS OTTAWA --- A Vancouver radio station was reprimanded yesterday for running an episode of a U.S. show whose host mocked the Holocaust by saying "Burn those Jews. Gas 'em in the shower, baby." The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council said the broadcast by Mojo Radio last December had "exceeded any reasonable level of propriety" and ordered the station to make a public apology. The episode of Loveline featured a call from a telephone sex operator who wanted advice on how to make her clients stay on the phone longer. Adam Carolla, one of the show's hosts, suggested she use words like "Holocaust," "Vietnam" and "cancer" to dampen her clients' ardour. The sex operator then speculated she might tell a client, "Well I'm wearing a nice black garter. Mmm, just thinking about the Holocaust right now." Carolla laughed in response and said: "Yeah, yeah, burn those Jews. Gas 'em in the shower, baby. Yeah, yeah ... send 'em on the train to Krakow." The standards council said it understood the "intended humour" in the concept of advising a telephone sex operator to use words like "Holocaust" to prolong conversations with clients. "When, however, the hosts progressed to the level of `Yeah, yeah, burn those Jews. Gas 'em in the shower, baby,' and so on, even in aid of their sarcastic view of the ignorant `telephone actress,' they exceeded any reasonable level of propriety," it said in its judgment. "The laughter of the hosts directed at the notion of the concentration camp trains and lethal `showers,' which combined to exterminate 6 million persons, accentuated the inappropriateness." In its defence, the radio station said the use of the word "Holocaust" had been designed to make fun of the caller (Via Harry van Vugt, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, DX LISTENING DIGEST) RADIO BROADCAST RULED IMPROPER [same story] http://tinyurl.com/lnwk (Toronto Star Aug 28 via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** CANADA. SOFT LANDING --- VANCOUVER (CP) - Less than four months after being fired, popular open-line radio host Rafe Mair has landed a new gig. The irascible Mair, the bane of B.C. and federal politicians, was dismissed from Vancouver station CKNW after 19 years, apparently after his producer complained about the way he treated her. On Tuesday, Mair will launch a public affairs-oriented show on competitor 600 AM - CKBD - in his old morning time slot. Mair's first guest is scheduled to be B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell. Mair, 71, was a cabinet minister in the Social Credit government of Bill Bennett before becoming an open-line host. He was fired from top-rated CKNW in early June in what was called an internal matter that did not reflect on the quality of Mair's show. Fill-in host Peter Warren took Mair's 8:30 a.m.-11 a.m. slot until recently, when Bill Good, whose show had followed Mair's, was moved to the earlier slot. In an interview at the time, Mair suggested his firing was due to a clash of styles with Corus Entertainment, which took over CKNW a few years ago. His show had also been carried outside British Columbia on Corus's radio network. He said a rift with his on-air producer acted as a catalyst. She had allegedly complained Mair forced her to have coffee with him, to get his coffee and carry a bag of shoes down some stairs. Mair denied forcing her to have coffee or get his coffee but admitted telling her that she was acting like "a little girl with her knickers in a knot." Mair, who started in radio in 1984, became known for outspokenness on such issues as electoral reform and environmental threats to B.C. salmon stocks. He won a Michener Award for meritorious service to Canadian journalism in 1994 for his successful, year-long campaign to stop Alcan from completing a billion-dollar hydro-electric project in northern British Columbia because of its threat to salmon and the environment (via Harry van Vugt, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, DXLD) ** CHINA. BEIJING 2008 OLYMPIC BROADCASTING DEAL SIGNED | Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Beijing, 31 August: The organizers of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games signed a frame agreement for the establishment of the Beijing Olympic Broadcasting Co. Ltd (BOB) with the Olympic Broadcasting Services S.A. (OBS) here on Sunday [31 August]. The agreement, a crucial document for the successful broadcasting of the Olympic Games in Beijing, was signed by Hein Verbruggen, chairman of OBS and Liu Jingmin, executive vice president of the Beijing Organizing Committee (BOCOG). According to the frame agreement, the Beijing Olympic Broadcasting Co. Ltd will be jointly established by BOCOG and OBS. The new establishment will be in charge of producing the International Television and Radio Signals for the Olympic Games, building and operating the International Broadcasting Centre and necessary facilities and equipment at other venues. "The frame agreement establish a new era for the Beijing Olympics." said Verbruggen, also the chairman of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. "It will assure us to provide high quality services in broadcasting of Olympic Games. I hope the BOB will play a key hole in the highly regarded field of the Games with the cooperation of the OBS in the future," he said. IOC President Jacques Rogge, who arrived in Beijing on Sunday morning, BOCOG President Liu Qi and BOCOG Executive President Yuan Weimin were present at the ceremony. Source: Xinhua news agency, Beijing, in English 1206 gmt 31 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** CUBA. Back in July a bunch of us saw Cuban TV one afternoon on ch 5 and also color bars on ch 4. Jesús Pérez in Havana sent a letter with comments on those receptions. He writes: -------------------------------------------------------------------- What you watched on channel 5 that day at 5:59 pm was Telecubanacan from Santa Clara city in the center of the country. That transmitter on ch 5 is very strong. On that frequency of ch 5 they broadcast both Perlavisión from 4 to 5 pm and then TeleCubanacan from 5 to 6 pm and after that the transmitter starts running the Tele Rebelde national network with its central studios in Havana. Perlavisión is in Cienfuegos city but it also uses the Santa Clara city transmitter tower on ch 5 from 4 to 5 pm and also during the same period of time Perlavisión also uses the Matanzas city transmitter tower on ch 13. Then, after that at 5 pm TeleYumuri local station in Matanzas city starts its transmissions on their ch 13 frequency till 6 pm. ||| The color bars that you and other members of the club have been receiving on your TV sets on ch 4 was from the transmitter which is outside Havana City for "Canal Educativo", which is the only station here using color bars for long minutes. ||| Canal Educativo uses the frequencies of ch 4 and 12 for Havana city and Havana county. That station uses UHF frequencies for the rest of the country. Jeff, that's your answer re the color bars (Mike Bugaj, CT, Aug 27, WTFDA via DXLD) Thanks to Jesús for this information. However, I'm still a little confused. First of all, I've seen color bars from the direction of Cuba on channel 4 several times on weekday afternoons; but according to the Cubaweb site, the educational network comes on at noon. Second, I saw educational programs from the direction of Cuba on channel 4 at 1440 CT on April 30th (which would indicate that the educational channel is on at least some afternoons). Third, does the channel 5 in Santa Clara run a Phillips PM5544 TP all day, prior to s/on? (Danny Oglethorpe, Shreveport, LA, ibid.) ** DENMARK. ``Daemp Radioen`` -- see RADIO STAMPS below ** ECUADOR. 4815, R. El Buen Pastor, 30 Aug 1001-1029, Choral NA at tune-in, 1003 LA Pop and instrumental music with live M in Quechua giving opening ``Radio Alli Michic`` ID announcement with mention of "música del sur" and campesina. Then HC campo music with same live M host in Quechua. 1009 program segment with race car and rooster SFX and talk by M and W mixed with campo music. Mention of campesino and "Radio Michic" at 1006. 1014 brief canned Spanish announcement by M with mention of "frecuencia popular", followed by SFX of knocking on a door and rooster crowing repeatedly. 1015 canned Spanish simple ID by M as "En ?? R. El Buen Pastor, 4815 kilohertz onda corta". Another Quechua ID, more campo music and announcements by live M host. Good and still doing well by 1029 tune-out (Dave Valko, PA, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** EUROPE. Went up to a new remote QTH for a micro-DXpedition. The site is a reclaimed surface mine, so laying out the Beverage was relatively easy. Used 300' laid across the tall grass at 180 degrees. Changed direction to 40 degrees for the Power 41 special NA transmission. PIRATE, 6245v, Power 41, 31 August 0156-0255, Noted a het here (6245.45) while I still had the antenna aimed at South America. Quickly redirected it to 40 degrees and found the signal had drifted up to 6245.76 when I returned at 0159. 0200:50 sign-on with "Axel F Theme" by Harold Faltermeyer, 0203 opening announcements by M announcer. 0204-0207 "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor. 0207 clear IDs by M over music; "This is Power 41, low power..." and mention of US. 0210 more IDs. During another announcement from 0213 to 0217, caught this "...once again... 17...9...5... number. Power 41. We're broadcasting..." Another song, then another announcement at 0220-0222 with M giving phonetics (address??). 0232-0235 "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes. 0235 IDs, mention of meterband, e-mail. 0237-0241 "Africa" by Toto. Then continued with more ID, song announcements and unrecognizable songs. At 0253, announcement again with mention of "write to us", 1 IRC, address, and ID. Weak with horrible ute QRM right on top from 0200 to 0230, and also a lot of QRN. The signal did weaken slightly towards 0300. In clear conditions, free of the QRM and QRN, I think this could've been copied 90% despite weak signal (Dave Valko, DXpedition somewhere in PA?, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** GERMANY [and non]. The Berlin-based home shopping station Kaufradio announces that it is testing DRM on 1485; see the enclosed press release. This is or at least used to be a single frequency network of three transmitters at Berlin-Frohnau, the Schäferberg site (Berlin- Wannsee) and at Rüdersdorf. I guess Kaufradio is put on 1485 permanently for the duration of the IFA fair; however, no such explicit statement is made in the press release. Kaufradio is otherwise carried on the 1.5 GHz DAB bouqet covering Berlin and the surrounding region. This bouqet is at present promoted by carrying the individual programs one after another in a rota system on 104.1, an FM frequency otherwise reserved for special event stations. Two years ago a special IFA program was carried on 104.1; this year the 97.2 frequency will be used for this purpose, not to speak about DAB: The IFA-Radio program is sponsored by the DAB marketing initiative. Re. 693: Recent observations indicate that the audio (reported as either Deutschlandradio Berlin or pop music nonstop) is in the clear, but apparently there are two additional, indeed encrypted data streams (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Aug 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: FUNKAUSSTELLUNG: KAUFRADIO TESTET DIGITALE MITTELWELLE Berlin (ots) - Der neue Shopping-Radiosender Kaufradio testet seit heute die Verbreitung über die digitale Mittelwelle (DRM). DRM steht für Digital Radio Mondiale und ist ein Verfahren, das es erlaubt, in den derzeitigen AM-Bereichen (Kurz-, Mittel- und Langwelle) digital zu senden. Die dabei erreichte Klangqualität ist um einiges besser als die des bisherigen Mittelwellen-Radios und wird allgemein als UKW-ähnlich bezeichnet. Ausgestrahlt wird das deutschlandweit neue Verbraucher- und Serviceradio in Berlin über Mittelwelle 1485 kHz. "Wir sind stolz, als einer der wenigen privaten Sender neben den großen Stationen wie DeutschlandRadio und Deutsche Welle, die neue Technologie testen zu können", sagt Kaufradio-Geschäftsführer Oliver Dunk. Mit DRM sei weltweit ein Sendeverfahren verabschiedet worden, das die Kurz-, Mittel- und Langwelle wieder attraktiver mache. Daher ist Dunk überzeugt, dass es bald eine Renaissance der Mittelwelle geben wird: "Bald haben wir Empfänger, die DAB-(Digital Radio) und DRM-Empfang ermöglichen. Das Radio wird digital." Im Jahr 2005 wird es DRM-fähige Geräte zu günstigen Konditionen im Handel geben. Das prophezeit der kaufradio-Chef. Der Shoppingsender plant perspektivisch sein Programm neben DAB auch über die digitale Mittelwelle zu verbreiten. Kaufradio ist der erste Hörfunkshoppingsender in Deutschland. Er wird seit dem 20. August 2003 in Berlin im Digital Radio (DAB) und zeitweise auf UKW 104,1 gesendet. ots Originaltext: Kaufradio Digitale Pressemappe: http://presseportal.de/story.htx?firmaid=52376 Für Rückfragen, Interviewwünsche und Fotos: kaufradio - der neue digitale sender c/o PART OF SUCCESS, Sebastian C. Strenger, Kleine Hamburger Straße 16, 10 117 Berlin Tel.: +49 (0)30 - 28 44 55 55 Fax: +49 (0)30 - 28 44 55 44 Mail: strenger@part-of-success.de http://www.kaufradio.de (via Kai Ludwig, DXLD) I'd be interested to know if any UK listeners have noticed QRM in recent evenings on 693 kHz, where a transmitter in Berlin is currently testing DRM in readiness for the IFA exhibition. Yesterday evening the BBC 5 Live signal in Naarden, about 20 km SE of Amsterdam, was almost wiped out in the late evening by what I presume was a DRM test. Fortunately I do not depend on 693 as I can get the station FTA [?] on satellite, but I'm curious to know how far the DRM signal is getting, and if it noticeably degrades the BBC signal in the UK. I know there will be some wry smiles amongst some of you :-) (Andy Sennitt, Holland, Radio Netherlands, MWC NL Aug 27) Last night I noticed severe digital interference on BBC R5 on 693 kHz around midnight. It sounded like strong jamming in the background. Apparently this was some sort of DRM test from the Funkaustellung exhibition in Germany. Here in the Reading area the signal strength on 693 and 909 kHz is much the same, but I always prefer to listen on 693 kHz because Droitwich has far better audio (6 kHz bandwith) compared to muffled 909 kHz from Brookmans Park (4.5 kHz bandwidth). Would be interested to know if anyone else in the 693 kHz coverage area is having problems with this DRM noise at night. Hopefully it will stop by 3rd September when the Funkaustellung ends. I would encourage anyone hearing it to complain to reception@bbc.co.uk --- hopefully they if they get enough reports they will be able to protest to the German authorities about it. The level of interference here last night was totally unacceptable (Dave Kenny, UK, BDXC-UK Aug 30) Re: DRM interference on BBC R5 last night. The 692/693 kHz channel used once by GDR stations at Wachenbrunn and later in new ITU plan from 1978 at Berlin Uhlenhorst, both with 250 kW of power. In Continental Europe both GDR transmissions suffered always also from the British co-channel signals, in past 44 (f o r t y four) years. After the collapse of the GDR regime, 693 kHz usage by Germany ceased approximately eight years ago. So the BBC listeners in Western Europe profit by the silenced German transmitter at Berlin (ex-Uhlenhorst), now located at Zehlendorf north of Berlin since that date. 693 kHz at Zehlendorf was used by [now bankrupt] MEGARadio for a short period of few months only during 2002 (wb Aug 30) When the GDR was on 692/693 it was not really audible in the UK under the BBC stations; maybe they used a directional transmitter then? The interference only seemed to start when Mega Radio launched. However this DRM noise is much worse than Mega Radio; it`s just like having jammer on the frequency continuously. I live within the coverage area of BBCR5 on 693 and my reception is being totally ruined by the DRM noise! If DRM becomes widespread I really fear, having heard 693 kHz, that it`s going to wreck MW and SW DXing. Very bad news (Dave Kenny, UK, BDXC-UK Aug 30) The dreaded DRM noise from Germany is audible again tonight (Saturday) on 693 kHz. I noticed it from tune-in at 10.50 pm. Once more it is totally ruining reception of BBC R5 here in Reading - it sounds just like having an old fashioned jammer in the background. I've emailed BBC Reception Advice to report the problem and would encourage others to - their address is reception@bbc.co.uk (Dave Kenny, UK, BDXC-UK Aug 30) 693 kHz - I hear RAI2 Milano Italy only here in Stuttgart, this morning and on daytime. Will check channel tonight towards U.K. and Berlin (wb, Aug 31) (all via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) De IFA Exhibition in Berlin loopt tot 3 september en heeft voor de aardigheid op 693 khz een DRM station in de lucht gebracht dat 's- avonds de BBC in Engeland moeilijk hoorbaar maakt (Max van Arnhem, Aug 30, BDXC via DXLD) More under DRM below ** GERMANY. Another page with pictures of transmitter sites in eastern Germany: http://home.snafu.de/macs/radio/sender.htm To pick out the AM's: http://home.snafu.de/macs/radio/britz.htm Berlin-Britz. First and seventh picture: Cross dipole for vertical incidence radiation, in the past used for 990 during nighttime. http://home.snafu.de/macs/radio/stallp.htm Berlin Stallupöner Allee. http://home.snafu.de/macs/radio/orburg.htm Zehlendorf. First picture: Main mast and the three masts of the trideco antenna in one shot. http://home.snafu.de/macs/radio/leipzig.htm Wiederau near Leipzig. First and second picture: Carrier of UHF antennas to the left, mast to the right TV/FM carrier and also self-radiating antenna for mediumwave. Pictures # 8, 9 and 10: Trideco antenna now used for 783 with noticeably poorer performance than the pipe mast (ground-/skywave congestion). Picture # 11: 51 metres tall mediumwave mast, a standard design found on most mediumwave sites in the former GDR for powers up to 20 kW. # 12: Former trideco antenna with the actual antenna wires obviously pulled down (Kai Ludwig, Germany, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HONDURAS. 3340, R. Misiones Internacional [sic] (presumed), 31 Aug 0046-0147, Alternating spiritual religious talk by W in Spanish and M in English(!!), similar format to KJES!!! Ended at 0101. Then, canned deep-voiced M over music, sometimes accompanied by W announcer until 0105. 0105-0147 nonstop soft romantic or religious songs. Finally same live W in Spanish again at 0147 with mentions of Palabra. No IDs heard. Fairly good signal but the QRN was too high. Have been hearing this regularly lately but just can't ID (Dave Valko, Dxpedition somewhere in PA? -- see EUROPE, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) 3340, Radio Misiones, 0115-0145 with "Radio Misiones" ID by OM, religious music but no ments de Honduras. Per Malm logs (Bob Wilkner, FL, Aug 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. 3516.7 (RSPK-Ngada) Aug 24 1341-1400* 24231-23231 Indonesian?, Music and talk by woman, 1359 announce by woman. 1400 s/off (Kouji Hashimoto, Yamanashi, JAPAN, Japan Premium via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS. Subject: World Mission Radio Dear Friends: Is there someone in your ministry who was connected with World Mission Radio which broadcast via Radio Caroline about 1988? Thank you (Bill Harms, USA, Aug 16 to Stg. Johan Maasbach Wereldzending via DXLD) Dear Bill, Please, let me know why you want this information. David Maasbach, Stg. Johan Maasbach Wereldzending/ Johan Maasbach World Mission Foundation Apeldoornselaan 2, 2573 LM Den Haag, HOLLAND tel. +31-(0)70-3635929 fax +31-(0)70-3107111 http://www.jmwz.com e-mail: information@jmwz.com Global Prayer Network: http://www.gpnetwork.com Hello David: When I lived in Germany in the late 1980's I heard a radio station that I believe was World Mission Radio, and I received a QSL card from the station. Unfortunately, the information on the card did not indicate the name of the station. You can see a copy of the card at http://home.comcast.net/~billqsl/w_mission_radio.html and http://home.comcast.net/~billqsl/WMR_via_R_Caroline-f.jpg I see that you have the same address and phone number as what is on the card. So it looks like there is a connection. I would like very much receiving an official confirmation that this card actually came from your office because the name of your mission does not appear on the card. Thank you. (Bill Harms) Dear Bill, I am sorry that I cannot confirm your question! The police force from England, France & Holland have taken Radio Caroline on WMR out of the air in the late 80. It is many years ago that this happen and that is what I remmember (David Maasbach, Stg. Johan Maasbach Wereldzending / Johan Maasbach World Mission Foundation, Aug 29 to Harms via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [and non]. NEW HURRICANE LIST IS UP - SEEKING ADDITIONS/CORRECTIONS --- Utility World (Hugh Stegman) The Utility World Hurricane Frequency List has been revised for 2003. There are a lot of minor changes. The list is taken seriously, and additions/corrections are always sought. More than one emergency manager has used this list or its several variations, so accuracy is essential. I would advise that people replace older copies, to eliminate some very old misinformation that still propagates around the net, such as Miami Monitor still being on HF. (Hasn't been in many years.) As always, the list lives at http://www.ominous-valve.com/hurricne.txt [correct!] (Hugh Stegman, WUN, Aug 29 via F. W. Ripken, BDXC via DXLD) ** ISRAEL. As of September 1, the 1700 UT broadcast will be extended to 15 minutes. (1700-1715 instead of 1700-1705). That's 1-1:15 PM Eastern [daylight time]. http://bet.iba.org.il/?lang=23 Israel radio announcement Israel radio announced Sunday that from Monday, September 1, the English news will be broadcast from 8 to 8:15 p.m. [Israel Time] 31.08.2003 14:11 (Doni Rosenzweig, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH. 6072.34, R. Pyongyang, A het long before 1100 30 Aug, then 1101 M announcer briefly followed by the R. Pyongyang IS. Fairly strong but weak modulation and QRM from 6070 (Dave Valko, PA, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH [non]. NORTH KOREA WANTS SOUTH KOREA TO DROP RADIO PROGRAM THAT IT VIEWS AS SUBVERSIVE. . . http://famulus.msnbc.com/FamulusIntl/ap08-28-225546.asp?reg=PACRIM (AP via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) Viz.: RADIO LIBERTY KEEPS ON AFTER SALVATION CLOSURE By SOO-JEONG LEE, Associated Press Writer SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- Every day, a South Korean public radio program broadcasts news, hit pop songs, talk shows and lectures over its northern border -- material that North Korea says it can't tolerate any longer. KBS's Radio Liberty program was created in 1948 to provide Koreans living in Russia, China, and North Korea with news of Korea. It used to contain condemnations of North Korea. Now it features interviews with North Korean defectors describing their new lives in South Korea, and provides information such as the number of computers in the two Koreas. Many South Koreans are unaware of the program. But for decades, North Korea has considered it a propaganda tool aimed at destabilizing the isolated communist state. Last month, North Korea halted its own three-decade-old anti-South propaganda radio, the Voice of National Salvation, and demanded that South Korea reciprocate by nixing the KBS program. KBS said it would not comply. "Since our program is one of the few means of providing truth to North Koreans, we have no intentions of halting our programs," Yoo Woon-sang, chief producer at KBS's radio overseas service department, said this week. "North Korea's hidden intentions seem to be to prevent outside information from coming into its country," said Koh Yu-hwan, a North Korea expert in Seoul. The pressure to end the South Korean broadcasts came as North Korea held talks this week with the United States, South Korea, China, Russia and Japan to discuss its nuclear program. A U.S. government official said the North threatened to carry out a nuclear test. North Korea tolerates no independent news media and no public Internet access. Control of information buttresses Pyongyang's totalitarian rule over its 22 million people. In past weeks, North Korea has accused Washington of waging "psychological warfare" by sending transistor radios into its territory and boosting airtime of the Washington-based Radio Free Asia and the Voice of America. In North Korea, tuning into private radio broadcasts is banned. North Koreans in possession of private radios must report to authorities, who mechanically alter them to catch only local stations. Those caught listening to outside radio broadcasts can be sent to prison, according to North Korean defectors. Nonetheless, the number of North Koreans listening to outside broadcasts is rising with the help of radios smuggled from China, they say. People also remove the frequency jammers [sic] on their state- issued radios. "For many North Koreans, South Korean broadcasts make more sense than the local ones, and by listening to them, they spot inconsistencies in their regime," said Lee Joo-il, a 38-year-old defector who arrived in Seoul in 2000. For decades, the two Koreas waged fierce propaganda battles. The sides used balloons to scatter leaflets on each other's territories. Loudspeakers traded slander across the 2.5-mile-wide Demilitarized Zone separating the two countries. Radio stations infiltrated each other's populaces with political programs. They featured interviews of defectors, who typically described the countries they left behind as "hell" and how they were enjoying a new life in a "paradise." In both Koreas, it was illegal to listen to those broadcasts. Following a historic 2000 inter-Korean summit, such propaganda subsided. In July, the two sides even agreed to consider ending "slanderous broadcasts." North Korea's state-run media, which can be monitored in South Korea, still issues saber-rattling remarks against the United States and is full of praises of its leader Kim Jong Il, although its anti-South Korean slander has dwindled with progress in reconciliation (AP via Mike Cooper, Aug 29, DXLD) ** KOREA SOUTH. Hi Glenn, The new station is called Arirang FM (as it is run by Arirang TV), but the Web site at http://www.arirang.co.kr/english/index.asp does not mention what the frequency is :-( 73, (Andy Sennitt, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEW ZEALAND. Here is a broadcast you do not seem to have in your listings. It is the official broadcast (Monthly) of the New Zealand Association of Radio Transmitters http://www.nzart.org.nz/nzart/Update/Broadcast/ (Chris Wright, New Zealand, Aug 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: The NZART Official broadcast is made on the last Sunday of each month, except December when it is made on the Sunday before Christmas. The broadcast is made on 3900 kHz, and on the National System and local VHF repeaters. The broadcast is made at 2000 hours NZT, with a repeat at 2100 hours NZT. [Sun 0800 and 0900 UT currently; 0700 and 0800 during DST] Members and Branches are welcome to submit material to ZL2BHF, c/o NZART Headquarters, P O Box 40-525, Upper Hutt, for inclusion in the Broadcast. There is also a special Official Conference Broadcast made on the Sunday of the New Zealand observance of Queens Birthday weekend at 2000 hours NZT. The next Official Broadcast will be on Sunday the 31st of August 2003. Recent Official broadcasts are available here in MP3 format. Contact Jim Meachen if you have any comments: July 2003 OB in MP3 format 2.8Mbytes June 2003 OB in MP3 format 3.1Mbytes Conference 2003 OB in MP3 format 2.2Mbytes (via Chris Wright, DXLD) ** NEW ZEALAND. Radio New Zealand Int`l was not audible here Friday night (0630 8/30), and the RNZI Web site confirms that their SW transmitter is off the air due to a technical fault. Might be back on 0800 Sunday, 8/31 (Chuck Albertson, Seattle, WA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) RNZI Has A Major Transmitter Fault. RNZI has been off air since at least yesterday [Aug 30th]. This message is on the website http://www.rnzi.com RNZI short-wave transmitter is off the air with a serious fault - we regret this interruption to our Pacific Service. We expect normal service to resume on Sunday at 0800 UT (Barry Aug 31) (later) ... I have just arrived at home from work at 1000 UT after recording yet another symphony concert, and I checked for RNZI on 9885 kHz. I heard nothing! (1008 UT, Barry Hartley, New Zealand, BC-DX Aug 31 via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) My morning check showed RNZ off air this a.m. at 0900. No het found so believe to be off air at this time (Bob Montgomery, swprograms via DXLD) FWIW, I couldn't hear them last night either, Bob. I monitored 17675 starting at around 2330 just to see when fade-in would commence. I was hearing them, but not well, around 0100-0200 or so (only an S3 signal with lots of noise). Sometime after that during the early part of the next hour, I lost them completely. To be honest, the signal had been so weak that it was hard to tell if the transmitter had gone off or the noise level on 16m just overwhelmed the signal. After reading your report, however, I now suspect it was the former. RNZI has had what I would call a higher than comfortable number of transmitter drop outs over the last few months (John Figliozzi, NY, Aug 30, swprograms via DXLD) Noted still off air last nite on 17675 and also this a.m. on 9885. Wondering if they have adopted new freq not listed yet. Can't seem to find them (Bob Montgomery, PA, Aug 31, ibid.) ** NIGERIA. VON used 17800 many years ago when they first got their high-powered transmitters. Also pays to check 9690, which seems to be in use periodically (Craig Seager, ARDXC via DXLD) Changed from 15120 to 17800 kHz on August 27/28th. Is an old VON frequency, also used by the station about 20 to 25 years ago. In 1983 used 7255 9690 11770 15120 and 17800 kHz. All these old units end rot in rust a decade ago. VON set up very new SW transmitter units few months ago on 15120 and 11770 kHz, and from July also on 9690 kHz. 73 (Wolfgang Bueschel, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** PAKISTAN: MORE THAN 30 PRIVATE RADIO, TV CHANNELS LICENSED | Text of report by Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency Islamabad, 29 August: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shaykh Rashid Ahmed on Friday [29 August] informed the National Assembly that PEMRA [Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority] has granted 26 licences to private Pakistani companies for FM radio stations and two TV channels for telecasting purely educational programmes while three satellite TV stations, ARY Digital, Indus Vision and AVT Prime, have been granted permission to operate from Pakistan. He was responding to a question of Mohammad Hanif Abbasi about the number of local radio and television channels functioning in private sector. The minister said two licences for FM radio stations located at Islamabad and Sialkot have been issued to the university for educational purposes only. Out of these, two radio stations have started test transmission. He said during the first phase, 26 licences including five in Karachi, three each in Islamabad/Rawalpindi and Lahore, one each in Peshawar, Multan, Vehari, Sukkur, Sarai Naurang, Gujrat, Sialkot, Abbottabad, Hub Chowki, Muridke, Changla Gali, Gwadar, Bahawalpur have been issued for FM radio broadcast. To another question about operating of more private radio and TV channels, Shaykh Rashid said PEMRA has finalized the process of granting licences for FM radio stations in cities other than those included in the first phase. He said the second phase would be completed within the next one and a half months. Details would be available after the process mandated by PEMRA Ordinance is completed, he added. To another question about any recruitment in PTV and Radio during the present regime, the minister said no recruitment has been made in the Pakistan Television Corporation and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation and Shalimar Television Network during the present regime. However, PTV hires the services of resource persons on a consolidated payment basis in different areas of its operations to fill the professional gaps resulting from no recruitment for so many years. Source: Associated Press of Pakistan news agency, Islamabad, in English 1243 gmt 30 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) CYBER WING TO COUNTER PROPAGANDA, NA TOLD PEMRA grants 26 licences for FM Radio, 5 private TV channels PBC to resume Balochi bulletins from Islamabad soon ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has said that the Information Ministry has established a cyber wing which not only projects Pakistan's point of view and policies on its website but also takes measures to counter propaganda against Pakistan... http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_30-8-2003_pg7_27 (Daily Times via Jill Dybka, TN, DXLD) ** PERU. ACERCA DE RADIO VIRGEN DEL CARMEN, HUANCAVELICA El colega peruano Rubén Contreras Espinoza me cuenta que Radio Virgen del Carmen está operando desde Huancavelica por su frecuencia habitual de 4886 kHz pero en forma restringida. Ellos transmiten por la mañana desde las 1100 UT hasta las 1500 y, los fines de semana, desde las 1100 a 1400. Estos son los programas que irradia: 1100-1200 un programa de agricultura 1200-1230 La hora Cultural Educativa 1230-1300 La Universidad en el Aire, programa de la Universidad de Huancavelica. Actualmente la emisora está asociada a Radio Católica Mundial. La programación de la emisora es netamente religiosa (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, Aug 31, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** ROMANIA. Bonjour à tous, Radio Roumanie Internationale et Raymond Aupetit nous ont fait parvenir ceci: "JOURNEE DE L'AUDITEUR 2003 Chers amis, le dimanche 2 novembre, nous vous invitons à fêter ensemble LA JOURNEE DE L'AUDITEUR SUR RRI. V 1 - Nos amis du monde entier se sont certainement déjà habitués à célébrer aux côtés des journalistes de RRI la Journée de la Radio roumaine par un programme spécial, réalisé par la contribution directe de ceux qui, tout le reste de l'année, sont fidèles à nos ondes. V 2 - Cette année, notre Journée s'annonce spéciale, parce que le 1er novembre, la Radio roumaine fête ses 75 ans. V 1 - Alors, il serait gentil de faire un petit cadeau à cette vieille dame. V 2 - Elle ne veut pas de produits de jouvence, mais plutôt un cadeau symbolique qui porte votre signature! Nous vous invitons donc à nous communiquer votre opinion sur le rôle que la radio joue aujourd'hui dans "la société de l'information", aux côtés d'Internet, des offres multimédia, de la télévision transfrontalière, de l'immense nombre de périodiques à la portée de tous. V 1 - Selon vous, comment les radios publiques internationales peuvent-elles s'acquitter de la mission d'informer un auditoire extrêmement divers et dispersé, mais qui souhaite une information directement à la source sur tout ce qui doit marquer la destinée contemporaine de l'humanité? V 2 - Et nous, en tant que journalistes à RRI, que pouvons-nous faire à l'avenir pour mieux répondre à vos attentes? V 1 - Nous attendons avec intérêt vos pensées sur le sujet proposé, à l'adresse de RRI, 60 - 64 rue du Gl. Berthelot, BP 111, secteur 1, Bucarest, avant le 15 octobre prochain, date de la poste. Vous pouvez également nous écrire par fax, au n +40.21.223.26.13, ou par courriel: fran@rri.ro V 2 - Ceux qui souhaitent intervenir sur nos ondes avec leur voix dans nos programmes spéciaux consacrés à la Journée de l'Auditeur sont priés d'expédier leur contribution enregistrée sur cassette audio ou de nous faire connaître, dans un délai raisonnable, leur numéro de téléphone, ainsi que le jour et l'heure quand ils sont disponibles pour l'enregistrement. V 1 - Nous vous attendons tous, chers amis, à la "table ronde" du 2 novembre, sur le thème "Le rôle de la Radio publique dans la société de l'information", l'échange d'opinions organisé par RRI pour la Journée de l'Auditeur." En ce qui me concerne, quelques questions trouvent chez moi quelques résonnances (comme une antenne). Donc, une cassette audio sera enregistrée. Bonne Fête R.R.I. Daniel Wantz Union des Ecouteurs Français --- Radiodiffusions, utilitaires, radio- écouteurs, radioamateurs, techniques... Courriel: tsfinfo@magic.fr Web: http://www.radiocom.org U.E.F.: B.P.31, 92242 MALAKOFF Cedex, FRANCE (via Bill Westenhaver, QC, DXLD) V2 and V1 want to say?? ** SAUDI ARABIA [non]. Sounds like Al-Islah are still on shortwave; 15705 jammed, but a bit of weak talk heard in LSB. Can anyone confirm? (Hans Johnson, WY, Aug 30, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) No time Yes. S/off at 2000. Jammer still there alone at 2010. 73, (Mauno Ritola, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) CLANDESTINE (NORWAY TO SAUDI ARABIA). 15705, R. Al-Islah (presumed), 1800-2000*, sign-on with March-like songs. M announcer in language at 1806 but just too weak. Back to instrumental music at 1807. Came back at 1930 and noted a bit stronger with M announcer host and speech excerpts. M vocal singing at 1954. Men announcers then, but cut off in mid-sentence at 2000:33. Weak signal with quick QSB. Heavily jammed but still getting through with some audio (Dave Valko, Dunlo PA, 30 August, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** SOMALIA. Somalia Media Page --- Hello Mr. Glenn Hauser, Your media profile for Somalia was very well done. But there were some omissions of Puntland regional media. Puntland Newspapers Yamayska-- Galkacyo based private weekly newspaper. http://www.yamayska.com Puntland Post-- Bosaso based private newspaper. I'm not sure if it just internet based or printed as well in Puntland. http://www.puntlandpost.com Yool-- Bosaso based private newspaper. Sooyal-- Bosaso based private newspaper. War Ogaal-- Weekly Puntland based private newsaper. For reference for the last three newspapers see: http://www.freemedia.at/wpfr/Africa/somalia.htm ***** Sahan-- Private newspaper in Puntland Bossaso Bureau at: Tel # 6224 or 826111. Listed in a previous BBC Country profile: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/africa/country_profiles/newsid_1072000/1072592.stm/ Cut and paste entire link to web browser. ***** Television/Radio Section Somali Broadcasting Corporation (SBC)--Private TV broadcaster based in Bosaso (Bari). Substation in Garowe(Nugal) and Qardo(Bari), all in Puntland. SBC Radio-- Private Puntland based FM Station. Both were shut down by the Puntland government in May 2002 but were reopened in May 2003. Here is the news link from the UN IRIN News report: http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=34022&SelectRegion=Horn_of_Africa&SelectCountry=SOMALIA Cut and paste entire link to web browser. ***** Radio Midnimo-- (Bosaso) based FM station. Reference: http://www.africaonline.com/site/Articles/1,3,43386.jsp Radio Galkacyo was included but the link wasn't. Please include: http://www.radiogalkayo.com ****** Puntland maps: http://www.radiogalkayo.com/banner/puntlandmap.php http://iquebec.ifrance.com/rolf1/info/nif/map008.gif Keep up the good work! Sincerely, (John Lewis, Aug 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Tnx, but my only `good work` in this case is re-publishing the work of Chris Greenway, BBC Monitoring, presumably what you refer to, and I wish people would cite issue numbers, back in DXLD 3-100. Please pay attention to the credit lines and do not try to attribute to me the work of others (gh) ** SOUTH AFRICA. MUSIC ``TORTURE'' CLAIMS HALT S AFRICAN TREASON TRIAL JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (Reuters) - The stop-start treason trial of 22 white South African right-wingers was again halted Monday, this time over defense claims that prison authorities were "torturing" their clients with loud popular music. Last week, 13 of the defendants, charged with seeking to overthrow South Africa's black-led government, complained loud "black" music piped over prison loudspeakers was driving them crazy. Judge Eben Jordaan postponed the trial Monday for one day to give defense counsel Piet Pistorius time to ready an application forcing prison management to stop playing Metro FM radio, which broadcasts a mixture of urban contemporary music. Pistorius said prison authorities had ignored Jordaan's earlier request to management to turn off the music. The group, dubbed the Boeremag or Afrikaner force, is charged with orchestrating a campaign of bomb attacks and the planned assassination of former President Nelson Mandela. Pistorius said the music was having a "drastic psychological effect" on his clients, not only hampering trial preparations but also infringing on their human rights, the South African Press Association reported. In a letter to prison management, the men complained that the music was being "forced upon them" 15 hours a day, "at horrendous noise levels," SAPA said. Pistorius also made further applications for a delay over accusations the prosecution had intercepted privileged defense information. Proceedings in South Africa's first post-apartheid treason trial were due to start in mid-May, but it has been bogged down by wrangling over procedural details that look likely to postpone the calling of the first witness for several weeks (REUTERS Aug 26 via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** SRI LANKA. THE FIRST FOOTPRINT ON THE BEACH WAS MINE After years of turmoil, Trincomalee in north-east Sri Lanka is opening up to tourism again. Go now and you'll have its beaches to yourself, says Jane Knight, Saturday August 30 2003 The Guardian http://observer.guardian.co.uk/travel/story/0,6903,1032493,00.html But did they mention the Deutsche Welle? Of course not! 73- (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** TAIWAN. RTI Global Exchange Mailbag Time bridges the gap between you and CBS. Each week we carefully select letters from our friends worldwide, read them on the air, play song requests and answer questions. RTI Global Exchange Every month, we pose a new question to listeners as part of our Global Exchange segment. If we choose your letter to read on the air, you will receive a souvenir and your answer may be shared in Taipeiwave. September What is the most unforgettable thing someone has ever said to you? Send entries to natalie@cbs.org.tw or to PO Box 24-38/ Taipei, Taiwan (RTI website via Swopan Chakroborty, Kolkata, India, DXLD) ** TIBET. CHINA (Tibet). 9490, China Tibet People's Broadcast Co. (presumed) 1104-1114 Aug 31. Talk by YL in English, until music at 1112 with voice-overs by OM and YL. At 1114 the program changed to Chinese. SINPO 23332 (George Maroti, NY, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** TIBET [non]. V. of Tibet today Aug 31, 1215-1300 UT heard on 15660 kHz, but couldn't trace any second channel of the broadcaster; 21560 was empty. Lousy conditions, maybe VOT moved back from 21 MHz band to 15 MHz (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UGANDA. UGANDA REOPENS CHURCH-OWNED RADIO STATION Last Update: Sunday, August 31, 2003. 6:01am (AEST) http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s935574.htm The Ugandan Government says it has unconditionally reopened a church-owned radio station it shut down in the north-east of the country last June after accusing it of abetting a rebellion in the region. "We reopened Radio Veritas on Saturday and asked the management to take up their obligation of informing the public," Information Minister Nsaba Butulo said, who later used the same Roman Catholic radio station to address the public in the Teso region. "We have, however, emphasised to them and they accepted that this should not be done at the expense of security and the security of our forces," Mr Butulo said. The head of the radio, Roman Catholic Father Ethanasius Mubiru, confirmed the announcement, saying Butulo and other government officials went to the station on Saturday morning and announced it was being reopened on the orders President Yoweri Museveni. "We immediately returned on air and we have been broadcasting since 10:00 am on Saturday," Mr Mubiru said. Ugandan police stormed the studios of Radio Kyoga Veritas FM on June 22 and stopped broadcasts, after accusing it of airing news about rebel incursions, instilling fear and abetting subversion. One of the programs featured interviews with people who had been abducted and released by Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) rebels. "We asked them whether they were mistreated while in captivity, and they said no, interviews government officials said was promoting rebels," Mr Mubiru said after the radio was ordered closed. The radio, owned by Soroti Catholic Diocese's Integrated Development Organisation (SOCADIDO), features development and pastoral programs and had reported on the spate of attacks by the LRA in the north-east districts of Katakwi, Kaberamaido and Soroti. In one of the attacks in the region, the LRA raided a girls school where they kidnapped more than 100 schoolgirls, over a dozen of whom are still missing and believed to be in rebel hands. The LRA rose up against the Ugandan Government in 1988, ostensibly to replace it with a regime based on the biblical Ten Commandments, but it is infamous for the cruelty of its campaign, marked by abductions and brutal killings of civilians. The rebel campaign has displaced more than 800,000 people in the north and north-east Uganda, forcing them to live in squalid camps dotting the entire region. -- AFP (via Mike Terry, DXLD) FM, WTFK? Not SW ** UKRAINE. Glenn, Following is from Alexander Egorov of RUI. "No one frequency is absolutely available to North America from Europe on 9 or 7 MHz for time period 2300-0400. For B03 schedule I plan use 5905 kHz." 73, (Kraig Krist, VA, Aug 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. WELCOME TO THE FESTIVAL OF BBC BAITING Rod Liddle, Wednesday August 27, 2003, The Guardian Lordy, but you have to feel sorry for the inhabitants of Edinburgh. Having scarcely ridded themselves of a prolonged infestation of hilariously wacky Irish comedians, last weekend the skies above Holyrood Castle suddenly opened and a vast sack of London media monkeys and moppets was deposited upon the city, thousands of them, jabbering endlessly, hugging and petting each other and, late at night, behind the George Hotel, in George Street, having swallowed 12 spritzers apiece, vomiting copiously into their free Sky TV canvas goody bags. "When I hear the words culture supplement, I reach for my revolver," the locals muttered darkly to themselves as they watched Tamsin and Sara and Charlotte and Ben empty the ATMs and climb, still jabbering, into reluctant taxis to travel the 85 yards from their hotels to the conference centre for the morning's keynote session: "TV - is it vacuous shite, or what?" at the Edinburgh international television festival. . . http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,4741049-103680,00.html (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U K. BBC TO LAUNCH ON-LINE ARCHIVE OF SHOWS By DAVID AKIN, Friday, Aug 29, 2003 The British Broadcasting Corp. plans to make much of its vast television and radio library, including portions of shows such as Dr. Who and Monty Python's Flying Circus, available for free on the Internet. It's an initiative that the BBC hopes will encourage other public broadcasters to do the same. The CBC, Canada's public broadcaster, already has a section on its Web site that contains clips from historically significant radio and television broadcasts... http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPPrint/LAC/20030829/BBC29/TPEntertainment/ (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) Thought you'd like to see this explainer on how the BBC could digitize and post its archives online. 73- Bill Westenhaver TAPED AT THE BBC --- CAN THE BEEB PUT ITS ENTIRE ARCHIVE ON THE WEB? webhead By Paul Boutin Posted Tuesday, August 26, 2003, at 4:24 PM PT For those of us still debating whether to shell out the 40-odd bucks for Fawlty Towers: The Complete Collection on DVD, BBC Director- General Greg Dyke may have settled the matter this weekend. At the end of his speech to an annual TV industry conference in Edinburgh, Scotland, Dyke announced that the Beeb plans to put its enormous TV and radio archives online and to allow anyone to download them --- free --- for non-commercial use. "Under a simple licensing system, we will allow users to adapt BBC content for their own use," Dyke said. "We are calling this the BBC Creative Archive." Giving away the BBC's content online is an eye-popping proposal, in part because it's such an ambitious project. The BBC produces eight TV channels and 10 radio networks, and it broadcasts the news in 43 languages worldwide. It's been doing television since 1936, and radio since 1922. How much of the Beeb's voluminous output could it really put online? Dyke and the BBC press office have refused to give out further details, but Beeb staffers had already discussed the project with two of the Net's leading big brains, Stanford law professor Lawrence Lessig and Internet Archive founder Brewster Kahle. Lessig chairs the Creative Commons project, which has drafted a set of free license agreements for people who want to give away their writing, art, or other works online without having their intellectual property claimed and resold by someone else. In both technical and legal terms, Kahle and Lessig agree: It would be easy for the BBC to put its future programming online, but tougher to pull old tapes from the vault. Kahle's napkin math on the project goes like this: DVD-quality video requires 3 megabits to 5 megabits of data per second. Over a year, that works out to about 10,000 gigabytes of disk space to store the ouput of one BBC channel, not including reruns and off-air time. That sounds like a lot --- 10 terabytes --- but it's not uncommon for a single array of disks in a corporate server room to hold hundreds of terabytes at the ready for instant access. Kahle's estimate, based on his 9/11 Television Archive project, is that a rack of low-cost Linux machines could store and serve one channel-year of television, plus a backup copy, on less than $50,000 worth of disks at today's prices. By the time the BBC gets rolling, you might as well cut that number in half: Disk prices have been falling even faster than CPU speeds are rising, halving every nine months by some estimates. If that rate continues, in three years, a year's worth of BBC One would fit on less than $4,000 of disk space. Serving those bits to Web surfers worldwide could be done by expanding the Beeb's existing deal with Akamai, which operates a global network of high-speed Web servers. (MSNBC, which served 85 million video clips during the Iraq war, is another Akamai customer.) With today's production software, digitizing the Beeb's shows to disk as they air or uploading a copy of each segment separately as it's produced would be easy. But what about the old shows? They can be digitized en masse from tape at an in-house cost of about $15 per hour of material, Kahle estimates. That adds up to around $100,000 per channel per archived year, which suggests it may be better to cherry- pick the best of the Beeb rather than try to upload the whole thing. The real roadblock to putting the old shows online isn't technical. It's legal. The Creative Archive's license could allow unlimited viewing, editing, and reuse of the digitized BBC programs, which are funded by an annual TV fee (don't call it a tax unless you're ready for a pub brawl) on UK viewers. The archive's license would contain specific language to prohibit resale or any use the Beeb sees as an attempt to cash in on Britain's public property. Here's one of the many thorny questions the project will raise: If Google crawls and indexes the whole thing, does that count? Whatever the new license's terms, though, it can't just be applied retroactively to existing material. As record companies and book publishers have already learned, the technical work of digitizing and distributing old works is far easier than resolving legal agreements that were crafted in the analog era. Until BBC lawyers go through the exhaustive work of clearing the rights to redistribute the old shows online, we won't know if the Creative Archive will include John Cleese classics or just old News 24 clips. Paul Boutin is a Silicon Valley writer who spent 15 years as a software engineer and manager (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** U K. The BBC's Annual Report has just been published and it seems they should spend more on UK radio!! SATURDAY 30th August 2003 TV BBC One - £859m BBC Two - £367m Radio Radio 1 - £17m Radio 2 - £21m Radio 3 - £30m Radio 4 - £65m Radio 5 - £54m BBCi on the internet - £72m On-air trails & Navigation - £26m http://www.bbc.co.uk/info/report2003/ With regard to the World Service (funded differently): "This division runs 43 language services financed directly by the UK Government, BBC Monitoring and the commercial television channel BBC World. The full BBC World Service & Global News review is in PDF format. Key points include: BBC World Service celebrated its 70th anniversary, and surveys showed it to be the most trusted and objective international broadcaster providing the greatest breadth and depth. Coverage of the war in Iraq war was provided by its biggest ever operation. BBC World Service played a pivotal role providing independent information to the Arab world. Audiences to short wave are falling and those to FM rebroadcasts and the internet service have risen." (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** U K. M GIBLIN sends in a local press cutting about the BBC station in Ottringham, Humberside: "In 1943 Ottringham was home to the world`s most powerful radio transmitter carrying BBC Overseas and Home Services, including the wartime speeches of Winston Churchill. The Ottringham station was built mainly to transmit BBC radio broadcasts overseas, and transmitted across the whole of occupied Europe. It proved almost impossible for the German occupiers to jam, and may even have been used to transmit secret coded messages to resistance fighters. The station was heavily guarded and well camouflaged and did not sustain a single hit during the whole of the war. It also transmitted popular British programmes, and it was said that locally the signal was so strong that locals could listen using only a tin bath and metal spoon!" (via Mike Barraclough, Sept World DX Club Contact via DXLD) MIKE BARRACLOUGH has researched further: In a series of articles on black propaganda and the Aspidistra transmitter published some years ago in Contact MICHAEL BURDEN reported that "Throughout 1943, "Aspidistra" continued to relay the BBC European Service but early in that year it could no longer claim to be the `biggest Aspidistra in the world`. For, on 12th February 1943, the BBC brought into service a high-power Long Wave station on the east coast of England, situated at the village of Ottringham on the north bank of the Humber Estuary. The station consisted of 4 x 200 kW transmitters which had the facility to he coupled to give a combined output of 800 kW. This made Ottringham the most powerful radio station in the world at that time, and ensured that the BBC was heard with good reception in Germany, even during daylight hours on a standard domestic receiver. It operated on a frequency close to the German national "Deutschlandsender" home service. A Google search found Arthur Dungate`s home page, http://www.bbctv-ap.freeserve.co.uk/home.htm where he recalls listening to the BBC European Service from Ottringham on 167 kHz with 200 kW after the war in Blackpool. The internet site http://www.subbrit.org.uk/rsg/sites/o/ottringham has a lot of detail on the site including two photographs of one section some of the original basement rooms in the control centre which still remain intact. Details of the Aspidistra site in Crowborough, with recent photographs are also linked to. The site was 94 acres with seven buildings and several 500 foot transmitter masts. It was owned by the Government, not the BBC. The transmitters were housed in 4 heavily protected surface buildings, possibly with earth revetments. These were driven and fed from a 5th building while the 6th building was the Central Combining House which contained the circuits to combine 200 kW at a time to a maximum 800 kW output. Although it was tested to 800 kW it never ran on programme to that level, 600 kW being the maximum used. The station was designed to broadcast with 200, 400, 600 or 800 kilowatts with up to four separate programmes simultaneously. The fourth transmitter was used to relay the Home Service to the East Riding and Lincolnshire. The station continued in service until well after the war but closed on 15th February 1953 because neither channels nor funds were available for it to continue in service. The site was dismantled shortly after closure and the transmitters were moved to Droitwich where they carried Radio 1 and Radio 4 on medium wave and Radio 2 on longwave well into the 1970`s. One of the aerial masts in still in use at Brookmans Park; the others are believed to have gone to other BBC HF sites. The site of the masts has returned to farmland, the rest of the site was cleared of buildings and is now an industrial unit, storage yard and lorry park. As a boy I lived in nearby Withernsea between 1952 and 1963 and can recall, when I was about 8, being taken round the Ottringham site. A local family friend, who was a farmer, was considering buying the land and took my father, his bank manager, accompanied by me, around the site as he was looking for a loan to cover its purchase (Sept World DX Club Contact via DXLD) ** U S A. Re WRMI: BOY do I feel stupid now. Figured I was helping out and was totally wrong. I'm new to shortwave. I'll just crawl under a rock now... The show was something like "Apocalypse Chronicles". Radio of course faded out when host said his name. I see from today`s DX-Digest that it wasn't true. Sorry for wasting your time. Later (Steve, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Steve, Please don`t feel that way. No harm done; we are getting to the bottom of the item since you now say it was Apocalypse Chronicles. Well, of course something bad is always about to happen as far as they are concerned! (Glenn to Steve, via DXLD) ** U S A. A very good, "must read" article about Ibiquity's situation and the future of digital radio (actually discusses the problems with adjacent channel hash on AM!): http://www.radioworld.com/reference-room/guywire/gw-08-28-03.shtml (Harry Helms, W7HLH Las Vegas, NV DM26, NRC AM via DXLD) ** U S A. BRUCE PENNINGTON; GAY ACTIVIST HAD RADIO PROGRAM By Claudia Levy, Washington Post Staff Writer, Thursday, August 28 Bruce Pennington, 56, a chef, teacher and former radio broadcaster who was honored in June at Washington's annual gay pride celebration as a "Capital Pride Hero" for 35 years of activism in the city, died Aug. 26 at the Hospice of Washington. He had AIDS and had suffered a stroke. Mr. Pennington, an early member of the Gay Liberation Front in Washington, was a host of the "Friends" radio program from 1973 to 1982. The program, one of the first aimed at a gay audience, was launched on the Georgetown University radio station, WGTB-FM, and picked up later by Pacifica Radio, WPFW-FM... http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A56697-2003Aug27?language=printer (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** VIETNAM [non]. unID 7380 1321-1328* 8/30. Talks and music here in Asian language; ended at 1328 after a final song. Carrier went off a few minutes later. Was looking for Degar Radio - may have been them, although they are sked to 1400 (John Wilkins, CO, Cumbre DX via DXLD) This observation is correct, Degar Voice ends at 1330 now (instead of originally 1400), confirmed by Mauno Ritola, Finland. 73s, (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED [non]. Re: DXLD 3-156, 6069.7 with the religious network `A Voz da Libertação`. Per info available at PERU ON SHORTWAVE 1992- 2002 --- Monitored by Henrik Klemetz (1992-1998) and Rafael Rodríguez R. (1998-2002) (35 pages of pdf by frequency), http://homepage.sverige.net/~a-0901/hkperu-2.pdf the transmitter belonging to Radio JSV, in Huánuco, Perú, started relaying La Voz de la Liberación way back in 1998. (Previously, this shortwave transmitter had been idle for a good number of years). Some programs may be local in character, originating in Lima or even Huánuco, while others are relayed from Brazil. If in doubt, the São Paulo feed can be monitored at http://www.ipda.org.br/ (Henrik Klemetz, Sweden, Aug 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 7571.95, Asian at 0030 Asian music, weak audio, fade with carrier remaining 0130+ (Bob Wilkner, FL, Aug 31, DX LISTENING DIGEST) {probably Pakistan} ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RADIO STAMPS ++++++++++++ RADIO LICENSING: STAMPS, REMINDERS, SLOGANS The Aug 25 issue of Linn`s Stamp News has an article by this title on page 30, by David A. Norris, with five interesting illustrations, including the Danish slogan cancel from 1955 with a humorous cartoon drawing and inscription ``Daemp Radioen``, meaning ``Turn Down Your Radio``. I remember getting a bunch of those way back when R. Denmark had an external service and even a mailing list. Linn`s doesn`t seem to put much online, so check your library. Tnx to Mike Cooper for a hard-copy clipping (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES / DRM +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ IFA [non] I am just back from Berlin. Messe Berlin staff accepted neither the membership in a magazine's editorial board nor regular editorial contributions for a public broadcaster as sufficient for a press accreditation, contrary to the officially publicized guidelines. No idea if they would like to see an order from the director itself; anyway, I have still some second-hand news to offer: The promoted "special announcement" of DRM consortium and World DAB contained basically a common marketing in future, so nothing spectacular. Actual DRM transmissions: 693 DRM-only, 177, 603 and also 855 AM/DRM simulcast. My observations at Berlin fully confirmed the first findings I made on 177 for this frequency as well as for 603 and 855: the DRM component disturbs the analogue one noticeably, and it appears that hardly anybody is convinced of this mode. DAB: I was told that it appears to be widely recognized now that the idea to replace FM by DAB in the coming years (i.e. to shut down FM in 2010 or so) is merely wishful thinking. The already mentioned DAB promo on 104.1 is indeed operational with the weird RDS PS code _100_DAB. At 2000 UT the just carried program was abruptly cut off, followed by silence for at least 15 minutes, so the rotation works not really perfectly. After 2000 I also remembered to check 97.2 for the special IFA-Radio service and found only an open carrier. Not exactly convincing either. So much in a short, best regards, (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Aug 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Much more under GERMANY above EURORADIO 2003 - CALAIS, SATURDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2003 (This is one I attended a few years ago, and it was excellent - Mike). Euroradio 2003 commemorates twenty years of Radio Caroline's famous ship the Ross Revenge and will take place in Calais, France on Saturday 13 September 2003. Guests will include Peter Chicago Associated with Radio Caroline for many years during her offshore days, firstly as engineer on the Mi Amigo, when he was persuaded to jump ship from RNI. Chicago worked as transmitter engineer on the Ross Revenge and was on board during the infamous 1989 raid. Nowadays he works in broadcast engineering. Paul Graham A veteran of numerous offshore and free radio projects, Paul has worked in Irish radio, as well as deejaying on the Ross Revenge, during the time she started to drift. He now works in radio consultancy. Tony Campbell A former trawler captain and lifelong supporter of Radio Caroline, Tony got the opportunity to captain the Ross Revenge during the mid 1980's and the time of Eurosiege. Nowadays he runs nature sightseeing trips around the inland waters of Essex. He is also a talented artist. Dennis Jason If you've seen photos of the Ross Revenge, taken from the top of the 300 foot mast, you may also see part of the foot, of the man intrepidly climbed the mast to take the picture. Dennis Jason, as well as being a deejay, is an accomplished photographer. Euroradio starts at 2.00 pm local time [1200 UT], features a selection of offshore radio videos playing during the afternoon. We'll also be talking to our special guests. The Offshore Echo's [sic] Boutique will be open during the event, featuring a wide range of offshore radio related merchandise. In the evening there is a special Euroradio dinner, with fine French cuisine including wine, at the Georges V restaurant. Details at http://www.offshoreechos.com (via Mike Terry, UK, DXLD) RECEIVER NEWS +++++++++++++ NEW RADAR SYSTEM WARNS OF ICEBERGS -- ALSO GUARDS AGAINST SMUGGLERS DEAN BEEBY, Canadian Press, Saturday, August 30, 2003 HALIFAX (CP) -- A cutting-edge radar system has begun providing early warnings of icebergs to the Hibernia oil rig off the East Coast. And the unique technology, more than a decade in the making, will soon be guarding against drug smugglers, illegal immigrant traffickers, foreign fishing vessels -- potentially, even terrorists -- lurking far out to sea on Canada's Atlantic seaboard. The radar uses the ocean's salty surface as an electronic conduit to track vessels and aircraft as far as 370 kilometres into the North Atlantic. The so-called "surface wave" system hugs the curvature of the earth, reaching to the very edge of Canada's 200-nautical-mile economic zone, unlike traditional radar technology, which is limited to lines of sight less than a quarter that distance. Two unmanned research installations in Newfoundland, at Cape Race and Cape Bonavista, are currently undergoing a $5-million upgrade that will make them the first in a two-coast network designed to increase Canada's maritime security. "It's been very promising -- it has tracked vessels in near real time out to significant ranges," said Lt.-Cmdr. Greg Bannister, the navy officer in charge of the project. "It's quite an achievement for Canada." The Newfoundland stations are already tracking threatening icebergs for the operators of the Hibernia oil rig. "That's the first practical application in the private sector," said Brian Smith of Raytheon Canada Ltd., the Waterloo, Ont.-based firm that since 1996 has been jointly developing the system with National Defence. The concept of surface-wave radar has its origins in Britain during the Second World War, but the concept was impractical until the advent of powerful computers that can decipher the signals. Canada's system is currently unique in the world, with competing technologies some 18 months to two years behind, says Smith. With National Defence as a partner, Raytheon has begun marketing the system to the United States. A demonstration was given in the Bahamas last year to a private-sector American company. And this summer in Key West, Fla., the U.S. Coast Guard was shown how the radar operates using a portable version. "The United States is very interested in the technology," Smith said in an interview, though there have been no contracts signed yet. Meanwhile, National Defence has been given $43.1 million to build as many as six additional sites on both the East and West coasts, with construction expected to begin in the summer of 2005. Internal military documents, obtained under the Access to Information Act, show the favoured locales are Baleine, N.S., in Cape Breton; Little Brehat and Taylor's Bay Point, Nfld.; and Ucuelet and Nootka Island, B.C. These "would provide continuous coverage of the seaward approaches to the St. Lawrence Seaway and Strait of Juan de Fuca," says the document. The network has been scaled back significantly from the 21 sites first envisioned. Canada currently relies on patrol aircraft, coast guard ships, conventional radar and other means to survey some 244,000 kilometres of coastline. Each day, about 1,700 vessels operate within Canada's 200-nautical-mile economic zone -- and not all of them announce their presence. Surface-wave radar installations cost about $5 million each to build and less than $200,000 a year to operate. Signals will be fed by telephone lines to a navy intelligence centre in Halifax. West Coast signals will be processed at Esquimalt, B.C. Costs are a fraction of the bills for military Aurora flights, coast guard patrols and fisheries surveillance flights, which run into the millions. For example, a single radar site could be operated for a tenth or less the cost of Provincial Airlines surveillance flights carried out on the East Coast for the federal government, an internal document estimates. The system has limits. Electromagnetic interference at night reduces the range, for example, and high waves can mask the presence of smaller vessels, such as fishing trawlers. Surface-wave radar is also ineffective over Arctic ice. At the same time, the signals are not affected by weather and the system provides real-time tracking, with updates of vessel locations every five minutes or so. The developers say surface-wave radar can act as an early-warning system to direct patrol aircraft and ships only to suspicious or distressed vessels and planes, a more efficient use of resources. The system can even be used to measure distant ocean currents to help build a clearer picture of the ocean environment. The data is not considered classified and can be readily used as evidence in court cases, unlike some electronic intelligence information that is regarded as highly sensitive and unavailable for prosecutions. "The navy will be using the data within the next year," says Bannister. "It's very impressive." Some facts and figures: Technology: Surface-wave radar uses the salty surface of the ocean as a conduit for its high-frequency signals. As a result, the signals hug the Earth's surface, travelling much farther than standard radar, which extends only to the horizon. History: The concept of surface-wave radar has been known since the Second World War, but only recently has computer technology allowed clear interpretation of the signals. Stations: Two experimental stations at Cape Race, Nfld., and Cape Bonavista, Nfld., built in the mid-1990s, currently undergoing $5- million upgrades to become fully operational. The data is already being used to track icebergs. Future: Up to six additional stations are planned for the East and West Coasts, the first being built in the summer of 2005. The project budget is $43.1 million. Savings: Unmanned stations can be built for about $5 million each, and operated for under $200,000 a year -- far less than for surveillance aircraft and coast guard ships. Prosecutions: Radar data is not classified and can be used in court to prosecute offenders, such as drug traffickers and ships that spill oil. © Copyright 2003 The Canadian Press (via Jill Dybka, DXLD) WTFK?? Note the above uses *high* frequencies, but along the surface, so presumably any ionospheric propagation would be minimised or incidental??? (gh, DXLD) POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ BPL (PLC) INTERFERENCE TO AM BROADCAST STATIONS? Here's the ARRL's position on BPL interference to medium wave broadcasting: (Chuck Hutton) Hi, Charles, None of my tests nor the claimed frequencies seem to affect below 2 MHz, so for the most part, I think AM BC radio will be okay. 73, Ed Hare, W1RFI, ARRL Lab, via Hutton, NRC-AM via DXLD) I think some caution is advised. I think many would believe (and I am NOT saying that Ed is, or is not, among them) that AM broadcasting QRM issues are just concerned with heavy interference to local signals. If there can be something like a 40 to 60 dB range between "local signals" and "DX-interest signals" you can easily come up with the scenario in which "no interference was noted" because the test site was able to copy a local signal cleanly, while the DX signal could have been covered up with some lower-level noise.. I think frequently, SW, VHF and HF Ham/BC are treated as a medium of weak-signal interest, whereas AM is not. But we in NRC and IRCA, for two, know better. Didn't Bruce Conti just recently report here serious problems on the AM BC band from this interference while at a demo site? Will a different s/n ratio standard be applied to AM than to HF? With the convention on, some discussion of this may have to wait a few days (Bob Foxworth, NRC-AM via DXLD) I doubt that even one "official" individual has tuned a receiver to anywhere in the MF AM broadcast band while measuring BPL HF QRN in the vicinity of powerlines. I've had dealings with W1RFI with powerline QRN in the past and he never really impressed me. I still think BPL is a threat to our hobby, especially the top 1/3 of the MF spectrum. 73, (Thomas F. Giella, KN4LF Space & Atmospheric Weather Forecaster Website Designer, 4208 Thackery Way, Plant City, FL, USA 33566, ibid.) I own an ICOM IC756PRO Ham rig. It is a great rig (on the ham bands) and supposed to be a sound to light receiver. 150 khz to 300 Mhz. I have this rig at my office which adjoins the Sarasota Airport. The outer marker transmitter for the Instrument Landing System is on 242 khz. Power is 25 watts. I cannot pick it up on this receiver. ARRL's own testing lab showed that this receiver needs 9.2mv to obtain a satisfactory s/n ratio at 1.2 Mhz. A receiver of this quality should be down around 0.5mv for a decent signal. They never mentioned this terrible performance. On the higher end of the AM band, I can sit in my office and receive 1600 from Key West during the day. Nice Salt water path to Sarasota for only 500 watts. Same with WWL out of New Orleans. Comes in great all day long. But 620 out of St. Pete has noise on the signal here. Did anyone read the glowing report printed in QST regarding IBOC and WOR? Never did they ever talk to any AM DXer to add balance to that report. It was nothing but repeating WOR's propaganda. So, I've learned to take any report from the ARRL with a grain of salt (Paul Smith, W4KNX, Located in Sunny Sarasota, Florida, ibid.) Yeah, that QST report on IBOC was a real piece of work. What was truly amazing was how they repeated the claims that you can add that huge digital component to an analog signal and still have everything fit into the same bandwidth as the analog signal alone. I knew ham radio was going straight to hell when they lowered the code speed for the Extra from 20 wpm to 5 wpm, and there's your proof (Harry Helms W7HLH Las Vegas, NV DM26, ibid.) I've discovered through Internet research that products already exist to remove BPL from power mains before it enters the house. Low pass filters allow the 50/60 Hz AC in while blocking high frequency interference. The claim is that BPL will not only interfere with broadcast reception, but it will also cause interference or stress to other household appliances and electronics such as programmable devices in microwave ovens, coffeemakers, etc. and audio/video equipment. One particular filter device is installed outside at the meter and provides USB outputs for connection to the computer. If (or should I say when) the FCC approves BPL, the public utilities should be required to install low pass filters on the meters of every non- subscribing household. In terms of AM broadcast interference, I expect that BPL will only worsen an already bad situation for AM listeners on the road. AM is already significantly compromised by powerline noise in suburbia. For the most part around here, AM is only listenable on the interstate highways where powerlines aren't overhead. In terms of DXing, a noise-reduced outdoor wire should do the job, just as it does now in terms of isolation from household interference. IBOC will likely represent a bigger challenge for MW DXing (Bruce Conti - Nashua NH, ibid.) You're right - until some real MW DXers say it's OK, it's not guaranteed to be OK. But Ed's note is still good news. I identified myself as a DX'er in my email to him, so at least he should have understood that the question is not "will local signals be trashed?". It was Fred V, not Bruce C that reported noise as best I remember. What was missing from Fred's report is something saying how much noise was there with no BPL. It's tough to say what Fred heard without a bit more information - maybe he heard a noisy system like Ben D's. And remember that with the modulation scheme used in BPL, there is no (repeat no) energy transmitted in MW frequencies (Chuck Hutton, ibid.) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ CUMBRE PROPAGATION REPORT A similar story to past reports. Flare activity has been very low over the last week, however the solar wind speed was elevated through until Aug 26 due to a coronal hole causing active/storm geomagnetic conditions and degraded propagation at mid and high latitudes. However periods of active conditions have persisted all week especially at higher latitudes with some absorption noted. Similar conditions should prevail for the next week with degraded propagation again forecast from Sep 3. A previously active region is returning to the eastern limb of the sun and may again produce some flares that will move into a geoeffective position over the next few days as well. Prepared using data from http://www.ips.gov.au (Richard Jary, SA, Aug 30, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) Book Review "THE HIGH LATITUDE IONOSPHERE AND ITS EFFECTS ON RADIO PROPAGATION", R. D. Hunsucker, J. K. Hargreaves, October 2002, Cambridge University Press, 617 pp. --- Here's what the publisher had to say about this great addition to the Space Weather field. The physical properties of the ionized layer in the Earth's upper atmosphere enable us to use it to support an increasing range of communications applications. This book presents a modern treatment of the physics and phenomena of the high latitude upper atmosphere and the morphology of radio propagation in the auroral and polar regions. Chapters cover the basics of radio propagation and the use of radio techniques in ionospheric studies. This book includes many examples of the behavior of quiet and disturbed high latitude HF propagation (SEC User Notes July via DXLD) AURORA OUTLOOK Earth is heading for a solar wind stream flowing from a coronal hole on the sun. Our first encounter with the stream could take place on Sept. 2nd, so that's when sky watchers should be alert for possible auroras. Visit Spaceweather.com for more information and updates (via Ary, BDXC, Aug 30 via DXLD) TIP FOR RATIONAL LIVING +++++++++++++++++++++++ MAKING THE WORLD SAFE FOR . . . THEOCRACY? By DOUG SAUNDERS, Saturday, August 30, 2003 - Page F3 http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20030830/DOUG30/TPFocus/ (Toronto Globe & Mail via Gerald T. Pollard, DXLD) ### ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-156, August 29, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3h.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1197: WWCR: Sat 1030, Sun 0230 5070, 0630 3210, Wed 0930 on 9475 RFPI: Sat 0800, 2330, Sun 0530, 1130, Mon 0030, 0630, 1230, Wed 0100, 0730, 1330 on 7445 [nominal times subject to delay or pre- emption] WRMI: Sat & Sun 1800+ on 15725 WINB: Sun 0031 on 12160 [for last time] WRN: Rest of world Sat 0800, Europe Sun 0430, N America Sun 1400 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1197h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1197h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1197.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1197.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1197.ram ** ALASKA. LF beacon gathers additional reports: A low-frequency (LF) beacon in Alaska has drawn confirmed reports from Canada and California. WD2XDW experimental beacon operator Laurence Howell, KL1X, in Anchorage, has reports from Steve McDonald, VE7SL, on Mayne Island near Victoria, British Columbia, and from Mike Silvers, KB6WFC, in Daly City, California. WD2XDW is on the air 24/7 at 137.77350 kHz using very slow-speed CW (called ``QRSS``) -- one dit every minute. McDonald said a week of monitoring had previously yielded ``small bits and pieces`` of the beacon signal, but conditions between British Columbia and Alaska turned excellent the morning of August 17. McDonald said the WD2XDW signal faded abruptly as the sun hit the D layer. McDonald is using an ICOM IC-R75 receiver and a J310 active whip at 25 feet (ARRL August 27 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** ANTARCTICA. 15475.99v, R. Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel, LRA36, 0100-0104 28 Aug, LA music, unreadable M announcer in Spanish, more music mixed with soft-spoken W and with same M announcer. Alternating M and W to at least 0120, but just below a readable level. Possible mention of Buenos Aires at 0110 by M. Faded down after 0115. Signal picked back up around 0140, but dropped back down. Seemed to go off at 0204. Gradually drifted also. Tnx to Gabriel Iván Barrera and Arnaldo Slaen for this special broadcast announcement (Dave, Valko, PA, 28 August, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Straggler A reminder of LRA36`s webpage: http://www.fcapital.com.ar/esperanza/pagina_otras.htm (via Adiel Bregado, SP, radioescutas via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. This is an interesting set of statements that Glenn reported (notes on RA Feedback Aug 22). Serving both external and internal audiences is certainly a challenge. I hope they continue to realize that just putting the national 24-hour feed (which normally wouldn't have repeats) on shortwave is not the answer. With today's digitizing of everything, even for production, I would think it ought to be "easy" to produce multiple feeds, albeit with the occasional "hiccups" of mistakes (such as those regularly pointed out among the various BBCWS feeds). A computer list of programs is all it should take to determine the schedule for a feed -- - perfect for the technofile in each office, leaving the actual program production to those who do it best. It can't be that more expensive or challenging, unless of course they haven't yet upgraded to an all-digital production methodology (such as RNW recently announced). But back to the original point of the message --- the program changes. It is too bad that we'll lose unique programming from yet another international broadcaster. The economy is affecting everyone. Cheers from Iowa, "where dreams come true" (Kevin Anderson, swprograms via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. Glenn: (With regard to your recent news about RA...) According to John Westland, English Service Exec. Producer, RA's program changes have been scaled back and there will be no modifications to the schedule until the weekend of 6/7 Sept. RA has renegotiated deals with music producers that will permit RA to maintain its weekday music programs for the time being. Weekend changes (from 6/7 Sept.) include the following: Music Show with Andrew Ford -- adding a first run at 0405 UT Sat in addition to its current 1205 UT broadcast. (It's a two hour package.) Business Show -- moves to 0005 UT Sat and is packaged during that hour with Ockham's Razor and Lingua Franca. Background Briefing -- adds an airing at 1005 UT Sat starting 13 Sept. Airing 6 Sept at this time will be a special forum on "smart societies". Keys to Music -- This is a new educational program, produced for ABC Classic FM and presented by Graham Abott and airing at 0005 UT Sun, with a repeat at 1005. The program's description says it "is designed to demystify fine music." (John Figliozzi, NY, Aug 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. NEED CASH? BECOME A CHARITY, ALSTON TELLS ABC By Annabel Crabb Communications Minister Richard Alston yesterday travelled to Ballarat to give the ABC board his latest idea on how the broadcaster can raise money - become a registered charity. . . http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/Weekly2003/08.26.2003/Australia6.htm (The Age Friday, August 29, 2003 via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. ABC JOURNALIST UNDER ATTACK --- By Marcus O'Donnell ABC staff yesterday threatened industrial action unless disciplinary proceedings against religion correspondent Stephen Crittenden were halted immediately. Crittenden, the presenter of Radio National's Religion Report, was taken off air six weeks ago and suspended on full pay following his publication of an article in the Sydney Morning Herald. The article explored `the clash of civilisations` stemming from the rise of fundamentalist Islamic movements and the west's militant response. . . http://www.ssonet.com.au/showarticle.asp?ArticleID=2557 A piece on the ABC's Stephen Crittenden from the Sydney Star-Observer, their major gay paper. (I hadn't realized that Crittenden was openly gay.) 73 (Bill Westenhaver, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ANGRY ABC STAFF WALK OUT OVER SUSPENSION By Barney Zwartz August 28, 2003 http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/08/27/1061663850604.html (via Jilly Dybka, Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. Hi Glenn, While typing this message about Voice International, Darwin, I`m listening to the CD of Finnish tango legends. On SW I heard I heard the VOICE INTERNATIONAL from Darwin on three frequencies: 13685 kHz in English signing off 15 UT. Hindi service with excellent reception on 13635, scheduled 11-17. The third frequency 7180 kHz is a bit mystery for me. Nice reception noted yesterday 1510 UT with in Bahasa Indonesian programme. Somehow Voice International, Darwin offers much stronger and clearer reception than HCJB Kununurra ever. 73`s (Jouko Huuskonen, Turku, FINLAND, Aug 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. HCJB on 15405, 1700-1730 Aug 29. Instead of scheduled Urdu program, nonstop religious contemporary music. English announcement that "normal programming will be continued as soon as possible" At 1730 s/off in middle of music (Silvain Domen, Belgium, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BELGIUM. Gelezen in RVI 'Onder Ons' --- De RTBF is opnieuw via Waver aan het uitzenden, ondermeer met de oude zenders die de VRT/RVI hebben opgegeven. De hele dag door op één frequentie 9970 kHz. De hele dag uitzenden op maar één frequentie is in de wereld van de kortegolf een beetje ongewoon. Maar hoe minder er geschakeld wordt, hoe kleiner de kans dat er iets kapot gaat. 73, (Guido Schotmans, Belgium, Aug 28, BDXC via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. Radio San Miguel en los 4906.58, a las 0321, el 29/08, SINPO 3/3. En virtual "colisión hertziana" con R. Zambia en 4910. El pasado 23/08 la capté en 4905.56, es decir, un poco más abajo (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, Yaesu FT-890, Antena TH3MK3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. Amigos DXistas en Conexión Digital! Consulta número. 1: 4600.35 kHz --- aquí en esta frecuencia supongo que transmita Radio Perla del Acre, Cobija, pero parece que nunca se identifique. Perla del Acre ha estado fuera del aire durante largo tiempo. Hace, no recuerdo la fecha exacta, aproximadamente 1 mes comencé a escuchar esta señal siempre con OM-DJ y música. La última vez yo noté Perla del Acre era en la frecuencia de 4600.33 kHz. Alguien en la lista tiene una identificación positiva? (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, Aug 29, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 5045, 0104 24/08 R. Guarujá Paulista, Guarujá (SP). Música "La Bamba", "Love is in the air". Programa "Pickup Musical" com Edson Nunes, "os grandes sucessos de seu ídolo preferido". "Straight from the heart" com Bryan Adams. Programa "Viver e Reviver" com Maria Eli. ID ``ZYK590 1550 KHz; ZYG860 3235 KHZ Ondas Tropicais; ZYG850 5045 KHz Ondas Curtas - Rádio Guarujá Paulista - A Rádio da família - falando para o Brasil". Música Let's Twist Again com Chubby Checker. - 54454 (Marcelo Herondino Cardoso, Florianópolis - SC, radioescutas via DXLD) ** CHINA. China is the world`s 800-pound gorilla, in terms of both audience size and Internet interdiction technology. Xiao Qiang, executive director of Human Rights in China, an international non- governmental organization, told On Line Journalism Review that the People`s Republic ``can dedicate unlimited resources to devleopment and deployment of censorship and surveillance technology. It is impossible for a relatively small number of technically savvy users, Xiao said, ``to defeat state censorship through grassroots efforts without external help.`` Some Internet blocking technology, ironically, is thought to be supplied to Beijing by U.S. firms. The BBG`s Ken Berman, testifying at the Capitol Hill hearing of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, explained some of the measures being taken to counter the jamming of VOA and Radio Free Asia websites. ``What we have essentially instituted,`` he said, ``is a two-prong `push-pull` program that consists of separate but related efforts: ¨ The `push` component consists of pushing e-mail news to those users in China who would find the news interesting or a complement to China`s official, approved news stories. (The e-mails get through because they circumvent the central Internet Service Providers thoroughly filtered by Chinese authorities.) ¨ The `pull` component consists of circumventing an elaborate matrix of Chinese filtering and content filtering techniques to permit users to access the VOA and RFA websites and pull internet content into the browsers of their computers. Because of the support by the Office of Engineering, says VOA East Asia Division Director Jay Henderson, the VOA Chinese Branch now sends more than a sesquimillion e-mails a day. ``We`ve easily surpassed our goal for this year and hope that at the rate we`re going,`` Henderson adds, ``we might reach five million a day long before our 2005 deadline to attain that goal.` As for the `pull` element of the program, one each of those e-mails sent, there are links with two to six different proxy sites, those not prohibited by Chinese censors. The proxy sites contain a wealth of information, including VOA and RFA websites, and can be changed from day to day, just as broadcast engineers over the years have switched from some frequencies to others to confuse jammers. The struggle is onging. Reporters San Frontières, in a report just released, notes that Chinese specialists in April sent e-mails containing specially designed viruses to the VOA Chinese website, and that other sites such as those of the Falunggong movement and pro- Tibet organizations, also were attacked. The Australian TV network ABC reported on April 23 that its website also had been blocked for the first time, just a few weeks before the Dalai Lama was to visit Australia. But countermeasures to blockage of the Internet and the courage of people with a need to know have combined to demonstrate again that no nation can seal itself off electronically in the digital, satellite age of communications. Radio Free Asia Vice President of Programming Dan Southerland says China`s decision to finally announce the gravity of the SARS crisis came after a retired military doctor, Jiang Yanyong, revealed to RFA and Time Magazine that those infected in Beijing were ``a dozen times more numerous than top Chinese officials had admitted`` between January and April 2003. ``As unfortunate as SARS is,`` engineer Ken Berman observes, ``it has been a boon to the freedom of Internet information movement. Our news is anxiously followed, the VOA and RFA Chinese language traffic has doubled, and has allowed Chinese citizens free and unfettered access to a wide range of previously censored information. E-mail news (as of June 5) includes daily SARS reports and statistics, and links to the World Health Organisation and other sites.`` In the end, VOA`s Jay Henderson told the Commission`s June hearing, ``let us ask the Chinese every day between now and the opening of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing how they can expect the world to send its best athletes into their care if their government thinks the proper response to a health crisis is to cover it up. I hope, `` he concluded, ``that the next time a SAES-like crisis hits China, the first response will be: `Let`s get the word out`.`` (from ``China, Iran and the Internet,`` by Alan Heil, The Channel, AIB, July 2003 via DXLD) ** COLOMBIA. Armónico de otra colombiana: Radio Mundial (si mal no escuché), se repite en los 2740 kHz, segundo armónico de 1370 kHz OM, con locutor y locutora que hacían comentarios religiosos. Música religiosa. Mucho más fuerte que el armónico de Radio María en 3160 (29/08, 0417 UT). (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, Yaesu FT- 890, Antena TH3MK3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. Radio Habana Cuba: 27/08, a las 0417. 15230 (5/5), 11875 (5/5), 9550 (5/4), 11760 (3/2), 9600 (5/5 +40dB), 5965 (3/3). (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, Yaesu FT-890, Antena TH3MK3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. More about our new transmitters tests. 11760 kiloHertz, 100 kiloWatts beaming to the East Coast of North America in Spanish from 00 to 05 UT, and we may soon add the 05 to 07 UT segment in parallel with 9820 and 9550 in English. Be on the lookout for this new RHC additional frequency that will soon be on the air; again the frequency is 11760 kiloHertz and the time from 05 to 07 UT, with our English language program. {not 3 Sept but heard in early Oct anyway} Sad day for Cuban radio: both broadcasting and amateur radio in Cuba today are mourning the death of Eduardo Fernández, CO7RR, the founder of Radio Rebelde station that from the Sierra Maestra mountains in 1958 made daily broadcasts telling the people of Cuba and the Americas about the revolutionary war in progress at that time against the Fulgencio Batista dictatorship. Eduardo was a very dedicated and enthusiastic radio amateur operator, and for a number of years was the President of the Cuban Federation of Radio Amateurs. I met him in 1959, just as he came down from the mountains where he was what could best be described as the chief engineer of Radio Rebelde. Eduardo Fernández loved radio and it he helped every one he could to become a radio amateur. Among his favorite aspects of ham radio was operating using radioteletype, a mode that he simply loved. From the days of the mechanical teletype machines, Eduardo patiently explained to every Cuban radio amateur willing to listen, how radio teletype worked, and his participation in several international RTTY contests was always much expected, because at one time CO7RR and later his newer call CO2BB were the only RTTY stations operating from Cuba. A very modest and humble person, he was promoted to the highest military rank of the Ejército Rebelde, the Cuban Rebel Army that fought against Batista, where he was one of the Comandantes de la Sierra. Saying good bye to my long time friend Eduardo Fernández Rodríguez, CO7 Radio Radio, today at the Cristóbal Colón Cemetery in Havana several hundred Cuban radio amateurs joined workers of Radio Rebelde and the many friends and compañeros he had in the military. Adios, mi amigo Eduardo, we will always remember you on the air !!! (Prof. Arnie Coro A., CO2KK, RHC DXers Unlimited Aug 26, via Bob Chandler, VE3SRE, ODXA via DXLD) ** CUBA. NEW ANTENNAS AN EFFORT TO JAM U. S.-BASED RADIO MARTÍ? http://www.cubanet.org/CNews/y03/ago03/28e1.htm HAVANA, August 26 (http://www.cubanet.org) - The Cuban government has installed four large parabolic antennas in Palma Soriano, in easternmost Cuba, which experts have said could be intended to jam transmissions of U. S. -based Radio Martí. "The antennas are about six meters (about 19 feet) in diameter and have been placed in the tallest structures: the water tank on the roof of the Palma Hotel, the Popular Council building, about 80 meters (about 250 feet) high; another on the water works water tank, about 300 meters (over 900 feet) high; and the fourth on the roof of the printing plant, at more than 100 meters (over 300 feet) high," said Juan Carlos Cárdenas, a human rights activist in Palma Soriano. It is widely known that at San Felipe, in southern Havana province, there are several such antennas, as well as in several other places on the island (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) Versión original en español: http://www.cubanet.org/CNews/y03/ago03/27a1.htm Satellite jamming: See INTERNATIONAL VACUUM {more on this in Sept} ** CUBA [non]. CUBA LIBRE: HERNÁNDEZ TAKES REINS --- Radio Martí Has a New Director With a Familiar Mission --- by Steve Sullivan For the heads of most radio stations, success is measured in terms of revenue. But for Jorge Luís Hernández, success will come with the transition of one nation's government from communism to democracy. . . http://www.radioworld.com/reference-room/special-report/02_rwm_marti.shtml (RW Online Sept 1 via DXLD) ** ECUADOR. Radio Quito, 4919, SINPO 33322, a las 0348. Noto que ya no está 24 horas en la banda tropical. (27/08). (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, Yaesu FT-890, Antena TH3MK3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EGYPT. The French service of Radio Cairo announced two e-mail addresses for its listeners: frenchprog@erti.org and oridi@hotmail.com (Mohamed Kallel, Tunisia, Aug 27 DSWCI DX Window Aug 29 via DXLD) ** FINLAND. POWER OUTAGE BLACKS OUT HELSINKI AND VANTAA ON SATURDAY EVENING . . .The blackout disrupted traffic and emergency response centres in Helsinki. Hospitals and airports reverted to back-up systems and avoided emergencies. Emergency response centres were flooded with telephone calls, and all calls to 112 could not be answered. Citizens have been instructed to listen to radio station Radio Suomi in the event of a power failure. However, even Radio Suomi was off the air for eight minutes beginning at 8.45 p.m. Normally, the Finnish Broadcasting Company (YLE) receives power from its own generators, but even this reserve stopped functioning for a short time. The generators failed to provide electricity, and the batteries that form the second back-up could not handle the entire required output. YLE head Arne Wessberg commented that the break in radio transmissions was unforgivable. "People have learned to rely on battery-operated radios during power cuts." YLE relays official statements from authorities during emergencies, but no such statement was prepared about the power outage on Saturday. . . http://www.helsinki-hs.net/news.asp?id=20030825IE3 (Helsingin Sanomat Aug 25 via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** GERMANY. Allerweltshaus Köln --- Quite interesting. The website (obviously not updated during the summer season) states that an Ethiopian group, an Uganda project called Vovi and a Kenya group called Tafungua http://www.tafungua.de meet there, to mention the ones that would fit to CIRAF 48, so to speak. I will try to find out more (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Aug 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. Relatively new gospel station Evangelische Missions Gemeinden Deutchland via DTK-Wertachtal on 6015 at 1730-1759 Thu/Fri only (Silvain Domen, Belgium, Aug 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. DEUTSCHE TELEKOM T-SYSTEMS SUPPORTS OVER 30 BROADCASTERS The HF facilities at Julich and Wertachtal are now used by over 30 broadcasters on a leased basis. The complete schedule, as a PDF file, updated to August 18, may be viewed, downloaded and printed at http://engradio.org/t-systems.pdf It was submitted by member Alokesh Gupta, India (EDXP Aug 29 http://edxp.org by permission via DXLD) ** GERMANY. DW preview Aug 29-30: One of the topics on Spectrum, DW's weekly look at developments in the fields of science and technology: European DX council: Each year, dedicated listeners manage to tune in to radio stations from thousands of miles away on the AM broadcast band. In fact, the AM band is where DXing began. Back in the 1920s, the first radio stations were keen to know just how far away they were being heard. So they asked for reception reports from listeners, and promised to reply to reports with souvenir postcards confirming that the listener indeed heard the station. In fact, the entire hobby of short wave listening grew from those beginnings. Today, there are hundreds of DX clubs around the world. The European DX Council was formed in 1967 in Copenhagen, Denmark; it is not a DX club, but an umbrella organisation of DX clubs in 17 European countries with a membership of some 6,000. Luigi Cobisi, Secretary-General of the European DX Council, told Rajiv Sharma just how popular the hobby is today (World Radio Network WRN-English-Newsletter@wrn.org (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** GUATEMALA? 4698.71, R Amistad (tentative). I think they may have reactivated. 1100 Aug 29 with a strong carrier, but almost no modulation. Anyone else hearing something here with perhaps better reception? (Hans Johnson, WY Cumbre DX via DXLD) UNID 4698.70, Latin first noted on 18 August with fair signal 1015- 1030, noted since with Latin programming. Also at 0030-0045 . Never pulled an ID, station prone to deep fades. This is regards to Hans Johnson question in Cumbre DX (Bob Wilkner, FL, ibid.) Amigos DXistas en Conexión Digital! Consulta número 2: 4698.75 kHz - La señal está muy débil y de mala calidad. Encontré esta señal hace aproximadamente 14 días y ayer en la mañana escuché el programa "Mañanitas de Amistad". Por esto creo que sea Radio Amistad, San Pedro de La Laguna (Guatemala). Probablemente ha estado fuera el aire durante bastante tiempo. La última vez yo capté Radio Amistad, estuvo en 4698.75 kHz. Alguien en la lista tiene una identificación positiva? (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, Aug 29, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** GUATEMALA. 4780, Radio Coatán, 1100-1131 frequent IDs by M over religious music, excellent signal "estudios de Radio Coatán... las palabras de Dios". Frequency and station ID 1130 [Robert Wilkner, FL, Aug 29,DX LISTENING DIGEST] ** HONDURAS. Música religiosa en 3340 kHz, 0352, SINPO 23221. (27/08). (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, Yaesu FT-890, Antena TH3MK3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HONDURAS. Radio Litoral fuera del aire (la medí en 4830.06, el 27/08), durante los días 28 y 29/08 (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, Yaesu FT-890, Antena TH3MK3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Voz masculina, parecía un predicador. Cierre con marcha que asumo es el himno nacional, 3249.48 kHz, a las 0344 UTC. SINPO 3/2 (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, Yaesu FT-890, Antena TH3MK3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Presumably Radio Luz y Vida (gh) ** INDIA. Glad to note this station AIR Thiruvananthapuram / Trivandrum 5010 kHz once again in the air. 1730 UT a five minute news bulletin in English. Then close down at 1735 UT with really nice reception. No trace of Madagascar. My Merriam Webster´s Geographical Dictionary (Third Edition) tells these facts about THIRUVANANTHAPURAM / TRIVANDRUM: Seaport city, Capital of Kerala, SW India, on Arabian Sea 140 mi. (225 km.) SW of Mandurai; pop. (1991c) 699, 872: produces copra; rope, textiles, soap; 18th cent. temple; observatory; zoölogical garden, museum, university; made of Capital of Kingdom of Travavancore mid-18th century. 73´s (Jouko Huuskonen, Turku, FINLAND, Aug 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. CABLE TV HITS SNAG IN INDIA India is a democracy, yet it controls the availability of broadcast news tightly. At the same time it has enjoyed a highly unregulated cable TV industry. Now there are moves to change that, with the introduction of conditional access television that could throw the cable industry in the country into chaos. It is estimated that there are over 30,000 independent cable TV operators who have rigged up interesting networks by stringing cables from telegraph poles and between trees to serve subscribers owning around 40 million TV sets -- half the total estimate of television sets in the country. Fees are low, ranging from 50 rupees in smaller towns to 400 rupees in the big cities where there`s a choice of 70 or more channels. A key problem is that revenues often don`t find their way back to rights owners --- channel operators --- and that technical standards are often low, with unclear pictures at the subscriber`s home. To solve these issues, and a raft of others --- such as channels using inflated subscriber numbers to attract advertisers --- the Indian government is introducing a conditional access system. Due to start in July in four major cities including Delhi and Mumbai, subscribes will have to rent or buy a new set-to-box with CA technology installed. However, the launch has been thwarted by a shortage of set-top boxes, so it`s likely that it will be the end of the year before the system is introduced (The Channel, AIB, July 2003, via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. Info from Roland Schulze, Philippines, u.o.s.: 3325, RRI Palangkaraya, Jul 30 and a couple of days up to Aug 08, obviously problems with the transmitter or antenna, because the signal is very weak and sounds like 1 kW or less! (Schulze) 3344.8, RRI Ternate was off the air Jul 30-Aug 08 (Schulze) 4753.6, RRI Makassar was off the air Jul 30-Aug 08 (Schulze) 4870, RRI Wamena is not on the air regularly and local evening broadcast times vary (Schulze, Aug 08) 4874.6, RRI Sorong is off the air at present (Schulze, Aug 08) However, it was back on 4870.9, 0924-1005* Aug 15, Azan Magrib call to prayer started followed by 0929 lagu padang pasir (desert songs, i.e. Arabic style) then tedious information but with many mentions of Sorong from around 0935 until unceremonious close. Crazy frequency choice as RRI Wamena not far away on 4870 at similar strength. However, Sorong may have no choice but to use their very old 10 kW transmitter. The usual but extremely irregular transmitter on 4874.6 was first mentioned in WRTH in 1978 and before that 4871v was used. From 1986-88 both transmitters were used, 4871 in local mornings and 4875 in evenings but since then only 4875 (Foster in DXplorer) 4925, RRI Jambi is not on the air regularly and local evening broadcast times vary (Schulze, Aug 08) 9743.6, RRI Sorong has a new time schedule mostly with relays of RRI Jakarta // 9680 and 11860 (Schulze, Aug 08) Heard closing down 0759* Aug 15, just after HCJB 9745 had s/on. Before that was weak but clear (David Foster, Australia in DXplorer) (all: Aug 27 DSWCI DX Window Aug 29 via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM [non]. CUBA E IRAN COMPLICES EN INTERFERENCIA A SATELITE DE E.U. Los países que apoyan al terrorismo no solo amenazan los intereses de los Estados Unidos en tierra, mar y aire, ahora se han unido para atacar a propiedades de los Estados Unidos en el espacio sideral. Al tener éxito en bloquear la señal de un satélite de comunicaciones de los EEUU que se mantiene en órbita sobre el Atlántico, los regímenes de Cuba e Irán han desafiado el dominio de los EEUU en el espacio y la presunción del libre acceso a las comunicaciones de satélite que hacen posible el indisputado poderío militar de los EEUU. . . http://www.lanuevacuba.com/nuevacuba/notic-03-08-2001esp.htm (By J. Michael Waller, Insight Magazine, Washington, E.U.; Traducción: Joaquín Sueiro Bonachea, La Nueva Cuba, Agosto 28, 2003, via Óscar de Céspedes, FL, Conexión Digital via DXLD) Original in English: IRAN AND CUBA ZAP U.S. SATELLITES Posted Aug. 6, 2003, By J. Michael Waller News, information and other programming broadcast by satellite from the United States into Iran fuels the democracy movement in that Muslim country. State sponsors of terrorism not only threaten U.S. interests on land, at sea and in the air, but now they have teamed up to attack U.S. assets in space. By successfully jamming a U.S. communications satellite over the Atlantic Ocean, the regimes of Cuba and Iran challenged U.S. dominance of space and the assumptions of free access to satellite communication that makes undisputed U.S. military power possible. . . http://www.insightmag.com/news/449580.html (Insight Magazine via gh, also via Óscar de Céspedes, DXLD) ** IRAN. Satellite jamming: see just above ** ISRAEL. ARUTZ 7 INCREASES ENGLISH BROADCASTS Mike Brand reports: Israeli commercial broadcaster Arutz 7 (Israel National Radio) has responded to recent cuts in the English language output of public broadcaster Kol Israel by expanding its own English language programming. The station, which describes itself as the Mideast's only independent newstalk network, now broadcasts in English in the mornings at 6.30 am Israel time (0330 UT) on mediumwave 1143 kHz and FM 105.2 MHz, in addition to evenings from 9.00 pm Israel time (1800 UT) on mediumwave 1539 kHz and FM 98.7 MHz. Live broadcasts can also be heard via the station's site http://www.israelnationalnews.com (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 29 August 2003 via DXLD) ** JAPAN [non]. Radio Japón en 9660, el 28/08, a las 0506, emitía su servicio en español para América Central. El problema: este servicio debe salir por la frecuencia de 11895. Lamentablemente, las antenas de los 9660 no está dirigidas hacia esta zona. Severamente interferida. SINPO 3/2. 73's y buen DX (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, Yaesu FT-890, Antena TH3MK3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) via Guiana French ** KOREA NORTH. Re Voice of Korea on 6070: This frequency originates not from the foreign service transmitter centre Kujang but is listed as Kanggye 250 kW, obviously sharing the transmitter with KCBS 6100. Observations by Olle Alm left hardly a doubt that this is one of the Brown Boveri transmitters from the closed Swiss sites obtained by North Korea (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Aug 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA SOUTH. ENGLISH RADIO SET TO GO ON AIR http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200308/kt2003082818193011990.htm SEOUL (Yonhap) -- South Korea's first English-language radio station will begin broadcasting next week on the southern resort island of Cheju, a state-run cable television station said Thursday. Arirang TV said it will air 18 hours of FM stereo programs per day, mostly consisting of up-to-the-minute news on traffic conditions, weather and South Korea's tourist attractions and culture. The launch of English-language radio from Monday is part of the government's plan to boost the nation's image and tourism industry after last year's successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup finals, Arirang TV said. The station began its English-only television programs in 1997, but has yet to air radio programs. It aims to establish similar English radio stations in Seoul and Incheon [sic] next year and in all major cities and provinces by 2006 (via Mike Terry, DXLD) Not only WTFK, but what is the *name* of the station? Geez (gh) ** MONGOLIA. 4865v, Mongol Radio and TV, Dalanzad (presumed), 1300- 1400*, Aug 08 and 09, Mongolian talks by man and woman, typical Mongolian music. The audio is terrible, and the crystal is defect, so it drifts from 4864.90 to 4865.20 (Roalnd Schulze, Philippines, Aug 27 DSWCI DX Window Aug 29 via DXLD) 4895, Mongolian Radio, *2100-2104, Aug 20, Interval signal repeated several times till 2102, then an announcement and National Anthem (choir singing) followed. At 2104 male voice in studio started speaking. 35333. Much weaker on 4830 (I've been able to make a conclusion about program equality only during the Anthem.) Moreover, there was a strange tone signal on 4830 (Dmitiri Mezin, Kazan, Russia, in Signal via Aug 27 DSWCI DX Window Aug 29 via DXLD) ** NEW ZEALAND. Change to RNZI Schedule Effective 9/1/03, Radio New Zealand International is going to a 24 hour schedule, and a new weekday Pacific current affairs magazine, ``Dateline Pacific,`` will join the schedule several times a day. As a result, please note the following changes to the information provided in this month`s SW Guide section (p. 55): 0308 M-F Dateline Pacific 0330 M New Music Releases; T Mailbox/RNZI Talk, W Tradewinds, H World in Sport, F Pacific Correspondent 1100 M-F Pacific Regional News 1108 M-F (as 0308 M-F) 1130 M-F (as 0330 M-F) 1300 S/A RNZ News, M-F (as 0300-0400 M-F) 1308 S Tagata o te Moana, A New Music Releases 1335 S/A tba 1400 D RNZ News 1405 S Touchstone, M-F relay National Radio, A In a Mellow Tone 1430 S Hymns 1500 S/A RNZ News, M-F (as 0300-0400 M-F) 1508 S/A Forces Radio 1600 D RNZ News 1605 S/A relay National Radio, M-F Mana Tagata 1630 M-F relay National Radio Additional information will appear in October`s SWG. In the interim, consult RNZI`s web site at http://www.rnzi.com (Sept MONITORING TIMES via DXLD) ** NIGERIA. Thanks to a tip in the latest DXLD 3-155 have just tuned in to Voice of Nigeria on new 17800 kHz. Strong and clear in English at this time (2145 UT on Thursday 28th). 73s (Dave Kenny, UK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 17800, V. of Nigeria 8/28 2235-2300*. Program "Global Peace", with man discussing "using democracy to achieve peace in Africa"; 2245-54 YL with news; 2255 "Mental Vision" feature; 2259 closing anmt, address, anthem. Good signal (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Drake R-8. 100-foot RW. Cumbre DX via DXLD) I was listening at the same time, Aug 28 from 2100 with a program on the arts, 2200 five minutes of news, and a mix of other features, plus numerous program promos giving several airtimes for each. But I never heard a frequency announced. If they were going to make a big move from 15 to 17 MHz, they should have been promoting it for at least a week in advance, at least on their own air, if not in press releases to the shortwave/DX media! Why am I not surprised that still on Aug 29, http://www.voiceofnigeria.org/frequency.html claims to be on 15120 with no mention of 17800. The female continuity announcer was relatively easy to understand, but not many of the other speakers, especially externally recorded actualities. Absolutely no interference, and a strong signal tho with some flutter, but the modulation as usual was not up to par. Nothing on 15120. However, on Fri Aug 29 around 1717 there was again a strong but very undermodulated signal, language uncertain, on 15120. By 2100 recheck, nothing on 15120, and a weak and very fluttery signal on 17800 again (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 17800, VON in English must be ex-15120. I haven't heard it for a few days. Thanx for that info! 11770, by the way, is not //7255. I heard them signing on at 1957 on 7255 a few times, but never before that time. Distorted yesterday (Thorsten Hallmann, Münster, Germany, Aug 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Voice of Nigeria is heard on air at tune in 0640 in English on 17800 today Aug.29. A very strong signal but co-channel with RFI via Issoudun in French. A presumed move from 15120, which is empty. 7255 is still operating and currently [0630] at fair strength in French. (Noel R. Green [Blackpool-UK], Cumbre DX via DXLD) Voice of Nigeria is still on 17800 kHz this morning (Friday 29th), heard in English from tune-in at 0845 UT with very strong signal. This frequency may replace 15120 kHz which is currently unheard. 73s (Dave Kenny, UK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 17800, V. of Nigeria, Tnx CumbreDX tips, 2236-2247 29 Aug, Interview of M by W in English to 2242. Horrible audio sounding as though it was recorded from inside a cardboard tube!! 2243-2245 program promos for "African Forces", "From the Bookshelf", and "Literary Corner". 2245 ID by W followed by news. Strong but quite undermodulated. Wonder if this is the old 19 mb transmitter (Dave Valko, Dunlo PA, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** PARAGUAY? Re PIRATE (South America). 11420.3, R. Piranha Internacional --- Mmm... it could be Paraguay, too... since there is no jungle in Uruguay, for what we just call "monte" (meaning woods. It is last sentence about BC SW activity that has cue for me --- since Paraguay has most of the channels inactive (Nacional, Encarnación, etc. have been inactive lately, only América but on irregular basis), meanwhile Uruguay has kept its modest presence) (Horacio A. Nigro Montevideo - Uruguay, Aug 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 4992.6, R. Ancash, Huaraz. Here in Chimbote there is a friend of mine working in R. Ancash and he helps me to get QSL verification for my friends. My address is: César Pérez Dioses, Correo Central, Chimbote, Peru (Pérez, Aug 27 DSWCI DX Window Aug 29 via DXLD) ** PUERTO RICO. La puertorriqueña "Notiuno", ha sido escuchada en los 910 kHz, a las 0406 UT, el 28/08, SINPO 3/3, con el programa "Contacto con Notiuno". Señal sostenida. También captada en los 760, con ID's como "Notiuno 630". Me llamó la atención que los programas de ambas frecuencias son diferentes en ciertos momentos y luego se enlazan entre sí. 810 AM, de Puerto Rico, con señal estable, el 28/08, a las 0427, con temas de Michael Sembello "Maniac" y Bee Gees "Night Fever" (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, Yaesu FT-890, Antena TH3MK3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. 17705, new "Russian International Radio" program (Cf. DX- Window no. 225) via DTK (joint venture of Voice of Russia and private Russkoye Radio), popping on at 1356, Aug 24, just before published *1400. In mid-program, upbeat format, man talking; full ID at 1400, mentioned both "Radio Kompanya Golos Rossii" and "Russkoye Mezhdunarodnoye Radio," then seeming news by woman, into Russian pop vocals at 1406, ID again 1412, by which time reception had gotten noisy. Pretty good strength, tho still a little fady at this hour. Closed at 1500* after Voice of Russia IS. -- Also, 9405, maybe this one at 2045, Aug 23, poor signal under merciless RTTY, off at 2100, which is their published s/off time; seemed Russian, but nothing definitive on ID (Jerry Berg, MA, Aug 27 DSWCI DX Window Aug 29 via DXLD) "Russian International Radio" is based on an agreement on "strategic partnership" which the head of The Voice of Russia (VOR), Armen Oganesyan and Sergey Arkhipov, the president of the "Russian Media Group" (which owns Russkoye Radio), signed in February 2003. The new service is to be broadcast not only on MW & SW, but also on satellite for the Russian diaspora around the world. Oganesyan expects that the new service could more than double the audience of VOR's Russian language programmes which currently counts 100 million listeners worldwide. Russkoye Radio http://www.rusradio.ru is Russia's commercial network No 1. Not so long ago the station received an award by president Putin for promoting Russian language and culture (Bernd Trutenau in Dxplorer via Aug 27 DSWCI DX Window Aug 29 via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. Re ** VIETNAM [non]. Degar Voice (via Atamanovka, Russia) Atamanovka is the transmitter site east of Chita (cf. WRTH 2003 pg. 527 with exact coordinates). 73s, (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, DX LISTENING DIGEST) a.k.a.: Chita (Kai Ludwig, Germany, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The Atamanovka site is listed on the following page under Chita. http://www.mindspring.com/~ttmdoc/shortwave_radio_transmitters_in_.htm (Steve Lare, Holland, MI, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SAUDI ARABIA [non]. UK-BASED SAUDI OPPOSITION TV REPORTEDLY STOPS BROADCASTING | Text of report entitled: "TV transmission stops 'hopefully temporary'. Radio channel still beamed on the old frequency"; published by Movement for Islamic Reform web site on 29 August Transmission of Al-Islah [satellite] television has ceased once again due to pressure from the Saudi government on Eutelsat, [the company] which owns the satellite through which the channel broadcasts. Eutelsat used the pretext of some missing documents and chose the end of the week in order make it difficult for officials in charge of the channel to resort to lawyers or official and legal parties. The movement [MIRA] hopes that the channel's disappearance will not be for long and that steps will be taken to resume transmission and force the party that discontinued the transmission to pay compensation for the duration of the stoppage. We want to point out that transmission on the radio channel is still being carried on the old frequency: that is, 11096 with vertical polarity. Information for the radio channel: Satellite: Hotbird 6 Satellite Channel: 129 Bouquet: Deutsche Telekom Polarity: Vertical Symbol Rate: 27500 FEC: 3/4 Video PID: 8191 Audio PID: 74 Source: Movement for Islamic Reform web site, UK, in Arabic 29 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) What about SW??? ** SOUTH AFRICA. Estación en idioma inglés en 3255.05 kHz, la cual a todas luces parece ser africana. ¿Liberia, Botswana? Señal más fuerte a las 0427. Demasiada estática. Ya desvanecida a las 0500. (29/08). (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, Yaesu FT-890, Antena TH3MK3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) BBCWS relay from RSA, scheduled 0300-0500 (gh) ** UKRAINE [and non]. Early checking of RUI's new 9810 kHz. August 29, 2003 --- 0000 UT 9805 nothing; 9810 Arabic type music; 9815 unID; 9820 R. Habana Cuba positive ID. 0015 UT same as 0000 0030 UT 9805 R. Farda positive ID; others same as 0000 UT 0045 UT same as 0030. Unable to check August 28, 2003 as we were having terrible thunderstorms, again. 73, (Kraig Krist, VA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. Achala Sharma, head of BBC`s Hindi Service has been awarded the World Hindi Honour at the seventh World Hindi Conference held in Surinam. Sharma has been recognized for her ``significant contributions to the development and popularity of the Hindi language in the field of broadcast and literature``. For 18 years, Sharma has been instrumental in turning BBC Hindi into a leading Hindi-language radio and online service. Among other achievements, she has to her credit two collections of radio plays, `Passport` and `Jaren` (Roots) which were recently released in London. She has also authored two novels and three collections of short stories (The Channel, AIB, July 2003, via DXLD) ** U K. A few months ago I posted a NY Post editorial on the Kelly affair stating (while holding my nose) that it made some good points. That editorial at least had some factual basis for its mostly measured assertions. Today, the Post published a follow-up editorial on the matter and it should be noted that the paper has reverted to its more common, less measured and less factual approach. In short, the editorial is a load of you-know-what. Here it is, annotated with my comments: http://www.topica.com/lists/swprograms/read/message.html?sort=d&mid=1714317527&start=17985 (John Figliozzi, NY, Aug 28, swprograms via DXLD) Further discussion, response by Joe Buch in next message: http://www.topica.com/lists/swprograms/read/message.html?sort=d&mid=1714318704&start=17986 (Joe Buch, ibid.) And John Figliozzi replies: http://www.topica.com/lists/swprograms/read/message.html?sort=d&mid=1714319051&start=17987 (swprograms via gh, DXLD) BRITISH OFFICIAL DENIES ROLE IN NAMING BBC SOURCE By Glenn Frankel, Washington Post Foreign Service, Thursday, August 28, 2003; Page A20 LONDON, Aug. 27 -- Defense Secretary Geoffrey Hoon testified today that Prime Minister Tony Blair's aides, and not him, were behind the government's decision to identify a British weapons expert as the source for a BBC report questioning a public intelligence dossier on Iraq's access to weapons of mass destruction. . http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A56091-2003Aug27.html (via Kraig Krist, DXLD) ** U S A. TRAILER PARK MINISTRIES MYSTERY SOLVED One of the longest running mysteries in North American pirate radio DX circles has revolved around The Voice of Trailer Park Ministries. First appearing on the shortwave bands in October 1989, this unusual religious pirate broadcaster created controversy right from the beginning. Host R. F. Fields transmitted religious sermons along with frequent station identifications. Those lengthy identifications normally were, ``Hello and good evening to all our radio friends, American Forces everywhere, and all the ships at sea. You are tuned in to Radio Voice of Trailer Park Ministry, America`s first shortwave pirate religious broadcaster. This is Rev. R. F. Fields.`` However, for more than a decade there has been some controversy about what the actual identification of this station is. Some DXers, including your editor, heard the ID as Radio Voice of Kramer`s Park Ministry. The station announced no address, and thus it had no means of responding to correspondence from listeners. Further, R. F. Fields did not provide any answers to this puzzle by publicizing his station. All of this coy mystery has now come to an end. As we see here, R. F. Fields has now been sending out QSL sheets for ancient receptions of his station by many DXers. They clearly show that Rev. R. F. Fields` station actually is called The Voice of Trailer Park Ministries. Further, Fields claims to be ``The only certified sane radio preacher.`` The text of his QSL sheet reads, in part: THE VOICE OF TRAILER PARK MINISTRIES Reverend Doctor R. F. Fields ``The only certified sane radio preacher`` ``I am sorry to take so long to send this QSL. My radio station has been off the air for over 4 years because an evil neighbor at the Shady Grove Trailer Park called the Orlando Police and said that my radio station interfered with watching Saturday Night Live and the police came out and talked to me and then they came back with a socialist worker and talked to me again and then they came back with the socialist worker and a ambulance and the ambulance drivers chased me and caught me where I was hiding under a doublewide down the street and strapped me down to a stretcher and took me to the hospital and the doctors at the hospital said that I has (sic) loose screws in the steel plate that the Army doctors put in my head after I was shot in the head by an artillery shell in the Vietnamese War and that they needed to fix the screws and that my brain needed a rest. They fixed the screws and put me in the State Hospital for my brain to rest and the nurses at the State Hospital would not let me get online because they said that I got agitated too easy and that my brain would not rest if I got online so I didn`t get to look up my reception reports until now because a doctor at the state hospital gave me a piece of paper that says I am certified sane and told me that they were letting me loose and I can get online now.`` ``I am sending out QSLs to my old listeners now and I want you to know that I am going to get me a new True Light Trailer and Emergency Drive-In Church after I get out of the half-way house where I live now and I will be able to return to the airwaves this fall or winter with an improved station and better coverage so listen for me around 6955 kHz on holiday weekends and other weekend nights around November and December 2003.`` Fields` QSLs also reveal that the station uses a B&W 5100B transmitter with crystal control and 120 watts. The signal is fed into a vertical antenna. As you see here, Fields has future plans to return to the shortwave broadcasting bands. If you hear this one, you will tune in one of the most mysterious pirate stations that has ever bounced a signal off the ionosphere. Also, you will know that the operator of this one actually has a sheet of paper providing medical certification that Rev. Fields is in fact ``The only certified sane radio preacher.`` If you hear him, let us know! (George Zeller, Outer Limits, Sept MONITORING TIMES via DXLD) ** U S A. Hey Glenn! LOVE DX Digest. Right, currently listening to WRMI out of Miami, USA, up here in Alberta, Canada. (My laptop battery charging nearby is adding an interesting background noise.) Figured I'd pass on that they're talking about cutbacks, and are recommending you keep up at their website http://www.wrmi.net as there are big changes afoot, including, amongst other things, frequency changes. Don't know if this is of use for DX Digest, but you ask for people to submit news, so there you go:) Keep up the good work (Steve, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Steve, Thanks for the news, but I am wondering if this really concerns WRMI itself, or some program carried by the station? When did you hear it? Was it Jeff White of WRMI or someone else speaking? Nothing new at the WRMI site, with the program schedule still dated July 1 Regards, (Glenn to Steve, cc to Jeff White, via DXLD) Glenn -- I don't have the slightest idea what Steve is referring to. As you say, maybe it's some program we broadcast (IBC? Christian Media Network?). We certainly haven't said anything like that, that I can recall (Jeff White, WRMI Miami Aug 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [non]. 15650, Pan American Broadcasting, 1430-1445, broadcasts in Arabic under the name ``Catholique Broadcasting Radio``, 55444. The address as heard: PO BOX 144, Michigan, Victoria 3132 USA (Mohamed Kallel, Tunisia, Aug 27 DSWCI DX Window Aug 29 via DXLD) The ZIP-code is not complete. They can also be contacted by e-mail at gbernald@panambc.com (DSWCI Ed) 3132 is an Australian postcode, and indeed Google search on ``Victoria 3132`` produces a town called Mitcham! (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. MORE ABOUT CLASSICAL MUSIC ON RADIO Glenn: Having been the PD of five classical FM stations in the Monterey - San José - to San Francisco area over a period lasting a total of 27 years, I can say that this niche format is becoming harder and harder to "service". If you look at the posts to the newsgroup rec.music.classical.recordings you will see that almost no one agrees with anybody else, and that the really dedicated, advanced listeners are INCREDIBLY fussy to the point of neurosis. And even the ordinary "civilian" listeners who used to call and write the stations I worked for often contributed only criticism, never helpful support. It seems to me that this art form is so "delicate" that mass broadcasting to try to reach a common demoninator is next to impossible -- at least in this culture. Perhaps in the thirties, when the opera came on once a week, the Philharmonic-Symphony of New York and Boston Symphonies and Philadelphia Orchestra had their two hour network hookups, and when records of things like the Beethoven Seventh Symphony cost the equivalent of a working man's ENTIRE week's wages, broadcasting a LITTLE bit of mass-appeal classical music made sense. I think historians agree that perhaps 10% or even more of the overall audience heard at least SOME classical music, via radio. Now it's down to 1% --- or less. Figuring the change in population demographics, the number is still appallingly tiny. And if -- in that 1% of the total audience -- the listeners are SO fragmented, cranky, bigoted, opinionated, and picky - - you can see that it will be hard to generate audience satisfaction, station loyalty, and appreciative listeners who will provide supportive feedback to sponsors. Stations are much more likely to get a letter complaining about something than one praising an element in the broadcast. And the letters are all so self-cancelling! One guy HATES the harpsichord and baroque music; another one complains if Stravinsky or Copland or Messiaen are aired. I have even had people write that they dislike Mozart but like Haydn, and vice versa. What is one to MAKE of that? How can you SERVE these people? Now, given the perhaps 2 to 5 mile TOTAL radius of the mono coverage of an LPFM transmitter -- or the -- say -- 1 mile coverage of the stereo multiplex signal with any decent fidelity -- how are you going to reach enough folks to develop a satisfactory audience base? Especially if a large percentage of them -- that is, of the couple of dozen of souls in total -- seem to HATE so much music by so many composers of specific styles, and dislike so many artists' interpretations? Streaming via the web is such a great disappointment. As you pointed out, even the big players like the BBC cannot produce a reliable stream for something like the Proms concert. And can a web stream even BEGIN to deal adequately with the sonic demands of Mahler's Eighth? On the other hand, you can go to the neighborhood Tower store and pick up -- say -- the Sony Essential Classics CD edition of Mahler's Eighth conducted by Michael Gielen (an excellent performance, all contained on one disk) and acquire the piece for about $5-6. The sound is superb, better than ANY possible FM or web transmission; and it's not even a modern recording! It is from an analogue master tape that dates from 1981; yet it's VASTLY superior to the transmission capabilities of state-of-the-art FM stereo. It would be a tremendous technical challenge for a 100 kW multiplex stereo station to transmit this CD without significant compression or reduction in tone quality to a coverage area radius of about 20 miles; outside of that, the signal would be hissy, noisy, and unstable. How many folks are going to be in the coverage radius of the LPFM station that would have the temerity to play the Mahler Eighth? What damage is going to have to be done to the musical characteristics of Mahler's scoring in order to make the work intelligible? Is it worth the effort? Does it promote the culture of music with a significant impact to really help sustain it? I say no. It's time to face facts. Classical music survived BEFORE broadcasting. Schubert quartets were played and loved before Fessenden, De Forest, and Armstrong. They'll be played and loved long after DRM and IBOC are obsolete. We do not require the efforts of ineffectual, flickering, and inconsequential pipsqueak FM signals to keep "culture" alive in our hearts. All we require is the will to seek it out, each in our own individual way, be it via studying singing or playing, attending musical performances, or going to the public library for its available resources. Yours, (Steve Waldee - "reformed" radio station program director, Aug 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. LPFM: ALL THAT FUSS FOR NOTHING? Report Seems to Indicate That FM Dial Could Accommodate More LPFM Channel Allocations by Mario Hieb, P.E. The FCC has released a new study that could change the face of FM radio as we know it. Radio World asked me to study the report and share my observations. The report gives a green light to low -- power FM stations that would operate without third -- adjacent-channel protection to existing stations, and could open the door to more -- lenient assignments of full -- power FMs and FM translators. Lab tests also showed LPFMs are not likely to interfere with digital receivers; the HD Radio signals remained robust, Mitre stated. . . http://www.radioworld.com/reference-room/special-report/01_rw_lpfm_4.shtml (RW Online Sept 1 via DXLD) ** U S A. MAKING WAVES: COMMUNITY RADIO FOR A COMMUNITY THAT CARES LIVING By Kelly Crowley, Roundup staff reporter Tuesday, August 26 A "labor of love" is how John and Lu Carpino refer to their unique radio station, KRIM 96.3 FM. Nearly 20 years together, John and Lu Carpino have embarked on a new venture as the "co-management team" of KRIM 96.3 FM. "John has his forte and I`m his sidekick," Lu said. "We make a good team." Unlike the vast majority of radio stations, KRIM is a public radio station with a multi-format, which means that when you tune in to 96.3, you may hear anything from folk and reggae to jazz and blues. "We were approached by the Payson Council of Music Arts who had obtained a license for low-powered FM," Lu said. "Because of our combined experience in radio, they asked us to assist them in getting it started." Steve Bingham, president of KRIM received the first FCC low-powered FM license in the state of Arizona. When he told John that it would be a multi-format station, he got very excited. "All types of music are valid," John said. "We are trying to expand Payson`s musical horizons and do it in a way that is successful. We rely on community support, so we play music that is tasteful." "It`s kind of like a daily music lesson," Lu said. KRIM first went on the air waves amidst the Rodeo-Chediski Fire. "It was trial by fire," Lu said. "We started going to all the fire briefings and putting them on the air," John said. Between their motley mix of music, John and Lu updated evacuees on the fire. The two joke that while few Payson residents had discovered their new radio station, most of the evacuees were tuned in. "That`s how part of our mission statement came to be," Lu said. "I just happened to say, `community radio for a community that cares` -- and it stuck. Music and public service have always been a big part of life for the Carpinos. Nearly 20 years ago, the two met while they were both teachers in Yuma. "John was performing one night and I was there with some friends who encouraged me to get up on stage and sing with him, " Lu said. "The rest is history." The Carpinos have been a Payson fixture for years, performing, broadcasting and working in the Payson school district. But when the opportunity to run a public radio station came their way, they had to grab it. "Public radio is a beautiful thing," John said. "We are offering something totally special and unique to this area and the community is embracing it." KRIM has started a new alliance with the Sedona Cultural Center and the Putumayo world music label. Because of this new friendship, they have been able to interview international stars from their studio. "We were able to have Oliver Mtukudzi, Zimbabwe`s number one star, on our station -- talking to people in Payson," John said. "Music really is the universal language and we`ve slowly been expanding our selection to include world music -- French folk songs, Mexican music, South African music." No doubt, listeners will hear music that they won`t on stations that play the same top ten tunes every few hours. "I like discovering acts that I`ve heard about but never reach the top of the charts -- the hidden gems," John says. "If you want the top of the charts, you`re listening to the wrong station. We play quality artists with quality songs." Although they expose listeners to the lesser-known artist, the Carpinos still love to play the old favorites. "I`m a Flashback Fridays kind of girl," Lu said. Flashback Friday features music from the 50`s, 60`s and 70`s. While a large part of KRIM`s mission is to expand musical awareness, the fact that it is a public radio station also carries with it a responsibility, according to John and Lu. KRIM is radio by the people, for the people. "We are public radio which is a very different animal than commercial radio," Johns said. "We are a non-profit station run by a non-profit organization." "The station belongs to the community and they dictate what direction we go in," Lu said. The Carpinos have been pleasantly surprised by the positive feedback from the public. "People have really supported us and thanked us for bringing this kind of music variety to Payson," Lu said. The Carpinos make an effort to do a lot for the community through the station. "Part of our mission is to promote the creative and musical arts," Lu said. Several local and regional bands such as Hans Olsen, the John Scott Band, Code Blue and Walkin` Cane Mark, even the high school choir, have visited the KRIM studio and treated listeners to a live performance. John and Lu frequently invite representatives from local nonprofits to come on their morning show, Good Morning Payson, and talk about their organizations or an issue of interest in the community. "Town Manager Fred Carpenter comes in once a month to talk town business and play some music," Lu said. Every Friday morning, KRIM has a trivia game they do in conjunction with the Mazatzal Casino to raise money for charities in town. "When we connected with the casino, Mark Kaplan and I were able to iron out the details of our trivia game," Lu said. "For every correct answer, $10 is donated to a nonprofit." KRIM and the casino have already raised more than $2,000 for organizations such as the Time Out Shelter, the Salvation Army and the Rim Country Literacy Program. "Mark does a great job writing the trivia questions," Lu said. "We all have a good laugh and raise money for local charities." John and Lu Carpino have been a complementary duo since they first harmonized on stage 20 years ago. "John has his forte and I`m his sidekick," Lu said. "We make a good team." John`s creative ability and Lu`s business savvy have resulted in Payson`s very own community radio station -- the only one of its kind in the state. KRIM 96.3 BROADCAST SCHEDULE [UT -7 yearound] Monday through Friday 6 - 7 a.m., House Blend 7 - 10 a.m., "Good Morning Payson" with John and Lu Carpino. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., KRIM`s House Blend. A wonderful mix of light jazz, folk, blues and contemporary album cuts, spiced-up with some tasty hidden gems. Monday through Sunday 6 - 7 p.m., KRIM`s Classical Music Hour ... the music of the masters. 7 - 8 p.m., Big Band Serenade. The best in big band, swing & classic jazz Monday through Thursday 8 p.m. - 12 Midnight, Jazz in the Pines. Friday and Saturday 8 p.m. - 12 Midnight, T.G.I.F. & S. - Blues, Blues Rock and great Album Rock Sunday 6 - 9 a.m., Classical, Baroque and Renaissance 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., House Blend 4 - 5 p.m., The Arizona Music Scene 5 - 6 p.m., Local music spotlight Sunday 8 p.m. - 12 Midnight, Jazz in the Pines Saturday 6 a.m. - 2 p.m., The "Acoustic Siesta" ... our finest blend of acoustic music. 2 - 4 p.m., Bluegrass, Folk and Americana. 4 - 6 p.m., Reggae Under the Rim, Reggae & World Music Seven days a week 12 midnight - 6 a.m., The Night Shift ....Blues, Cool Jazz, Folk and Americana Don`t miss Thank You Thursdays and Flashback Fridays on Good Morning Payson, "Just Ask Lu" Wednesdays at 9 a.m., plus "Trivia Time," Fridays at 10 a.m. Copyright (c) 2002 The Payson Roundup, all rights reserved (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. FCC BLACKLISTS rfb FOR GOOD By IAN BISHOP Reformer Washington Bureau WASHINGTON -- Even with the community squarely behind them, operators of radio free brattleboro will never receive a federal broadcast license, federal regulators said Tuesday. http://www.reformer.com/Stories/0,1413,102~8862~1593867,00.html (Brattleboro Refoermer, Aug 27, via Jill Dybka, DXLD) http://www.thetranscript.com/Stories/0,1413,103~9054~1594492,00.html (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** U S A. ANNOUNCEMENTS Labor Day Specials, Monday (9/01) [UT -7] Songs that Work, 9 AM-Noon... An exploration of great American songwriting. Hosted by Liza Richardson. Work Song: A Labor Day Special, 1-4 PM... A look at American music that reflects life and work. Hosted by Rene Engel. Bob Hope: Thanks for the Memories, 4-5 PM... A remembrance of Bob Hope's life and career. Hosted by Susan Stamberg. The Music Makers: Gospel Into Soul, 7-9 PM... A private look behind the public persona of Patti LaBelle. Hosted by Whoopi Goldberg. Chocolate City, 9 PM-Midnight... A special three-hour edition. Hosted by Garth Trinidad (KCRW weekly previews via DXLD) HPFM, webcaster ** U S A. RADIO LISTENERS FACED WITH STATIC BY JULIEN GORBACH keysnews.com http://keysnews.com/285079715769926.bsp.htm Keys residents must wade through a sea of static at the left end of their radio dials because, for the past three years, a National Public Radio member station and a local Christian group have been at loggerheads over a federal license to transmit here. WLRN is the Miami-based station that carries NPR, the nearly 30-year- old, nonprofit content provider featuring news programs and talk shows. The station currently broadcasts to the Keys with four "translators"-- devices that are much less powerful than radio transmitters, and are rendered even less functional by the unique elongated geography of the islands. A person driving from Key West to Marathon has to switch channels three times to follow WLRN's broadcast, picking it up from the translators in Key West, Big Pine Key and Grassy Key. Christian radio listeners struggle with the same problem. Even in the areas where the translators are located, reception is uneven at best. On Feb. 17, 2000, WLRN applied for a license from the Federal Communications Commission to build a transmission facility in Marathon. Responding to the public notice, two more groups filed applications before the deadline, in late April and early May. The first was Broadcasting for the Challenged, a Memphis-based company. The second was Tower of Praise, a nonprofit based in Big Pine Key that has for years been interested in setting up a Christian radio station. All three groups are competing to transmit on 91.5, the last local channel that engineers have determined is still available for noncommercial broadcasts. The FCC never decided who should receive the license because its rules for judgment were challenged. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Washington, D.C. Circuit will hear the challenge next month. Regardless of the whether the rules are upheld or overturned, neither possibility promises good news for NPR fans in the Keys. Under the current system, Tower of Praise has the best shot at the license because the rules favor local applicants. If the rules are overturned, it would take about two years for a new system to be adopted, according to the FCC. WLRN manager Ted Eldredge said he has to explain the problem every day, when Keys residents call in to complain. With nearly 22 million listeners each week, NPR's audience equals the circulation of the top 42 American newspapers combined, according to NPR spokeswoman Jessamyn Sarmiento. "I am very frustrated," Eldredge said. "We have spent the best part of two years trying to find any alternative, and there is nothing that is affordable." Tower of Praise President Steve Lawes asked what National Public Radio was when he was reached about the issue. Lawes, the pastor at the Vineyard Fellowship Church in Big Pine Key, said he was under the understanding that his competitors were Broadcasting for the Challenged and the Miami-Dade school board. WLRN is licensed to the school board, and the board is the entity listed on the station's application. Eldredge said Tower of Praise had been unwilling to negotiate over the license, but Lawes said he knew nothing about negotiation attempts. "It's possible the lawyers all talked, I don't really know," he said. "I don't believe we have viewed ourselves as standing in anybody's way." Lawes believes the real problem is the lack of frequencies. He considers all three applicants legitimate, and said he would be willing to work with them to find a solution. "I am pretty amenable, I think," he said. Representatives of Broadcasting for the Challenged did not return numerous calls for comment. But the company, which has applied for hundreds of licenses nationwide, is generally willing to negotiate with its competitors, according to Marc Hand, managing director for Public Radio Capital, a nonprofit that assists public radio stations expand service by coordinating efforts on a national level (Keysnews.com via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** U S A. Public radio pioneer Phil Goodman, W5YVT, SK: Philip I. Goodman, W5YVT (ex-K4FXB), of Marietta, Georgia, died August 23. He was 70. Goodman was instrumental in establishing the Georgia Public Radio Network -- known formerly as Peach State Radio -- in 1985. The network now includes 15 stations statewide. An Amateur Radio operator since 1953, Goodman was an ARRL Life Member. He`d served as a communications officer in the US Navy and was an avid electronics enthusiast (ARRL August 27 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** U S A. MOVING DAY PART 3 A few months ago I wrote about stations moving on the radio dial to new frequencies. This month, I`m writing about stations that move in the traditional sense – from one city to another. These moves are usually trivial – moving from one suburb to another, etc.. But, occasionally the moves are significant. These changes can seriously affect your ability to DX certain frequencies. An example: WHTE-1690 is the expandedband permit for WDDD-810 Johnson City, Illinois. Johnson City is in extreme southern Illinois, roughly 80 miles southeast of St. Louis and roughly 300 miles south of Chicago. Obviously this station will not be a serious impediment to DXing 1690 in Chicago. Indeed, WHTE could actually be DX for a Chicago listener. However, WHTE has applied to move to Berwyn, Illinois. Berwyn is in northern Illinois; it actually borders on the city of Chicago. If the move is granted, 1690 won`t stay open in Chicago for long. AM moves are relatively simple. The station must show that it can operate with the requested power and antenna at the new location without interfering with other stations, and while providing a ``city grade`` signal across the new city. These are essentially the same conditions that would need to be met if a completely new station were proposed. Only one additional requirement is imposed: the move cannot deprive the original city of its only operating radio station. (WHTE has applied to move coöwned station WDDD-FM from Marion, Illinois, to Johnson City. This would ensure Johnson City would still have a radio station. Marion would still have WGGH-AM and WAWJ-FM.) For FM and television, another step is necessary. FM and TV stations can only be established on channels that are ``allotted`` to the community from which the station proposes to operate. For example, the owners of station WJOI-FM, Springfield, Tennessee, have applied to move the station to Oak Grove, Kentucky. Before they can move the station itself, they must move the station`s 94.3 FM allotment. Only after the new allotment is granted can the station apply to modify its license to specify the new city. It should be noted that translators and low-power TV stations are not required to use allotted channels. They may change city at will (provided interference-protection limits are met). As I noted above with regard to WHTE-1690, sometimes one change in one community triggers more changes. (Some recent moves in Alabama have triggered nearly a dozen changes in two states.) Often these ``cascading`` changes are purely administrative. In WHTE`s case, WDDD- FM already provides a ``city-grade`` signal to both its existing city (Marion) and the proposed new city. (Johnson City). The WDDD tower won`t move, and the station will remain on 107.3 FM. Chances are the only things that will change at WDDD-FM are the hourly identification announcement and the location of the ``public file.`` (Doug Smith, American Bandscan, Sept MONITORING TIMES via DXLD) ** U S A. AL FRANKEN: THROWING PUNCHES AND PUNCH LINES, by Howard Kurtz http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A56418-2003Aug27?language=printer (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. RADIO LAW: ANOTHER RF APPROACH TO ALERT MOTORISTS OF LOCAL EMERGENCIES SIDELINED The FCC`s Office of Engineering and Technology took only three days to dismiss the latest attempt to gain experimental access to broadcast frequencies for alerting motorists of nearby emergency situations. This time, TV Channel 7`s spectrum was in the cross hairs. The proponent was ``EVA,`` short for Emergency Vehicle Alert. While you won`t find this case mentioned in the FCC`s Daily Digest but the full scoop is available in cyberspace at http://www.earthsignals.com/add_CGC/EVA.htm (CGC via Amateur Radio Newsline Aug 29 via John Norfolk, DXLD)) ** U S A. RADIO INTERFERENCE CAUSES STATIC Local emergency communications hampered By JENNIFER FUNK, Staff writer PORT CLINTON [Ohio] -- Off and on interference on countywide emergency radio channels has prompted local Emergency Management Agency officials to ask for help from the federal government. Ottawa County EMA Director Jim Greer wants the Federal Communication Commission to pinpoint the source of the interference and "take the necessary steps to stop" it.. . . http://www.portclintonnewsherald.com/news/stories/20030827/localnews/140864.html (via Jilly Dybka, TN, DXLD) ** U S A. FCC INQUIRY TO STUDY TOWER IMPACT ON MIGRATORY BIRDS The FCC has initiated a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) to gather comment on the impact communications towers may have on migratory birds. ``One of the FCC`s critical responsibilities is to manage the expansion of communications towers in a way that best preserves the country`s environmental resources,`` the FCC said in a public notice. The NOI in WT Docket 03-187 appears focused primarily on commercial antenna support structures. The FCC said that it`s unaware of any studies sufficient to support a reliable estimate of the number of migratory birds that may have died as a result of collisions with communications towers. The NOI seeks comments and information on scientific research and other related data relevant to migratory bird collisions with communications towers. ``While some literature suggests that certain factors--such as tower height, lighting systems, type of antenna support structure, and location—may increase or decrease the hazards that towers pose to migratory birds, there does not appear to be systematic research on an adequate scale regarding exactly how and to what extent, if at all, these factors contribute to any risk to migratory birds,`` the FCC said. The NOI is available on the FCC Web site http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-03-205A1.doc Interested parties may file comments via the Electronic Comment Filing System http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/ecfs/ ECFS (ARRL August 27 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** URUGUAY. See PARAGUAY ** VENEZUELA. Radio Amazonas ha sido escuchada en los 4939.66 kHz, a las 0345. Transmitía sólo vallenatos. SINPO 3/3. Inusual cierre a las 0404, ya que jamás está hasta tan tarde en onda corta. Con la ausencia de YVTO y de Radio Táchira del cuadrante, Radio Amazonas se convierte así en la única venezolana presente en la onda corta. (27/08). (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, Yaesu FT-890, Antena TH3MK3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VENEZUELA. CONATEL: 200 PETITIONS TO START ALTERNATIVE COMMUNITY MEDIA STATIONS --- Venezuelan telecommunications regulatory body (Conatel) general director, Alvin Lozada reports that he has received around 200 petitions to set up community broadcast stations. "Currently there are 26 community stations on the air throughout Venezuela ... 20 are radio stations and the rest local TV channels." http://www.vheadline.com/readnews.asp?id=10470 (via Jill Dybka, DXLD) ** ZIMBABWE. R. Netherlands Weekly Documentary, Sept. 3-6: Two years ago, the Zimbabwean government created the National Youth Service, allegedly to provide skills and teach patriotism to the southern African nation's youth. But the National Youth Service has a far more sinister goal: to intimidate and silence all opposition to President Robert Mugabe and his ruling ZANU-PF party. Former youth militia members recount the beatings, torture and murders they were forced to carry out. And victims speak of the youth militia's random and at times relentless persecution of anyone suspected of belonging to the opposition. Eric Beauchemin travelled undercover to Zimbabwe and reveals a chilling tale of brainwashing, political manipulation, and the undermining of an entire generation. Broadcast times (UT): Wed 10.00 (Pacific/Asia/Far East), 11.30 (Europe/East Coast USA), 12.30 (USA WRN), 13.30 (Europe WRN), 15.00 (Asia/West Coast USA), 18.00 & 19.30 (Africa), 21.00 (Europe), Thu 00.00 (North America), 04.00 (USA WRN) & 05.00 (North America), Fri 11.00 (Pacific/Asia/Far East/Europe/Eastern USA), 15.30 (Asia/West Coast USA), 19.00 (Africa), 21.30 (Europe), Sat 00.30 (North America) (RN weekly previews via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. unID - 5049.92 ARDS? 1153 8/29. YL talking, too weak to determine lang. If ARDS, down a bit from previous 5049.96. Something on 5050, also (John Wilkins, CO, Cumbre DX via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. Estación de los 5134 kHz, en LSB, está definitivamente en portugués, aunque hay demasiada estática para identificarla. Captada a las 0341 UT (27/08). (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, Yaesu FT-890, Antena TH3MK3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Luego: Hola Glenn, Ahora leyendo la lista me percato de que no es portugués. Sin embargo, las dos veces que lo he escuchado me ha parecido esa lengua. Lo que sí me extraña es que no usen el AM para las emisiones. ¿Desean cubrir más? Saludos, (Adán, ibid.) El uso principal --- si fuera Belarus` --- es para comunicaciones militares, también redifundiendo emisoras entre charlas para llenar la frecuencia y el tiempo (gh, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. Re 6069.8v: Dear Noel, The programmes on 6020 and 6060 are not always the same. I noted the same program especially around 0700 or 0800, in relation to the 6069.8v. I listen at this moment at 2056 and 6060 is in // with 6069.7 with the religious network `A Voz da Libertacão`. At 2100 different program for a couple of minutes. From 2104 the same programme. According to `Radio List` published by DX Clube do Brazil, the station on this channel is ZYE765 R Capital from Rio de Janeiro also listed in a 2000 edition of TBL published by Willie H. Passmann. I only heard the ID on 6060 (Nicolás Eramo, Argentina, Aug 27 DSWCI DX Window Aug 29 via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. Amigos DXistas en Conexión Digital! Consulta número 3: 6370.02 kHz - he tenido en esta frecuencia durante largo tiempo una estación no identificada, probablemente transmitiendo desde Brasil (hablando português de Brasil). Solamente he notado la estación en las mañanas entre aproximadamente 1000 - 1100 UT. Una señal bastante débil. ¿Algien en la lista sabe algo? (Bjorn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, Aug 29, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DRM +++ A couple of news items coming from the HFCC Conference: 1) There will be an NASB joint broadcast (of all members) in DRM and analog weekly, for 22 weeks, starting in the B03 season (probably the week of Oct. 26). More details soon. Also, NASB may make a proposal to host the first HFCC conference in the U.S. sometime in the not-too-distant future (Jeff White, FL, Aug 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I received this press release this morning by e-mail from MAYAH Communications... 2ND GENERATION RECEIVER FOR DIGITAL RADIO MONDIALE TO BE PRESENTED AT IFA IN BERLIN At the Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA) in Berlin from August 29th to September 2nd, MAYAH Communications, leading developer of high quality solutions for the broadcasting and telecommunications market, will introduce the 2nd generation receiver for the new Digital Radio Mondiale standard. As joint development of MAYAH, Coding Technologies, Himalaya and AFG, the DRM2010 will be demonstrated at the ARD/DW/ZDF stand in hall 5.3/Stand 03 (technical and scientific forum of the IFA). The new DRM2010 is a multiband receiver for reception of Digital Radio Mondiale programs in the Long-, Medium-, and Short-wave bands, and is also supporting conventional FM and AM analog reception. As the successor of worlds first consumer DRM receiver as introduced by Coding Technologies in 2002, the DRM2010 is smaller and less expensive. MAYAH's general manager Detlef Wiese about the strategic goals: "This matches exactly our core business. We apply our know how in the professional transmission market to a consumer product. The DRM2010 applies newest technology and is an excellent opportunity to bring the next mile stone to the successful project of Digital Radio Mondiale. The co-operation with all involved partners has resulted in a very innovative digital receiver." For further info: http://www.mayah.com/content/press/releases/130803-drm.html (John Figliozzi, NY, Aug 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) RECEIVER NEWS +++++++++++++ AQUA FM TUNES IN THE POOL --- I.J. Hudson, Tech Reporter The swimming season is ending at a lot of pools, but not at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase YMCA, and we went there to try out the Aqua FM. It was developed by Amphicom, a French company specializing in underwater communications and marketed by Aqua Sphere. It's a snorkel with a built-in FM radio. . . http://www.nbc4.com/technology/2432053/detail.html What every DX'er needs. Now if only we can get one that picks up the BBC World Service!! (Message from Tom McNiff, DXLD) POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Ireland looking at BPL ElectricNews.net http://www.enn.ie/frontpage/news-9372044.html reports that Irish Communications Minister Dermot Ahern has confirmed that the Irish government is launching a pilot program to deploy broadband Internet via electric power lines -- power line carrier communications (PLC) or what the FCC has dubbed ``BPL`` (Broadband over Power Line). The initiative -- part of a 50-million Euro project funded by the Communications Ministry -- would connect schools, homes and businesses in Tuam, County Galway. ``Powerline communications (PLC) systems have the potential to provide an alternative broadband infrastructure, which can compete with local fixed telephony, cable and wireless networks,`` Ahern said. The article asserts that PLC ``has been tested successfully`` in the US and Germany and that networks are operational in several areas. ``St Louis-based Ameren, for example, has been a leader in putting the technology in place and already thousands of people near the Missouri city are using PLC,`` says the article by Matthew Clark. It also notes that PLC trials are under way in Spain, Italy and Germany, while PLC is undergoing testing in Chile, Brazil and Singapore (ARRL August 27 via John Norfolk, DXLD) COMMENTARY ++++++++++ RUMORS OF DX DEATH GREATLY EXAGGERATED! Editorial by Doug Smith W9WI Tests of the new IBOC digital broadcasts have FM and mediumwave DXers nervous. Both AM and FM DXers are saying things like ``I`m going to catch all the DX now while I still can!`` I suppose some of you may wonder why there hasn`t been more concern expressed about IBOC in the pages of this magazine. Well, for one thing I don`t like to expend too much energy trying to change things I know can`t be changed... The LPFM (low power FM) proceedings made it obvious that when an industry with lobbyists wants something from government, they`ll likely get it. (I suppose scanner monitors can cite the ECPA and its amendments; and computer users can cite the DMCA.) If the National Radio Club can hire a team of Washington lobbyists, I suppose we might be able to stop IBOC. Somehow I doubt the NRC`s treasury could support such an effort. Existing broadcasters, and their lobbyists in the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), want IBOC. They seem to feel it`ll stem the gradual decline in radio listening by bringing CD-quality sound to the FM band and FM-quality sound to AM stations. Maybe more importantly, the IBOC system brings digital radio without changing the relative coverage areas of existing stations (unlike the Eureka system used in almost every other country that has digital radio). Radio hobbyists and media activists may try to stop IBOC, but without lobbyists bearing campaign contributions, I doubt they will have any effect. Why such a hullabaloo about IBOC? On the AM dial, the digital data is placed in the outer edges of the station`s assigned channel and in the adjacent channels. An analog station on 710 kHz occupies the area from 705 to 715 kHz; an IBOC station on 710 occupies 695-725. A listener with a good receiver can DX 700 and 720 even if he lives near an analog station on 710. If that analog station switches to IBOC, this listener will no longer be able to DX 700 or 720 kHz. On FM, IBOC stations do not spill into adjacent frequencies. However, they do occupy the outer portions of their existing channels. With analog, these areas are ``guard bands`` between stations. The effect is the same: it will prove impossible to DX frequencies adjacent to those used by IBOC stations. So chances are we will have IBOC in the United States. DXers have two choices: Live with it, or give up and take up a different hobby. DXers have learned to ``live with it`` before. Here are some of the developments that over the years have threatened to put an end to the DX hobby: • Seven-night-a-week AM broadcasting • The end of the typical midnight-6am silent period • Power increases on Class C channels, from 100 watts to 250 to 1,000 • FM • TV • Breakup of the ``clear`` channels • Radio Martí and the high-powered retaliatory broadcasts from Cuba • Docket 80-90 (which made hundreds of new FM stations and FM power increases possible) • Low-power TV • Low-power FM • The end of VHF TV in the U.K. • Blanket nighttime operating authority for most AM daytime-only stations • Internet ``radio`` • Cable TV • Satellite TV • Digital TV Yet the National Radio Club, International Radio Club of America, and Worldwide TV-FM DX Association are as strong as ever. People are still DXing. Sure, there are some things you can`t do anymore. You won`t hear California from the East Coast every night. You won`t log Hawaii with a table radio in St. Louis. Double-hop trans-continental TV skip is now a once-in-a-lifetime treat, not an annual event. Many (most) DXers don`t care. They get a thrill out of whatever they hear that`s new and unusual. Just in the last year, many DXers logged the Virgin Islands for the first time, thanks to the expanded AM band. The widespread adoption of unattended computer recording techniques have filled logs with new DX. Record-breaking 850-mile digital TV reception has been accomplished, and then surpassed when a digital TV signal was received via sporadic- E at a distance of over 1,050 miles. We have the first ever reliable report of reception of U.S. FM stations in Europe. And Australian DXers are receiving American UHF TV signals via reflection off the moon. DXers adapt. Wait and See Nor is it a foregone conclusion that IBOC will work. AM IBOC is still experimental; recent tests have left many participants unhappy with the ``codec`` – the software that ``tosses out`` redundant parts of the audio to make the data stream fit in the necessary bandwidth. Because of the adjacent-channel interference problems, the FCC is not allowing AM IBOC operation at night. For much of the year, commuters are driving home from work after sunset. These commuters are the most important radio audience. A digital radio system that doesn`t work at night isn`t going to work in the marketplace. Finally, IBOC is expensive for the station. At the very least, an expensive digital ``exciter`` is necessary. At many stations, the entire transmitter will need to be replaced. At some, an entire separate digital transmitter and antenna may be necessary. At AM stations, complete redesign of the antenna system may be required. Unlike AM and FM, IBOC is covered by patents. Those wishing to build IBOC receivers or transmitters must buy a patent license – and stations wishing to broadcast IBOC will also require this license. Many stations today (especially AM) can just barely afford to pay their existing bills. Extensive transmitter modifications and an IBOC patent license will be beyond their means. Many stations will remain analog. So, to be concise... IBOC digital broadcasting is coming. We can`t stop it. If it succeeds (and it may not), it will change domestic-band DXing. It will never eliminate it (Closing Comments, September MONITORING TIMES via DXLD) MUSEA +++++ HISTORY IN ACTION AT WTAG RADIO TOWERS Broadcast on site this Friday --- by Ria Megnin Holden --- For nearly 70 years, a small concrete building has kept watch over Shrewsbury Street and the WTAG-AM 580 radio towers broadcasting from its hill. This Friday, its doors will be open to the public for the first time in decades. A first-ever broadcast will be made from the site with WTAG`s "Breakfast Club" morning show stars Hank Stolz and Sherman Whitman. . . http://www.thelandmark.com/story.php3?story=6069 (Holden, MA, via Jill Dybka, DXLD) PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ VOICE OF AMERICA, A HISTORY --- BY ALAN HEIL Ask any shortwave listener the first station they heard, and chances are, they will respond ``Voice of America.`` Voice of America, A History, written by Alan L. Heil, Jr., is an in-depth history of the VOA`s founding in 1942 until its sixtieth anniversary. Mr Heil worked for the VOA from 1962 until he retired in 1998, serving (among other positions) as a foreign correspondent, chief of News and Current Affairs, and deputy director of programs. Using transcripts of radio broadcasts and numerous personal anecdotes, Heil has given the reader a closeup look into the major events of the past sixty years. The 540 pages provide a very interesting and enlightening story of the VOA through the wake of Pearl Harbor, the Cold War, the first steps on the moon, the Watergate scandal, civil war in Rwanda, and the intense drama of Tiananmen Square. Heil also relates the outbreak of HIV/AIDS in the 1980s, ethnic strife in the Balkans, the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and the continuing struggles in the Middle East. Alan Heil portrays the VOA as an organization continually underfunded and constantly struggling against congressional investigations, reorganization and leadership purges in an attempt to reshape VOA programming. This is a human history of the Voice of America, told by someone who has been there. The VOA, known by millions of people around the world, has delivered the news with fairness and accuracy. This insider`s story, now told to the world, should be on the shelf of anyone seeking a vivid look at events that shaped our history. Alan Heil reminds hobbyists how grand radio listening really is. Voice of America retails for $37.50. For additional ordering information, go to the Columbia University Press http://columbia.edu or ask at your local book store for ISBN (0-231-12674-3) Gayle Van Horn (What`s New, September MONITORING TIMES via DXLD) MONITORING TIMES EXPRESS The monthly magazine costs $26.95 a year in USA for hard copy, but only $19.95 for PDF. This may be downloaded either in low- or high- resolution, the latter running some 20 MB, but no problem with a cable modem or better. Only a few pages of the print magazine are slick, suitable for color, but some illustrations printed only in B&W show up in color on the PDF. MC, Visa, Discover accepted: 1-800-438-8155 toll free in US and Canada; elsewhere 1-828-837-9200; fax 828-837-2216; 7540 Hwy 64 W, Brasstown NC 28902. Or see http://www.monitoringtimes.com/html/mtexpress.html for info about a free sample (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ QST DE W1AW PROPAGATION FORECAST BULLETIN 35 ARLP035 From Tad Cook, K7RA Seattle, WA August 29, 2003 To all radio amateurs Sunspot counts were up this week, but so were geomagnetic indices. Average daily sunspot numbers rose 33% over last week and the average daily planetary A index was up 18%. Solar flux remained about the same. This week didn`t have an extremely stormy day, such as August 18 last week, but the higher A indices were sustained through the week. Active geomagnetic conditions declined through the week, with the most active days August 21-23 (our reporting week runs Thursday through Wednesday). The active days started August 21 because that is when the earth entered a high-speed solar wind, which continued over the next few days. The moderate conditions should continue through this weekend. The latest reading predicts a planetary A index of 12 for August 29-31, Friday through Sunday. Monday has a predicted planetary A index of 10, but Tuesday, September 2 may become active again, based upon recurring conditions from the previous rotation of the sun. Solar flux is expected to remain around 125 through September 1, and then rise gradually to around 135 for September 3-4. The days are getting shorter, and soon it will be the fall DX season, bringing better conditions. The higher frequencies should be opening during the day and 80 and 40 meters will open earlier and more reliably after dark. As an example, over the path from California to Japan, a month ago 10 meters offered no reliable communication. Currently 10 meters may have an opening on some days from around 2100-0430z. But around the equinox, the same California to Japan path on 10 meters looks quite good, with much stronger signals and reliable openings from 2130 to 0130z. On the new 60 meter band from California to Georgia, a month ago signals were very strong from sundown on the west coast until sunrise at the east end. Strongest signals would be from 0400-1030z, with reasonable openings as early as 0130 and as late as 1230z. Currently the strongest signals should run from around 0330-1100z, with possible openings from 0030-1300z. Around the third week in September, strongest results should be from 0300-1100z, with openings generally good from 0000-1330z. September will also have much lower atmospheric noise on the lower frequencies. One caveat about the equinox. During this phase of the solar cycle, although HF propagation should be better, there is also a greater chance of severe geomagnetic storms and aurora. This is because around late September the interplanetary magnetic field near earth tips far to the south. This makes the earth vulnerable to solar wind. For more on the interplanetary magnetic field and how it affects geomagnetic conditions, see http://spaceweather.com/glossary/imf.html For more information on propagation and an explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin see the Propagation page on the ARRL Web site at http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html Sunspot numbers for August 21 through 27 were 86, 126, 125, 132, 146, 124, and 116, with a mean of 122.1. 10.7 cm flux was 119.2, 120.9, 120.2, 116.4, 116.5, 120.8, and 125.7, with a mean of 120. Estimated planetary A indices were 53, 43, 44, 24, 21, 14, and 13, with a mean of 30.3. Copyright © 2003, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved (ARRL via John Norfolk, DXLD) ABSOLUTELY FREE, IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN, FOR ALL RADIO HOBBYSTS AROUND THE WORLD... LA NUMBER UNO, ARNIE CORO'S DXERS UNLIMITED'S HF PLUS LOW BAND VHF PROPAGATION UPDATE AND FORECAST.... Solar flux still hovering around 120 units, and the A index still at rather high figures due to the most recent geomagnetic disturbances...The last week of August will take us into September, the month of the auroras in the northern hemisphere, so be prepared for some very interesting aurora E skip, and the classic auroral curtain reflection that is so noticeable on the 6 and 2 meter amateur bands (Prof. Arnie Coro A., CO2KK, RHC DXers Unlimited Aug 26, via Bob Chandler, VE3SRE, ODXA via DXLD) ### ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-155, August 28, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3h.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn DX LISTENING DIGEST JULY HTML ARCHIVE IS NOW COMPLETE: http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3g.html NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1197: WWCR: Thu 2030 15825, Sat 1030, Sun 0230 5070, 0630 3210, Wed 0930 on 9475 RFPI: Sat 0130, 0800, 2330, Sun 0530, 1130, Mon 0030, 0630, 1230, Wed 0100, 0730, 1330 on 7445 [nominal times subject to delay or pre- emption] WRMI: Sat & Sun 1800+ on 15725 WINB: Sun 0031 on 12160 [for last time] WRN: Rest of world Sat 0800, Europe Sun 0430, N America Sun1 1400 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1197h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1197h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1197.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1197.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1197.ram WORLD OF RADIO WATCH WMQM 1600 Memphis: no longer carried after August 23; had been Sat 1530 UT since the station went on last November. WINB 12160 Red Lion: the UT Sun 0031 time is cancelled after August 31. A replacement time is being considered. SOLICITED TESTIMONIALS Re: Listening to WOR. I always run a tape of WOR on its first airing on WBCQ at 2200Z Wednesdays. Typically I'll tune the Satellit 800 to 7415 at 2030Z, pop in a 120-minute cassette into an auto-reverse deck, and let it go. I then listen to the last 30 minutes of the cassette later in the evening. The 800 has 'line out' jacks that allows very good tape recordings to be made. An alternate is to program a VCR I have set up in the shack (an old model that doesn't require a TV screen to program). I often listen to the WWCR "DX hour" 0200Z Saturday nights, and notice the audio quality on both DX Partyline and WOR is better that the respective HCJB/WBCQ broadcasts; there is a slight 'resonance' to the audio and seems to enhance the listening quality. Don't know exactly what they do it but it is better. 73s (Ben Loveless, WB9FJO, Michigan) As to when I listen to WOR, my most common time to listen is the Sunday 0230 UT (0330 UT in winter) on WWCR-5070. I occasionally listen to the first run on WBCQ-7415 (2200 UT summer/2300 UT winter), but don't always get home from work in time to do so. Yesterday (27 Aug.) I did get home in time, but 7415 wasn't in at all, and I'm wondering if the transmitter was even on the air (The 17 MHz frequency almost always skips over us here). 73- (Bill Westenhaver, Montréal) I was barely able to confirm 7415 was on then, but not 17495 (gh) ** ANTARCTICA. LRA-36 DX Special, UT Aug 28 on 15476 at 0100: Let the fun begin! Sign on at 0100 with ballad by OM, then IDs at 0104. SINPO 34343. 15475.9 kHz. Lots of IDs up till 0111 when there is extended talk in Spanish by YL. Her voice sounds distorted, possible microphone problems? [Later:] 15475.95, LRA36 R. Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel, *0100-0205. At 0100, opened with a ballad by a male, then alternating IDs by a man and woman at 0104. Brief pop music, then more IDs. SINPO during the first 10 minutes was 34343. Long talk in Spanish by a female at 0111, however her voice was distorted. More ID's and pop music excerpts. By 0116 the signal had degraded to SINPO 24332. Another program or feature by a male at 0142. Although I couldn't hear any audio after 0200, their carrier was still on at 0205. The signal was consistently best on my 150 foot longwire pointed south. Thanks to Gabriel Iván Barrera and Arnaldo Slaen for making this special transmission possible (George Maroti, Mt. Kisco NY, Cumbre DX via DXLD) No joy on the west coast, nothing but static (Don Nelson, OR, Cumbre DX via DXLD) No joy in Wyoming either (Hans Johnson, Cody, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Nothing heard from LRA36 on 15476 0100-0200Z last night, band was pretty dead anyway. Used a Grundig Satellit 800 & Kenwood TS450 ham rig with multiband ham dipole 30' elevation, to no avail (Ben Loveless, WB9FJO, Michigan, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Nothing in central Illinois but static (Ron Trotto, Waggoner, Illinois, wdx4kwi, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Had a very weak carrier from tune-in slightly after 0100 to well past 0200 UT Aug 28, with occasional bits of audio, but it was on 15475, not 15476, so must have been something else, such as R. Rossii, Irkutsk, beamed 60 degrees (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I'm getting a het and the Lowe sync whine indicates a signal is there, but I don't seem to be getting any audio. Sometimes I think I hear voices, but that's another problem entirely. :-) Seriously, it sounds like a woman's voice at times. Signal (if that's what it is) is weakening with time. Barely there at 0140 (John Figliozzi, Halfmoon, NY (halfway between NYC and Montreal) Lowe HF-150 "stack" A/D sloper oriented west to east, hard-core-dx via DXLD) I heard some first traces of the audio (woman's voice as well!) at about 0113, but at once it became clear that the station is not LRA36. The carrier was on 15475 kHz sharp (not several hundred Hz above as typical for ARG). Well, it turned to be Radio Rossii via Irkutsk, scheduled on 15475 kHz at 2230-1000, 100 kW. Signal was gradually strengthening, leaving no chance to find a weak Argentinian. I'm located in Kazan, Russia, 49 E / 56 N 73's, (Dmitry Mezin, hard-core- dx via DXLD) LRA36, Radio Nacional Arcángel, 15476. The special transmission was mostly a bust here in Maryland, USA. The signal was barely over the noise floor S1. I heard bits and pieces of a man and a woman talking and a couple of times, possible music. 0100-0200 28 Aug 2003. I appreciate the effort to put this special transmission on and hope we can have another chance in the future (Bill Harms, MD, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15474.90, LRA36, *0100 past 0128 (recheck) Aug. 28. Noted at 0100 with instrumental ballad sign-on, followed with announcements by male speaker at 0101, with long talks. Signal was just above the noise level and best heard on the sloper pointed due south. Rechecked at 0128 and heard a female with talks in Spanish (?) but audio was either distorted or they had a bad audio feed or something else. Signal was poor to marginal at best (Edward Kusalik, Alberta, Canada. Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) The exact frequency you give contradicts all the others, and LRA36`s usual position close to 15476, leading me to believe you were actually listening to Irkutsk, like me (gh, DXLD) I confirm that LRA36 was on the air on 28 August from *0100-0223*, according to personal communications with Base Esperanza. 73's GIB (Gabriel Iván Barrera, Argentina, DXing.info via DXLD) Perhaps you also need to confirm the exact frequency actually used on this occasion (gh, DXLD) ** ARGENTINA. Ich bekam soeben von Gabriel Ivan Barrera die folgenden Zeilen, nachdem ich ihm mitgeteilt hatte, dass die deutsche Sendung von RAE Buenos Aires z. Zt. nicht gehoert werden kann. Hier die deutsche Uebersetzung: "Rayen Braun hat zur Zeit gesundheitliche Probleme, durch (aphonia) hat sie ihre Stimme verloren, und sie wird zu der deutschen Sendung von R.A.E. zurueck kehren. Deswegen wird voruebergehend Spanisch statt Deutsch ausgestrahlt. Es ist sehr schwer, (in Buenos Aires) jemanden zu finden, der die deutsche Sprache sehr gut spricht, z. Zt. ist kein Ersatz fuer Rayen in Sicht." Currently Rayen Braun is with some health problems, she is having lost one's voice (aphonia), and she will return ASAP to German transmissions in RAE. Currently RAE is relaying Spanish programs in the meantime. And as final comments, here in Argentina is very difficult meet some people that speak very well the German language and Rayen currently have not replacement (Gabriel Iván Barrera, Argentina, via Uwe Volk, Germany, A-DX Aug 27 via BC-DX via DXLD) Strange; I thought the place was replete with German immigrants (gh) ** AUSTRALIA. NEW VOICE SPANS CULTURAL CHASM By Nicolas Rothwell, August 28, 2003 http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,7063442%255E7582,00.html When Richard Trudgen, a bushy bearded self-taught development expert, first arrived in north-east Arnhem Land he began to realise he was witness to the unfolding of a social crisis. It took two decades, though, before he came to his latest idea. He has just set up Australia's most shoestring media empire in a bid to change the pattern of turbulence in the indigenous communities around him. Trudgen, a driven figure who prefers results to theories, achieved fame three years ago when he published Why Warriors Lie Down and Die, an unsparing account of dysfunction in Arnhem Land, backed up by concrete proposals for remedies. On August 1, the most dramatic of his schemes to change remote communities fired into life: a short-wave radio station beamed across the vast eastern Top End, and covering with its footprint five communities and 90 outstations, or "homelands". "I said once," remembers Trudgen, "that I would crawl backwards naked down Pitt Street to get this radio service up – and that's almost what it took." The group Trudgen works with, Aboriginal Resource and Development Services, raised funds wherever it could, eventually securing some $280,000 for the basic operation, which sends out an exiguous signal, at one wavelength around the clock, from a transmitter station on Darwin's fringes, at Humpty Doo. The key to the idea, in keeping with Trudgen's arguments about development, is language. What's different about this station is that it provides its programs in the local Aboriginal language, Yolngu-matha. Its name, Djawarrkmirr Radio, comes from a word that once meant "town crier" in the dialects of Arnhem Land. Initial programs consist of detailed explanations of the diseases afflicting the Yolngu people of the region, discussions of economic topics, even local news. The aim is to turn the programming into a full-scale, language-based information network, with intensive participation from remote communities. "Our potential studio is as big as the telephone network," insists Trudgen. "People can participate from their homelands – everything said in English is translated at once into Yolngu-matha." For the team at ARDS, which has effectively turned itself into an independent media operator, radio is the way to unblock the failures of the system -- to empower and educate Aboriginal communities, not just in Arnhem Land but across the remote Centre and North. Trudgen's analysis of the crisis in traditional communities is still contentious, even though Why Warriors was enthusiastically circulated to the federal Cabinet when it first appeared. His view is that remote-area people are held back in great part because their language and conceptual schemes hinder them from grasping Western ideas and information: translation into their language is, then, the key to practical education, training and development. His book is a manifesto of his convictions: the radio network is a means to test them in practice. There are, unsurprisingly, teething problems. Broadcast systems have been allowed to decay in some areas, so relays are impossible; the short-wave signal is not ideal, since short-wave radio ownership is far from universal, and word the system is on air has yet to reach all target areas. Trudgen, though, believes he has the future in his grasp, if only he can spread his gospel: "Our aim is this: To educate the adult population to understand the world. If we can turn the adults, whose training has been neglected, into effective teachers of contemporary knowledge, then we will have 2000 informal instructors in the Yolngu world." For such teaching to be effective, it needs to be conducted in the special academic version of Yolngu-matha, which Trudgen does not speak well. Help from his partner in the project, Uniting Church minister Djiniyini Gondarra, is critical. But support from circles which might be expected to be supportive has yet to eventuate. The federal and Northern Territory governments pay lip service, but appear to regard the radio network as an alarming freelance intrusion into their spheres of operation: Trudgen, after all, envisages the creation of a vast "virtual classroom" with an alternative syllabus, and is scathing about current service delivery to the remote world. Trudgen's dream first took shape in a conversation with an old Yolngu friend 20 years ago, and has been expanding ever since. The game-plan now is to turn the signal into an AM/FM one, and to be ready for upgrade to satellite-to-digital-radio transfer, which would allow crystal-clear reception anywhere, and cost some $750,000 to establish. A high price tag for a shoestring operation, but next to nothing set against the vast sums poured into official development schemes in Arnhem Land. And Trudgen has more in store: an 1800 number for listener call-backs, even an expansion of the venture to other language groups in remote Australia. "If Aboriginal people across Australia whose second language is English could hear this signal now," he insists, "they'd be jumping up with joy and glee." (via Andy Sennitt, WORLD OF RADIO 1197, DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. ABC RADIO STAFF THREATEN ACTION OVER RIGHT TO PUBLISH By Barney Zwartz August 27, 2003 URL: http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/08/26/1061663794344.html I'm not sure what times "The Religion Report" is broadcast on RA. However, I believe it's still on CBC Overnight Thursdays at 2:30 AM (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. HCJB WORLD RADIO-AUSTRALIA LAUNCHES URDU BROADCASTS Posted by: newsdesk on Monday, August 25, 2003 - 12:56 PM For the first time, HCJB World Radio began airing programs in the Urdu language July 21, making additional Christian broadcasts available to more than 80 million speakers across South Asia. Urdu speakers live mostly in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Malaysia. The programs air from HCJB World Radio-Australia`s new shortwave site in Kununurra, ``The Voice of the Great Southland.`` Director of Ministries Dennis Adams says initial response to the half- hour programs, which air each morning and evening Monday-Saturday, has been positive. ``Since we started the Urdu broadcasts we have heard from Lahore, Pakistan, that various groups have been formed to listen to the broadcasts, followed by a time of discussion. That`s exciting news!`` The programs complement longtime Urdu broadcasts to the region from Christian organizations such as FEBA Radio and Trans World Radio. Urdu is the first language other than English to air from the Kununurra site. The Urdu program, called ``Danish Kadah,`` was commissioned by partner ministry Asia Aflame Network and produced by Pakistan Christian Radio Ministries. ``The program content is arranged into modules designed to teach Christian doctrines to believers and help in church planting,`` Adams says. Asia Aflame has organized an extensive follow-up network to respond to listeners` needs. The Urdu broadcasts began about six months after the Kununurra station went on the air in January in English. The English programs have attracted a loyal audience across the region with hundreds of listeners responding via letters and e-mails from throughout the South Pacific and South Asia. ``Our English programming is designed to provide a balance that moves between pre-evangelism, evangelism and Bible teaching,`` says Adams. ``There are programs that focus on the various cultures such as the music of Asia, the Pacific, New Zealand and Australia. We also have an Australian country music program, a tourism program called `Destinations,` and special programming for teenagers and younger children.`` ``The next language to go on the air is most likely Hindi, probably in April 2004,`` Adams says. ``Other languages will probably not go on the air until we have a second transmitter. Hopefully this will be sooner rather than later! We`re hoping to begin 2.5 hours of morning broadcasts to East Asia before the end of this year, subject to the completion of a new antenna.`` (HCJB World Radio, press release Aug 27 via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. Emisora andina en 4905.56 kHz, a las 0239 UT, el 23/08. Locutor en evento público --- música de fondo --- menciones de la comunidad de Candelaria. Later: No había identificado: Radio San Miguel, en los 4905.56 kHz, captada el 23/08 (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Riberalta (gh) 4906, Radio San Miguel, 0915-0930 Aug 27. Noted a man in Spanish comments, IDing and presenting musical selections. It looks like the station has settled on 4906 kHz rather than the 4905.50 frequency they were using the other day. Hopefully, the station will not slowly creep up the band to their old frequency over time? Signal here was fair (Bolland, Chuck, Clewiston Florida, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Desde la mañana del 18 de agosto 2003 es audible en la nf de 4905.4 variable a 4906.4 hasta hoy día 28 de agosto, Radio San Miguel, Riberalta, Bolivia, que había estado en los 4930.0 hasta la mañana del 16 de agosto 2003. Con ésta son 33 las variaciones de frecuencia que RSM tuvo hasta ahora y que se ubican en el rango de 4905 a 4930 kcs desde septiembre 1992 en que es audible en la banda de 60 metros (ex- 3310 hasta agosto 1992), siendo 2003 el año de la variación de mayor magnitud (4905v a 4930) = 25 kcs. Anteriormente el año de la mayor variación había sido 1998 con 5 kcs. Supera como saltarina del dial y en magnitud de rango de frecuencias a la otra muy variable Radio Huanta 2000 del Perú. Glenn, deseche mi info si hay otra con más datos estadísticos y precisiones. Chau (Emilio Pedro Povrzenic (pronúnciese Povéryenich, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. Re Guarujá log on 5054: Mark, do you mean 5045 on this one, as reported by others previously?? (Glenn to Mark Mohrmann, via DXLD) Yes Glenn, it is a typo. 5045 is correct. Thanks (Mark Mohrmann, VT, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. ¿Por qué se repetirá la peruana de 6020.34 kHz, en 6060.19 kHz, a eso de las 0530 UT? (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Already discussed recently as a Brazilian, carrying the ubiquitous Voz de la Liberación gospel huxter program in Portuñol; or did you check on two receivers to confirm they were synchronized, in parallel? (gh) ** CAMBODIA. 11939.4-11940.1, National R, Phnom Penh, *1155 open carrier, *1200-1235v*, Aug 05-14, reactivated with programs in Khmer, maybe only for tests. Also heard with open carrier *2355 and program from *0000. They start with a national hymn, ID and pieces of an instrumental National Anthem. The program length varies - the longest lasted 35 minutes. There are still modulation problems and drift in frequency. Weak signal with splatters from 11945 (Roland Schulze, Mangaldan Pangasinan, Philippines, direct, BC-DX Aug 11; and DSWCI DXW via BC-DX via DXLD) ** CHINA. China Radio International 0900-1100 Pacific broadcast in English was heard August 27th on 15210, not moved to 15250 as reported last month (Mike Barraclough, UK, Sept World DX Club Contact via DXLD) ** CONGO. Radio Congo en francés, a las 0534 UT, el 26/08, en los 4765 kHz. Tenía mucho tiempo sin oírla en esa frecuenca. "Golpeaba" bastante a Radio Kaduna en 4770 kHz. Llevo varios días sin poder escucharla en 5985 kHz, luego de que Family Radio deja el canal libre por unos minutos entre las 0445-0455 UT (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF BROADCASTING IN CUBA Manolo de la Rosa Hernández, Radio Havana Cuba Emma Almeda and Manolo de la Rosa from Radio Havana Cuba [caption] In 1922, in the month of October, station PWX was officially inaugurated by the Cuban Telephone Company, subsidiary of ITT. So began the first radio transmissions in Cuba. Since its beginning, this station and the others that came later were modeled after U.S. stations; that is, they were created as private entities without government participation. In 1934, with the penetration of great amounts of U.S. capital, radio achieved a high degree of development, and stations of considerably high powers began to be installed. This was necessary because commercial announcements filled the stations, almost all from the United States, because the large consortiums had sufficiently penetrated the economy of our country and took the place of any local advertisers. This occurred from 1930 to 1940 -- the commercial era. The decade of 1940-1950 was characterized by the appearance of large national radio networks, commercial competition between production companies and broadcasting plants, as well as the appearance of advertising agencies. This period was known as the monopoly, and it lasted from 1940 to 1959, when the Revolution took place. In the decade of the 1950s, a new phenomenon appeared that strengthened the development of the radio monopoly: television. This, without doubt, reduced the radio audience, especially in the nighttime hours. Nevertheless, by that time Cuba had reached a considerable development of radio broadcasting in comparison with the rest of Latin America. By the date that I mentioned -- 1950-1959 -- only two countries in Latin America had more stations (including repeaters of the national networks) than Cuba. These were Mexico and Brazil, which of course are much larger countries, geographically, than ours. Cuba had 156 stations, while Brazil had 630 and Mexico had 417. An interesting piece of information is that before the Revolution, 30 percent of the stations in the country were located in the capital, Havana. There were 31 stations in the city of Havana, and only one on the Island of Pines, now known as the Isle of Youth. There were four national networks: CMQ, CNC (Circuito Nacional Cubano), Unión Radio and Cadena Oriental de Radio. These four national networks, along with the rest of the local stations that operated in Havana, made up 64 percent of the country`s stations, principally in the provinces of Oriente and Las Villas. The mountainous areas of the country did not receive signals from these national networks because they were not fundamentally interested in that population, which did not have the economic power to buy products that were advertised in the capital. From the triumph of the Cuban Revolution on January 1, 1959 until May of 1962, radio and TV went through a brief transitional stage in which the media were transferred from private to state ownership. On May 24, 1962, law number 1030 of the Council of Ministers of Cuba created the Cuban Institute of Radio Broadcasting (ICR) an organization whose object was to control and operate all radio and TV broadcasts in Cuba. In 1976, as a consequence of acts by the First Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba, a new political-administrative structure was applied to the country, and the radio and television stations gained a new administrator called the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television (ICRT). On May 1, 1961, the shortwave station Radio Havana Cuba was created. Today, Cuban radio has six national networks: Radio Rebelde, Radio Progreso, CMBF Radio Musical Nacional, Radio Reloj, Radio Enciclopedia and Radio Taíno. Altogether, there are 71 stations. There are 18 provincial stations, and the rest are in the cities. There are 104 municipal studios, which are like stations without a transmitter. There are 1,130 hours of transmissions daily. Each day 3,011 programs are aired. Thirty-eight percent of the programming is news; 38.3% is music; 14.4% is varied programming; and 9.1% is radio drama. All national stations have their own web pages. They broadcast on AM and FM. Radio Rebelde also broadcasts some hours in the morning and at night on shortwave for Central America. Radio Havana Cuba broadcasts to the world on shortwave in nine languages. The AM and FM transmitters in the country are able to cover 98% of the nation`s territory. Television, for its part, has two national channels -- one called Cubavisión, and the other Channel 2 Telerebelde. There is a third channel which is educational, and very shortly a fourth channel -- also educational -- will be inaugurated (presentation at Mexican DX Encuentro via Jeff White, Sept NASB Newsletter via DXLD) Party line ** CUBA [and non]. Radio Martí only exists because wealthy Cubans have bought several congressmen over the past couple of decades in the US. Radio Martí is probably the worst possible example of how to engage in international broadcasting. It has hateful and racist overtones that a member of the US KKK can only explain (Max Power, WA, hard-core-dx via DXLD) I haven`t listened that closely. How is it racist? Cubans, whether dentro or fuera are multi-racial (gh, DXLD) Yawn..... We can only hope the Church of Fidel doesn't last any longer than its pontiff.... Here in Florida, the jammers of the most enlightened regime's Operación Titano seem to be winning on HF, mostly obliterating Martí, plus everything +/- 50 kHz, not to mention empty harmonics of Martí frequencies. Their MW counterparts stay busy also. One curious blobmitter blasts away at 820 kHz, and has for a few years now, with no evident clue as to what the target station might possibly be. The 1160 Radio Swan/ Americas jammer stayed on the air 15 years after that particular racist KKK station left the air, so targetless jamming might simply be a sign of utter centrally-planned incompetence on the part of the operators. All that notwithstanding, I'm curious as to which race Radio Martí might be overtoning against (David Crawford, Titusville FL, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Super Q (4959.86) también se escucha hasta bien entrada las 0430 UT; lo malo es que un emisor de la VOA también está en ese mismo canal a partir de las 0400 UT, si no me equivoco (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) São Tomé ** ECUADOR. Radio Quito ha estado ausente de su frecuencia por un largo tiempo. A menos por acá no se le pude captar en 4919 kHz. Hace un año envié un reporte de recepción a radioquito@elcomercio.com y todavía espero por la QSL (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Continued under KOREA SOUTH ** ERITREA [non]. Voix of Democratic Eritrea, le 25-08-2003 de 1700 à 1800 UT sur 15670 kHz, SINPO 43334. Des informations en langues locales et à 1725 de la musique régionale et à 1830 changement de langue (Mohamed Kallel, Sfax, Tunisia, FRG-7700 + 20M, Aug 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FRANCE. According to the homepage http://www.cielradio.com/ the French private radio broadcaster Ciel AM will open the mediumwave service on Paris 981 kHz, 5 kW already in August 2003. The Paris suburb/region transmitter location of Alfortville has not been used for any mediumwave service in the past. In September 2003 the common transmission wave of 1161 kHz will follow: Strasbourg Selestat ([maximum usable power of] 1000 kW, screening of 63 kW towards 90-130 degrees Bulgasria/Egypt. ITU plan shows maximum power radiation towards 20 degrees at 28-30 dB, minimum reduction of 14dB to Bulgaria/Egypt at 120 degrees, and of 10 dB towards UK at 300 degrees). And Toulouse 1161 kHz, 160 kW, will follow soon. [maximum power radiation at 22.1 dB] The given power figures are REGISTERED maximum usable carrier power in kilowatt, but don't reflect the present situation at the site. Instead TDF uses the transmtiter installations at Selestat with 200 [300, wb] kW and Toulouse with 100 kW of power. Until Dec 31, 1996 TDF did spread out the France Inter program from both sites (Dr. Hansjoerg Biener, Germany, Kai Ludwig, Germany, ntt Aug 15 via BC-DX via DXLD) ** GERMANY. Among the few changes asterisked in an 8/19 revision of the T-Systems = DTK schedule is something called AWH = Allerweltshaus Köln e.V. – another gospel huxter? Maybe not, unless a front; appears to be some kind of inter-cultural organisation as the name implies (gh) 17555 1500 1530 48 106 145 217 3456 030903 261003 JUL 100 AWH * 17555 1500 1559 48 106 145 217 17 030903 261003 JUL 100 AWH * (via Alokesh Gupta, India, Aug 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) So it`s Tue-Fri for half an hour, Sat and Sun for a full hour, silent on Mon, Starting Sept 3. Here`s their website I found: http://www.allerweltshaus.de/ where one thinks one is led to a welcome statement in English, but only gets this for a starter, nothing found about imminent brodcasts: Das Allerweltshaus Köln e.V. gibt es seit 1987. Als private Initiative von engagierten Einzelpersonen gegründet betreiben wir seit 13 Jahren ein interkulturelles Begegnungszentrum in Köln-Ehrenfeld und machen entwicklungspolitische Bildungs- und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit. Schwerpunkte unserer Arbeit sind die Bekämpfung von Rassismus und einer Politik der sozialen Ausgrenzung. . . (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1197, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. 177 AM/DRM simulcast Today I finally had time to listen to 177 while running AM/DRM simulcast mode and to compare it with the AM-only 177 reverted back to around 1400. The digital component was obvious when tuning to 175 and 179, and also when tuning to 177 some background hiss remained audible. I also found the AM audio more muffled than otherwise, just as it was described from preliminary tests done on 855 in spring. In general the signal was weaker than in AM-only. Klaus Schneider gives on his http://www.drm-dx.de page 125 kW with a question mark; well, I would say this figure as AM carrier power would indeed fit to the observed signal level. Altogether the degradation of reception quality with this mode is quite obvious, and in general I got a feeling that the lively disputed IBOC in the USA must be of a quite similar appearance, although I guess the digital component of an IBOC signal is much more aggressive than the rather mild one on 177. A picture of the longwave transmitter inaugurated at Zehlendorf in 1999 can be seen at http://www.telefunken-sendersysteme.de/Produkte/AM_Sender/am_sender.html Behind the new transmitter what appears to be one of the three 250 kW PA stages of the old beast from 1956/1958 (which I understand is kept as a stand-by), in the left of the picture some pre-stages of the old rig. Also 693 was on in DRM today, as was Berlin-Britz 855. 603 is too weak here to say whether or not the simulcast mode was tested there, too. By the way, I couldn't detect any signal on 171. No more Radio Rossii from Bolshakovo? Bitrate of the DRM component on 177 today was a mere 13.2 kbps (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Aug 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HONDURAS. Hondureña reactivada en 3340 kHz, la cual capté el 22/08, a las 0004 UT, con un sermón religioso. SINPO 2/2 (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, WORLD OF RADIO 1197, DX LISTENING DIGEST) R. Misiones Internacionales as just reported here, 2/3 x 5010 ** INDIA. AIR Bangalore Home Service on 10330 kHz in Hindi. For those listeners that enjoy music from India, listen to this frequency from 0030 UT (6:00 am local India time). Reception has been excellent here recently during the first half hour to one hour of transmission with delightful music. For example on Thursday August 28, carrier was on at 0015 UT. IS (same haunting melody as on External Service) was on at 0024 UT. A song at 0026 UT (is it the national anthem?). Spoken word at 0027 UT in Hindi; kilohertz was mentioned. Music at 0028 UT and man reading the news (I presume) at 0030 to 0035 UT. The rest of the broadcast audible here was music. No English was heard. Initially the signal was like a local at S20 to S30. By 0120 UT it was S9 and by 0140 UT it was very poor and soon faded out after that. The same quality of reception has been heard on previous nights this week. According to "The Shortwave Guide" Volume 2 the power is 500 kW, and it certainly sounded like it during the first hour. This out of band frequency is probably overlooked by many DXers, but it is worth listening to at present, at least here in Ottawa (Bernie O'Shea, Ottawa, Ontario, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. 4870.90, RRI Sorong, 0938-1015. Noted program of music with a woman in Indonesian comments. At 1000 news, then back to music etc. Signal was fair to poor. This was on while RRI Wamena was also broadcasting - see below. 4869.95, RRI Wamena, 1000-1015. Tuned in at 1000 and noted steady music. As time passed, the signal improved, Using two receivers for this logging and hearing Sorong from one and Wamena the other. Signal was fair (Chuck Bolland, August 27, 2003, Clewiston Florida, USA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. Hi Glenn, just received via the NDB list... Hi All: Got this item from our local amateur radio reflector. If anyone hears it, a one-watt beacon from Mars would be "serious DX," even if that planet is now exceptionally close to ours (I observed Mars last night and could easily see its disc in 16x80 binoculars). 73, Andy Robins KB8QGF, Kalamazoo, Michigan USA MARS RELAY TRANSMITTER TEST SET (AUG 27, 2003) -- UNTIL AUGUST 29 NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) -- in cooperation with the Stanford Research Institute (SRI) -- will conduct a test of the Mars Relay transmitter aboard the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) spacecraft now orbiting Mars. During the test, the spacecraft will transmitting a 1 W CW signal on 437.1 MHz for reception by the 46 meter dish at SRI. Amateurs with 70 cm EME-class stations using DSP techniques also may be able to detect this signal. ARRL member Andrew Bachler, N9AB, in Illinois was able to detect a similar transmitter aboard Mars Odyssey while it was on its way to Mars in June 2001 (see also, "New solar system record set"). This test will be somewhat more challenging as MGS will be 3 times further away. "MGS will be entering and exiting occultation--blockage by Mars with respect to Earth -- with each 118-minute orbit," says John Callas of JPL. "Furthermore, its UHF antenna -- with about 0 dBi of gain, EIRP ~30 dBm -- will only be viewable from Earth for a few minutes just before ingress and just after egress as it orbits." Callas says the viewing window is between five and 15 minutes. Details of the test timeline are available on the KM1P Welcome Page. Antenna pointing information can be generated with JPL's HORIZONS system. Announcements and discussions are available on the mars-net e-mail reflector. To join the list, send a message to majordomo@alum.wpi.edu with the words "subscribe mars-net" in the body of the message. The SETI League will issue a special extraterrestrial QSL card for documented successful reception of either Mars spacecraft beacon. _______________________________________________ Ndblist mailing list http://beaconworld.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/ndblist_beaconworld.org.uk 73, (via Eike Bierwirth, 04317 Leipzig, DL, DXLD) Find the current overall shortwave schedule on http://www.eibi.de.vu/ ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM [non]. The one-hour Mars Special was on KUNM Wed Aug 27 at 1400 UT, not 1500, sorry: anyhow, I, for one, could not get KUNM stream to work at 1500; has format really changed? I got it on WHYY at 0100 UT 28th while keeping another ear on 15476 and an eye on the southeast horizon, where Mars did brill later in the eve. Here it is again, on WUOT, Knoxville, as on their website Aug 27 --- we can only hope that the Friday referred to is the one coming up, Aug 29, as this is nowhere clarified; anyhow at 1600 --- or 1606 UT: SPECIAL -- SkyTour: Mars Close Up, Friday at 12 noon on 91.9FM. SkyTour is a one hour special on the science and the adventure of Mars, the obsession about life on Mars and the scientific expectations. Science and culture, facts and technology, commentaries, features, the latest from NASA, the ethics of exploring life on Mars, and much more. SkyTour is a joint production of WHYY and The Franklin Institute Science Museum (via Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAQ. NEW IRAQI RADIO STATION BROADCAST FROM BAGHDAD | Text of report by Iraqi independent newspaper Al-Zaman on 28 August A new Iraqi radio station called the Voice of Iraq, was launched in Baghdad yesterday [27 August]. It broadcasts on 1179 kHz medium-wave and covers the capital, Baghdad, and cities close by reaching Al- Mahawil, Ba'qubah and Al-Fallujah. Al-Zaman has learnt that the station is supervised by the International Agency for Free Media, a media institution that was active abroad during the previous regime and was run by Iraqis and covered Iraqi news and domestic developments via the Internet. After completing a one-month trial period, the station now presents two in-depth newscasts and domestic reports in addition to a daily review of the press. Source: Al-Zaman, Baghdad, in Arabic 28 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH. 6070.4, V. of Korea 1233 Aug 28. Japanese talk; typical choral music at 1235. Fair signal, // 7580, which was good (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Drake R-8, 100-foot RW, Cumbre DX via DXLD) More QRM to CFRX ** KOREAS. POLICE PREVENT RELEASE OF BALLOONS CARRYING RADIOS TO NORTH KOREA Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières) called on South Korea today to explain why riot police prevented human rights activists releasing balloons that were to drop radio sets over North Korea. . . http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=7847 (via Jill Dybka, DXLD) RSF WANTS EXPLANATION FOR BAN ON BALLOON RADIO SCHEME Press freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has asked South Korea to explain why riot police prevented human rights activists releasing balloons that were to drop radio sets over North Korea. "The government's job is of course to maintain law and order on its territory but how does sending tiny radio sets to North Koreans threaten South Korea's security?" asked RSF in a letter to South Korean Administration and Home Affairs Minister Kim Doo-kwan. Police prevented a score of activists releasing about 200 balloons carrying more than 600 radio sets on 22 August at Chulwon, near the North Korean border. A German doctor, Norbert Vollertsen, was roughed up by the police and hospitalised with a foot injury and bruises. He was trying to fill the balloons with helium despite the police ban. The project was launched by Korean-born American pastor Douglas Shin and Dr Vollertsen, who was deported from North Korea in 2001 for criticising the human rights situation there, and aimed to give hundreds of people in the north a chance to pick up Korean-language broadcasts by foreign stations, including Radio Free Asia, on the solar-powered sets. Radio and TV sets sold in North Korea can only receive the state-controlled media. According to the scheme's organisers, the South Korean foreign ministry had been told about the launch and had not formally objected. However, no official request for permission to stage it had been made. The law allows demonstrations to be banned if the organisers have already been involved in a violent demonstration or if the site of the protest is considered unsuitable (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 27 August 2003 via DXLD) ** KOREA SOUTH. [Continued from ECUADOR] En cambio, la KBS, desde Corea, me envió un CD e información sobre las frecuencias en tiempo récord. El paquete salió de Seúl el 22/07 y llegó a mis manos el 1ero. de agosto. ¡Insólito! Tan lejos y tan cerca (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KURDISTAN. Voix of Kurdistan, le 25-08-2003 de 1700 à 1714 UT sur 8170 kHz, SINPO 35222. Les news en arabe et de la music kurde (Mohamed Kallel, Sfax, Tunisia, FRG-7700 + 20M, Aug 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) harmonique, 2 par 4085 (gh) ** MEXICO. For many many years I have enjoyed DXing the Mexican shortwave domestic stations at day on 49 meters, especially in winter when the D layer is weaker. A band scan today turned up nothing at all from Central Florida. Are they all gone now? 73, (Thomas F. Giella, KN4LF Space & Atmospheric Weather Forecaster Website Designer 4208 Thackery Way Plant City, FL, hard-core-dx via DXLD) Almost. This was discussed by Héctor García Bojorge on the Aug 22 RN Radio-Enlace, audio previously referenced here. 6045 R. Universidad de SLP was reactivated this summer; haven`t you heard?? 6010 R. Mil is supposedly active, but may be very low power. 6185 R. Educación is well heard, but only on air during the night 2300-1100 UT (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MONGOLIA. The transformation of the website of The Voice of Mongolia (resp. Mongolian National Radio) is continuing. A new English section was created http://mongol.net/vom/mnr2.htm containing an updated presentation of Mongolian Radio & TV. Among other things, the text is referring to the installation of new SW transmitters in 2003 (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Aug 27, WORLD OF RADIO 1197, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: Radio Transmission Central Station: The history and development years of the Radio and Television Technical Center of Broadcasting Systems /RTVTCBS/ begins with the date of first Radio program was aired and broadcast throughout the country for the first time on 1 September, 1934. The central radio transmission station Khonkhor of Ulaanbaatar municipal area, and local transmission stations in Bayan-Ulgii, Gobi- Altai, Khubsgul, Umnugobi, Dornod and Dornogobi provinces are the structural parts of the RTVTCBS. The central radio transmission center was established in 1960, with short wave stations of 5, 25 and 50 kWt and a long wave station of 150 kWt followed by an expansion in 1978 with 100 and 250 kWt short wave stations, in 1984 a 500 kWt medium and long wave station which enabled the program no.1 of the Mongolian national radio to be broadcast in the central area of the country, and the programs of the "Voice of Mongolia" radio station to be broadcast internationally in English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian and Mongolian. In 1978-1979 local radio stations of large capacity were built through USSR technical and economical grant aid, providing the current broadcasting network which covers approximately 90 per cent of the total territory of the country at present. In 1967, when television was being evolved, the Television Central Station in Ulaanbaatar was established and the major channel programs of the Mongolian National Television are broadcast in Ulaanbaatar city and its districts through a 5 kWt capacity station, but for the broadcasting in the outskirts, municipal areas of Ulaanbaatar a 300 kWt station is installed on the mountain Chingeltei. The short wave radio network project provided by Japan grant aid is being implemented in 2003 at the RTVTCBS, shall enable modern technical facilities of 50kWt short wave station in Ulaanbaatar, and 10kWt short wave stations in Altai and Murun available to broadcast the programs of the National Radio on two channels. At present RTVTCBS has more than 200 employers, within 70 percent are professional engineers (via Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, DXLD) ** NIGERIA. VOICE OF NIGERIA heard in English from 2200 to 2300* UT on a possibly new frequency of 17800. Signal was good but the audio was low, heard female with ID, into news (Ron Trotto, wdx4kwi, Waggoner, Illinois, Aug 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ex-, or plus-15120? Yes, new! (gh) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. PROVINCIAL RADIO STATIONS GO OFF-AIR THROUGH LACK OF FUNDING | Text of report by Papua New Guinea newspaper The National web site on 28 August Three National Broadcasting Corporation [NBC] radio stations in the Highlands are off -the-air and one is likely to follow suit due to non-payment of electricity bills. Radio stations at Mt Hagen, Wabag and Chimbu. Chimbu and Wabag were off-air for almost a year and Hagen has been out for two months. Reports yesterday indicate that very soon, Radio Southern Highlands will go off-air. This was after PNG [Papua New Guinea] Power gave two days notice to the management of Radio Southern Highlands for a bill of more than 15,000 kina [4,400 dollars]. NBC staff from the affected provinces said that they encountered funding problems since the responsibility for funding of the radio stations were transferred to provincial governments. Radio Enga has been off air for the last eight months because the provincial administration was confused as to who should fund its operations. This station owes PNG Power 15,000 kina in electricity bills. Anna Pundia, the manager of Radio Western Highlands yesterday said the Western Highlands provincial government would meet their electricity bill of 29,853.59 kina which was owed since 17 July. Mrs Pundai said that the provincial executive council and the acting administrator, Michael Wandil, have approved a submission for this bill and they expect to be back on air by the end of this week. An announcer with the Radio Southern Highlands said they were still on air but received red light from PNG Power on Monday [26 August] to disconnect the power supply due to non-payment of 15,000-kina outstanding bills. Radio Chimbu has been off air since the beginning of this year but The National could not reach them due to communication problems. Source: The National web site, Port Moresby, in English 28 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) PAPUA NEW GUINEA, JAPAN SIGN AGREEMENT TO UPGRADE RADIO STATIONS | Excerpt from report by Papua New Guinea newspaper The National web site on 28 August Five of the National Broadcasting Corporation's provincial radio stations in the country will benefit from a 24.81m-kina aid project from the Japanese government. The five stations earmarked to undergo refurbishment and upgrading are Vanimo, Mt Hagen, Goroka, Lae and Kimbe. The Vanimo, Lae and Kimbe stations will be facilitated with modern medium wave transmitter equipment while the other two will be upgraded to modern FM radio stations. These stations are under NBC's Kundu Broadcasting Service. The Kundu service aims to promote the development and welfare of rural people through local programs. Yesterday, the PNG and Japanese governments signed and exchanged papers to improve radio equipment and facilities for these stations. [Passage omitted] Source: The National web site, Port Moresby, in English 28 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** PERU. Peruana en 5009.63, a las 0236 UT, el 23/08, con música autóctona, locutor de guardia (audio opaco) y demasiado "fade". Indentificándose como "Nuestra radio...". (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Presumably R. Horizonte (gh) ** PERU. Radio Los Andes has replied to a congratulatory message sent to radiolosandes@starmedia.com by way of Program Manager Padre Antonio Campos Castillo of the Prelature "Virgen de la Alta Gracia", who says he will be happy to receive my reports (Henrik Klemetz, Sweden, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. FIRST ELEVATOR TO BE RESTARTED AT OSTANKINO TV TOWER BY YEAR'S END | Text of report in English by Russian news agency ITAR- TASS on 27 August Moscow, 27 August: The first elevator will be restarted at Moscow's Ostankino television tower by the end of this year. A strong fire inside the tower three years ago claimed three lives and destroyed most of the equipment. "The world's second tallest television tower is returning to full- scale operation," the deputy director of the federal state unitary enterprise Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Network, Irina Maslova told TASS on Wednesday. All electric equipment has been restored and the first elevator will be back in operation soon. Those who work at the 524-metre altitude from where the signal is broadcast, have to climb a narrow spiral stairway for at least two hours, Maslova said. All elevators will begin to function next year. The observation floor at an altitude of 350 meters above the surface will reopen. It will be equipped with mini-telescopes and screens providing a bird's eye view of the city. The once-famous restaurant, "seventh Heaven" will host the first customers. Federal budget spending on repairing the television tower will total 180m roubles [6m dollars]. Over the three years since the fire the tower's look has not changed at all. The fire that occurred inside the building on 27 August 2000, for a long time disrupted the normal broadcasting of five main television channels. It took twenty-four hours to eliminate the fire. The 51,000-tonne Ostankino television tower was built in 1967. For a long time it remained the tallest man-made structure in the world. Source: ITAR-TASS news agency, Moscow, in English 1440 gmt 27 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** SWEDEN. RADIO SWEDEN -- Coming up on Radio Sweden: Thursday: "S-Files" (repeat) Friday: Our weekly review Saturday: Special on food and culture Sunday: In "Sounds Nordic" Aeysha and the new (SCDX/MediaScan Aug 27 via DXLD) ** SYRIA. Radio Damascus. La radio da la république de Syrie a été entendue le 17-08-2003 à 1330 UT sur 13610 kHz avec une émission dirigée vers la population syrienne qui reste sur la valée du Jourdan ocupée par les Israéliens. L`émission s`appelle ``Terre et racine dirigée à notre frère en Joulan [sic] la chère.`` Le signale est 55454 (Mohamed Kallel, Sfax, Tunisia, FRG-7700 + 20M, Aug 27, WORLD OF RADIO 1197, DX LISTENING DIGEST) En français? Surely Arabic. WRTH 2003 does not show any external service on 13610 before 1700 in Russian, and the only French is at 1905-2005. SW Guide, however, shows 13610 in use at 0100-0300 to NAm --- anyone ever noticed that? And 0500-1600 to NAf, both in the green language, which would be Arabic, presumably domestic service relay? (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1197, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SYRIA [non]. Arab radio, le 24-08-2003 de 1500 à 1530 UT sur 12120 kHz, SINPO 55555. Les émissions commencent avec du Kor`an; la première émission est `Parole des gens` (kalem el nes) et de la musique arabe avec une préférence pour le chanteur Abd Halim; la deuxième émission `entre nous avec les amitiés` (bini ou binek ma kales el hob). (Mohamed Kallel, Sfax, Tunisia, FRG-7700 + 20M, Aug 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TURKEY. Voice of Turkey, English 0300-0400 [to NAm] changes from 11655 to 9650 August 31st per their programme schedule (Mike Barraclough, Sept World DX Club Contact via WORLD OF RADIO 1197, DXLD) Didn`t they fail to make that switch on time a year ago? (gh, DXLD) ** UGANDA. Radio Rebelde estuvo fuera del aire por un largo rato y por tal razón Radio Uganda pudo oírse en inglés desde las 0353 UT, en los 5026 kHz, el 22/08, con SINPO 2/1 (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UKRAINE [non]. Even though RUI doesn't begin using 9810 until September 1, 2003, I thought I'd check the frequency. RUI 9810 August 27, 2003 at 0000 UT = we have problems! 0000 UT 9805 what sounds like a jammer; 9810 hear a station, but I can not get ID; 9815 hear a station, maybe Arabic?; 9820 carrier, but no modulation. 0015 UT same as 0000 UT 0030 UT 9805 jammer and R. Farda?; other frequencies same as 0000 UT 0045 UT same as 0030 UT. Main problem is the broadcaster and jammer on 9805. I don't believe the broadcaster on 9810 will cause too much QRM to RUI. We were having terrible local thunderstorms so I can check again August 28, 2003 (Kraig Krist, VA, WORLD OF RADIO 1197, DX LISTENING DIGEST) From 1 September RUI will change 12040 kHz to 9810 kHz for its North American transmissions 2300-0400. Transmitter and azimuth remain the same: Mykolaiv, 1000 (500?) kW, 314 degrees (Alexander Yegorov, Ukraine, Aug 22, via Wolfgang Bueschel, DXLD) ** U K. Great show tonight [BBC Radio 2, Tue 1930-2030 UT, continued next week at same time]. Wonderful to hear the Caroline theme on the Beeb. Thanks to this programme, Radio London and Radio Caroline both received two mentions in the Radio Times dated 23-29th August, on pages 24 and 114. The following is what Susan Jeffreys has written about it in the current edition of Weekend - the television and radio guide in the Saturday edition of the Daily Mail. "Radio Caroline and Radio London both broadcast from stations off the British coast. While grey seas slapped away outside, a new breed of DJ`s - titans such such as Simon Dee (pictured in magazine article), Kenny Everett, and Tony Blackburn - brought a stream of pop music to young, grateful British ears. Before this happy dawn, you had to listen to Radio Luxembourg through a storm of static, or put up with the dreary outpourings of Sing Something Simple, pop arrangements by the Northern Dance Orchestra or Uncle Mac playing The Runaway Train and Big Rock Candy Mountain week after week. In the first of a two- parter, Pete Drummond looks at the beginnings of independent radio in the 1930s, with the gloriously named Captain Leanord Plugge." The Sunday Telegraph TV & Radio Guide previews the programme as follows. "In the 1930`s, only the BBC was authorised to use the British airwaves - until Captain Leanord Plugge, an unlikely broadcasting pirate, spotted a commercial opportunity. A radio transmitter in Normandy could reach England, allowing him to beam dance tunes and face-cream ads to Brittish citizens without fear of prosecution. Pete Drummond`s jolly two-part history names Plugge as the grandfather of radios London and Caroline, Kenny Everett and Tony Blackburn. And which BBC station epitomised the middle-aged easy listening these 1960s rebels scorned? The Light Programme, now Radio 2". MP. Also much in the press this morning. In the Daily Mail today, Martin Kelner had the following to say about the new pirate radio show. "The history of radio in Britain would have been very different without "pirate" broadcasters. They challenged the hegemony of the BBC, first from mainland Europe through stations like Radio Normandy and Radio Luxembourg, and later, in true pirate style, from ships moored in international waters off the coast. Radio`s 1 and 2, in fact, were born in response to Radio`s Caroline and London, which had 16 million listeners between them in the mid-sixties. The programme was also previewed in today`s edition of The Daily Telegraph, by Alexander Reynolds. "Pete Drummond sails into pirate radio history in the first of two parts on the phenomenon. Pirate "Euro-stations" of the Thirties matured into licensed giants like Radio Luxembourg. Tonight`s instalment focuses on the clash of the Titans: Caroline versus London. The Daily Telegraph preview has a photograph of the manager of the current UK land based version of Radio Caroline, sitting at the microphone in the station`s hired studios in Maidstone, Kent. The caption to the picture reads; "Pirate pioneer: Peter Moore of Radio Caroline, which is now enjoying a digital revival". Press extracts courtesy of http://usa.internations.net/pirategold/pirategoldnews.html (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** U S A. Glenn: As the retired program director, chief engineer, and sometime manager for five classical stations, I have been reading about LPFM in general, and this in particular, with some interest -- || WCNH-LP (94.7 Concord) ...Highland has struck a deal with New Hampshire Public Radio to provide access to NHPR's music library and other forms of support to the station, which will broadcast a 24-hour classical format to Concord and vicinity when it signs on, perhaps as early as October. That's what LPFM is supposed to be all about, we say ...|| I couldn't agree less. LPFM is NOT "all about" broadcasting classical music, which REQUIRES, demands, and is utterly dependent on wide dynamic range and frequency response. When you have squeezed a 100 w station in the sidebands of two high powered ones, you get neither one. So what will happen? The LPFM station trying to broadcast classical music must compress the signal to a 15 dB dynamic range. Then, the hiss from the original recordings will be oppressive, and somebody will get the bright idea to install a filter --- and the end result will be audio that is worse than a web stream. Now, add multipath. Far worse than a web stream. And add the sideband interference from adjacent high powered carriers. Infinitely worse than a web stream. Finally, TRY -- just try! -- to listen in a car, or on a portable set. Useless! LPFM will probably work for about two blocks around the transmitter and antenna site. I know whereof I speak: for five years I tried to put classical music on my university station, back in the early sixties. We had 80 watts from the top of a library building of 7 stories. Even with 20 dB of compression from the Gates limiter, you couldn't hear the signal two miles away. And that was in an unpopulated educational band with almost no stations; today the entire FM spectrum from one end to the other is just mush: the equivalent to driving from Santa Bárbara to Tijuana, wall-to-wall "town" without end. Even web streams are compressed to hell. For instance: WCPE. They have pleasant music, but the dynamic range is about 10 dB. It's worse than AM radio. When I was the CE and PD of classical KIBE, Palo Alto (back in the seventies) I tried to maintain a dynamic range on our AM signal of at least 27 dB, and a range of more than 35 to 40 dB on our FM transmission. We got top ratings and audience approval with wide dynamics, clean audio, brilliant highs, full, responsive bass. That was just before CDs hit the scene. A classical CD of orchestral music will have a dynamic range of 40 to 55 dB, typically; you simply cannot transmit that on LPFM and hear it clearly, cleanly, and intelligibly outside of the station's own CONTROL ROOM. After 27 futile years broadcasting classical music, I am extremely happy to enjoy it as it SHOULD be heard: from CDs, right on my own car or home players. No compression; no compromises; no dumbing-down to fit in to somebody's "concept" of programming or demographics, and no destruction of the audio. Classical music on FM is just about as obsolete as buggy whip technology. In fact, MONO FM transmission was actually better -- more honest -- for classical music than the lousy multiplex system we've been burdened with since 1961. Yours, (Steve Waldee - former radio CE and for twelve years, consultant to Orban Associates on the development of the AM and FM Optimod [tr] processing systems, DX LISTENING DIGEST) !! (gh) ** U S A. WBJX 1460 RACINE WI TOWER TOPPLED BY VANDALS Thanks to Tim Noonan for posting this on his excellent web site "Radio/DX Information from Wisconsin http://www.angelfire.com/wi/dxing/index.html "* WI Racine WBJX 1460 is silent as a result of vandals knocking down its tower. The station hopes to be back on from a temporary facility by the end of this week (Tim Cuprisin/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)" Here is the news story from Tim Cuprisin's 8/26/03 column: WBJX GOES SILENT Racine's WBJX-AM (1460), southeast Wisconsin's only 24-hour Spanish- language radio outlet, is out of commission after vandals knocked down its tower. Owner Robert Jeffers tells Inside TV & Radio that he hopes to have a temporary tower up and the station back on the air by the end of the week. Jeffers discovered that the tower had been toppled Monday morning when he noticed WBJX wasn't broadcasting. "In the last month, we've been having several cases of vandalism, and I've reported each one of them to police," he says. He doesn't have any idea who's targeting the station. "Usually, if it's kids, they try once or twice and they give it up," he says. (via Bill Dvorak, Madison WI, NRC-AM via DXLD) VANDALS DRIVE OFF RACINE STATION SPANISH STATION TO MOVE AFTER ITS TOWER IS TOPPLED By ALLISON L. SMITH Last Updated: Aug. 28, 2003 Original URL: http://www.jsonline.com/news/metro/aug03/165386.asp After vandals damaged the only 24-hour all-Spanish radio station in southeastern Wisconsin for the fourth time in less than a month, the station's owner said Wednesday that he will move operations from Racine to Milwaukee. Guy wires that stabilized the 200-foot transmission tower for Racine's WBJX-AM (1460) were cut Monday, causing the tower to topple and knocking the station off the air, said owner Robert Jeffers. "Where we're located now, we just don't feel comfortable or safe anymore," Jeffers said. "We've been considering moving to Milwaukee anyway to be closer to our advertisers, but this just makes our decision clear." This summer, vandals have waged an escalating war on the Latino station. First they cut its phone lines, then the electric cables, and recently sawed off the station's satellite dish, Jeffers said. Sheriff's deputies were called on each of the incidents but have yet to make any arrests or tell Jeffers of any leads, he said. "They said it's like finding a needle in a haystack," Jeffers said. Lt. Connie Mallwitz of the Racine County Sheriff's Department said Wednesday her agency has record of four reports of vandalism at the station since Aug. 6. She deferred further comment to the lead investigator on the case, who could not be reached. Jeffers said he has no idea of the perpetrators' identities, ages or motives. The station has not received any threatening calls or letters, he added. "I don't know if someone has a grudge against the station, or me, or doesn't like Spanish music," Jeffers said. Under a licensing requirement, the station's tower must remain in Racine. Only the studio and sales offices will shift to Milwaukee next month. The impending move is the second time vandals factored into Jeffers' decision to relocate, he said. In April 2001, a group of 12-year-old boys started a fire adjacent to the station's radio tower, then in Mount Pleasant. Several other vandalism incidents in 2000 and 2001 at its Racine offices and the tower site persuaded Jeffers to move a couple of miles north to the current location, 1661 Douglas Ave. Even after he moved to Douglas Ave., Jeffers said, vandals attacked the former location, smashing out all its windows and damaging the walls. "I don't know if the people now are the same people, but they seem pretty determined," Jeffers said. Jeffers describes the station he has owned since 1996 as a "ma-and-pa" business he runs with his wife, Patricia Martinez, who doubles as an afternoon on-air personality. "We're a small operation and don't have a lot of extra resources," Jeffers said. A temporary tower was being installed Wednesday, and Jeffers said he expects the station to resume broadcasting by Saturday. "This has been very challenging, because this is our livelihood," Martinez said. "But my husband and I are very optimistic people. You just keep fighting back tooth and nail and don't let anyone stop your dream." From the Aug. 28, 2003 editions of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) Meanwhile DXers in the area are going after all the other stations on 1460 (gh, DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. Las transmisiones de Radio Amazonas (4939.66) ahora sobrepasan la barrera de la 0130 UT. Se puede captar hasta incluso las 0300 (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, WORLD OF RADIO 1197, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4940, VENEZUELA, R. Amazonas, 0342-0408*, 27/08, Spanish, continuous pop music and ballads, OM at 0403 over music, sounding like NA, positive ID. Fair music, weak voice audio (Scott Barbour, NH, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** VIETNAM [non]. Degar Voice (via Atamanovka, Russia) changed from 7115 to 7380 kHz 1300-1400 (Tue/Thu/Sat). (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Aug 27, WORLD OF RADIO 1197, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Atamanovka? Where`s that, a.k.a.? (gh, DXLD) ** WESTERN SAHARA [non]. ALGERIA, 7460.31, Polisario Radio "El Idaha el watania lljoumouria elarabia elsahrawia el watania". Yesterday night [Aug 18] around 2100-2130 I checked Polisario Sahara Radio on 7460.31 kHz, but thiny, very weak at this time of the year. No jamming from Morocco noticed so far. (later) On past three nights [Aug 18-20] I heard the Polisario Front Radio from probably Tindouf, Algeria on 7460.31 kHz, but very thiny poor S=1-2. Readable only few fragments of French language phrases. Always around 2100-2130 UT. This morning (Thur 21) the channel was empty at 0600 UT, but at 0700 UTC I noted a very weak signal, and a carrier on according measurement of my USB/LSB receiver settings (Wolfgang Bueschel, Stuttgart, Germany, Aug 21, BC-DX via DXLD) Yes, it has to be the Sahara station you are hearing around 7460, but signal strength here is also very much lower than it used to be, so something has altered. Perhaps lower power - re-directed aerials - or just a different location? (Noel R. Green, UK, BC-DX Aug 21 all via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 4335.2-5, LA Station, 1040 Aug 27, Sounded like Peruvian. Andean folk music, with male announcer. 300 Hz upward drift over 10 minute period. Ute on top, best heard listening to LSB. Fair strength, but S9 static crashes (David Hodgson, TN, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Naylamp reactivated as in previous issues UNIDENTIFIED. Emisora en portugués ¿brasilera?, en 5134 kHz, a las 0310 UT, el 23/08. Música y comentarios. Techno, rock y pop. Demasiada estática. En Lower Side Band (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Are you positive it was Portuguese? Belarus` relay of Russia reported on this distinctive frequency as recently as 3-143, 3-134 (gh) UNIDENTIFIED. Transmisor de efecto "burbuja", cambiaba de frecuencia con relativa constancia: 5660-5650-5640 kHz, a las 0224, el 23/08. ¿Será la radio zapatista interferida? (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) More likely jamming against V. of Mojahed, Iranian clandestine (gh) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ NASWA FILES REPLY COMMENTS ON BPL On August 20, 2003, NASWA filed reply comments with the FCC on docket ET 03-104 concerning the interference which deployment of Broadband PowerLine technology will cause. The full text of the filing will appear in the September issue (with any luck at all) of the NASWA Journal in the Tech Topics Column. The response says in part: "There are several common threads that have been expressed by multiple BPL proponents that deserve further comment. Many of the proponents of using HF frequencies for BPL transmissions have made the point that their systems work at currently authorized Part 15 signal levels and should, therefore, be immediately authorized for commercial deployment. They assert that interference, if it occurs, can be mitigated by providing notches in the spectral mask for frequencies that are used for amateur radio. Many proudly proclaim that no complaints of interference from their technology have resulted from their test demonstrations. NASWA addresses each of these assertions in this response. (snip) "BPL must not be deployed commercially unless and until the industry clearly shows in open demonstrations that their systems will not interfere with shortwave radios operating on self-contained whip antennas in close proximity to home power wiring. Only after successfully demonstrating that BPL will not interfere with shortwave reception on ITU and FCC-allocated international broadcasting frequency bands, at existing Part 15 levels, can any prudent consideration be given to increasing the authorized levels. The test demonstration setups should be used to directly measure the available interference-free margin of a particular BPL implementation and those results used to guide establishment of any relaxed limits." ~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-., (Joe Buch, DE, Aug 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) -*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^ Here is an excerpt from a filing with the FCC by a SWL who lives in that area from the FCC web site. He used a Sangean-909/Radio Shack DX- 398: Dear Sirs, In the matter of Docket Number 03-104 (Broadband over Power Line) Reply to comments. In an earlier submission to this NOI (ref.1), the United Power Line Council, proponents of Broadband over Power Line (BPL), made the following (excerpted) statement: (snip) (1) A Field Study In order to garner a real feel for BPL's radiation effects, on August 15th. 2003 an expedition was made to Emmaus, near Allentown Pennsylvania, one of the current test sites for BPL, administered by Pennsylvania Power and Light (PP&L). Being reasonably certain that this controlled limited test environment was actually operating within the terms of Part 15, the endeavour was not to measure the actual amount of radiation, but to realistically establish its effects in context on very common, normal and expected usages of the spectrum the BPL scheme employs. With no advance information as to the exact whereabouts within Emmaus of the tests, the intention was to methodically cruise the town searching for noises not attributable to normal and known interference sources, using a portable short-wave receiver of good and known performance (ref.2); to that end, a fairly elaborate route had been mapped out. It proved entirely unnecessary. The noise took no finding. On arrival and on the very first pass down Main St., at the intersection with Second St. (pretty much in the centre of the town) strong interference attributable to BPL was heard. It took the form of irrythmic clicks, scratches and noise bursts, discernible between 3 MHz and 18 MHz, 'peaking' at around 6 MHz. Within those very broad constraints, it was completely broadband in character; there was no frequency checked free of the noise. It was very easy to track which power lines were carrying the BPL, and which weren't, and to easily scope out the limited 'service area' downtown. A small regimen of common, normal and expected uses of the radio spectrum was attempted at various locations within and just outside the BPL 'service area', varying from being parked directly under the power lines, on the opposite side of the road, in driveways of properties served, adjacent roads etc. Results in summary, for anywhere within the 'service area': Reception of typical amateur single-sideband and CW (Morse) transmissions on the heavily utilized HF bands at 3.5 MHz, 7 MHz, 10 MHz and 14 MHz was rendered almost completely impossible. Aeronautical service transmissions at around 6.6 MHz, 10 MHz and 13 MHz were inaudible. Reception of all but the strongest shortwave broadcast transmissions was seriously impaired. Those which were unimpaired were extremely strong (propagationally 'single-hop') signals from within North America, with intended target areas (with the exception of Radio Canada International) outside of the US. A few blocks away from the 'service area' the above common, normal and expected usage of the spectrum was unimpaired except for the usual radio noises found in an urban environment such as power-line noise, TV line frequency harmonics and computer/monitor products; amateur signals and normal to weaker broadcast stations were readily copiable, and the aeronautical stations which had propagation at that time of day were plainly audible. It is to be emphasized here that the deterioration in availability to the spectrum for these common, normal and expected uses was not subtle; it was not a matter of a 'worsened noise floor'; it was not 'a bit of interference'; it was almost complete obliteration. The BPL made *BAD* interference. (snip) Respectfully submitted, Stephen H. Dove Aug. 19th. 2003, DSP, P.O. Box One, Elm, PA 17521, USA ~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-., (via Joe Buch, swprograms via DXLD) -*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~ DRM +++ A cat is jumping out of the bag: http://www.drm-national.de/html/ifa_2003.html The HECA conditional access and encryption system. Quite interesting. During the recent days 693 was already fired up shortly, and indeed a DRM freak reports that he was unable to decode audio. Otherwise not only 177 will be used for analogue/digital mixed mode transmissions but also 603. By the way, I think they run 177 in the simulcast mode today for some time, there was some noise that probably was no local noise and the modulation itself appeared to be fainter and more muffled than usual. I am not sure about this observation because I was listening indoors only, but in just a couple of days we will know anyway (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Aug 23-25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) see also CONVENTIONS, next: CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ NATIONAL RADIO CLUB, DALLAS TX, LABOR DAY WEEKEND, WEBCAST Glenn: A heads up to the N.R.C. Convention's live broadcast starting around 2 PM [CDT?] on Friday from Dallas TX. The link to the audio is at http://www.nrcdxas.org right at the top left column (Fred Vobbe, OH, NRC, DX LISTENING DIGEST) CLANDESTINE RADIO SYMPOSIUM 12 SEPT - BOURNEMOUTH UNI Anyone with a special interest in clandestine radio may be interested in attending the DEHS (Defence Electronics History Society) Symposium on Clandestine Radio to be held on Friday 12th September (9.30 am-4.30 pm [BST]) at the Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus. Registration fee (for non DEHS members) is £16 - but you need to send in your remittance very quickly (by Aug 29 or not long afterwards according to the lady I spoke to at the University). Speakers will talk about: Polish Clandestine Radio in WWII German Clandestine Radio in WWII The Romney Marsh Clandestine Station Clandestine Radio in the Cold War Period Radio Surveillance in Modern Times. Full programme details at: http://histru.bournemouth.ac.uk/CHiDE/Events/Symposium.htm Registration/remittance form can be printed from: http://histru.bournemouth.ac.uk/CHiDE/Events/Symposium_registration.htm (via Dave Kenny, Aug 27, BDXC-UK via WORLD OF RADIO 1197, DXLD) EUROPEAN DX COUNCIL PHOTOS EDXC Hallo zusammen, Fotos von der EDXC-Konferenz sind auf der Homepage des RMRC, http://www.rmrc.de zu finden (Rubrik RMRC- Fotogallerie, oder direkter Link http://www.rmrc.de/gallery (Markus Weidner-D, A-DX Aug 19 via BC-DX via DXLD) 2003 MEETING OF MEXICAN DXERS AND RADIO LISTENERS --- by Jeff White NASB Exhibit Very Popular at Mexican Shortwave Meeting [caption] As the first part of a three-continent publicity campaign, the NASB inaugurated a major exhibit at the 2003 Meeting of Mexican DXers and Radio Listeners in Tizayuca, Hidalgo State, July 31-August 3. Assisted by my wife, I took the NASB exhibit from Miami to Mexico City on July 31, where a minibus met us to make the two-hour journey north to the town of Tizayuca. The exhibit, which is on loan to the NASB from member station WSHB, consists of five large interconnected panels which were laid out in a zig-zag pattern across the tops of two tables. On the panels were photos and posters from all of our member stations, plus many of our associate members and two organizations to which we belong -- DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) and AIB (the Association for International Broadcasting). The space on the tables in front of the panels was filled with dozens of program schedules and other brochures from our members and associate members. Many NASB members sent promotional materials such as pens, pins, keychains, stickers, T-shirts, bags, programs on cassettes and CDs, books, etc. Depending on the quantity of the items on hand, we either placed them on the tables for people to pick up, or we put them in one of two (free) raffles that were held during the meeting. We also placed some of the items in small gift bags which were given to everyone who filled out one of our NASB listener survey forms. (More about that later.) Some of our associate members such as Thales, TDP and Merlin sent limited quantities of certain brochures about their transmitters and other services, and we tried to distribute these mainly to the radio station representatives and others who would likely be potential users of their services. (Thales` credit-card-size mint boxes were popular, and there were enough for everyone!) Altogether we took nearly 200 pounds of brochures and promotional items to the event, for which we have to thank all of our members and associate members for their tremendous cooperation. Many items were completely exhausted. Those that were leftover were stored for use at the next NASB exhibit at the SWL Winterfest in Pennsylvania next March, or in some cases were given to the organizers of next year`s Mexican DX Meeting for distribution there. Time-sensitive items like program schedules and calendars were given to leaders of Mexican DX clubs to take back to share with their members in various parts of the country. Purposes of NASB exhibit The primary purpose of taking the exhibit to this four-day event was to tell shortwave listeners in Mexico about NASB and its member stations and associate member organizations. It`s safe to say that few, if any, of the listeners were aware of NASB`s existence beforehand, although many of them were familiar with some of our member stations which broadcast to Mexico and Latin America. Another major purpose of our presence there was to make contacts with the representatives of Mexican DX clubs, publications and DX programs on Mexican radio stations to make them aware of NASB`s existence so that we can provide them with press releases, articles and other items in the future in order to receive free publicity for our members within their publications and programs that reach shortwave listeners throughout Mexico. This was the ninth annual meeting of Mexican DXers and DX clubs. These meetings in Mexico are the largest and best-organized of their kind in Latin America, which is one of the three primary target areas of our NASB member stations. There are some regional meetings of this type in countries like Brazil and Argentina, but no annual national meetings that we are aware of. Over the years, the ``Encuentros`` as they are called in Spanish (meaning ``meeting`` or ``gathering``) have become more well-known, and despite the long travel distances and difficult economic conditions in Mexico, as many as 80-100 DXers often sacrifice as much as a month`s salary to attend these meetings. This year`s meeting was a bit smaller, with 60 or so attendees, perhaps because it was held in a relatively small town with only one hotel that was largely already full with a bakers` convention, so many of the shortwave listeners had to stay in hotels in Pachuca -- the capital of Hidalgo state -- about a half-hour`s drive north of Tizayuca. Nevertheless, listeners travelled to the Encuentro from as far as Chihuahua state in the north (near the Texas border) to Chiapas in the south (bordering Guatemala), and from Nayarit along the Pacific coast to Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico. And many of the attendees are club leaders, publication editors or radio program producers, so they will be sharing their experiences with other shortwave listeners throughout the country who were unable to attend the meeting. Also in attendance were several shortwave stations. Besides the NASB, representing 18 shortwave stations plus our associate members, there were representatives from China Radio International, Radio Educación (a shortwave station belonging to the Mexican Ministry of Education), Radio Mil (a well-known commercial station from Mexico City which has a shortwave outlet), two program producers from Radio Havana Cuba, the recently-replaced ex-director of Radio Mexico International (the government`s official shortwave station), and my wife Thaïs who was representing Radio Miami International. All of the shortwave broadcasters sat together in a Broadcasters Forum session where they were able to give updates on their station programming and plans, and listeners could ask questions of all the broadcasters. It might have seemed like rather strange bedfellows at the head table, but it was remarkable how well everyone got along together because of our shared passion for shortwave radio. There was a large exhibit -- even larger than ours -- from the folks at Radio Shack in Mexico City, who now have more than 70 stores throughout Mexico and sell a full line of affordable shortwave receivers under the Radio Shack and Grundig brand names -- the same as in the States. There were various seminars at the Encuentro, beginning with a basic introduction to shortwave radio (by the meeting organizer himself, Martín Herrera) for those new to the medium -- an explanation of frequencies, propagation, DXing, etc. John Killian, a biology professor from Virginia, talked about shortwave radio as a medium for learning languages (having just spent two weeks with his wife Kathy at a language school in Oaxaca prior to the Encuentro). Manolo de la Rosa and Emma Almeda from Radio Havana Cuba presented an overview of broadcasting in Cuba and the history of Radio Havana Cuba. (You`ll find the text of part of that presentation elsewhere in this Newsletter. [CUBA above]) Manolo and Emma are very popular among Mexican shortwave listeners, as they are the hosts of RHC`s weekly DX and listeners` mailbag programs, respectively. Emma also produces the daily morning news program in Spanish. Personally, Manolo is an old friend of my wife and myself since the first time we met at the European DX Council Conference in Barcelona in 1991, while he was ``on loan`` to Radio Moscow`s Spanish-language service. On Saturday, August 2, the Mexican listeners celebrated both ``Mexican DXers` Day`` and Manolo`s 61st birthday with a birthday cake and local pastries called ``pastes`` filled with meat, beans or pineapple sauce. Manolo had produced a special edition of his DX program ``En Contacto`` dedicated to the Mexican DX Meeting, which was played on loudspeakers in the meeting hall during the festivities. I was also asked by the meeting organizers to give a presentation about NASB and our participation in the recent HFCC (High Frequency Coordinating Committee) Conference in Johannesburg. I first explained a bit about the history of the NASB, its activities, and a brief profile of each member station and associate member. Then we presented a half-hour video of our trip to the HFCC in South Africa in February, another short video in Spanish provided by member station WEWN, and finally a raffle of some of the station souvenirs that members had provided us for this event. Everyone seemed to enjoy the presentation quite a bit. We saved the T-shirts from WEWN and VT Merlin Communications, as well as some of the other souvenirs, for a separate raffle the next day, where there were also items from the other stations present, plus the BBC, Radio Taiwan International and Radio Netherlands. DRM exhibition a PR success; listeners very impressed Perhaps the most ``newsworthy`` event at the Encuentro was the first- ever demonstration in Mexico of DRM digital shortwave radio. From a public relations standpoint, I think the DRM presentation was a great success. Engineers César Fernández and Rafael Grajeda of the Society of Radio Listener Engineers of Veracruz gave a very complete talk about DRM, covering the technical aspects of how it works as well as the practical aspects of what it means to shortwave listeners and how they can pick up and decode DRM transmissions. The general message was that DRM has the ability to revolutionize shortwave broadcasting and listening during the coming years. Engineer César Fernández demonstrates Ten-Tec DRM Receiver [caption] Unfortunately, the live special transmissions from Radio Netherlands in Bonaire and Deutsche Telekom in Jülich were not quite as successful as we would have liked, since we were only able to get short bits of audio intermittently, although the audio quality of what we did hear was excellent. César Fernández has been in touch with Jan Peter Werkman of Radio Nederland to try to determine if the difficulties were due to antenna azimuth, power levels, software problems or other causes, and we left the Ten-Tec RX-320D receiver with the engineers from Veracruz so they can continue to experiment with DRM reception from various sites. Ten-Tec provided the receiver to the event free of charge in exchange for the publicity they received. (See http://www.tentec.com for more info on their DRM-ready RX-320D receiver.) César was planning to travel to Holland and Germany shortly after the Encuentro, and he hoped to be able to meet personally with Jan Peter and with Guenter Hirte of Deutsch Telekom T-Systems to discuss the results in further detail. Incidentally, Veracruz was chosen as the site for next year`s Mexican National DX Meeting (in August of 2004), so the engineers will have plenty of time now to prepare another live demonstration for next year`s meeting with the same equipment. In spite of the limited success of the live audio demonstration, César and Rafael presented excerpts from the audio field tests on a DRM promotional CD-ROM so that participants could hear comparisons between analog and digital shortwave signal quality, and the listeners were extremely impressed. The basic reaction was: ``Shortwave has never sounded so good.`` Incidentally, Ms. Ana Cristina del Razo, ex-Director of Radio Mexico International (the government-owned shortwave broadcaster), was in attendance, and she indicated that she is planning to do a chapter about DRM in a university thesis she is working on about shortwave radio in Mexico. We were able to provide her with publicity materials on hand from DRM, Merlin, etc. We also provided DRM publicity materials to a reporter from the press office of the Municipality of Tizayuca, who was planning to distribute an article about the event to many newspapers and media outlets throughout the region. The President of the Municipality was present to officially inaugurate the meeting. NASB and the Encuentro organizers would like to thank everyone from DRM, VT Merlin, Radio Netherlands, T-Systems, Ten-Tec, VOA, etc. who helped make this DRM demonstration possible. I mentioned earlier that NASB distributed a shortwave listener survey to everyone at the event in Tizayuca. Forty-seven persons completed the surveys and returned them to us. This isn`t an extremely large sample by any means, but it was large enough to see some definite trends and tendencies, and I think you`ll find the results fascinating. This should certainly give some important audience background information and perhaps some programming and other ideas to our NASB stations that are broadcasting to Mexico and Latin America. An English translation of the survey and results, along with analysis and explanation, follows this article. It will be very interesting to compare these results with those at the SWL Winterfest in North America and at the European DX Council Conference in Europe if we conduct similar listener surveys at those events next year. Cultural aspects of the meeting Of course the meeting was not all business and hard work. A local orchestral group performed Mexican folk music at the meeting hall on Thursday afternoon during registration. A trio of musicians went from table to table at a welcoming party at a nearby restaurant on Thursday night, as participants sampled regional food specialties from Hidalgo. At the official inauguration on Friday morning, a local folkloric dance group called Hueyhueycoytl (that`s ``old coyote`` in the indigenous Náhuatl language) led by Professor Mariano Sánchez Ruíz performed regional folk dances in brightly colored costumes. Many participants took a side trip to a new fruit drink bottling plant in Tizayuca -- just one of many important industrial concerns in the area -- and on Sunday morning a large group from the conference took a bus trip to the nearby Teotihuácan archaeological zone to see some spectacular pre-Columbian pyramids. At the official closing of the meeting on Sunday afternoon, a vote was taken and next year`s meeting site was chosen. The 2004 Encuentro DX will be in the port city of Veracruz, on Mexico`s Gulf coast, probably the first weekend in August. As soon as details are announced, they will be posted on the website: http://www.aer-dx.org/encuentro Survey of Shortwave Listeners in Mexico --- by Jeff White This survey form (translated into Spanish) was given to participants in the 2003 Mexican National Meeting of DXers and Radio Listeners in Tizayuca, Hidalgo State, from July 31-August 3. The survey was completely confidential. Participants were asked to not put their name on the form. A small bag of souvenirs from NASB members was given to those who filled out and returned the survey to us during the event. Approximately 60 persons were at the meeting, and 47 returned the survey. This is obviously a rather small sample, but even so, some definite trends and tendencies can be seen. The analysis and explanatory comments in italics below are those of the survey`s author, Jeff White. . . (Sept NASB Newsletter via DXLD) Those interested in the survey, as well as the illustrations accompanying this article, should check the NASB website later at http://www.shortwave.org/news/NEWSLETTER_0309.PDF (gh, DXLD) ### QSLing and CONTESTS +++++++++++++++++++ AWR WAVESCAN September DX Contest, full details: http://english.awr.org/wavescan/scripts/ws452.htm (via gh, DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ POSSIBLE EXTENDED TROPO PROPAGATION? Walter Blanchard, G3JKV, writes that the weather forecast for this weekend indicates that a large warm anticyclone is building over the eastern Atlantic, with strong ridging to Newfoundland. ``By Monday, the 1st of September,`` Walter writes, ``the airmass could be tolerably homogenous over the Great Circle path Ireland to Newfoundland. There is of course absolutely no guarantee that it will produce abnormal refraction or ducting, but if anyone is looking for trans-Atlantic possibilities and has the right gear ready it could be worth switching on. It might just be this year`s only opportunity judging by previous years - this type of situation has never before occurred later than late August.`` (Radio Society of Great Britain GB2RS Main News script for August 31, posted August 27 on uk.radio.amateur by G4RGA, via John Norfolk, DXLD) SOLAR DATA FOR THE PERIOD FROM THE 18TH TO THE 24TH OF AUGUST compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS. http://www.g0cas.demon.co.uk/main.htm Solar activity was `very low` on the 20th and 23rd. It was `low` on the remaining days, except the 19th, when two small M-class solar flares occurred. The largest solar flare of the period was an M2/2F on the 19th. Solar flux started and ended the period at 116 but in between increased to 121 on the 22nd. The average was 117 and the 90- day solar flux average on the 24th was 127, the same level as last week. X-ray flux levels varied little day to day and averaged B3 units. Geomagnetic activity started at severe storm levels, with an Ap index of 86 units on the 18th. This activity would appear to be the result of a solar flare that took place on the 14th. Activity hardly had time to return to quieter levels when activity increased to sub-storm levels due to a coronal hole, with Ap indexes of 53, 43 and 44 on the 21st, 22nd and the 23rd respectively. The average was Ap 41 units, which makes it the most disturbed week so far this year. The ACE spacecraft saw solar wind speeds increase from 380 kilometres Per second on the 20th to 830 by the 22nd and 23rd. Particle densities were high, varying between 15 and 30 particles per cubic centimetre until the 23rd, when they declined to 3 particles per cubic centimetre. On the 18th Bz varied between minus 25 and plus 8 nanoTeslas, but the following day varied between minus 8 and plus 20 nanoTeslas. Those high geomagnetic figures obviously spelled trouble for HF Propagation and, from the 18th onwards, bands above 14 MHz were of little use for long periods and even 14 MHz was somewhat depressed. However, the HF operator`s loss was the VHF fraternity`s gain. Widespread auroral working at 50 and 144 MHz occurred on the evening of the 17th, most of the 18th and the afternoon and evening of the 21st. Also on the 18th an auroral E opening to Scandinavia took place with good signals on both 28 and 50 MHz. The 50 MHz beacon, JW8SIX, on Svalbard Island, in locator JQ94 was heard at good strength in northern England. This was an excellent opportunity to work well above the Arctic Circle on 50MHz. Also heard from the UK were beacons on the Faroes and in Greenland. A few stations on the east coast of North America were also worked. Visual auroral displays were reported in North America as far south as California. And finally the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to be mostly low. Solar flux is expected to be around the 130s. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be mostly unsettled but could become more disturbed around midweek due to a recurring coronal hole. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be around 21 MHz for the south and 18MHz for the north. The darkness hour lows should be about 11 MHz. Paths this week to Australia should have a maximum usable frequency, with a 50 per cent success rate, of around 19 MHz. The optimum working frequency, with a 90 per cent success rate, should be about 14 MHz. The best time to try this path should be between 0800 and 1100 UTC. Sporadic E can now only be expected on the occasional day, with virtually no chance of an opening at 144 MHz. The RSGB propagation news is also available in a Saturday update, Posted every Saturday evening and for more on propagation generally, See http://www.rsgb.org/society/psc.htm Radio Society of Great Britain GB2RS Main News script for August 31, posted August 27 on uk.radio.amateur by G4RGA, via John Norfolk, DXLD) FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 27 AUGUST - 22 SEPTEMBER Solar activity is expected to range from very low to low levels during the period. There is a slight chance of isolated moderate activity from returning Region 424 after 28 August. No greater than 10 MeV proton events at geosynchronous orbit are expected during the period. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to reach high levels on 05 – 07 September, 10 – 12 September and again on 20 – 22 September. The geomagnetic field is expected to range from quiet to major storm levels. A returning coronal hole high speed stream is expected to produce active to major storm conditions on 02 – 05 September. Minor storm levels are possible from a smaller high speed stream on 08 – 09 September. Toward the end of the period a third coronal hole high speed stream is expected to return with active to major storm levels possible on 17 – 21 September. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2003 Aug 26 2211 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Environment Center # Product description and SEC contact on the Web # http://www.sec.noaa.gov/wwire.html # # 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table # Issued 2003 Aug 26 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2003 Aug 27 120 12 3 2003 Aug 28 120 12 3 2003 Aug 29 125 12 3 2003 Aug 30 130 12 3 2003 Aug 31 130 12 3 2003 Sep 01 130 15 3 2003 Sep 02 130 30 5 2003 Sep 03 135 30 5 2003 Sep 04 135 25 5 2003 Sep 05 130 15 3 2003 Sep 06 130 15 3 2003 Sep 07 130 15 3 2003 Sep 08 130 25 5 2003 Sep 09 130 20 4 2003 Sep 10 130 20 4 2003 Sep 11 130 15 3 2003 Sep 12 125 15 3 2003 Sep 13 120 12 3 2003 Sep 14 115 12 3 2003 Sep 15 115 12 3 2003 Sep 16 115 12 3 2003 Sep 17 120 40 6 2003 Sep 18 120 30 5 2003 Sep 19 120 30 5 2003 Sep 20 118 25 5 2003 Sep 21 118 20 4 2003 Sep 22 118 15 3 (from http://www.sec.noaa.gov/radio via WORLD OF RADIO 1197, DXLD) ### ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-154, August 26, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3h.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn DX LISTENING DIGEST JULY HTML ARCHIVE IS NOW COMPLETE: http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3g.html NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1196: RFPI: Wed 0100, 0730, 1330 on 7445 [nominal times subject to delay or pre-emption] WWCR: Wed 0930 on 9475 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [NO LOW VERSION THIS WEEK; SORRY] [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1196h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1196h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1196.html FIRST AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1197: Wed 2200 on WBCQ 7415, 17495-CUSB Thu 2030 on WWCR 15825, Sat 1030, Sun 0230 on WWCR 5070 Sat 0130, 0800, 2330 on RFPI 7445 Sat 1800+ on WRMI 15725 Sun 0031 on WINB 12160 SOLICITED TESTIMONIAL I hear WOR on WWCR 5070 on Sat evening, 0230 UT Sun. I get COM on RFPI when I can. This past week RFPI was weaker than norm on 7445. Can`t hear on 15039. I'm using terminal at the Mt. Prospect public library (William Hassig, Mt. Prospect, IL, Aug 25) See COSTA RICA ** ANTARCTICA. 15476 kHz, LRA36 Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel, from Base Esperanza, will carry out a very special transmission next Thursday UTC August 28, between *0100-0200v*, this with reason of the 83 Anniversary of the birth of the Argentine broadcasting on August 27 (local time). The activation at this time, have been possible thank to my personal requirement for to give to the DXers & SWL's the opportunity to listen LRA36 in another schedule different to the usual one of 1800-2100. The blocks of the mentioned transmission, have been prepared in collaboration between Arnaldo Slaen and me. A QSL of LRA36 is being printed now, please send your reports directly to LRA36 in Base Esperanza. The outpower will be 3 kW as minimun. Comments also by e-mail to LRA36: lra36@infovia.com.ar (Gabriel Iván Barrera, Argentina, via Hans Johnson, Aug 25, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. This week`s Feedback on R. Australia was primarily an interview by Roger Broadbent with John Westland about the programing changes upcoming. A net cut of 2 percent in funding across the board will lead to all these changes, since the only place left to cut is in programming, primarily ``bought-in`` music programs that RA cannot produce itself. This is a pity, since musical relief is needed from the talk-heavy RA. On weekdays, repeated on weekends, have had shows specialising in Aussie pop, folk, blues, indigenous, country, fine music, and jazz. All but one or two of those are external productions. Cancelled: Blacktracker, which is unique to RA amongst the ABC networks; and Fine Music Australia, which was hardly adequate at 25 minutes a week to deal with classical music, but the producer made good use of the time available. Classical music causes the transmitters to work harder [?] so maybe 25 minutes is all they should be subjected to. However, some good replacements are in hand from ABC Classic FM network; but the scheduling will be different. Classic FM already has an internet-only jazz show which RA plans to take on and thus make it available on air as well. Two weekend programs are being cancelled since their funding arrangement is expiring, and one of the producers has already left RA: Australian Express, and Go Zone. Radio National`s weeknight eclectic music program, The Planet, now M-F at 2200-2400 AET (1200-1400 UT) will get a replay early Saturday afternoon, and a new Keys to Music will appear on Sundays. This will be a 1-hour educational show about classical music, with extracts, on how it is constructed, what makes it work, etc. The changes start Sept. 1 and the compulsory ones should be completed by the following weekend Sept. 7. A few more phased changes will go on beyond then, but ASAP in order that RA meet its budget figures by yearend. Having a 24-hour service puts RA in the company of much larger international broadcasters such as BBC and VOA; this has its advantages and disadvantages. When RA was shortwave-only, there was not so much a problem of running the same shows at different times for different targets. Now there is a variety of platforms. 24-hour local FM relays are in places such as Suva, and soon somewhere else. In Honiara, time is shared with SIBC. It`s more difficult to coördinate programming coming from partner nets in ABC, something like 3-D chess. Has to become a `local` radio station. On Wantok FM in Honiara, RA inserts special local announcements (for continuity as it alternates with SIBC programming). Technology makes it easier to have multiple streams, but this takes a lot of technological and human resources, which detract from producing own programs instead of adapting those from elsewhere. Only for WRN does RA re-package programming designed for its particular audience, available via WorldSpace to Asia at: 0000 UT M-F; 1300 and 1930 daily. It is too expensive for RA to have its own fulltime channel on WorldSpace. WRN`s channel ID there is 1302. In response to a would-be listener in Thailand, it was announced that the new evening service in English to that part of the world on SW will be at 1400-1600, including a repeat of the ``PM`` programme. RA now has much more control over its webpage [about time!! gh] and will keep the program info updated. More specific details of the changes, which are being kept to a minimum, will be on the website and on future Feedback programmes. Feedback`s page has been changed somewhat. Now there are transcripts available back thru May, including last week`s show about ARDS, and audio for that show is also available now: http://www.abc.net.au/ra/feedback/default.htm (RA Feedback, 0305 UT Aug 24, notes by gh for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. Re DXLD 3-153: R. Tacana is Bolivia, not Peru. Original tip, by Hermod Pedersen does not indicate the country, and station was mentioned as 'Radio Tancana'. (Henrik Klemetz, Sweden, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Sigh --- I wish they would not leave out the country (gh) ** BRAZIL. Radio Difusora, Macapá. 8-25-03 4915 kHz 0415-0430 UT; light pop format; ID at 0424. SINPO 44133. Using my aluminum rain gutter as antenna (John Sandin, Merriam, KS, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 3235.07, Rádio Clube Marília, Aug 18/19, 2325-0100, announcer with time checks, pop music, ads, jingles and announcements, many mentions of "Marília", tentative ID mentions "1550 khz AM", positive ID 0828 Aug 19. Fair to good signal both days. [what became of Guarujá Paulista?? But see 5054 -- gh] 3365.02, Rádio Cultura, 0840, Campo vocals, announcer with time checks and ID's, phonecalls from listeners. Very good signal. 4874.96 (tentative), Radiodifusora Roraima, Aug 24, 0916-0957, talk, pop vocals (maybe religious), announcements and ads with mentions of "Roraima", 0957 tentative ID, good strong signal but terrible QRN. 5054.00 (presumed), Rádio Guarujá Paulista, Aug 24, 0045-0103, pop music vocals, announcements, ads and jingles, announcer with telephone talk, 0103 sudden splatter from WWRB 5050. Good signal with terrible QRN (all: Mark Mohrmann, Coventry, VT, NRD 535D V-Beam 140m @180 deg. http://www.sover.net/~hackmohr/ DX LISTENING DIGEST) {correxion: 5045} ** CAMBODIA. FM RADIO STATION LAUNCHED IN NORTHWEST PROVINCE Cambodia's national television station carried in its 0500 gmt newscast on 26 August, a report on the inauguration of a radio station in Banteay Meanchey Province, northwest Cambodia, close to the Cambodian-Thai border. The report said that State Secretary Khiev Kanharit and first deputy governor of Banteay Meanchey Province, An Sum, inaugurated the FM 96.5 MHz radio station on 23 August. The construction of the radio station started on 4 July 2002 on a 47 metre by 100 metre plot of land next to Phnum Svay hill in Kou Than village, O Ampil commune, in Sisophon District. The report also says that the one-story masonry building housing the radio station is 16 metres by 20 metres with 11 rooms, including two broadcasting studios. The station is equipped with a 90 metre antenna and a 10 kW transmitter. The radio station is powered by two 100-kW generators. The total cost of the radio station is 210,000 dollars. According to Kung Bun-puoy, director of the radio station, initially the station will air two main programmes: short and major local news; and entertainment, including song requests. He also said, the station plans to extend the broadcast time to 16 hours a day, from 0600 to 2200, and add more programmes, such as education, health, general knowledge, and foreign news. Source: Television Kampuchea, Phnom Penh, in Cambodian 0746 gmt 26 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** CANADA. Lots of radio stations streaming special reports on Kelowna forest fire; Standard Radio in B.C. producing 24-hour coverage of forest fires: http://www.thesun.net/kelowna (CKUT International Radio Report Aug 24, notes by Ricky Leong via DXLD) ** CANADA. SPECIAL LABOUR DAY PROGRAMMING ON CBC RADIO This Labour Day, Monday Sept. 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., CBC Radio is setting aside its regular schedule to highlight the best of what the network's all about. The day will overflow with programming highlights from the past few months, along with a variety of new material designed to give listeners a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how radio is made and how CBC connects with Canadians. Radio One programming highlights include a rebroadcast of - and an update on - Karen Levine's award-winning documentary, Hana's Suitcase; a hilarious game show for obsessive radio listeners called The Pronunciation Challenge; a mockumentary on that classic CBC Radio institution, the Time Signal; a recurring segment called Thrills and Spills, in which various CBC Radio employees describe their most memorable moment; Bill Richardson welcoming Shelagh Rogers to Vancouver and this year's CBC True North concert from Ouje-Bougoumou, Que. Your favourite CBC Radio hosts, including Shelagh Rogers, Bill Richardson, Anna Maria Tremonti, Stuart McLean, Mary Hynes and Michael Enright, will meet up with each other throughout the day to guide listeners on a unique tour of the network. RadioTwo highlights include a roundup of award-winning music from the Junos, Grammies and Oscars on Music & Company with Tom Allen. Take Five host Shelley Solmes spins special requests from a number of her fellow CBC radio personalities, and In Performance features the Hannaford Street Silver Band as they celebrate their 20th anniversary with a concert of rousing marches, virtuoso solos, cherished classics and big band jazz. These specials provide a great way to spend the last day of summer - the best way, in fact - with CBC Radio at your side. For a complete listing of the day's events please visit http://www.cbc.ca/radioguide (via Ricky Leong, DXLD) ** COSTA RICA. RFPI reception --- Dear Glenn, I live in Morelos, Mexico and lately (matter of weeks) have great difficulty raising RFPI 7145 kcs -- depending on time of day it is frequently either inaudible or unreadable, due to interference from programs in Chinese language which counterpoint the Costa Rican broadcast. I imagine they have enough problems lately, and your being the most knowledgeable source of DX info available, I wonder if you could cast some light on this situation. The RFPI signal is sometimes also overpowered suddenly by a broadcast in Spanish of unknown origin. Since I can hear you only occasionally on this frequency, I hope I can learn more about it on your World of Radio website? (Ken Tepfer, Aug 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Ken, No doubt you meant to say 7445 --- if you had been trying 7145 you certainly would not get RFPI. RFPI has shared 7445 with Taiwan for a long time. There is a clash normally in the morning hours from a few hours before sunrise until a bit afterwards. There should be no problem in the evening (except maybe briefly around sunset in unusual conditions), or in the daytime if you are close enough to get any signal at all from RFPI. Possibly RFPI`s power is lower than usual, which would put them at a disadvantage versus Taiwan. I have no idea about the Spanish interference on 7445. Does it seem to be a broadcast or intermittent two-way communication?? What times do you hear this? I am not sure if you are aware that RFPI is going thru another crisis which could disrupt normal operations: http://www.saverfpi.org and http://www.rfpi.org Regards, (Glenn to Ken, via DXLD) Dear Glenn, Of course 7455 and not 71... Thank you for detecting my mistake. I tend to listen quite early so notice the Taiwanese interference a bit more. Still there is an occasional break-in in Spanish that is not local but broadcast quality, I will try to pay more attention to the content next time and I am aware of RFPI's recent problems but don't see how it relates. I think they've had to abandon their 15040 kc frequency or maybe shut down for maintenance which may have something to do with their problems with the landlord, University for Peace in Costa Rica. As you probably know their 40m operation is 30kw while the 19m only 10 kw, but the latter works fine for me here especially during the day so I hope it can be restored soon. Thanks again for your prompt reply. I'll try to furnish relevant DX news when I can (Ken Tepfer, Morelos, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 15 MHz has been off since the beginning of August due to some technical problem, lack of parts, after one day of experimentation on 15115 instead (gh) Glenn, a quick question: Am I crazy, or is RFPI's signal wildly variable? Some nights, it's fine, some nights, it's barely there. I'm aware of the properties of propagation, but even this seems extreme. What's the output at RFPI? Is it only 30 kW? Also, any idea what happened to the scheme they had to rejoin 15 MHz? A funny thing to note: The music you use for WOR is from the same recording session or MIDI file as my son's mid-1990's computer-based game "The Adventures of Curious George". Each time your show opens, I smile a little, as I think of George scurrying around getting into trouble. Thought you might appreciate that trivia. Keep up the good work! (Todd Van Gelder, Maryland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Glenn, we have been running on very low power the last three days and just got it up to 15kw yesterday. This has been caused by a blocking capacitor failure and the new parts should be here on the 7th. In the mean time the provisional parts will allow us to run half power (James Latham, RFPI, Aug 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thanks Glenn. Good, comprehensive reporting and follow up as always! (Todd Van Gelder, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COSTA RICA. RADIO RELOJ PARA TODOS --- La emisora se ennfocará en la familia y alista una radiioemisora para nicaragüenses Ni ser la primera en deportes ni la primera en noticias. Ahora a Radio Reloj lo único que le interesa es cumplir su nuevo lema: ``La primera en el corazón de la familia costarricense``. La estación asegura estar recuperada de una racha en la que la mala administración y los rumores de cierre le embarrialaron el camino y anuncia que está en planes de expansión y que los miles de nicaragüenses residentes en el país están en la mira. Por eso el Grupo Reloj ya está haciendo las primeras pruebas de 730 AM Una Radio sin Fronteras, estación que se dirigirá a los pinoleros que viven acá. Pero lo anterior no quiere decir que la empresa descuidará a los ticos y por eso radio Reloj terminó de pulir su perfil y eliminó muchas horas de deporte (fútbol) para retomar al público familiar que había sido el fuerte de la estación por décadas. . . (Tetsuya Hirahara, who visited San José 28 July to 2 August, 2003, ``El Tiempo Hechicero`` DX News, Aug, via Radio Nuevo Mundo via DXLD) ** COSTA RICA? Re 3-153 the unID on 6230: Hello Glenn! Our house is up-side-down for the moment and I just can´t find my notes - perhaps I heard REE (España) on 6200.3 kHz (the unID frequency from Roland Åkesson July 24). I did not state for sure "Costa Rica" in the Swedish version of my scan but "Perhaps C.R.". Excuse me for the mess! 73s from (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. Re: 1060 Radio 26? OK - Final Judgement, total wisdom. Confirm new 1060 outa the Workers' Paradise as Veinte Seis, R. 26. Announcement on hour and half hour gives freq's as 1220, 1230, 1240. Bearings to 165 - 170 degrees from this QTH, consistent with other R. 26 lines in direction of Matanzas - Cárdenas metro area. Good signal today even with local stink bomb 1070. Best, (Paul Zecchino, 25 2300Z AUG 03, Englewood, FL, Manasota Key via Terry Krueger, FL, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Cool, good work. A week or so ago, an e-mail source in Miami (semi- suspect he's really in Cuber-proper) reported this as a new 26 feed. I began checking and confirmed something from Cuber (is) here but what with the local TIS etc. on the channel -- day and night -- it was too rough for me to ID without spending any great time on it (which I don't seem to have). (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. The latest big radio story from eastern Germany: On Saturday (Aug 23) at 2159 UT, so roughly at midnight CET, the station formerly called Project 89.0 digital was rebranded into 89.0 RTL. At the same time the format was completely changed from New Rock to CHR. The change was revealed to the press only a few days in advance and not at all to the audience. No any announcements were made on the air; the contents on the http://www.fettesradio.de website were simply deleted a few minutes after midnight and replaced by a white, otherwise empty page until a redirect to the new http://www.89.0rtl.de site was established. This unannounced change caused a remarkable uproar of listeners; a bulletin board for radio freaks is literally overflowing from myriads of posts on this matter. Basically the posters emphasize that they are tired of all the uniform music played on all the CHR and AC stations around. The former Project 89.0 digital also had a heavy rotation and was voice-tracked for most of the day, so the only difference was the music format. I think it is notable that already such a difference is sufficient for many people to consider a station as an alternative one. Some background: In 2001 Radio Brocken, a state-wide commercial broadcaster in Sachsen- Anhalt (headquarters at Halle), decided to replace the soft AC format they until then, well, narrowcasted via DAB (Eureka-147) by a New Rock format. As a special coup they applied for and were allowed to transmit this program also on their main FM frequency 89.0, a far- reaching 60 kW outlet from the Brocken mountain. This appears to be strange, but the main program suffered from poor ratings, and it was actually a competitor for another station belonging to the same group, Hit-Radio Antenne from Hannover, broadcasting from the western side of the Harz mountains (Torfhaus site). So Radio Brocken put up with the loss of coverage. The FM split-away was officially justified as DAB promotion measure and limited for the period of one year, but nevertheless the new station was called after the FM frequency Project 89.0 digital, and -- of course! -- Radio Brocken was allowed to continue the Project 89.0 digital FM service beyond the original one year limit. In the meantime major shares on AVE, the company owning Radio Brocken, were sold to RTL, and even internationally reports spread that RTL intended some reorganization. This is now the first obvious result, and it is a banana republic behaviour; the 89.0 frequency was never put on tender as it would be necessary for a reallocation taking a proper course. I think this is basically the result of Radio Brocken being in serious economic trouble. A bankruptcy of this state-wide station is something that must be avoided for political reasons, and so the media authority obviously permits almost anything Radio Brocken (with its new backer RTL) applies for, including the establishment of a second FM network without any formal frequency allocation procedure (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Aug 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. A few days go I took the opportunity of a business trip to visit the Bayerischer Rundfunk mediumwave transmitter at Hof. The station is located in the western outskirts of Hof, on the road leading to the Nürnberg -- Berlin highway, and it is quite a walk from inside the town. The station grounds are also used as meteorological station; I think the transmitter in use today is no longer housed in the original station building but instead in a container next to the building, judging from a noisy fan inside this container. Nevertheless there are two satellite dishes mounted on the old station building, one of them likely being the actual audio source. Furthermore there are also FM antennas aiming at two different sites, certainly the backup for cases of satellite service failures. Years ago the transmitter was described to me as an old tube rig and the STL as a postal office line with 7 kHz audio bandwidth, but both statements could be obsolete by now; from hearsay, Bayerischer Rundfunk feeds the mediumwave transmitters via the Astra ADR output now to get rid of audio delay problems, and the mentioned container looks like the home of a current solid-state transmitter rather than an old beast. The mast is placed outside the old station fencing, fed not directly but through separate wires. This design already led to conclusions that the mast is only a carrier for the actual antenna, but judging from the insulator arrangement indeed the whole mast radiates, especially as the foot of the mast itself is obviously placed on an insulator. Walking back into the town on the main road I passed military barracks, reminding me of pictures showing the demolition of the RIAS transmitter. Indeed the location of the former RIAS site is described as the western outskirts of Hof, but unfortunately time did not permit an archaeological search for remains of this much larger transmitter. (40 kW on 684 7-18 local time only, shut down in September 1994, masts blown up only three months later. Site not identical with FM site Großer Waldstein, also listed as Hof in RIAS times.) (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Aug 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAQ [and non]. THE MEDIA IN IRAQ - UPDATED 26 AUGUST 2003 New publications continue to appear in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Husayn's regime in April 2003. At the time of writing, more than 180 newspapers and other publications are available. Many of the new papers are published by lesser-known organizations. The Iraqi Media Network (IMN), operated by the Coalition Provisional Authority, continues to dominate domestic broadcasting. The role of the IMN in shaping post-war national broadcasting in Iraq, and the extent of its powers, came under the international spotlight at the beginning of August, when senior IMN official Ahmad al-Rikabi, head of US-backed Iraqi TV, resigned. Rikabi complained that inadequate funding prevented the station from competing with rival channels from Iran and the Gulf states. The US authorities have appointed Simon Haselock as media commissioner to govern broadcasters and the press in Iraq, establish training programmes for journalists and plan for the establishment of a state- run radio and TV network, the Washington Post newspaper reported on 19 August. Haselock's last appointment was as spokesman and media supervisor for UN authorities overseeing Kosovo. An FM radio station describing itself as Iraq's first independent music station has been heard in Baghdad. Across Iraq as a whole, however, independent radio and TV stations have been slow to emerge. International broadcasters such as the BBC, Radio Monte Carlo-Middle East and the US-run Radio Sawa are all available on FM in Baghdad and some other Iraqi cities. Internet services are on offer in the capital, and the state internet service provider, Uruklink, is back in operation after several months offline. The Paris-based organization Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF) on 23 July published a report on developments in Iraq's media in the previous four months. The full report can be seen on the RSF web site, http://www.rsf.fr The following new Iraqi press and broadcast sources have been traced since the previous 1 August 2003 issue of "The media in post-war Iraq": NEW RADIO BROADCASTS IN IRAQ SINCE 1 AUGUST 2003 IQ4 Radio Iraq -- In Baghdad, a previously unidentified FM radio station on 104.1 MHz playing continuous Arabic and Western pop music was observed on 16 August with the following announcement in English: "This is IQ4 Radio Iraq, Iraq's first independent music station, 104.1 FM". New Iraq Radio -- The previously unidentified radio station broadcasting in Arabic and Kurdish on 657 kHz mediumwave in Baghdad has now been identified as New Iraq Radio, Voice of the Iraqi Media Network. The US surrogate broadcaster Radio Free Iraq has been observed on a new FM frequency in Baghdad, 102.4 MHz, which is listed on their web site as 102 MHz. With the arrival of Polish troops in Iraq as part of the international stabilization force, public Polish Radio is setting up a correspondents' unit in Iraq and plans to start broadcasts for the Polish military contingent in the country, Polish radio reported on 9 August. NEW IRAQI PRESS SINCE 1 AUGUST 2003 . . . [exhaustive section snipped for DXLD) POST-WAR BROADCAST MEDIA --- RADIO FM BAND IN BAGHDAD (MHz) 89.0 - BBC World Service in Arabic 89.9 - Iranian Payam network in Persian 90.1 - Iranian Voice of the Mujahidin in Arabic 92.3 - Continuous US pop music - no identification announcements 93.0 - Iranian Javan (Youth) network in Persian 93.5 - Radio Monte Carlo-Middle East 95.0 - Radio Freedom from Baghdad in Arabic (operated by the PUK) 97.1 - Unidentified Western music 97.4 - Continuous US pop music (as 92.3) 97.7 - Continuous US pop music (as 92.3) 98.1 - BBC World Service in English 98.3 - Baghdad FM Radio 100.4 - US Radio Sawa in Arabic 101.6 - Iranian Javan (Youth) network in Persian 102.4 - Radio Free Iraq (RFE/RL) 104.1 - IQ4 Radio Iraq in English 107.8 - American Forces Network in English AM/MEDIUMWAVE (kHz) 531 - (Iranian) IRIB Radio Sarasarye network in Persian 540 - Radio Kuwait Main Programme in Arabic 558 - IRIB Radio Farhang network in Persian 576 - IRIB Arabic Service 585 - (Saudi) BSKSA General Programme in Arabic 612 - IRIB Arabic Service 630 - Radio Kuwait Koran Programme in Arabic 657 - New Iraq Radio, Voice of the Iraqi Media Network in Arabic and Kurdish 666 - IRIB Radio Sarasarye network in Persian 693 - US Information Radio in Arabic 711 - IRIB Ahwaz regional in Arabic 720 - Voice of the Mujahidin in Arabic 756 - Information Radio in Arabic 783 - BSKSA 2nd Programme in Arabic 819 - Syrian Arab Republic Radio Main Programme in Arabic 855 - BSKSA Koran Programme in Arabic 864 - Radio Nejat in Persian 873 - BSKSA Koran Programme in Arabic 900 - IRIB Radio Sarasarye network in Persian 909 - Radio Nahrain 936 - BSKSA Koran Programme in Arabic 954 - Radio Qatar in Arabic 972 - IRIB Radio Sarasarye network in Persian 1000 - Voice of the Worker Communist Party of Iraq 1026 - Iraqi Media Network - Radio Baghdad in Arabic 1053 - Republic of Iraq Radio, Voice of the Iraqi People in Arabic 1089 - BSKSA 2nd Programme in Arabic 1134 - Radio Kuwait Main Programme in Arabic 1161 - IRIB Arabic Service 1170 - (US-run) Radio Farda in Persian 1188 - IRIB Radio Payam network in Persian 1224 - IRIB Arabic Service 1242 - Radio Sultanate of Oman 1251 - IRIB Radio Sarasarye network in Persian 1269 - Radio Kuwait Modern Arabic Music Service 1278 - IRIB Kermanshah regional in Persian 1296 - Voice of Azerbaijan in Azeri - Radio Liberty relay 1305 - IRIB Bushehr regional in Persian 1314 - (US-run) Radio Free Iraq via Abu Dhabi 1332 - IRIB Tehran regional in Persian 1341 - Radio Kuwait 2nd Programme in Arabic 1395 - Voice of Armenia in Armenian 1422 - BSKSA Foreign Language Programme in French 1440 - BSKSA General Programme in Arabic 1449 - IRIB World Service in Russian 1467 - BSKSA General Programme in Arabic 1476 - Emirates Radio, UAE, in Arabic 1485 - IRIB Radio Sarasarye network in Persian 1503 - IRIB Radio Sarasarye network in Persian 1521 - IRIB Radio Farhang network in Persian 1530 - IRIB Radio Sarasarye network in Persian 1539 - (US-run) Radio Farda in Persian 1548 - (US-run) Radio Sawa in Arabic 1566 - Radio of the Land of the Two Rivers in Arabic 1575 - Radio Al-Mustaqbal 1575 - Radio Asia, UAE, in Urdu 1593 - VoA English/Kurdish/Persian + Radio Free Iraq Iraqi Media Network, Voice of New Iraq - operated by the Coalition Provisional Authority. Has also identified as Republic of Iraq Radio from Baghdad and Voice of Free Iraq (Sawt al-Iraq al-Hurr). Broadcasts on 98.3 MHz FM in Baghdad. On 27 May 2003 the station was observed on 1026 kHz announcing as Iraqi Media Network-Radio Baghdad. Shamin Rassam, an Iraqi-American, directs IMN's FM radio outlet as well as news bulletins on the mediumwave station, according to the Washington Post. IQ4 Radio Iraq In Baghdad, a previously unidentified FM radio station on 104.1 MHz playing continuous Arabic and Western pop music was observed on 16 August with the following announcement in English: "This is IQ4 Radio Iraq, Iraq's first independent music station, 104.1 FM". Radio Nahrain -- Since the end of March 2003, Radio Nahrain, also known as Twin Rivers Radio, has been transmitting on FM on 100.4 and 94.6 MHz from a location south of Basra. It has also been monitored on 96.0 MHz and 909 kHz mediumwave. The station is operated by British forces, but was due to be taken over at some stage by the Coalition Provisional Authority. With the arrival of Polish troops in Iraq as part of the international stabilization force, public Polish Radio is setting up a correspondents' unit in Iraq and plans to start broadcasts for the Polish military contingent in the country, Polish radio reported on 9 August. Voice of Freedom, Voice of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan radio in Arabic and Kurdish is operated by the PUK. It broadcasts daily from 1000-1900 gmt on 95.0 MHz. The station identifies on air as "Radio Freedom". Turkomaneli TV and radio was launched in Kirkuk in April 2003 and broadcasts on behalf of the Iraqi Turkoman Front. Turkomaneli Radio opened radio stations in Talla'far and Mosul on 6 and 8 May respectively, the Iraqi Turkoman Front newspaper Turkomaneli reported on 11 May. Dangi Komal-Kirkuk radio broadcasts on 1341 kHz in Kurdish, Arabic and Turkish to Kirkuk on behalf of the Kurdistan Islamic Group. The Worker-Communist Party of Iraq's "Radio Bopeshawa" is reportedly back on the air. The internet site of the Worker-Communist Party of Iraq http://www.wpiraq.org reports that Ila al-Amam (Forward) Radio [usually rendered as Radio Bopeshawa, meaning "Forward"], voice of the Worker-Communist Party of Iraq, broadcasts for one hour a day on shortwave from 1100 gmt (half an hour in Arabic and half an hour in Kurdish), to the areas of Arbil, Kirkuk and Mosul. The same programme is repeated between 0500-0600 gmt the next day. Identifies on air as "Voice of the Worker Communist Party of Iraq". The following are among stations in operation before April 2003 that continue to be heard inside Iraq: Voice of the People of Kurdistan, operated by the PUK Voice of Iraqi Kurdistan, operated by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Radio Azadi, Voice of the Communist Party of Iraqi Kurdistan Ashur Radio - The station reportedly began operation in April 2000 and is operated by the Assyrian Democratic Movement, an opposition organization in northern Iraq. It broadcasts in Assyrian and Arabic on shortwave, reportedly from a transmitter in Azerbaijan. Voice of the Iraqi People, Voice of the Iraqi Communist Party - The station broadcasts from northern Iraq, possibly using Kurdish facilities. Voice of the Mojahed, the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization's radio, may still be located in Iraq. This radio broadcasts via shortwave, satellite and with archive audio files on the Internet. Following the fall of Saddam Husayn, the station was observed to have ceased broadcasting for a few days in April. The station is currently heard on various shortwave frequencies and on the Telstar 12 satellite at 15 degrees west, on frequency 12588 vertical, in parallel with the terrestrial frequencies. The web site of the radio station is at: http://www.iran.mojahedin.org Al-Mustaqbal [The Future] radio is operated by the Iraqi National Accord. TELEVISION The Iraqi Media Network launched on 13 May. The Washington Post reported on 11 May that the US planned a nationwide Iraqi TV network to succeed the airborne Towards Freedom TV. The programme, initially for two hours but projected as a 24-hour full-service network, includes 30 minutes of news each night, including a local news segment, the report said. The station began broadcasts amid squabbling between its US and Canadian advisers, and complaints from its Iraqi journalists about "American censorship", international agencies reported. Since around 20 June the Iraqi Media Network TV has broadcast to Iraq from Eutelsat W1, located at 10 degrees east. The role of the IMN in shaping post-war national broadcasting in Iraq, and the extent of its powers, came under the international spotlight at the beginning of August, when senior IMN official Ahmad al-Rikabi, head of US-backed Iraqi TV, resigned. Rikabi complained that inadequate funding prevented the station from competing with rival channels from Iran and the Gulf states. The IMN's director, George Mansur, said in an interview with the French news agency AFP on 22 August that the network had received new equipment and would broadcast 24 hours a day "within a few weeks". "The move is hoped to end weeks of squabbles at the channel, seen by many as nothing more than a mouthpiece of the coalition authorities in Iraq," the AFP report added. According to the Washington Post, the IMN's television network is capable of reaching about two-thirds of Iraqi homes. Karbala - a local TV channel was launched on 16 April, according to United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi TV on 6 May. Similar small-scale local channels are reported to be operating in Najaf and Kut, according to BBC News Online reporter Tarik Kafala, who visited the stations in June 2003. Ninawa TV was launched in mid-July 2003. The Baghdad newspaper Al-Ittihad reported on 14 July that an independent radio station called Ninawa Radio also operates in the city. Freedom TV [Al-Hurriyah TV] is a PUK-sponsored television station that began test transmissions from Baghdad on 30 April. A PUK statement said viewers can access Freedom TV on UHF channel 38 from 1700-2200 gmt. Mosul TV was the "first station" to resume transmission in Iraq after the overthrow of Saddam Husayn, Dubai-based news channel Al-Arabiya TV reported on 10 May. Kirkuk TV channel started broadcasts on 23 April "under the supervision of the coalition forces", according to a report by the Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) newspaper Brayati on 25 April. Turkomaneli TV and radio was launched in Kirkuk in April 2003 and broadcasts on behalf of the Iraqi Turkoman Front. Turkomaneli Radio opened radio stations in Talla'far and Mosul on 6 and 8 May respectively, the Iraqi Turkoman Front newspaper Turkomaneli reported on 11 May. The Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization's (MKO) "Vision of Resistance TV" (Sima-ye Moqavemat) which was relayed by the former Republic of Iraq Television before and after normal broadcasting hours has not been reported on the air recently. Reportedly the studios were in Ashraf, north of Baghdad in Central Iraq. The only MKO TV programmes being traced at present are via satellite on the station "Simaye Azaidi Iran National TV" (Vision of Freedom National Iran TV), which is not located in Iraq but which the sat-address.com web site gives UK-based contact details. The web site is http://www.iranntv.com and satellites are the trans-Atlantic Telstar 12 at 15 degrees west (12588 MHz vertical), beamed to Europe and the Middle East. KurdSat, the television station of the PUK, has expanded its broadcasts to Kirkuk and Khanaqin. The KDP's television station Kurdistan TV now beams its programmes to Kirkuk and Mosul. The Iraqi newpaper Al-Qabas reported on 3 June that eight million satellite dishes would be imported from the United States, Japan, Korea and China. TV BAND IN BAGHDAD (sound frequencies in MHz ) VHF 194.75 - Iraqi Media Network Television 222.75 - Iranian Television First Channel UHF 484.75 - Iraqi Media Network Television 508.75 - Iranian Television First Channel 532.75 - Iranian Television Regional Service 604.75 - Iraqi Media Network Television 644.75 - Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Radio (in parallel with radio transmission on 4025 kHz) IRANIAN BROADCAST MEDIA ACCESSIBLE IN IRAQ -- TELEVISION The Iran-based Al-Alam TV channel in Arabic and English is a 24-hour news channel transmitted on four satellites (Arabsat, Asiasat, Telstar and Hot Bird satellites) and can be received in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and America. Al-Alam broadcasts into Baghdad from a powerful transmitter about 150 km away, just over the Iran-Iraq border. It is the only foreign channel that can be viewed by Iraqis without a satellite dish. That has sent its viewership soaring among Iraqis, who cannot afford a satellite dish and receiver. The Arabic channel began broadcasting in February 2003. English content currently is limited to horizontal news subtitles or news tickers. The station has a web site at http://www.alalamnews.com Sahar Universal Network 1 and 2 television, Iran's external satellite TV service on the Hot Bird 1-6 satellites, is viewable across Iraq and includes Arabic programming. It broadcasts on the 13 degrees East Hot Bird 1-6 satellite daily at 0500-2300 gmt. Its web site is located at http://www.sahartv.com Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran television in Arabic is based in Tehran and sponsored by the state-run Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It broadcasts daily to Iraq on the satellite parameter 11172 MHz V (6.8 MHz) 62 degrees East Intelsat 902. Al-Thaqalayn TV --- This channel, affiliated to an Iranian cultural institute of the same name, is targeted at viewers in Iraq and broadcasts religious programmes, the Tehran Times newspaper reported on 14 July. People in Iran's Ilam Province can watch the programmes as well, the report noted. Resistance Channel - this TV channel is called "Al-Estiqamah TV" in Arabic; in April 2003 it was reported to be using the facilities of Iranian radio and TV, including the aerial of Iran's Education Channel, to broadcast to Iraq. The station was inaugurated in early April 2003 by Ayatollah Baqr al-Hakim, the head of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq [SCIRI], according to the Tehran- based Baztab web site. The channel was untraced when checked from 5-7 July 2003, and may no longer be operational. A search of internet sites on 6 July revealed that the channel has left Intelsat 902, Hot Bird and Arabsat. RADIO Voice of the Mujahidin --- First observed on 17 April and broadcasting in Arabic, the station's content suggests that it is operated by the Iranian-backed Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI). In addition, the station is transmitting on one of several frequencies used by Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting for its external transmissions. Has been heard on 90.1 MHz FM, in parallel with 720 kHz. The content generally parallels that of the main SCIRI web site located at http://www.majlesaala.com Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran (VIRI) external service in Arabic can be heard on mediumwave and shortwave inside Iraq as well as via the Internet at http://www.irib.com Voice of Rebellious Iraq - broadcasts in Arabic and supports the Iranian-sponsored Shi'i group, the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI); believed to transmit from Iran. The station was untraced when checked from 5-7 July 2003. INTERNATIONAL MEDIA Major international radio and television stations, such as pan-Arab satellite television stations, the BBC Arabic and World service radio, the Paris-based Radio Monte Carlo-Middle East, US Radio Sawa and US- sponsored Radio Free Iraq are available in Iraq. BBC World Service is now 24 hours a day in Arabic on FM in Baghdad and Basra. The FM frequencies are 89.0 MHz in Baghdad and 90.0 MHz in Basra in Arabic. In Basra, the World Service can also be heard in English on FM on 88.0 MHz and 98.1 MHz. Radio Monte Carlo-Middle East is now on FM on 93.5 MHz in Baghdad for 24 hours a day. Radio Sawa is on FM in Baghdad (100.4 MHz), Arbil (100.5 MHz) and Sulaymaniyah (88.0 MHz), as well as on 1548 MW. Since mid-May 2003, Libya has been broadcasting specifically to Iraq in Arabic. The shortwave broadcasts carrry the following announcement: "This is the general centre for broadcasts beamed from the Great Jamahiriyah: A message to the people of the two rivers [Iraq]." Libya broadcasts to Iraq daily on 17600 kHz at 1200-1300 and on 7245, 9605, and 11660 kHz at 1800-1900 gmt. Syrian Arab Republic Radio is the Syrian state-owned radio's external service. It broadcasts on shortwave on 12085 and 13610 kHz. It has also been heard in Iraq on the MW frequency of 819 kHz between 1100 and 1145 gmt. Its satellite parameters are 11572 MHz H (7.2 MHz) on 16 degrees East Eutelsat W2, and 3803 MHz LCHP 40.50 W NSS 806. Its broadcast times are from 1100-1145, 1350-1450, 1830-1915 and 2215-2315 gmt. Radio Kuwait is the state-owned Kuwaiti radio. It can be received in Iraq on the MW frequency of 540 kHz 24 hours. Voice of Israel is Israel's state-owned radio. It broadcasts daily in Arabic on shortwave at 0300-2115 gmt on 5915 kHz and 12150 kHz. Access to all broadcast media is limited by the availability of electricity, radio and TV sets and the satellite equipment. INTERNET Uruklink, the Iraqi state internet service provider, was observed back in operation on 12 July after several months offline. The web site at http://www.uruklink.net includes links to live audio streams from the BBC Arabic Service, Radio Sawa and Radio Monte Carlo-Middle East. The US-led Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) that is administering postwar Iraq has a web site http://www.cpa-iraq.org The web site carries transcripts of speeches by CPA administrator L. Paul Bremer and other officials, fact sheets on Iraqi ministries, public service announcements, press releases and official documents such as regulations and orders issued by the CPA. An official source at the Ministry of Transport and Communications announced at the end of June 2003 that internet services to private subscribers in Baghdad would be resumed soon, and would be "free of charge", Al-Shira newspaper reported. Source: BBC Monitoring research 26 Aug 03 (via DXLD) ** IRELAND. RTÉ TO LAUNCH LONGWAVE SERVICE ON 1ST OCTOBER Lennie Kaye, Technical Operations Manager (Radio) at Irish public broadcaster RTÉ, has told Media Network that the official launch of the longwave service of RTÉ Radio 1 on 252 kHz is planned for 1 October 2003. The transmitter has been testing in recent days, leading to a spate of E-mails to Media Network and other media sites. RTÉ acquired the transmitter from its previous commercial owners, TEAMtalk, when that station closed on 31 July last year. The longwave service is intended primarily for Irish expatriates living in the UK. At the same time, RTÉ has expanded its radio services on the Sky Digital platform by adding the stereo version of RTÉ Radio 1 on the Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) at 910. The existing Radio 1 service on EPG 892 has been re-named "RTE Europe" as it's carried on the Astra 2B satellite which has a wider footprint than the new stereo service on Astra 2D that covers mainly Ireland and the UK. The RTÉ Europe service carries the same alternative programming at certain times as the mediumwave transmitter in Ireland on 567 kHz (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 26 August 2003 via DXLD) RTE are testing 252 again today from 10am UTC, probably for most of this week if it's anything like last. They are putting out RTE Radio 1 as on their internet feed at http://www.rte.ie (Posted by Paul Strickland on August 26, 2003 at 06:34:39, LW Messageboard via DXLD) RTE is back on longwave 252 kHz again this morning (Tuesday), heard from tune-in at 1030 UT with a relay of RTE Radio 1. It seems stronger today than during the tests last week. 73s (Dave Kenny, UK, Aug 26, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** IRELAND [non]. RTÉ ALL IRELAND HURLING AND FOOTBALL FINALS 2003 ON SHORTWAVE Irish public broadcaster RTÉ has announced the shortwave frequencies for coverage of this year's All Ireland Hurling and Football Finals. The broadcasts will take place at 1425-1625 UTC on Sunday 14th and Sunday 28th September 2003 as follows: to North America on 13785 kHz to Central & South America on 15275 kHz to West Africa on 17860 kHz to Northeast Africa & the Middle East on 21590 kHz to the Far East & SE Asia on 7485 kHz (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 25 August 2003 via DXLD) ** ITALY. EUROPEAN MUSIC RADIO 49 METRES 5775 KHZ SUNDAY NIGHTS Dear EMR listener, It is time now for EMR to hit the air waves once again, this time we are via the Italian Radio Relay Service on 5775 kHz just outside the 49 metre band. The first transmission date is the 31st of August 2003 at 2000 to 2130 BST with hit music and IDs to Europe. All transmissions will be repeated within 7 days of the Main broadcast. EMR will be on the air every 3rd Sunday night of the month until April 2004 on the same channel from the 21st of September 2003. Starting in September 2003 EMR will be introducing a new jingle Package and programme schedule. All correct reports via E-mail will be verified with a free QSL card via post. EMR E-mail Address - emr@blueyonder.co.uk THESE ARE THE ON AIR DATES FOR EMR ALL TRANSMISSIONS ARE ON 5775 KHZ AT 2000 TO 2130 BRITISH STANDARD TIME. [1900-2030 UT until Nov, then 2000-2130 UT] 2003 DATES 31st AUGUST 2003 - Repeated 6th of September 21st SEPTEMBER 2003 - Repeat - (to be confirmed) 19th OCTOBER 2003 16th NOVEMBER 2003 21st DECEMBER 2003 2004 DATES 18th JANUARY 2004 16th FEBRUARY 2004 15th MARCH 2004 19th APRIL 2004 [1900-2030 again] There may be some transmissions on 13840 kHz sometime before April 2004. GOOD LISTENING AND GOOD RECEPTION 73s (TOM, EMR, Aug 24, BCLnews.it via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH. ACTIVISTS THWARTED IN N. KOREA RADIO BALLOON BID SEOUL, Aug 22 (Reuters) - South Korean police on Friday thwarted a group of activists trying to launch balloons carrying transistor radios into North Korea in a bid to undermine the communist government, an activist said. Speaking by telephone from near the border between the two countries, activist Rev Douglas Shin said Norbert Vollertsen, who works on behalf of North Korean refugees, was slightly hurt in a scuffle with police, who said the demonstrators did not have a permit for a balloon launch rally. "We were told this morning that the government would not interfere, but in Cholwon we were told there was a change of orders," said Shin, a Korean-American human rights campaigner. He said Vollertsen had injured his knee in the scuffle. Local police could not immediately be reached for comment. The group of mainly South Korean activists had gathered at Cholwon, a town 80 km (48 miles) northeast of the South Korean capital, to try to fly more than 20 balloons, each six metres (18 ft) tall and carrying about 30 small radios, into North Korea. The "Give the Ear to a North Korean" campaign was aimed at overcoming North Korea's strict ban on its people receiving outside broadcasts. North Korean radios and televisions are built so they can only tune in to government channels, which run mostly martial music or praise of reclusive leader Kim Jong-il. The Voice of America and South Korea's KBS -- both government-run broadcasters -- air programmes aimed at North Korea, but face jamming. Vollertsen is a German doctor once decorated by North Korea for humanitarian work there, but was expelled in 2000 after condemning the communist state's human rights record. He has since campaigned to help North Koreans refugees in China secure asylum in South Korea and other countries, and helped plan a spate of incursions by North Korean refugees into foreign diplomatic missions in Beijing last year. Friday's incident came as the two Koreas, the United States, China, Japan and Russia prepared to meet in Beijing next week in an attempt to defuse the North Korean nuclear crisis. REUTERS (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** MADAGASCAR: PRIVATE RADIO BREAKS STATE RADIO MONOPOLY OF NATIONAL COVERAGE | Excerpt from report by Malagasy independent newspaper L'Express de Madagascar web site on 25 August A [private] Malagasy radio station is now relayed on satellite. This is the good news offered by MBS [Madagascar Broadcasting System, owned by President Marc Ravalomanana and managed by his daughter, Sarah Ravalomanana] to radio listeners in Fianarantsoa [southcentral town]. This is an unexpected development. Indeed during a seminar on media legislation which we attended in Antananarivo in the year 2000, the manager of a private station had asked whether he could resort to satellites to relay his broadcasts to all corners of Madagascar. [Passage omitted] His request obviously was turned down by [Ratsiraka regime] officials who attended the seminar, and who clearly were eager to leave the venue of the debate without having to give an answer inappropriate to the prevailing situation [pluralism of information]. However, satellites may now be used to compete with the national radio station [broadcasting in short wave and therefore audible countrywide]. [Passage omitted] The [national radio station's] monopoly of national news coverage is now a thing of the past. Several parts of the national territory will now be covered by two stations: RNM [Malagasy National Radio] and Radio MBS which broadcasts simultaneously to Mahajanga [northwestern port], Toliara [southwestern port], Tolagnaro [southeastern port], Fianarantsoa [southcentral town] and, of course, to SAVA [Sambava, Antalaha, Vohemar, Andapa: vanilla-producing region on northeastern coast]. [Passage omitted] Regarding the radio's programmes, a MBS official said 60 per cent of them would be those of the MBS HQ in Anosipatrana [Antananarivo neighbourhood]. Live news bulletins [broadcast by MBS HQ in capital] are broadcast at 1230 [0930 gmt] and 1830 [1530 gmt] and the evening news will be rebroadcast the following day at 0615 [0315 gmt]. The official also said "the news bulletins in French will be broadcast from today (21 August)". He said the first trial on satellite took place on Friday 8 August, adding that the radio transmits daily [on satellite] from 0500 [0200 gmt] to 2300 [2000 gmt]. Source: L'Express de Madagascar web site, Antananarivo, in French 25 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** MEXICO. DX PROGRAMS (in Spanish) [primary surnames --- primer apellido --- are in caps to avoid confusion by non-Mexicans] DX 21 c/o Radio Mexico International Calle Real de Mayorazgo #83 Colonia Xoco, Del. Benito Juárez 03330 México, D.F., MEXICO Telephone: +52-5-628-1731, 628-1730 Fax: +52-5-604-6753 Contact persons: Alejandro JOSEPH, Juan José MIROZ E-mails: rmi@eudoramail.com, rmi@imer.com.mx Websites: http://www.imer.gob.mx http://www.imer.gob.mx/cartas/rmi/pdf Airtimes: Tuesday and Friday 2030-2045 UT on 9705 and 11770 kHz (subject to change) Note: This is the DX program of station XERMX, Radio Mexico International -- the Mexican government`s international shortwave station. We have been told that "DX 21" is more of an amateur radio program produced by members of the Radio Experimenters Federation and intended to introduce listeners to the world of amateur radio. In the past, Radio Mexico International has had other DX programs of more interest to shortwave listeners (including in English). At press time, the station was going through some major budget cuts which were causing changes in personnel and programming, so perhaps there will be changes in its DX program(s) in the near future. Encuentro DX c/o XEOI Radio Mil Onda Corta Apartado Postal 21-1000 04021 México, D.F., MEXICO Contact persons: Dr. Julián SANTIAGO Díez de Bonilla, Héctor GARCIA Bojorge E-mails: jusadiez@hotmail.com bojorge@servidor.unam.mx Website: http://www.nrm.com.mx/estaciones/radiomil/DX.html Airtimes (Central Mexican Time): Friday 1725; Saturday 0830 and 1930; Sunday 0900, 1725 (or 1825) and 2305 hours on 6010 kHz. Add five hours for UT in summer; add six hours for UT in winter. [see previous issue for schedule in UT, apparently rounded off times. Jeff White`s interview on Radio Enlace mentioned that gh`s Spanish DX report was also heard within this program, news to me --- gh] Note: Encuentro DX is actually a group of shortwave listeners in the Mexico City area. They produce a weekly DX program with the same name for the shortwave frequency (6010 kHz) of the popular commercial AM station Radio Mil in Mexico City. Dr. Julián Santiago speaks excellent English, has lived in the United States, and used to produce a regular DX program in English (which unfortunately no longer exists) for the government-owned Radio Mexico International. At press time, Radio Mil was about to move its studios to a new location on the outskirts of Mexico City, and it was unknown if Encuentro DX would be able to continue producing a weekly DX program for the station. In any case, the group will continue to exist as a local DX club. Sintonía Libre c/o Radio Educación (XEPPM) Angel Urraza 622, Colonia del Valle 03100 México, D.F., MEXICO Alternate address: Apartado Postal 21-465, CP 04021 México, D.F., MEXICO Main telephone: +52-5-1500-1050 (direct number to Shortwave Department +52-5-1500-1073) Studio telephone: +52-5-1500-1060 Other telephone numbers: +52-5-559-6944, +52-5-559-8075 Director General: Ms. Lidia CAMACHO Camacho (telephone +52-5-1500- 1051) Assistant Director for Production and Programming: Ms. Perla Olivia RODRIGUEZ Reséndiz (telephone +52-5-1500-1063) General e-mail addresses: radioeducación@yahoo.com informes@radioeducacion.edu.mx E-mail for Director General: direccion@radioeducacion.edu.mx E-mail for Asst. Director for Production and Programming: polivia@radioeducacion.edu.mx Website: http://www.radioeducacion.edu.mx Broadcast schedule for shortwave frequency (6185 kHz): 1800-0600 Mexico City time daily (add five hours for UT in summer; add six hours for UT in winter) Broadcast schedule for "Sintonía Libre:" Monday 1830-1900; Tuesday 2030-2100; Wednesday 2230-2300; Friday 1830-1900; Saturday 2030-2100; Sunday 2230-2300. These are local days and times. Add five hours for UT in summer; add six hours for UT in winter. Note that "Sintonía Libre" is actually a weekly program. The new program is first broadcast on Wednesday; the other days and times are repeats. Note: The Mexican government operates two shortwave stations. Radio Mexico International is the main international broadcasting station, although its technical facilities and signal are variable from fair to poor at press time. Radio Educación (i.e. Radio Education) is operated by the Ministry of Education, and its shortwave facilities are in very good shape with a good to excellent signal at local nighttimes when there is no co-channel interference. The station is quite committed to DXers and provides excellent coverage of Mexican DX events such as the Annual National Meeting of DXers and Radio Listeners. The station is quite popular among shortwave listeners in Mexico. (It was tied for sixth place in the NASB listener survey.) The station broadcasts in Spanish, with some English and French (Jeff White, 9th Mexican DX Encuentro report in Sept NASB Newsletter via DXLD) ** NICARAGUA [non]. See COSTA RICA, R. Reloj ** NIGERIA. NATIONAL BROADCASTING COMMISSION SHUTS ITV/RADIO, BENIN This Day (Lagos) August 23, 2003 Posted to the web August 25, 2003 http://allafrica.com/stories/200308250220.html Lagos --- National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has suspended the operations of the Independent Radio and Television, Benin. The chief public affairs officer of the commission, Mr. Ahmed Abdulkadir, in a statement said the suspension is due to the unprofessional conduct of both stations which relayed martial music on the radio and television stations following the death of a staff of the communications outfit on Thursday, August 21. "A lengthy broadcast of Martial Music, without accompanying educational or entertainment information, usually signifies a threat to political/ administrative situation in Nigeria, and should not be indulged in by a station for any reason whatsoever." The offence contravenes the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, which states that no station should, "broadcast information immediately leading, or likely to lead to a breakdown of law and order." The station's act, according to the statement, did cause panic in Edo and threatened to lead to a breakdown of law and order in the state and beyond, as its signals cover Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states. [sic -- something missing] w being investigated by the commission, the law-enforcement and security agencies (via allafrica.com via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) This Benin is a part of Nigeria, not the separate country formerly known as Dahomey (gh, DXLD) ** PERU. R. Victoria, Lima, 6020: in addition to the religious program La Voz de la Liberación, theyhave original info programs as follows: ``Radioperiódico Nuevo Mundo`` at 1200-1300 and 0000-0100 and ``Revista del Mediodia`` at 1730-1830, both M-F. Time may vary by dayf rom 5 to 15 minutes. In ``Radioperiódico Nuevo Mundo`` we can hear a sole ad for ``Producciones Monte Sinaí``. According to the telephone book, the station has two addresses: one is Arica 248, which corresponds to the national headquarters of Iglesia Pentecostal Dios es Amor, and the other is Reynal 320, as announced on the news. R. Nacional del Perú, Lima, 850 and 103.9: According to the ``Indicadores de Desempeño del Plan Estratégico Institucional 2002-2006, al Cuarto Trimestre 2002`` dated 05/02/2003 prepared by Oficina General de Planificación y Desarrollo, Instituto Nacional de Radio y Televisión del Perú at http://www.irtp.com.pe/irtp/archivos/05-02-2003/IDPEI_02-06_CT2002_Pl.pdf ``Radio Nacional AM went off the air from June 10 (2002) due to inundation at the transmitter site. So it was necessary to move the transmitter to transmitter site of Radio la Crónica. Due to the lack of budget for acquisition of three-phase power supply, it is not possible to put into operation. . .`` As reported in the last THDXN, Radio Nacional-AM was back on the air in late April 2003 [on 850 or 1320?? -gh] R. Unión, Lima, 880 and 6115: According to visit, I was told that their office\studios had moved from San Isidro to Miraflores. New QTH is José Pardo 138, Edificio Neptuno, Piso 16, Miraflores, Lima. Phone numbers, e-mail address, website appeared in 2003 yellow pages are no longer in use. I wonder if this unavailability is related to this move? Librería Nuevo Mundo: ``Los tres temas menos conocidos de la Radiodifusión Mundial``, by Enrique Ramírez Cortez, published by Universidad de Piura in 2000. ISBN: 9972-48-034-8. 144 pages in total. Price 25 Nuevos Soles (= US$7.2) --- This is an introductory book of a wonderful world of DXing by a Peruvian DXer. The prologue is written by Gabriel Iván Barrera. Theme 1 ``Historia de la radio``, Theme 2 ``Diexismo``, Theme 3 ``El lado oculto de la radio, la radiodifusión ilegal`` -- Interesting (Tetsuya Hirahara, who visited Lima 19 June to 28 July, 2003, ``El Tiempo Hechicero`` DX News, Aug, via Radio Nuevo Mundo via DXLD) ** PERU. R. Reina de la Selva, Chachapoyas; QSL card, personal letter, program table and photo in 52 days. The photo was ruin of pre-Inca in Chachapoyas. V/s José David Reina Noriega (Yukiharu Uemura, Kanagawa, Japan, Radio Nuevo Mundo Aug 12 via DXLD) Note Reina spelling ** PERU. A couple more Visitation Certificates collected by Takayuki Inoue Nozaki on his travels around Peru are reproduced in Radio Nuevo Mundo; compare to DXLD 3-130 for Nor Andina, with quite similar wording, sic with mistakes, minus the strikeovers I can`t reproduce: RADIO FRECUENCIA - VH - 4ta D.C. / ``La Voz de Celendín`` / Jr. José Gálvez 710 --- Celendín [letterhead] ``C O N S T A N C I A D E V I S I T A Hacemos constar que en la fecha 05 de Enero del año 1995 fuimos horadios con la presencia de nuestro distinguido amigo TAKAYUKI INOUE NOZAKI, quien en forma heroica y pacentera viene recorriendo muchos lugares de nuestro País el Perú, visitando especialmente diferentes medios de comunicación de las cuales una es Radio Frecuencia VH. ``LA VOZ DE CELENDIN``. Como muestra de gran reconocimiento y agradecimiento a la vez me permito elogiar la labor especial de nuestro distinguido vicitante y a nombre de todo el personal que laboramos en dicho medio de comunicación quiero desearle mucha suerte en esta magna tarea de difundir a todo el mundo las noricias que el aspecto comunicativo sigue extendiendose cada dia más y en diferentes categorías. Desde la Provincia de Celendín Región Nor Oriental del Marañon Republica del Perú Transmitimos el presente como un recuerdo para nuestro amigo aquien siempre lo recordaremos y le invitamos a que siempre nos escuhe en su Peis el JAPON. Celendín, 05 de Enero de 1,995.`` [Station circular rubber stamp, signed by Fernando Vázquez Castro, Director-Gerente] By 2001, a new letterhead had a new logo, a large V, perhaps of solar panels, overlain by two identical striped cylinders, presumably communications satellites which presumably Radio Frecuencia VH does not directly employ. The address, now moved to the bottom of the page, had changed to: Jr. José Gálvez No. 1030; tel (044) 855149. This time the message is a bit more succinct, apparently on the same typewriter, but better typist with no strikeovers: ``Por la presente hacemos constar que el sr. TAKAYUKI INOVE, nos visitó a nuesro pueblo Celendino en la fecha del Mes de Octubre, un día Sábado 06 de Octubre del 2001. Fue grato el momento que pasamos juntos relatando bonitas experiencias tanto de su Pais como el nuestro, nos sentimos muy emosionados y al mismo tiempo que le agradecemos muchisimo por sus gratas noticias de que en varios Paices del mundo hacen lo posible de escucharnos demostrando así su jovi. Como muestra de nuestro gran agradecimiento le extendemos la presente para los fines que crea conveniente. Celendín, 06 de octubre del 2001 [same stamp seal and signature]`` A third letter is reproduced, apparently a partial data QSL form, which reads in part [sic]: ``Anuestros Distinguidos Oyentes del Extranjero: Muy señroes Mios: Es grato el momento de saludarlos muy cordialmente y hacer amplia nuestras felicitaciones a cada uno de Uds. Por tener la amabilidad de captar nuestras ondas de RADIO FRECUENCIA V.H. ``La voz de Celendín`` en la frecuencia de los 4485 KHZ. OC. En forma sucinta comparto nuestra reseña histórica: Surgimos con un pequeño oscilador de apenas cinco vatios de potencia, artefacto que empesamos hacerlo funsionar con acumuladores de energía razón que no existia fluido eléctrico en nuestro medio, posteriormente adquirimos un trasmisor de 150 vatios de potencia en OC. El cual funsionaba solamente en horario nocturno. Hace aproximadamente 6 años que nuestra provincia cuenta con fluido eléctrico en las 24 horas del día servicio indispensable que nos sirvio para instalar nuestro equipo trasmisor de 500 vatios de potencia en la A.M. con la que funsionamos desde las 5.00 de la mañana hasta las 6.00 P.M. y desde las 18 horas nos proyectamos al eter en la frecuencia internacional de los 4485 KHZ.OC. hasta las 22 horas en hora peruana. En la mayoria de nuestras programaciones y/o en los diferentes horarios es nuestra caracteristica presentar la música Nacional de nuestro País (Folklore Bernacular Peruano). Con la inmensa alegria que nos causa el saber que nos escuchan en diversos paises del extranjero les escribimos estas breves notas dando muestra de nuestra amistad con uno de nuestrso amigos Q.S.L. Esperamos siempre tener noticias, nos suscribimos a cada undo de Uds. Atentamente.`` (From an exhaustive report in English on Radio Frecuencia VH, resulting from TIN`s visits, ``Por las Rutas del Perú (47)`` in Relámpago DX No. 139, March 2003, via Radio Nuevo Mundo, Aug 12, retyped by gh for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. Re 3-153, R. Los Andes, 5030: One syllable seems to be missing from Thomas Nilsson's translation. It should read, "From a couple of our members,..." [not coup!] (Henrik Klemetz, Sweden, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also BOLIVIA ** RWANDA. Special broadcast last night of R Rwanda on 6055 on occasion of the national presidential elections. 6055 R Rwanda, 26th of August, 0005-0100, national language, election results (as far as I could understand), nice African music, ID, some QRM by RAI on 6060, blocked by REE at 0100; SINPO 43423. Audio clip with a nice piece of music and ID (122 KB) on my homepage. vy 73 (Michael Schnitzer. Homepage: http://home.arcor.de/mschnitzer/ Location: Hassfurt, Germany, dxing.info via DXLD) ** SERBIA & MONTENEGRO. MIOMIR GRUJIC by Matthew Collin, Sunday August 24 2003, The Observer [unaccented and untransliterated Serbian names sic] The Serbian radio disc jockey Miomir Grujic, better known as Fleka, who has died aged 49, was one of the pivotal figures in Belgrade's avant-garde art scene and counterculture. In western Europe, he was best known for his vocal performance on a recording by the electronic rock band The KLF - The Magnificent, which appeared on the War Child charity album, Help (1995). But in Serbia, Grujic was renowned for his involvement in a huge variety of art, music and media projects dating back to 1980 and the communist regime of Tito. His late-night radio broadcasts on the independent station Radio B92, which was shut down four times in the 1990s by Slobodan Milosevic's government, were both radical and bizarre. Radio Bat, as his show was called, began in 1989 and mixed Grujic's surreal monologues with garage-punk, electronic music and psychedelic rock. Keen to awaken his listeners' unconscious and to hold a mirror up to what he called the "ugly face" of Belgrade in the Milosevic era, Grujic invited heroin addicts, criminals and people with AIDS to phone in and participate in long philosophical discussions. His aim was to discover truth and a sense of freedom amid the repression, militarism and isolation his country was enduring. "I want to be some kind of transformer, some kind of idiot, some kind of madman," he said. "I want to provoke people and make them react." His final broadcast, in 1999, came one day before the Nato bombing of the city began. Grujic was the central character in Marc J Hawker's 1995 documentary for Channel 4, Zombie Town. He resembled a veteran rock 'n' roll star as he growled his satirical pieces to camera, gold teeth flashing, eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses. Although blind as the result of a long-term debilitating illness, Grujic was a charismatic presence. Bill Drummond of The KLF describes him in his book, 45, as having a captivating, guttural tone "like a Slavic Howlin' Wolf", adding, "Some voices, whatever words they are saying, have that instant sound of authority, of being the real thing. Fleka had it." Grujic was asked to contribute a voiceover to The Magnificent, The KLF's drum-and-bass cover version of the theme from the film The Magnificent Seven as a replacement for Robbie Williams, who had turned down the offer to participate. The song later became a protest anthem during the mass demonstrations against the Milosevic government in 1996. Before Radio Bat started, Grujic had already established himself on the art and music scene in Belgrade. From 1983 until 1990, he worked as the programming director of the student nightclub Akademija. Like his radio show, Akademija was chaotic, innovative and unique in Belgrade. The music was inspired by the clubs Grujic had visited during a year spent in London in 1979 and the decor took its influence from American graffiti artists such as Keith Haring and Futura 2000. Born in Sabac, west of Belgrade, Grujic studied law and painting, and graduated from the Belgrade Fine Arts Academy in 1985. He approached all his enterprises as art projects, particularly Urbazona, a series of literary and artistic events that ran from 1993 until his death. He also edited an art magazine, 4F; founded a not-for-profit record label, Trotorock; exhibited his own artworks in Belgrade galleries; wrote for the theatre and television; and produced illustrations for the Serbian daily newspaper Danas. He is survived by his ex-wife, Jovana, and his son. Miomir Grujic, broadcaster and artist, born June 1 1954; died July 11 2003 Copyright Guardian Newspapers Limited (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** SUDAN [non]. 17660, Sudan Radio Service, sent letter verie on Education Development Center, Inc. letterhead, in 6 days for E-mail report to jgroce@edc.org which I also sent by postal mail with CD and in which I requested postal reply; also small EDC sticker. V/S Jeremy Groce, Radio Programming Advisor. Good verie statement, tho no details. Indicated questions should be sent via leteter or to srs@edc.org Tnx Scott Barbour for address, which is: 1000 Potomac Street, NW, Suite 350, Washington, DC 20007 (Jerry Berg, MA, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** SWEDEN. ELECTION SPECIAL ON R. SWEDEN It was announced on Radio Sweden last Sunday that there will be a special program on Sunday, September 14 dealing with the national referendum (that takes place that day) on joining the European Community's single currency (i.e. the "euro"). It will air in place of "Sounds Nordic", a youth culture and music show that goes out each Sunday except for the first Sunday of the month, which is reserved for the listener contact program "In Touch with Stockholm". Broadcast times and frequencies from http://www.sr.se/rs/ (John Figliozzi, Aug 26, swprograms via DXLD) ** UKRAINE. George Poppin reports that he could hear no trace of RUI on 12040, in the 0000-0300+ UT period on Aug 21 and 22, and asked Alexander Yegorov: Alexander, Do we need new frequencies? (George J. Poppin San Francisco) Dear George, thank you for the report. Propagation has become bad on 12040, so from 1 September we will pass to 9810 kHz. Please, keep on the monitoring, and indicate QRMs on this frequency (Alexander Yegorov, RUI, via Poppin, DXLD) Glenn, Following info about RUI received from Alexander Yegorov on August 26, 2003. "Due to bad propagation for last period on 12040, RUI will change it to 9810 from 1 September." 73, (Kraig Krist, VA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. THE SMUG, UNRESPONSIVE BBC Thank you for publishing Barbara Captijn's letter ("The BBC Has Much to Answer For," Aug. 19), in which she bemoans the BBC's failure to respond to her complaints about anti-American reporting. This has been my experience as well. BBC Radio 4, the station to which I listen in the morning, is certainly self-satisfied: It often bills itself as objective and, according to presenter John Humphries, "civilizing." I have, however, been struck by the pervasive anti-American (and, incidentally, anti-business) views in much of its reporting. This seems to be the case regardless of whether stories are economic reviews of the U.S., reports on Iraq, or even the "thought for the day." Frequently, U.S. policy will be slated without U.S. officials giving any reply or mention being made that officials declined to comment. An example of this, in my experience, is the issue of prisoners being held in Guantanamo Bay. Perhaps the U.S. is indeed doing the wrong thing here, but it would be nice if U.S. representatives were given the opportunity to defend their country's position. I have also noticed that on cultural programs, which are otherwise pretty good on the BBC, Americans who are invited to speak are often clearly ambivalent about the United States. There is, of course, no problem giving airtime to critics of the U.S., but it gets a bit much when nearly all the commentary is one-way traffic. I have e-mailed the BBC a couple of times and have received no acknowledgment. Even some of my geeky friends have complained about the difficulty of e-mailing the BBC, and so I thought that perhaps my e-mails went astray. However, following Ms. Captijn's letter, I suspect the BBC may have some policy of not responding to or acknowledging the receipt of e-mails. But even if there is such a policy -- and even if there are good reasons for it -- the BBC displays a smugness that could only come from an enterprise with guaranteed access to taxpayer funds. Michael Schewitz, London, Updated August 26, 2003 (Letter to the editor of Wall Street Journal, via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U K. Why would the Conservatives want to close the BBC website? 73- Bill Westenhaver TORIES WOULD CLOSE BBC WEBSITE Tom Happold, Tuesday August 26 2003, The Guardian The Conservative party would switch off a swath of the BBC's digital services, including its website and the youth channel BBC3, if it won the next general election. The party's culture spokesman, John Whittingdale, told Guardian Unlimited Politics he was "not persuaded" of the case for a public service website and that he was "not convinced the BBC needs to do all the things it is doing at the present", including providing "more and more channels". "As a free-market Conservative, I will only support a nationalised industry if I'm persuaded that that is the only way to do it and if it were not nationalised it would not happen." Mr Whittingdale's comments will be seen within the BBC as a glimpse of what it can expect from the Tories' review of the corporation. The party launched the review, chaired by the outspoken former chief executive of Channel Five, David Elstein, earlier this year. "The BBC cannot continue doing what it's always done when everything around it in the broadcasting world has ultimately changed. "So you need to review what the BBC is there for, what is it providing that the market will not provide," he said. "Now I think there are certain functions that a public service broadcaster still needs to fulfil and that wouldn't be provided otherwise be done by the marketplace - it is public service broadcasting. "But I am not persuaded that there is necessarily a case for a public service website. I'm not persuaded that anything on the BBC site could not be provided elsewhere, [for instance] the newspapers are mostly providing sites, which provide news and comment. "They [the newspaper sites] are essentially trying to provide for the same market and therefore you can argue why does the licence fee payers need to be financing the BBC to do it when there are other commercial organisations who are doing the same thing." "The BBC site is fantastic but that's because it's had a lot of money thrown at it." Of the BBC's other digital services, Mr Whittingdale said: "I don't accept that the BBC should go on providing more and more channels. "I'm certainly not convinced that the BBC needs to do all the things it is doing at the present nor am I convinced it needs to £2.7bn of licence fee payers money to do it." "I watch BBC3 occasionally and it does not look particularly distinctive, and it looks pretty downmarket, to me - a pale shadow of E4. Mr Whittingdale also renewed his call for the BBC to come under Ofcom, the independent broadcasting regulator, claiming the "Kelly episode is a ghastly illustration" of the continuing problem of the corporation regulating itself. "Ofcom should have always been given the power to regulate the BBC, and had they done so then any complaints about bias or content would have ultimately gone to a body who are seen as separate from the BBC," he said. Copyright Guardian Newspapers Limited (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** U K. 'ROGUE RADIO WAVES' LOCK OUT DRIVERS ISABEL COCKAYNE July 29, 2003 19:36 http://tinyurl.com/l2ic Dozens of shoppers were stranded in Thetford today after their cars locked them out. Immobilisers and electric locking systems shut down, locking several people out of their cars parked at the Forest Retail Park. The mystery mass lock-out has been blamed on rogue radio waves. Although it is unclear where the radio waves were transmitted from, the incident is to be investigated by the Radio Broadcasting Commission. Sainsbury's staff provided cups of tea and help for stranded families, who had to wait for mechanics to fix the problems (EDP24 News via Jilly Dybka KF4ZEO, DXLD) ** U S A. ENGINEER GARLINGER HONORED BY SOCIETY OF BROADCAST ENGINEERS (This article was posted August 8, 2003 on RW Online, and is reprinted here by permission. Doug is a former vice-president of the NASB.) Douglas Garlinger is SBE's Broadcast Engineer of the Year. He will be honored during the society's national meeting on Oct. 15 in Madison, Wis. Garlinger, CPBE, CBNT has been employed by LeSea Broadcasting Corp. as director of engineering since 1980. LeSea operates the World Harvest Television Network, eight full-power TV stations, four LPTVs, two FM stations and three international shortwave stations. It also has two satellite uplink networks overseas. Garlinger wrote SBE's "Introduction to DTV-RF" and co-wrote its "Television Operator's Certification Handbook." He was SBE Educator of the Year in 1994 (Sept NASB Newsletter via DXLD) If Garlinger is such a hot engineer, we wonder why WHRI audio has been perpetually muddy, and a lot of downtime lately. Perhaps he is preoccupied with (D)TV (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. LIBERAL RADIO CHAT MOVING AHEAD A fledgling liberal talk-radio network launched by a Chicago venture capitalist hoping to counter the genre's rightward tilt is close to agreements that will put it on the air in at least seven cities, including Chicago. AnShell Media LLC, named for financier Sheldon Drobny and his wife, Anita, is wrapping up affiliation deals with stations here and in New York; Los Angeles; Boston; San Francisco; Boise, Idaho, and Albuquerque, NM. AnShell CEO Jon Sinton wouldn't identify the stations, but said he expects to announce the deals this week. Posted on 08/24/2003 - (A Web-only article from ChicagoBusiness.com via DXLD) ** U S A. NEW BUILDING BRINGS PUBLIC RADIO TOGETHER BIGGER FACILITY MEANS KPR STAFF CAN WORK AT COMMON LOCATION By Terry Rombeck, Journal-World, Tuesday, August 26, 2003 [KANU, 91.5, Lawrence KS] [illustrated] When you have a CD collection that includes 30,000 discs, moving and organizing it is no small task. That's one of the challenges facing workers at Kansas Public Radio this week as they complete their move from Broadcasting Hall on campus to a new building northwest of Memorial Stadium. . . http://www.ljworld.com/section/citynews/story/143395 (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) + previous story: http://www.ljworld.com/section/citynews/story/126867 (via gh, DXLD) ** U S A. POWELL'S LEADERSHIP HAS FCC BUFFETED ON ALL SIDES By MARILYN GEEWAX, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Aspen, Colo. -- As one of his first acts in office, President Bush picked Michael K. Powell to head the Federal Communications Commission, the agency that regulates phone service and broadcasting. The choice was popular. Many predicted that the bright, politically well-connected son of Secretary of State Colin Powell was on a career track that would lead to a Cabinet post, then the governorship of Virginia, and then perhaps higher office. Now the honeymoon is over. And consumer advocates are calling for his resignation. Powerful members of Congress, including many of his fellow Republicans, are pushing legislation that would undercut a key FCC decision that eases decades-old restrictions on media ownership. The FCC's decades-long tradition of unanimous rulings on major issues is in tatters following 3-2 votes on the media rules and on local telephone deregulation -- all in an atmosphere of partisan sniping among commission members. As the aftershocks of those votes continued to rumble last week, so did questions about Powell's leadership and the FCC's ability to set clear policies for communications. On Thursday, the FCC issued final rules implementing a February decision on how much regional telephone companies must share their networks with competitors. It was widely expected that some companies will fight the rules in court. A day earlier, Powell launched a counteroffensive against criticism of the media ownership rules, saying the FCC would take steps this fall to increase local programming and ensure minority voices were heard. But that move only seemed to fuel the firestorm around Powell. FCC Commissioner Michael Copps, a Democrat who opposed easing media ownership rules, issued a statement mocking Powell's localism initiative, saying it was "a day late and a dollar short." Consumer advocates were equally dismissive. "I have to say, my mind boggles" at the thought that Powell believes the localism effort could muffle opposition to his stance on media ownership, said Jeff Chester, executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy, a media watchdog group. "I think Powell is desperately trying to salvage his political career, and his ego, by trying to prove that media concentration isn't really a problem," Chester said. No consensus-building His admirers urge him to stay on the job but shake their heads at his tactical missteps. They say Powell, though brilliant in many ways, has been slow to figure out how to build political support before making controversial decisions. "He can only do so much on his own," said William Daley, president of SBC Communications Inc. and former secretary of commerce under President Clinton. "To be very frank, he needs stronger allies in the administration and stronger allies on the Hill." Last month, the House voted 400-21 for a bill restoring a 35 percent cap on national broadcast audience, which the FCC had voted to raise to 45 percent. In the Senate, a bipartisan group is pushing legislation to erase all of the FCC's media ownership rule changes. The votes followed criticism from lawmakers that Powell had given little regard to public opinion before the FCC approved the media rules. "A bare, three-member majority of FCC commissioners has employed a 'damn-the-torpedoes, full-speed-ahead' strategy to hammer through one of the most far-reaching policy decisions in the history of media," said Sen. Fritz Hollings of South Carolina, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee. Speaking last week at the Aspen Summit, an annual technology conference, Powell repeatedly expressed dismay that lawmakers and other officials make decisions based on "emotional preferences" for government protections. "It's amazing," he said, that many Americans want a heavier government hand "despite how compelling the case is that capitalism and free markets around the world have provided greater prosperity." Despite the controversy, Powell's allies say he should stay the course. "When you are making big changes, there are going to be rough spots," said Tom Tauke, senior vice president for public policy at regional phone company Verizon Communications. "But if you're going to succeed, you can't just walk away. You have to instead redouble the efforts. And I think that's what he is doing right now." In the trenches Powell himself shrugs off speculation that he would resign, which first surged last February when some political pundits suggested that President Bush had urged fellow Republican Commissioner Kevin Martin to provide the deciding vote against him on the telephone deregulation decision. To fight for deregulation, "I think you better be prepared to be a really muddy infantry soldier," said Powell, a former Army platoon leader whose military career was cut short by serious injuries suffered in a training accident. He said he knows he must "take three steps forward, get shot back two, but keep going forward." FCC Commissioner Kathleen Abernathy, who also spoke in Aspen, said she believes Powell will continue serving and that the commission will be able to work well under his guidance in coming months. "I think he's a strong leader," she said. The current controversies "will settle down" before long and the commissioners will be able to put aside partisan disputes, she predicted. "We're all mature adults," she said. "We'll go forward and do our jobs." (c) 2003 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Aug 24 (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. A co-worker at WSM sent this --- he also did a lot of TV. This says a lot about the state of local television newscasts. in fact it could easily be expanded to include the garbage now being passed off as news on CNN and most of the rest of the so-called network news sources (Tom Bryant) ANOTHER VIEW: Ted Mandell --- The ten little secrets of local TV news From Indianapolis Star Op-Ed page: Aug 12 Dear Paula Anchorwoman, attractive, upbeat reader of our nightly local TV news: The charade is over. It's time for your viewers to let you and your happy-face sidekicks in on a little secret. We're not the naive, non-thinking couch potatoes you think we are. While you smile and tell us about the dangers of eating peanuts for men with oversized prostates, let me give you a history lesson in local news. After growing for 40 years and then rotting for the next 20, local TV news coverage has fueled this fear-stricken, head-buried-in-the-sod society of ours for long enough. It's time for an overhaul. Local news coverage was established to inform the public as part of a Federal Communications Commission license to broadcast. It was not intended to be a sea of teasers, shameless self-promotion and smarmy personalities. Let me whisper a few other secrets into your earpiece: * Delivering a sentence with dramatic pauses and roller-coaster nuances does not make the story important. Just read the script and quit auditioning for the next local production of Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night." * The word "live" is a TV term from the 1970s and has no meaning in today's televised world. Neither does "exclusive." We also don't care if you "brought it to us first." No one is interested in hearing, "As we reported to you first last week." Quit bragging like an 8-year old boy. * No matter how many double dopplers, future tracks and weather guarantees, the meteorologist is only correct about half the time. And zero-percent accountable. Those aren't weather labs. They are pre-fabricated weather models sent from a consulting company. The weather reporter can stare at the Vegas-sized bank of video monitors all day long, but that won't make him capable of predicting Mother Nature with the pinpoint accuracy you claim. This just in, sky-view cameras don't show us anything at night except street lights. * Speaking of accountability, teasing a story with a question -- Could your garage door kill you? Do you know what's in your sink drain? Is your child safe playing in your front lawn? -- is blatantly irresponsible and unnecessarily provokes fear in the viewer, at least until after the commercial when we find out there's really nothing to fear. Stop asking me questions. I'm tired of screaming the answers back at you. * My city is not as dangerous as you make it out to be. The insistence in putting a beat reporter on the steps of the courthouse gives the daily impression that my neighborhood is full of rapists, thieves and arsonists. We're tired of seeing the same slow-motion footage of a low-life leaving the courthouse elevator every night. Ninety-nine percent of the people in my hometown are law-abiding citizens. Quit magnifying the few criminals. * There is no such thing as an anniversary of a murder. Move on and throw the old footage away. We don't want to see it. * Every story in the world is not logically linked to another. These waves of child abductions, plagues of Internet predators and flocks of armed schoolchildren are nothing more than an ocean of local muck- diggers desperately seeking some connection of every horrific event to their own hometowns. * Being "live on location" does not mean you have information to provide to the public. It means you have a satellite truck. Schools are closed at night. So are city halls and churches. What are you doing standing out in the dark? Hey, Belinda Standup, get out of the cold and back in the studio. * The newsroom isn't live, either. The cat's out of the bag. You're not answering impromptu, probing questions from your anchor. You're just reading a teleprompter of prepared text -- usually written at a third-grade level. * It's time to fire the pricey news consultant who has turned your 30-minute show into a clone of the other 150 newscasts he services around the country. Inventor of the insipid three-day special investigative report every sweeps period, his idea of creative marketing is slapping a cheesy slogan on your news team. "Taking Action For You," "We're There for You," "Together Making a Difference" -- Thanks, but no thanks. I think I'll go it alone. * * * * * Mandell teaches in the Department of Film, Television and Theater at the University of Notre Dame (via Tom Bryant, TN, Aug 24, WTFDA Soundoff via DXLD) ** U S A. About the blackout and radio --- Just think, for over 24 hours over 50 million folks were without power. It was stated over and over again that radio came to the rescue. Not local radio like it should have been except in a few instances, but the super big name Class A stations that gave us information. TV was almost worthless to those in the affected area because not too many people had battery operated TV, but if you own a car, you own a battery operated radio. Stations like WINS, WCBS, WJR, WTAM among others were able to put out information that was needed and used FAR BEYOND their normal primary service area. A case in point was that all the Toledo OH news talk stations were dark and the only real information filtering in was from WJR in Detroit. Toledo is not in their primary service area. Same for areas in upstate New York and most other affected areas. Let's fast forward a few years and say IBOC has been adopted by most stations. How would the folks in Toledo been able to listen to WJR if WSB in Atlanta was blasting it's IBOC sidebands as interference. Or how about WABC? What if both of them were on IBOC. WJR would be pretty much worthless to the folks that wanted and needed that information. I have written a letter to my US representative Katherine Harris (yup, that one) Asking that IBOC be looked at again in light of the fact that AM radio was about the only place people turned to during the blackout. Maybe all of us can do the same (Paul Smith, W4KNX, Located in Sunny Sarasota Florida, http://www.amtower.com NRC-AM via DXLD) ** U S A. A HELPFUL TOOL FOR IDING PBS STATIONS While trying to ID WCTE-22 this AM I got forwarded to the PBS page. Note in the URL the calls and date. I found out that if I switched just the calls I could get another station's schedule right away for the same day (since I didn't change that part of the URL). While I've found some stations don't register (e.g., KXNE) you can try the network's flagship station and usually do fine. Some of the listings even have logos for the network or station! You might find this useful IDing which PBS station is which during skip or trops. Here's the link for WCTE's schedule within pbs.org; try changing calls and see! http://www.pbs.org/whatson/stations/daily.html?station=WCTE&date=2003-08-25 (Matthew C. Sittel, Bellevue, NE, Aug 25, WTFDA via DXLD) ** URUGUAY? PIRATE (South America). 11420.3, R. Piranha Internacional, full-data B&W card with "QSL" letters over Piranha on front, in 17 months after an E-mail verie at time of reception saying to send no postal mail. V/S Jorge R. García also enclosed 2-page personal letter with blue piranha logo, and CD of show aired in 1994 from Europe. Letter dated Mar 13, 2003 but hand carried to Europe and mailed from Sweden. From the letter: "We can't tell much about our exact QTH from where our operation are made, but I can tell you it is from the Rio de la Plata region, but not from Argentina! Also it's true when we say that we transmit from the jungle! We have also in several periods been the only short-wave broadcaster in the country!" (John Sgrulletta, NY, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** U S A. Out on Long Island, we're told Best Broadcasting's W208AU (89.5 Massapequa) has signed on, and it's not simulcasting WCNJ (89.3 Hazlet NJ), the station it applied to relay. Would you be surprised if we told you it was bringing in religious programming by satellite? We're not; the primary station there is WWBM (89.7 Yates GA), which itself has just signed on the air. Wonder if this will be the next big satellator primary? Up in VERMONT, Radio Free Brattleboro isn't staying silent --- and they want to make sure everyone knows about it. Forced off the air earlier this summer by FCC inspectors, the community station put out the word last week that it would sign back on Friday afternoon at 5 on a new frequency, 107.9, and that's just what they did, with a burst of media attention that landed them in every trade publication and even the Boston Globe. The RFB folks are making the case that, having been shut down for lack of "authority to broadcast," they've now obtained that authority - not through FCC channels but through a petition that they say has been signed by 2,000 people (in a town of barely twice that population) and through support from the local government and even the local paper. They also say - apparently with a straight face - that they have no idea whether or not the FCC will notice that they're back on, or care. Soapbox time: We've got to wonder at this point whether the RFB gang is more interested in broadcasting or in protesting. They must surely realize that all the publicity they've generated for their relaunch will draw an FCC van just as fast as it can get up the road from Quincy, and if they believe their lawyers that the "community authorization" defense will carry any weight in court, they need better lawyers. What's more, Brattleboro is one area where legal LPFM stands an excellent chance of finding available frequencies - and with 100 watts, a legal RFB could have covered the area much better than its 10-watt pirate signal ever did. (Even part 15 AM broadcasting has some potential in compact Brattleboro, yet RFB apparently rejected that idea with barely any consideration.) So we're left to conclude that RFB would rather make a big noise than seriously contemplate a future as a legal broadcaster, which is a shame after five years of what was reportedly some decent programming for an area without a huge amount of local broadcasting. By contrast, over in NEW HAMPSHIRE a new LPFM is about to launch under the aegis of some people much more interested in broadcasting than in fighting. WCNH-LP (94.7 Concord) is licensed to "Highland Community Broadcasting," which turns out to be a project involving Harry Kozlowski, PD of Concord's WJYY/WNHI, his wife Ginger, composer Patrick Lee Herbert and his wife Caroline, and Manchester musician Chris Lonsberry. Highland has struck a deal with New Hampshire Public Radio to provide access to NHPR's music library and other forms of support to the station, which will broadcast a 24-hour classical format to Concord and vicinity when it signs on, perhaps as early as October. That's what LPFM is supposed to be all about, we say (Scott Fybush, NE Radio Watch Aug 25 via DXLD) Sources? ### ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-153, August 25, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3h.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn DX LISTENING DIGEST JULY HTML ARCHIVE IS NOW COMPLETE: http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3g.html NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1196: RFPI: Wed 0100, 0730, 1330 on 7445 [nominal times subject to delay or pre-emption] WWCR: Wed 0930 on 9475 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [NO LOW VERSION THIS WEEK; SORRY] [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1196h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1196h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1196.html WORLD OF RADIO, CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL schedules updated: http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html MASTER SCHEDULE IN TIME ORDER, with additional programs: http://www.worldofradio.com/wormast.html ** ANTARCTICA. LRA36 TRANSMISIÓN ESPECIAL 15476 kHz, LRA36 Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel, tal lo anunciado previamente, ahora les puedo confirmar 100% que se emitirá una transmisión especial el próximo jueves 28 Agosto, entre *0100-0200v*, ésta, con motivo del 83º aniversario del nacimiento de la radiodifusión argentina el próximo día 27 Agosto (hora local). Esta activación en el citado horario, ha sido posible gracias a mi requerimiento con el propósito de darle a los diexistas y radioescuchas, la oportunidad de escuchar a LRA36 en un horario distinto al usual de 1800-2100 de lunes a viernes. Los bloques de la mencionada transmisión, han sido preparados en colaboración con el amigo y colega Arnaldo Slaen y quien escribe. Les comento además que actualmente está siendo imprimida una tarjeta QSL de LRA36. Por favor, envíen sus reportes directo a LRA36 en Base Esperanza. La potencia de salida sera de 3 KW como mínimo y si las condiciones clim'aticas son buenas, posiblemente con un poco más. Comentarios a LRA36 por e-mail a: lra36@i... [truncated by yahoogroups] 73's GIB (Gabriel Iván Barrera, Argentina, Aug 25, Noticias DX via DXLD) Special broadcast confirmed at a time when propagation may be more favorable than the usual 1800-2100 schedule. UT Thu Aug 28 *0100- 0200v* on 15476; apparently only in Spanish, with 3 kW or maybe a bit more if they can push it (gh, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARGENTINA. Reference 5400.00, La 101 Dear Sir, The information given lately in your bulletin is not correct. The frequency of 5400.0 kHz belongs to the Argentine Armed forces and it is frequently used for communication with the Antarctic bases, also the frequencies of 15820.0 and 29810.0 (can have other). The frequency of 5400.0 is for the night and can be listened in LSB rebroadcast of different stations AM and FM from Buenos Aires city. Usually heard LS4 Radio Continental (590 kHz), LRL202 Radio Diez (710) and others, usually rebroadcast sport or cultural events and news. In 5400.0 USB can be listened LTF2 - LTF3 - LTF7 that are stations of the Army, with family or operative traffic. The frequency 15810.0 is for the day and it is the most used one. In LSB rebroadcast the stations from Buenos Aires, and in USB usually family traffic (RX on 14694.0). Generally the weekends and sometimes both signals at the same time. The freq. 29810.0 LSB it was listened in the southern summer and now it is not operative. Greetings (Tony Paredes via mail, SW Bulletin Aug 24 via DXLD) What`s not correct? Is he denying that La 101 was among the stations relayed, as it was certainly logged by more than one DXer?? (gh, DXLD) 5400-lsb, 0121-0145, LA 101, Aug 25. Playing oldies US Pop tunes. Johnny Be Good at 0116 and then Runaway at 0119 then to male announcer with comments in Spanish. Signal in lsb at S6 level with some slight fades but nice copy. At 0125 switches to Latin tunes. One time pip at boh and possible ID and promos. Then to news items. Intro as 'Infomativo Continental' Then weather at 0134, Ad for movie at 0135. Then ID heard as exclusivo Radio Continental. 0136 'Dancing in the moon light' tune. US oldies continued past 0145 (Bob Montgomery, PA, Cumbre DX via DXLD) So if it was relaying R. Continental when you heard it, why do you call it La 101? (gh, DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. 5927.1, 18.8 -2356* Radio Minería, closed down after a pass of ads (among others Farmacia Cristal) to the tones of the film theme of Bridge over River Kwai, Q2. HeP 5952.5, 17.8 2330, Radio Pio XII, Q3, with Spanish Mass by foreign preacher, speaking Spanish almost like me... Even worse the singers sang also like me. Also a Spanish version of John Brown was performed. What do Catholic listeners in the third world have to withstand? HeP 5952.5, 19.8 0000, Radio Pio XII, Q4, almost boomed in when I fixed a new wire in my beverage all the meters where the cows as usual had eaten up. Gorgeous ID in Aymara, I guess and some Spanish ads, among others for a machine workshop in Oruro (located some bus hours away (if there had been not too much rain) when no buses at all run). HeP (Hermod Pedersen, Malmö, Sweden, SW Bulletin Aug 24, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. New Bolivian radio station on 4780.96 kHz! Radio Tacana, provincia Iturralde, departamento Pando. Aug 19 2003 - 0245 UT. It is absolutely impossible to have check on which stations are old or new, but to 100%. Radio Tacana ought to be a new one (correct me if I am wrong!). July 1 all in SWB got info direct from Quito via "SWB América Latina" regarding a new unID LA on 4780.89 kHz. Surely the same station as the one logged now: Radio Tacana. I don`t know if Tacana has been off air during the period from July 2 until now. Maybe it is hard to hear. The program with OM-DJ was nice music and frequent IDs. "Radio Tacana está transmitiendo en 4780 m(!)Hz banda de 60 metros onda corta". "Desde la provincia de Iturralde, el departamento de Pando en 4780 m(!)Hz banda de 60 metros onda corta transmite Radio Tacana". Also heard the following morning. Quito 20/08/2003 03:32:20 p.m. (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, SW Bulletin Aug 24, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) Note: earlier written by BM as Tacána, I suppose to make clear where the stress in this unfamiliar name goes, tho no accent is really needed there (gh, DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 9665, 24.8 0525, Rádio Nacional do Brasil med sin experimentella utlandsservice "para os paises de língua portuguesa". Nu Música Popular Brasileira. 3-4 CB (Christer Brunström, SW Bulletin Aug 24, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) Rádio Nacional do Brasil noted on August 24 on 9665 kHz at 0606 with "Memoria Musical". Announced as an experimental transmission "para os paises de língua portuguesa". At one time they mentioned Portugal, all the Portuguese-speaking nations of Africa and East Timor (they forgot Macau). Email: radionacionaldobrasil@radiobras.gov.br (Christer Brunström, Sweden, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. E a Rádio Guarujá Paulista, de Guarujá (SP), resolveu investir mesmo em ondas curtas! Em 22 de agosto, o diretor da emissora, Orivaldo Rampazzo, entrou em contato com o coordenador do DX Clube do Brasil, Caio Fernandes Lopes, de Itajubá (MG), para confirmar que a programação da emissora já estava ativa em 5045 kHz, que é antiga freqüência da Rádio Difusora, de Presidente Prudente (SP). Não deu outra: às 0250, em Cochabamba, na Bolívia, o dexista brasileiro Rogildo Aragão captava o sinal da emissora, na nova freqüência! São os dexistas brasileiros gerando notícias de emissoras brasileiras! BRASIL - A Rádio Educadora, de Limeira (SP), foi captada, em Porto Alegre (RS), pela freqüência de 2380 kHz. Em 23 de agosto, às 0305, levou ao ar a seguinte identificação: "ZYK 531, Rádio Educadora, a rádio do povo!". Também tem sido monitorada, no Rio de Janeiro (RJ), por Sarmento Campos. BRASIL - Em mais um trabalho voluntário, Paulo Roberto e Souza, de Tefé (AM), informamos que a Rádio Clube, de Belém (PA), emite, em 4885 kHz, de segunda a sexta-feira, entre 0800 e 0400. Aos sábados e domingos, entre 1000 e 0400. O telefone é o seguinte: + 55 91 3084 0138. A direção postal é: Avenida Almirante Barroso, 2190, 3º andar, CEP: 66093-020, Belém (PA). E-mail: timaocampeao@expert.com.br BRASIL - A cidade de Porto Alegre, capital do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, tem três emissoras que emitem em ondas curtas: além de Gaúcha e Guaíba, tem a Rádio RGS, que pertence ao Sistema LBV Mundial que, atualmente, pode ser acompanhada, em diversos horários, pela freqüência de 11895 kHz. Uma dica é acompanhar a emissora quando há jogos de futebol dos times porto-alegrenses Grêmio e Internacional. Durante a jornada esportiva, a Rádio RGS apresenta a seguinte identificação: "Você ouve a LBV, a nova onda do futebol gaúcho!" BRASIL - Desde Ribeirão Preto (SP), Roberto Rufino informa que a Rádio Ribeirão Preto, conhecida como 79, já está com nova programação no ar. Agrega que a emissora pertence aos jornalistas José Luiz Datena e Jorge Kajuru. O prefixo da emissora, para a freqüência de 3205 kHz, em 90 metros, é: "ZYG 861". (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX Aug 24 via DXLD) ** CAMBODIA. 11940.1, 0004 Aug 24, National Voice of Cambodia, tent. the one signing on abruptly at this time with Asian language, two DJs and brief music interludes; within 4 minutes had wandered down to 11940.03 and kept drifting down very slowly to 11939.96 by 0015. Audio distortion, slight at first, increased gradually. Subject to signal surges rather than QSB. Despite these technical issues, the signal was better than over recent years (Paul Ormandy, ZL4TFX, NZ, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. KOREAN-LANGUAGE RADIO PROGRAMME TO BEGIN BROADCASTING IN VANCOUVER | Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap Seoul, 22 August: A Korean-language radio programme will start broadcasting for South Korean expatriates in Vancouver, Canada next month. The programme, Vancouver-radio Seoul, is to be offered from 7.00 to 9.00 [local time] each weekday morning on an FM frequency of 96.1 MHz, according to a press release by the station. Broadcasting will begin 11 September, coinciding with Chusok, Korea's fall harvest holiday. Its programming will feature news, health information, English lessons, as well as details on local community events. "Vancouver-radio Seoul will faithfully carry out its role as a bridge linking South Korean culture to its Canadian counterpart," the press release said, adding it will drastically increase its airtime in the near future. As of end of July, Vancouver was home to 62,700 South Korean immigrants, according to the Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry. This year marks 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Canada. Source: Yonhap news agency, Seoul, in English 0631 gmt 22 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** CHINA. Complementing the programme in this week's Radio Times (23rd-29th August) is a rare example of that venerable publication actually devoting no less than four pages to an article on radio. Emily Buchanan, presenter of Radio 4's "A World in your Ear" has even picked her top ten best global radio stations for the article. Pity neither she nor anyone else gives any mention of good old shortwave here though (Mark Savage, BDXC-UK via DXLD) And she puts China Radio International in her top ten claiming it gives you "everything you wanted to know about China". How absurd. She even emphasizes her choice by a picture of their website. The slightest bit of research on her part would show her that the station is a propaganda outlet of the Communist Party; it unashamedly admits this. "Everything you wanted to know about China" - such as the treatment of ethnic minorities, their policy in Tibet, jamming of foreign broadcasts, blocking of internet sites, imprisonment and "re- education" of citizens for publishing critical articles, breach of internationally accepted health and safety standards in Chinese factories etc etc etc. Does CRI report on this? Of course not, and they jam the stations that do (Mike Barraclough, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** CHINA. ANALYSIS: CHINA MEDIA LIBERALIZATION DEBATE PITS REFORMERS AGAINST CONSERVATIVES | Text of editorial analysis by Peter Feuilherade of BBC Monitoring Media Services on 21 August In recent months, the issue of media reform has filled thousands of column inches in the Chinese press. Officials from all levels of the Chinese Communist Party, right up to the Politburo, are involved in the current debate. The liberalization of the media is "still a sensitive topic in an otherwise rapidly reforming nation", in the words of the Hong Kong newspaper South China Morning Post on 14 August. More than 2,000 newspapers and 9,000 other periodicals are currently published in China. Chinese State Council spokesman Zhao Qizheng noted during a visit to Russia on 18 August that the number of mass media groups in his country has increased tenfold during the last 20 years. China today has more than 3,000 TV channels and 450 radio stations broadcasting in Chinese and other languages, as well as some 47,000 web sites, Zhao Qizheng said in remarks reported by the Russian news agency Interfax. President Hu Jintao, addressing a Politburo session in Beijing on 12 August, said that with China's accelerated opening-up to the outside world, it was time to find ways to expand what he called the "culture industry" - a term grouping audiovisual entertainment, the news media and book and magazine publishing. Rounding up the prevailing Chinese official view, the South China Morning Post said: "The central government has largely accepted that as it stops subsidizing the industry, many media organizations should be treated as profit-driven economic entities. But the level to which the government relaxes its control will remain to be seen... Media observers said that the session essentially primed the Politburo to think in terms of how to make domestic media machinery more efficient while retaining party control over ideological matters." Analysts recalled that the central government is considering opening up China's domestic media to foreign investment. One proposal would allow foreign investors to take a stake of up to 40 per cent in mainland media firms. They would be entering a lucrative market. Official statistics show that China's media business has grown in volume by more than 25 per cent annually for three years in a row, a growth rate significantly higher than GDP growth. According to the most conservative estimate, China's publishing industry and media have advertising markets valued at 100 gigayuan (over 12bn US dollars) annually. The media reform debate follows a government directive banning mandatory subscriptions to unwanted party newspapers in rural communities, in order to reduce farmers' financial burdens. As a result, up to 1,000 papers affiliated to the Communist Party and government organs at all levels will be forced to close down or to consolidate. According to media sector experts cited by the official Chinese news agency Xinhua on 17 August, introducing a "survival mechanism" into China's newspaper industry and pushing newspapers and periodicals into market competition are the essence of the ongoing reform. "In China, newspapers and periodicals have always been rare resources. However, some newspapers and periodicals are operating without enough readership and producing no adequate social benefits and economic returns, thereby wasting an enormous amount of social resources," the Xinhua report added. Conservative party members remain staunchly opposed to any such plan, the South China Morning Post reported analysts as saying. As Reuters news agency explained in a dispatch on 10 July, "the struggle pits the Politburo's progressive media head Li Changchun, backed quietly by President Hu Jintao, against the hardline propaganda department led by Liu Yunshan, tied closely to Hu's powerful predecessor Jiang Zemin". However, analysts believe that while discord within the new Communist Party leadership could stall the drive to reform, the financial consolidation of the Chinese media is unlikely to stop. Source: BBC Monitoring research 21 Aug 03 (via DXLD) ** COSTA RICA. 6230.00 kHz: I think it was RÅ, Roland Åkesson, Sweden who in Glenn Hauser`s "DXLD" had an unID Spanish on this frequency. I have checked this frequency regularly without any results but a week ago I heard Spanish and REE (España)-IDs. So probably a harmonic from REE, Costa Rica (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, SW Bulletin Aug 24, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) I don`t find any 6230 mentioned, unID or otherwise in July or August DXLDs to date ?? And harmonic of what? Certainly not 3115 (gh) ** CUBA. CASTRO LAUGHS OFF US PLANS TO STRENGTHEN TV MARTÍ Cuban President Fidel Castro says he is not concerned by the latest plan by the Bush administration to raise the profile of its TV Martí service. Last week the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) announced that it would shortly start beaming Radio and TV Martí into Cuba free- to-air via Hispasat. The BBG says a growing number of Cubans are receiving TV via satellite. The programming of TV Martí is also being revamped, with a heavy emphasis on news and information programmes. On the entertainment side, Major League baseball games will be broadcast on TV and Radio Martí, including the playoffs and World Series. But Castro predicts that the initiative will fail, like earlier efforts. "Up to now, experience has shown that it has gone badly," he said. "I read something about that and I was laughing. They are always inventing something." (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 25 August 2003 via DXLD) ** CUBA [and non]. O dexismo transpõe as barreiras ideológicas e políticas. Recentemente, o programa Rádio Enlace, da Rádio Nederland, levou ao ar entrevista feita por Jeff Whitte com o locutor da Rádio Havana Cuba, Manolo de la Rosa. Ocorre que Whitte é o proprietário da Rádio Miami Internacional, emissora que recebe interferências propositais do governo que comanda a Rádio Havana Cuba. Conversaram apenas sobre a oferta de receptores de ondas curtas na ilha de Fidel, entre outras amenidades (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX Aug 24 via DXLD) Escuchar el programa actual: http://download.omroep.nl/rnw/smac/sp_radioenlace.mp3 ** CZECHOLSOVAKIA. Re: Source?? CZECH RADIO MARKS 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF BATTLE FOR RADIO STATION --- This article is from the official Radio Prague Web site. 73, (Andy Sennitt, Netherlands, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ECUADOR. All my receivers are spread out by the wind, all my notes are put where I can`t remember and all my antennas are down. A hard hit for an avid DX-er. The 5 Indian building workers from Riobamba keep on to turn everything upside down. Several of our members are interested in my way of recording stations; please look at a short description in frontpage of SWB. So the contribution from Avda La Prensa 4408 y Vaca de Castro is only some short notes (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, SW Bulletin Aug 24, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) See BOLIVIA, COSTA RICA, HONDURAS, PERU ** ECUADOR. Looking ahead to the B-03 season (and before) on HCJB: will drop most broadcasts to Europe at end of September, except the one-hour morning broadcast in German, but that will change frequency. Spanish frequency to Mexico will probably change, but not much else, says frequency manager Doug Weaver, as he heads off to HFCC, also representing HCJB Australia, which has its own frequency manager, Ernie Frankey (sp?), who recently moved there from Pifo, and works more or less independently of HCJB Ecuador. BTW, Ken MacHarg`s Tip for Real Living this week lasted 4:50, plus intro and outro (DX Partyline 0002 UT Sun Aug 24 on WINB 12160, notes by Glenn Hauser for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ECUADOR. Má notícia: a partir de 30 de setembro, a HCJB - A Voz dos Andes deixará de emitir, entre 0800 e 0900, em 9745 kHz, em português, para o Brasil. O corte faz parte dos planos de economia da emissora, conforme a apresentadora do DX HCJB, Eunice Carvajal. A programação em espanhol da HCJB - A Voz dos Andes leva ao ar o programa Aventura DX-ista também nas segundas-feiras, a partir de 0200, em 9745 kHz. O programa apresenta novidades das ondas curtas (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX Aug 24 via DXLD) ** FRANCE. La semaine prochaine (du lundi 25 au vendredi 30 août), France Culture diffusera une série de 5 émissions intitulées "La grande aventure des radios internationales". Du lundi au vendredi de 7h00 à 8h10 (0500 à 0610 TU) 25 Août 2003 Dans l'entre-deux-guerres, les ondes crépitaient, s'évanouissaient, revenaient en force, maintenaient un lien serré avec les expatriés et les coloniaux, répandaient aussi l'idéologie fasciste. Les programmes sur ondes courtes ont eu une importance capitale durant la Seconde Guerre mondiale (" La Voix de l'Amérique ", " Les Français parlent aux Français "). Durant la guerre froide, elles ont été massivement utilisées par Radio-Moscou et Radio-Pékin. Mais, à l'Ouest, elles ont aussi représenté un remarquable levier contre le système communiste (la BBC, Radio-Liberté, Radio-Europe libre). Elles ont transmis l'information, ont modifié les perceptions culturelles et artistiques (jazz, variétés, rock), ont pleinement participé au débat international. Le rôle des ondes courtes dans les rapports Est-Ouest. Des archives radiophoniques et des extraits récents d'émissions de radios internationales illustreront ce sujet. Les ondes courtes ont joué un rôle considérable auprès des élites et des opinions publiques dans les pays de l'Est durant la période des rapports Est-Ouest. Cela, notamment, lorsque le bloc communiste a été traversé par de graves crises internes : insurrection de Budapest (1956), printemps de Prague (1968), émergence du mouvement syndical Solidarité en Pologne (1980 et les années suivantes). A chaque fois, les principales radios américaines (surtout, Radio Europe libre) ont eu des comportements politiques différents. Il ne faut pas non plus oublier que ces radios (la Voix de l'Amérique, Radio Europe libre, Radio Liberté, la BBC. ..) ont exercé une influence notable sur les sociétés communistes : jazz, musiques de variétés, rock, débats d'idées. Finalement, leur rôle a été autant culturel que politique. 26 Août 2003 Les journalistes de radios sur ondes courtes. Des archives radiophoniques et des extraits récents d'émissions de radios internationales illustreront ce sujet Les ondes courtes ont joué un rôle considérable auprès des élites et des opinions publiques dans les pays de l'Est durant la période des rapports Est-Ouest. Cela, notamment, lorsque le bloc communiste a été traversé par de graves crises internes : insurrection de Budapest (1956), printemps de Prague (1968), émergence du mouvement syndical Solidarité en Pologne (1980 et les années suivantes). A chaque fois, les principales radios américaines (surtout, Radio Europe libre) ont eu des comportements politiques différents. Il ne faut pas non plus oublier que ces radios (la Voix de l'Amérique, Radio Europe libre, Radio Liberté, la BBC. ..) ont exercé une influence notable sur les sociétés communistes : jazz, musiques de variétés, rock, débats d'idées. Finalement, leur rôle a été autant culturel que politique. 27 Août 2003 Le poids des progrès techniques et le renouveau international. Des archives radiophoniques et des extraits récents d'émissions de radios internationales illustreront ce sujet Contrairement à ce que l'on peut imaginer, les radios internationales ont connu un renouveau essentiellement technique bien avant les bouleversements internationaux de 1989-1991. Que l'on pense à la diffusion par satellite, au relais par le câble ou à l'écoute sur modulation de fréquence. Ces prolongements géographiques et ce confort d'écoute ont exercé une influence sur le contenu des programmes. Par exemple, de plus en plus souvent, ces radios internationales se consacrent au traitement cde l'actualité (de préférence aux programmes), quand elles n'adoptent pas le principe de l'information continue. La couverture des crises majeures et des conflits armés (guerre d'Irak, 2003) en est-elle meilleure ? L'accent sera mis, entre autres, sur la BBC. 28 Août 2003 Radio France Internationale -- Des archives radiophoniques et des extraits récents d'émissions de radios internationales illustreront ce sujet Pourquoi et comment Radio France Internationale a-t-il constitué un effort majeur de l'audiovisuel public français, au début des années 80? Quelle a été l'évolution des priorités et des moyens ? Le mode de financement, les capacités techniques, la politique des langues utilisées, la relation aux auditeurs. Le virage significatif de l'information continue. RFI peut-elle jouer un rôle diplomatique --- Comment caractériser ses relations avec les gouvernements, notamment africains. Quel rôle joué par le site Internet. 29 Août 2003 La grande aventure des radios internationales La France et l'audiovisuel extérieur. Des archives radiophoniques et des extraits récents d'émissions de radios internationales illustreront ce sujet Pourquoi la politique de la France à l'égard de son audiovisuel public extérieur a-t-elle été si hésitante ou si changeante, au cours des récentes décennies ? Pourquoi un audiovisuel public dynamique et ambitieux est-il un élément de la puissance internationale -- Sur quels moyens, financiers, techniques et humains doit-il reposer? Quelles sont les raisons qui ont présidé au lancement prochain d'une chaîne télévisée française d'information continue ? Quelles sont les conditions de sa réussite ? Qui doit-elle associer, pour quels objectifs (f1tay, fr.rec.radio - 22 août 2003 + site Internet de France Culture) (informations issues de http://perso.wanadoo.fr/jm.aubier via DXLD) ** GUIANA FRENCH. Leônidas dos Santos Nascimento, de São João Evangelista (MG), descobriu uma maneira de receber os cartões QSLs da Rádio França Internacional: ele envia os informes diretamente para o TDF Outre-Mer, localizado na Guiana Francesa. Teve vários relatórios respondidos. Escreveu para: TDF Outre-Mer, Boîte Postale 7024, 97307, Cayenne Cedex, Guyane. Na Internet: http://www.tdf.fr E-mail: fabrice.esnay@tdf.fr (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX Aug 24 via DXLD) {do they also QSL from here for other TDF/RFI sites??} ** HONDURAS. Reactivated station in Honduras! 3340.00, Radio Misiones Internacional[es], Comayagüela. Aug 23 2003 - 0400 UT. Religious by OM and soft, quiet music. A reactivated station which I never have logged before. A somewhat dull audio so I had to turn up my MFJ-616 a bit to catch the ID at 0400 UT (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, SW Bulletin Aug 24, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) As I recall, this was previously explained as 2 x 1670, the frequency which is normally tripled for the intended output frequency 5010 (gh, DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM [non]. Look for a special one-hour program on public radio stations circa Wednesday August 27, for the Mars opposition; so far I`ve run across it listed for 1500 UT on KUNM, and 0100 UT Thu on the producing station, WHYY http://www.whyy.org/skytour/ : SkyTour: Mars Close Up --- One-Hour Astronomy Special on WHYY-91FM Wednesday, August 27, 2003 at 9 p.m. [EDT] The red planet Mars comes within 34 million miles of Earth for the first time in nearly 100,000 years on August 27, this year. This will be the best opportunity for observing Mars for everyone on our planet. The next close approach comes in 2829. In addition, NASA will launch two Mars rovers due for arrival in January 2004. SkyTour: Mars Close Up provides accessibility to the subject of Mars to everyone - regardless of age, training, or equipment. The show treats listeners to information about Mars that is relevant, comforting, timeless, enlightening, and even uplifting to the human spirit. The show features interviews, fact-nuggets, music, and astronomical quips. SkyTour strives to introduce some listeners to a lifelong pursuit of knowledge about the night sky. WHYY marks the close approach of Mars with a television special, as well. WHYY TV12 brings you "Bouncing to Mars," Tuesday, August 26, 9 p.m. The show takes you behind the scenes to tell the story of the design and development of NASA's twin Mars Exploration Rovers (via Glenn Hauser, Terra, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [and non]. August 23, 2003 Radio: Ian Johns Ruling the waves http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,1442-783875,00.html A new series capturing the golden age of pirate stations is a reminder of the value of those radio rebels of yore. Radio 2's new series The Radio Revolutionaries (Tuesday, 8.30 pm [1930 UT]) allows us to get misty-eyed for a time when listeners weren't deserting the BBC because of Sara Cox, but because of its lacklustre pop selection. In the Thirties Radio Normandy invented the disc jockey to challenge the BBC 's Reithian gloom-ridden Sabbath schedule. In the Sixties, pirate ships such as Radio Caroline were forcing Auntie into a mini- dress. In the Seventies and Eighties, neglected soul, reggae and acid house inspired a new breed of London towerblock pirates. Nowadays the capital's airwaves are so crammed that drum'n'bass and UK garage radio rebels broadcast from the suburbs. Of course it's easy to romanticise the pirates - they are knowingly breaking the law, possibly disrupting emergency services' wavelengths and failing to pay royalties. But they are tapping into a niche audience of 15 to 30- year-olds that Radio 1 is struggling to hold. Nowadays this age group can satisfy their musical cravings through digital stations and music TV, and the ultimate in DIY radio, the iPod, on to which your whole CD collection can be downloaded - and without the babble of daytime presenters. If the job of daytime radio is to provide background noise while we do something more interesting, then Radio 1 may be doing its job. But Radio 2, in which genuine characters talk intelligently while playing music from a variety of genres and eras, has seen its listenership rise above 13 million, which might say something about how to spin the platters that matter to its audience. Certainly the pirate stations, which by their nature attract strange characters, are capable of throwing up some fresh voices. DJs currently beavering away in semi- obscurity such as Dom Da Bom, Miss Giggles and the optimistically named Aylesbury Allstars might one day join such pirate-spawned luminaries as Roy Plomley, Kenny Everett and Trevor Nelson and get a national radio gig. And they probably won't even need to change their names. Unlike John Ravenscourt, who found that Radio London wanted a snappier moniker - but at least we got John Peel (via Mike Terry, DXLD) Thanks for saving me the trouble to buy today's Times, Mike. Pity this otherwise interesting article is flawed though by another "fact" some sub has missed! ``And they probably won't even need to change their names. Unlike John Ravenscourt, who found that Radio London wanted a snappier moniker - but at least we got John Peel.`` I think Mr Johns must be getting confused with a tube station on the District Line (Ravenscourt Park), rather than Ravenscroft which is actually John Peel's real name. Listeners to the June BDXC Tape Circle of course heard a rare example of JP broadcasting under that real name in his early career. By the way, complementing the programme in this week's Radio Times (23rd-29th August) is a rare example of that venerable publication actually devoting no less than four pages to an article on radio. Or should that be radios? Pages 24-28 are a mixture of an advert for digital radio manufacturers posing as editorial, and some helpful links to various websites and a glossary on the numerous different methods of receiving "radio" these days. Emily Buchanan, presenter of Radio 4's "A World in your Ear" has even picked her top ten best global radio stations for the article. Pity neither she nor anyone else gives any mention of good old shortwave here though (MARK Savage, BDXC-UK Aug 22 via DXLD) see CHINA ** ISLE OF MAN. From Hans Knot: 'A dear friend of Radio Caroline died yesterday - he was Sir Charles Kerruish, who was an MHK, then Speaker, then president of Tynwald until very recently. But in the 1960s he was the one who dared to stand up to the Labour Government and say, we will not have your Marine Offences Act, and we will not have it in the Isle of Man. We want Radio Caroline to stay. The world's press came to the Isle of Man that day to hear the plucky Manx Parliament take the stand against Wilson; even Ronan came and was in Tynwald that day to hear it. Sir Charles then flew to London to argue the case for Caroline with the Post office and with the Home Office, who were responsible for relationships with the dependencies like the Isle of Man. Harold Wilson was furious and got the Queen to sign a special order, never before or since used, to force the Isle of Man to accept the law, but it took a while longer - Caroline North was immune until the end of August 1967. Sir Charles only retired from Manx Politics a couple of years ago and was still a firm believer in freedom. He passionately believed that the Isle of Man should have its own radio station, which is where we will come in with the new station on Long Wave 279 (via Mike Terry, Aug 24, DXLD) ** ISRAEL. The updated Summer Kol Israel schedule (post last week's changes) is now available at: http://www.israelradio.org/summer03.htm The IBA website hasn't been updated yet (Daniel Rosenzweig, Aug 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: ISRAEL RADIO INTERNATIONAL --- KOL ISRAEL OVERSEAS SERVICE SCHEDULE From March 30 to October 25, 2003 [one hour later from Oct 3] 0400-0415 9435 Europe + N. America 15640 17600 Australasia and S. America 1010-1020 15640 Europe + N. America 17545 17525 S. Europe, N Africa 1700-1705 15640 Europe + N. America 17545 1900-1925 17545 Europe + N. America 15615 11605 15640 Africa (English portion only, via DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISRAEL. IBA MANAGEMENT CONSIDER BAN ON ARABIC TERMS Management at the Israel Broadcasting Authority are considering a new journalistic policy of replacing references to the Palestinian "intifada" and the "hudna," or truce that collapsed last week, with their Hebrew equivalents. Amongst other changes under consideration are replacing references to "the radical Islamic movement Hamas" with "the terrorist organisation Hamas" after the group claimed responsibility for last Tuesday's suicide bombing that killed 21 passengers on a Jerusalem bus. Journalists would also be asked to refer to Palestinian activists as "terrorists," or "mehablim" in Hebrew, whether they are accused of carrying out attacks on occupied Palestinian territory or in Israel itself. The occupied West Bank would be called by its biblical name, Judea and Samaria. The IBA has stressed that no final decision on these proposals has been taken (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 25 August 2003 via DXLD) I thought ``J&S`` was already SOP at IBA (gh, DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH. From today's New York Times.. The article doesn't mention what brand of radio, or whether the radios they attempted to airlift covered AM FM, and SW (Mike Brooker, hard-core-dx via DXLD) http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/23/international/asia/23KORE.html South Korea Foils Airlift of Radios to North -- By JAMES BROOKE HOLWON, South Korea, Aug. 22 - All in all, it was a perfect day for breaking North Korea's information monopoly, and Dr. Norbert Vollertsen and his band of volunteers were determined to take advantage of it. A brisk wind from the south was driving clouds and, Dr. Vollertsen hoped, large balloons carrying transistor radios north over the barbed wire of the demilitarized zone into North Korea, a country closed off from the rest of the world. But before the specially designed cargo balloons could be inflated with helium, South Korean police officers clambered aboard the truck and subdued Dr. Vollertsen, who is German, so roughly that he needed medical treatment. "The law requires that organizers of rallies or demonstrations notify the local police 48 hours in advance," said Kim Bu Wook, Kangwon Province's police chief.. This was before a two-hour standoff degenerated into a shoving match between riot policemen and members of a growing international movement to break the half-century information monopoly that North Korea's Communist government has maintained over its 22 million people. Until 2000, South Korea's military sent thousands of balloons north from border towns like this one, usually in the summer when the prevailing winds were favorable. But under the so-called sunshine policy of reconciliation, South Korea has tried to avoid irritating North Korea. By blocking the private efforts to distribute radios, however, South Korea has placed itself on a collision course with Washington. Over the summer, both chambers of the United States Congress voted overwhelmingly to expand the daily Korean-language broadcasting of Radio Free Asia to 24 hours from 4 hours. By law North Koreans are allowed to have only radios and televisions that are locked onto the state frequencies. Residents with illegal tuneable sets can listen to Korean-language government broadcasts from China, Russia and South Korea, a Christian group in South Korea, and two stations financed by the United States government, Radio Free Asia and Voice of America. But few North Koreans have access to normal radios and televisions, and North Korean defectors say that information controls in North Korea are far tighter than they were in Eastern Europe under the Communists. South Korean officials said earlier this week that they would allow the balloon launchings to go ahead. But the government apparently reversed that decision to avoid provoking North Korea in anticipation of six-country negotiations over North Korea's nuclear program, scheduled to start in Beijing on Wednesday. 73 (via Mike Brooker, Toronto, ON, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** KURDISTAN [and non]. Iraq/USA: KDP paper criticizes US Radio Sawa for ignoring Kurdish affairs | Text of report by Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) newspaper Khabat on 24 August Following the war to liberate Iraq, [US-run] Radio Sawa became the most listened-to radio station. Many people listen to it in Arab countries as well. In our Kurdistan region, youths pay attention to it and listen to it eagerly. But, surprisingly, the radio station broadcasts only one Kurdish song in one hour or more, although the Kurds form a great part of the Iraqi people. It broadcasts other songs, like Arabic, English, French, etc, although there are no English or French people in the country. This is the radio's own policy: it does not pay attention to Kurdistan's politics and affairs. People listened to the Voice of Iraqi Kurdistan [which broadcasts in support of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, KDP], which carried a big message for the people, at home, in the markets, streets and roads, and it was getting a great deal of attention abroad too. With the beginning of the Iraq freedom war, the broadcasting of the nice Voice of Iraqi Kurdistan on FM stopped. The Kurdish songs and singers were stopped because Radio Sawa replaced it with its Arabic news and Arabic and foreign songs. This will have a great effect on the national feeling of our youths. It would be better if the Voice of Iraqi Kurdistan returned to the people immediately, as it was established because there was a historical need for it. We need it to educate our youths, to serve the cause of Kurdish culture and to deliver our political message. Restoring the service is a glorious historical task. Source: Khabat, Arbil, in Sorani Kurdish 24 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** KUWAIT [and non]. Yesterday evening no trace of Oman on 15355, which should be towards Europe. Furthermore Kuwait was noted with a strong signal on 9880, instead of 9855, parallel to 15495, after 22 UT. Kuwait on 9880 covered CRI-English co-channel, which is also to Europe via Taldom, Russia. Does anybody have some current information about Radio Kuwait, their schedule or if they, in their high-tech world, have managed to open a useful website? http://www.moinfo.gov.kw has apparently completely been shut down, http://www.radiokuwait.org only has news-on-demand, emails have always remained unanswered (as have normal letters, btw) 73, EiBi (Eike Bierwirth, Aug 21, hard-core- dx via DXLD) ** LIBERIA. LIBERIA'S SPLIT FAMILIES HEAL, CHILD BY LOST CHILD By TIM WEINER MONROVIA, Liberia, Aug. 22 --- "Good evening," said the voice of Radio Veritas, the Roman Catholic broadcast service in Liberia. "This is the Red Cross family tracing program. We bring you the names of children who are looking for their parents. . . The Red Cross managed to get the family retracing program fully running again on Tuesday, when Radio Veritas, knocked out last month by government shelling, came back on the air. .. http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/23/international/africa/23KIDS.html?ex=1062216000&en=8ed1d58857375f2e&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE (via Jill Dybka, DXLD) Nothing more about radio in story ** MEXICO. Finally remembered to check XERMX at one more time when English is supposedly scheduled: Aug 24, Sun 2200 on 11770: music fill instead (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) A Rádio México Internacional vai de mal a pior nas ondas curtas. A própria direção da emissora confirmou que passa por situação financeira caótica, em entrevista concedida a Jeff Whitte, divulgada no programa Rádio Enlace, da Rádio Nederland (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX Aug 24 via DXLD) It`s a brief interview with Ana Cristina del Razo, ex-directora of RMI: says serious financial problems caused departure of the translators and announcers for English, French and Portuguese programs; Spanish programs were cut to 15 minutes each. There remains a long-standing future plan to transmit via Internet. See CUBA for audio link (Radio Enlace, notes by gh for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. R. Mil, 6010, duplicates MW 1000 except for these times on weekends when Encuentro DX is aired: Fri 2200, Sat 1400, 2300, Sun 1330, 2300, Mon 0400 -- times converted from HCM UT -5 currently (Héctor García Bojorge, interviewed by Jeff White at Tizayuca, via Radio Enlace Aug 22-24, notes by gh for DX LISTENING DIGEST) Cf 3-154 ** MONGOLIA. 12085, 13.8 1005, Voice of Mongolia sände bl a en intressant intervju med två amerikaner som arbetat några år i Mongoliet. Bra ljud och hygglig signal. 3 CB (Christer Brunström, Sweden, SW Bulletin Aug 24 via DXLD) ** PERU. RADIO NYLAMP reactivated --- This short wave Peruvian station comes back to the waves after being off the air for a long time. In the past this station was reported on 4177 and 4299 kHz. Now it can be heard on 4335 with a good signal received here in Chimbote seaport. This station broadcasts from 0930 to 1300 UT and from 2200 to 0330 UT. Today I have telephoned to the General Manager Dr. J.J. Grandez and he told me that Radio Nylamp verifies correct Reception Reports with a QSL Letter. This Afternoon in the program regarding Social Greetings I was greeted by the DJ and to all Dxers all over the world. QTH: RADIO NYLAMP, Av. Andrés Avelino Cáceres # 800, Lambayeque, PERU. PHONE / FAX : 51-074 283353 73´s (CESAR PEREZ DIOSES, CHIMBOTE – PERU, Aug 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Stationen heter som bekant Radio Naylamp (Henrik Klemetz via mail, SW Bulletin Aug 24 via DXLD) 4335v, Radio Naylamp, Lambayeque, has been active the last week with fine signal and better audio than before. Female DJ and ID: "Radio Naylamp - la diferente". 5030.00, Radio Los Andes, Huamachuco: Info about Los Andes was sent out earlier via email and a "special preview". According to the DJ on duty this was a première transmission which I said in my comments. From a coup of our members, Henrik Klemetz/HK and Tore B. Vik/TBV, via email I received the info that this station is not new on shortwave even if it has been inactive for many years. Thanks Tore and Henrik! 5030.00, Radio Los Andes, Huamachuco, Provincia de Sánchez Carrión, departamento de La Libertad. Aug 13 2003 - 1030 UT. Was astonished when the station is listed in WRTH despite the DJ mentioned première transmission on shortwave. Maybe they earlier had performed some tests? I have never heard this station before. Very nice signal despite my temporary antenna. "Radio Los Andes - la radio total." Announced MW 1030 and SW 5030 kHz. Listen to the recording from this occasion at: http://homepage.sverige.net/~a-0901/ Info from "Ventanaperú": Provincia de Sánchez Carrión, cuya capital es Huamachuco. Sus distritos son: Cochorco, Curgos, Chungay, Huamachuco, Marcabal, Sanagoran, Sarin, Sartibamba; con una población total de 110,116 hab. Quito 13/08/2003 11:29:28 a.m. (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, SW Bulletin Aug 24, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) {Correxion!! following item should be under BOLIVIA} ** PERU. 4780.96, 22.8 0010-0110, Radio Tacana, Q2, totally blocked by tone heterodyne until Mali closed down (I had to spend the time to log all the others). Seems to be heard better earlier, almost fade out at 0110. Also most of the time heavy utility-QRM for several minutes. When you could hear them they had disco pop music only interrupted by several IDs. Seemed to let a complete record run until changing to another one. HeP (Hermod Pedersen, Malmö, Sweden, SW Bulletin Aug 24, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) Q maybe means quality, i.e. Overall Merit, O of SINPO/SIO? (gh) ** UKRAINE. As of September 1, R. Ukraine International intends to move from 12040 to 9810 kHz. English to NAm at 0000 and 0300 UT (Erik Køie, Copenhagen, Aug. 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. In reference to the radio towers at Criggion, Wales (Date Set for Towers' Destruction, DXLD 3-152), the statement that they were "used to eavesdrop on Soviet radio signals" is erroneous. Criggion was a VLF transmitter site which sent CW and RTTY traffic to the Royal Navy, especially the submarine fleet, using callsign GBZ. I took pictures of the antenna during a visit to Wales, one of which appeared in Monitoring Times (March 1995, Below 500 KHZ). The six towers held up a kite-shaped array of cables which provided capacitive top loading for a vertical radiator. One of the station personnel, who came out to the fence and asked me to leave, volunteered the information that the three original self-supporting towers were on a ship bound for India when World War II broke out and were brought back to the U.K. An interesting feature of this antenna was that one corner of the array was anchored to the top of a 1200-foot hill (John Cobb, Roswell, GA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. BBCWS Preview: THE FUNNY SIDE OF FAITH A two-part series looking at the relationship between humour and religion. Is laughter compatible with worship? Can it ever be appropriate to tell jokes about God? The programmes examine how humour is used in a range of faiths, from the part played by the fool-saint Mullah Nasrudin, in mystical Sufism, to the satirical Christian website Ship Of Fools. Also featured are comedians performing Muslim, Hindu, Jewish and Sikh jokes. We find out how they are received by audiences in different worldparts and the dangers of treading the line between humour and blasphemy. From Aug 26: Ams: Wed 1545, 2145, Thu 0145 Eu : Wed 0945, 1445, 1945, Thu 0145 WAf: Wed 1045, 2245, Thu 0145 (via Ivan Grishin, BBC Programming, Aug ODXA Listening In via DXLD) [non] On a related subject: God help America --- US law insists on the separation of church and state. So why does religion now govern? Gary Younge, Monday August 25, 2003, Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,3604,1028758,00.html (via gh, DXLD) ** U K. BBC NEWS --- DYKE TO OPEN UP BBC ARCHIVE Greg Dyke, director general of the BBC, has announced plans to give the public full access to all the corporation's programme archives. Mr Dyke said on Sunday that everyone would in future be able to download BBC radio and TV programmes from the internet. The service, the BBC Creative Archive, would be free and available to everyone, as long as they were not intending to use the material for commercial purposes, Mr Dyke added. "The BBC probably has the best television library in the world," said Mr Dyke, who was speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival. "Up until now this huge resource has remained locked up, inaccessible to the public because there hasn't been an effective mechanism for distribution. "But the digital revolution and broadband are changing all that. "For the first time there is an easy and affordable way of making this treasure trove of BBC content available to all." He predicted that everyone would benefit from the online archive, from people accessing the internet at home, children and adults using public libraries, to students at school and university. Future focus Mr Dyke appeared at the TV festival to give the Richard Dunn interview, one of the main events of the three-day industry event. He said the new online service was part of the corporation's future, or "second phase", strategy for the development of digital technology. Mr Dyke said he believed this second phase would see a shift of emphasis by broadcasters. Their focus would move away from commercial considerations to providing "public value", he said. "I believe that we are about to move into a second phase of the digital revolution, a phase which will be more about public than private value; about free, not pay services; about inclusivity, not exclusion. "In particular, it will be about how public money can be combined with new digital technologies to transform everyone's lives." Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/3177479.stm Published: 2003/08/24 11:47:38 GMT © BBC MMIII (via Dan Say, Tom Roche, DXLD) ** U K. BBC NEWS --- BBC ONLINE PROBE TO BEGIN The government is expected to name on Saturday the person who will lead an official review of the BBC's online services. Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell is due to get the review underway in earnest with the announcement at the Edinburgh International Television Festival. The review will weigh up whether the BBC has stuck to its original plans - approved by the government in 1998 - and what impact it has had on the commercial sector. The BBC's websites contain more than two million pages and reach up to 43% of the UK population each month, according to the corporation's latest annual report. 'Benefits' BBCi is "Europe's most widely visited content site" and costs £72m per year to run, the report said. A BBC spokesman said: "We will welcome the reviewer, whoever that may be, and will look forward to working with him or her. "We believe that we have worked within the terms of the original online consent and that we have brought benefits to the industry." The review will also form part of the charter renewal process that will reach its climax in 2006. BBC's role That is when the government will decide how the BBC has performed, what funding it should get and what its role should be. When Ms Jowell announced the timetable for the BBC online review in April, she said the detailed criteria would only be made public once the reviewer had been named. "These will, however, include a review of the service against the approval given and... an assessment of market impact together with an analysis of the role of BBC Online as part of the BBC's overall service." The results of a similar review of TV channel BBC News 24 - headed by former Financial Times editor Richard Lambert - were published last year. Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/entertainment/3173909.stm Published: 2003/08/22 13:31:55 GMT © BBC MMIII (via Dan Say, BC, DXLD) ** U K. BSkyB chief rails at BBC licence fee [by?] PAUL GALLAGHER TELEVISION viewers are increasingly resentful of paying the BBC licence fee and the corporation should be overhauled for the multi- channel era, the chief executive of BSkyB told delegates at the Edinburgh television festival last night. In the festival`s keynote MacTaggart lecture, Tony Ball called on the government to rethink the terms of the licence fee as it prepares to renew the BBC's charter in 2006. Mr Ball said the BBC should be forced to sell off its most popular programmes, such as Fame Academy and The Weakest Link, to commercial channels and then use the funds to develop fresh ideas. . . http://www.news.scotsman.com/edinburgh.cfm?id=927642003 (Scotsman Aug 23 via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U K. BBC NEWS BOSS WAS READY TO MOVE GILLIGAN {Kelly affair} http://media.guardian.co.uk/huttoninquiry/story/0,13812,1028884,00.html (Guardian Aug 25 via Dan Say, DXLD) See also INTERNATIONAL WATERS non ** U S A. The current Ask WWCR admits that printed schedules from them can be more up to date than the website; and since there have been a number of changes, an unusual mid-month update has been made on the website http://www.wwcr.com Actually, the main page says August 14, but the schedules in txt themselves claim to be updated to August 1. (Why these dates seldom match is beyond me.) More importantly, the UT +5 difference from CDT has finally been taken into account for correct conversions of all the times, some 4 months after this year`s shift (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. BACH, BEETHOVEN AND BRAHMS TO RETURN PLANNED RADIO STATION TO HAVE ALL-CLASSICAL MUSIC FORMAT By ALLISON STEELE, Monitor staff Concord --- For the first time in almost three years, Concord's radio airwaves will again hum with the sounds of strings, horns and woodwinds. A small nonprofit group plans to bring a classical music station to town, filling a void left when New Hampshire Public Radio dropped the genre from its programming. The station hopes to be on the air by October. The project was developed by Harry Kozlowski, program director for the Concord radio stations WJYY and WNHI, along with local musician and composer Patrick Hebert and a handful of other music enthusiasts. New Hampshire Public Radio also gave the project a boost by offering the new station full use of its classical music library. In addition, the two stations have agreed they will promote each other on the air. "It was a generous offer, and much more than we expected," said Kozlowski. "We hadn't even gotten to asking about their library before they suggested it." "It's really hard not to be supportive of a project like this," said Mark Handley, president and general manager of NHPR. "There are a lot of people out there who are going to be really happy about this." The station, WCNH-LP at 94.7 FM, will broadcast 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To keep operating costs low, there will be no studio and few frills. Hebert will design the playlists. Kozlowski will act as station manager and the main voice and will read most station announcements. All music will be programmed a day in advance, and audio files will be transmitted to an unmanned network from a computer in Kozlowski's home studio. "It's going to be a very small project with a community group that does not have deep pockets," he said. "So we're trying to do this in a way that's sustainable." Highland Community Broadcasting must raise $25,000 to get the station set up. Soon, the group will begin a fundraising drive that may include a concert, and members will approach local groups and businesses that support the arts. Kozlowski estimates that WCNH will cost about $50,000 a year to run. The group will not be able to sell commercial time, but plans to keep it going through listener donations and corporate sponsorship. New Hampshire Public Radio stopped broadcasting classical music in February 2000, after research and surveys indicated that listeners were most interested in hearing continuous news and talk shows. "We did it with some reluctance," said Handley. "And we spent quite a few years trying to find a way to run two separate stations that addressed both of those audiences. But at the time, there were no more frequencies available. So we're really pleased about this." The project to create a classical station was born soon after NHPR dropped the classical programming. At the time, Kozlowski's daughter was taking piano lessons with Hebert, who lamented the loss. That same year, the Federal Communications Commission created a new class of low-power radio stations, a class specifically designed for community groups. Seeing an increase in the number of unlicensed stations popping up, the commission decided to make it simpler for people to create smaller stations. Kozlowski and Hebert decided to form Highland Community Broadcasting and applied for a license. Last month, the FCC granted the request. Currently, any radio listener in Concord with a yen for Bach or Beethoven has few options. Boston's classical station can't be heard past Manchester on most radios, and it's equally difficult to catch a clear signal from National Public Radio affiliates in Vermont and Maine, where classical music is still broadcast. Once operational, WCNH-LP should be heard clearly in Concord, Penacook, Bow and Hopkinton. Move north and, Kozlowski acknowledged, it might catch some interference from Mount Washington's transmission signal. Kozlowski's long-range plans for the station include broadcasting recordings of local concerts, and he's also hoping to start spotlighting young, local talent. "You can read about the star quarterback on a high school team, and go watch him play," he said. "But it's harder to hear about a young person who's a really talented musician. We'd like to be able to give people that chance." And Concord is a good market for a classical radio station, Kozlowski said. Many who live in Concord and its surrounding communities have an appreciation for the arts, and are hungry for more culture. "There certainly are a lot of people who've missed the music," he said. "And this won't only be classical, it'll be nonstop classical." Friday, August 22, 2003 (Concord Monitor via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** U S A. QUEER CHANNEL RADIO FCC keeps Grid Radio off the air and punishes its owner by JOHN GORMAN [Cleveland OH; illustrated:] http://www.freetimes.com/issues/1117/col-gorman.html It has been three years since the FCC shut down Jerry Szoka's Grid Radio. A non-licensed, low-power FM dance, music and community service station, Grid Radio's programming was targeted, but not limited, to the gay, lesbian and transgender community. Its 50-watt signal reached gay communities on the city's West Side, and Szoka chose the unused 96.9 frequency and outfitted Grid with technical equipment to prevent accidental signal bleed to other frequencies. Szoka's inimitable connections provided Grid Radio an inside track to play a continuous stream of unique dance mixes of current hit tunes, popular club tracks and techno. Grid Radio's limited broadcast day started weekday afternoons at 4 and weekends at 1 p.m. Sunday afternoons were reserved for a weekly upbeat and lengthy public affairs program. For the GLT community, this program was their lone radio connection for accurate news and information. Call it Cleveland's Queer Channel. Grid Radio's dance format attracted a sizeable straight following and became the weekend soundtrack for clubbers in the Warehouse District and Flats. Grid didn't run commercials, not even for the West 9th Street club of the same name, which Szoka managed and co-owned. In its third year, Grid Radio came in as the third most popular radio station with clubbers in a major beer company poll. Grid also showed up in a few Aribtron ratings diaries. That's impressive for a station which had limited on-air time, rarely identified itself, did no external promotion and had a signal reach limited to a minuscule slice of northwestern Cuyahoga County. Szoka, who is in his 40s and looks a youthful 30, still possesses the passion he had for radio when he was in his early 20s. His radio career started with a dance music show on Case Western Reserve University's WRUW-FM. A master electrician by trade, his desire to own his own club was sparked by Cleveland club entrepreneur Hank Berger, who hired him to wire and later DJ at his Trash and U4IA clubs in the late '70s. Szoka knows his clientele. Grid, now relocated to E. 13th and St. Clair, tops all local dance club polls and is nationally recognized as a trend-setting gay club. It also serves a refuge for straight and bisexual women who want to party and dance without being pawed by the drunken frat boys that congregate in the Flats. In 1995, Szoka finalized plans for a low-power FM station for the gay community. Compared to other cities of similar size, Cleveland was a pirate radio neophyte, well behind the national curve for renegades seizing the airwaves. There were less than a half-dozen low-power, regularly-scheduled pirate stations. Many other cities had dozens of low-power pirates, most programming to specific neighborhood, ethnic or lifestyle audiences. "I never applied for a license as there were no licenses available to apply for," says Szoka. "The FCC contends that I could have applied for a waiver, but that would have also been futile as they have only issued two waivers over 20 years ago for the hundreds of waivers applied for." Szoka's quandary started in the summer of 1996 when a WGAR engineer singled out Grid Radio and notified the local chapter of the Society of Broadcast Engineers (SBE). The group contacted Szorka and threatened to report his station to the FCC if he didn't cease broadcasting. He didn't and they did. Six months later, Szoka received the first of a series of warnings from the FCC to shut down the unlicensed station. When Szoka refused, the FCC took legal action. Notwithstanding FCC warnings and an impending court case, Grid stayed on the air and its popularity continued to grow. Szoka was even a guest on John Lanigan's WMJI-FM morning show, much to the chagrin of his co-hosts and WMJI's owner, Clear Channel. While Szoka battled the FCC, the agency's chairman, William Kennard -- noting the decline of local news and programming on commercial radio - - announced a proposal to create thousands of new low-power FM (LPFM) non-commercial stations to serve underrepresented community groups. The ruling called for an eight-year license, which couldn't be sold or transferred. Licenses would be awarded to community groups on a criteria system of residency -- the amount of local programming proposed and a 36-hour minimum broadcast week agreement. The proposal was sent to Congress, which quickly buckled under the lobbying strength of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). Congress trimmed the bill to 80 percent fewer stations than the original FCC proposal. Back in Cleveland, after years of court appearances and mountains of legal paperwork, Szoka was forced to pull the plug on Grid in 2000. Today, he is without legal support and is faced with an $11,000 fine and other costs from his battle with the FCC. "Just for goodwill, the FCC is fining me $11,000," says Szoka. "So I can never get one of the licenses I helped bring forth, and I have to pay $11,000 for having the nerve to prove to the FCC that they were wrong and that there is room for LPFM stations." There's no happy ending here. The FCC, now ruled with an iron fist by Michael Powell, has granted a very small number of LPFM licenses with the largest share going to Christian Right non-profit organizations. And Cleveland still hasn't gotten back its Queer Channel (Cleveland Free Times via Artie Bigley, OH, DXLD) ** U S A. The folks at Public Radio Weekend have posted a new pilot episode of their show. This time they're going for more substance and more of a "live" sound. http://www.publicradioweekend.org (Current, 10:21 AM EST Aug 25 via DXLD) We need another magazine show??? ** U S A. PROPOSED HISPANIC MEDIA MERGER IS UNDER FIRE By Frank Ahrens, Washington Post, Sunday, August 24, 2003; Page A08 The proposed merger between the nation's largest Hispanic television network and radio chain has drawn the usual antitrust scrutiny that accompanies every major media union. However, Univision Communication Inc.'s $3 billion bid to buy Hispanic Broadcasting Corp. is not just any merger, thanks to the participants -- it has spurred considerable political debate and hit ethnic hot buttons as well. The merger is seen as speeding toward approval at the Federal Communications Commission in the coming weeks; hence, backers and opponents have been lining up prominent lawmakers and Latinos on each side. Supporters say the merger will give the combined companies the marketplace clout required to compete for Anglo ad dollars against media giants such as AOL Time Warner Inc. and Viacom Inc. They say Hispanic media consumers watch English-language television as well, proving that the Latino and Anglo markets overlap. Opponents -- led by rival radio chain Spanish Broadcasting Systems, whose own bid for Hispanic Broadcasting was spurned last year -- say the English- and Spanish-language markets are separate. The combined Univision-Hispanic Broadcasting would create a monopoly that regulators would never allow in the Anglo market, they say. Further, they point out, Univision is not a Hispanic-owned company, but Spanish Broadcasting is. The struggle over the merger reflects Hispanics' growing political clout. They are the largest minority and one of the fastest-growing minorities; and despite the dominance of Hispanic Democratic lawmakers, some analysts believe Latinos have not pledged permanent allegiance to either political party. This is a point that Michael McCurry -- recently hired to lobby for Univision -- has been making to Democrats. "There is a rising importance of the Hispanic market in politics," said the former Clinton White House spokesman. They are a potential target of opportunity for Republicans, he said. McCurry was hired at the beginning of August to help educate the notoriously news media-shy and politically naive Univision on how to navigate Capitol Hill. Univision and Hispanic Broadcasting officials admitted they were blindsided by the opposition blitz of Raul Alarcon, president of Spanish Broadcasting. Univision Chairman A. Jerrold "Jerry" Perenchio is a major fundraiser for President Bush, and merger opponents -- and Hill Democrats -- fear he could use the combined reach of Univision and Hispanic Broadcasting to choke out liberal Hispanic voices. Recruiting Democrats in favor of the merger could help defuse concerns that the combined companies will be a Republican mouthpiece. Univision officials say the network's newsrooms operate independently from any corporate or individual ideology (via Matt Francis, DC, DXLD) ** U S A. In North Texas, major programming changes coming to the Dallas market. Common Es target KDTN-2 (which has been calling itself "KERA-2" on the air, leading to considerable confusion...) has been sold to the owners of KMPX-29. The channel 2 station will switch to the Daystar religious network. Their channel 29 will then be sold to Liberman Broadcasting, operators of KRCA-62 in the Los Angeles area, among other stations. KMPX will become an independent Spanish-language station. Note that KMPX has already filed for a substantial power increase. Another skip target will become more difficult to find (Doug Smith, TV News, Sept WTFDA VHF-UHF Digest via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED [non]. Re 4939.63: Amigo DXista Chris! You have heard Radio Amazonas, Venezuela! Quito 21/Ago/2003 9:12. 73 de (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, hard-core-dx? via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. Glenn: I reported to you a couple of weeks ago my repeated reception of a carrier at 5006, with no apparent mod, as early as 0900 but generally after 1000. This morning I tuned it at 1420 and it was present very distinctly, and I could now hear fading modulation: a male voice, conversational, either scrambled or in a language that was indistinct and unidentifiable. If scrambled then this might explain the anomalous frequency. I also heard a carrier at 5005.38 as closely as I could determine, without apparent mod. I have been trying to get either Nepal or RN Guinea Equatorial with some degree of certainty. Wonder if that was the carrier from either station? Tibet Peoples' BS was coming in very well a few minutes earlier, with separate programs, on both 4820 and 4905 (Steve Waldee, San José, CA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Certainly not Eq. Guinea at that hour; before he saw last issue; the old item from DXLD 1-108 over two years ago under JAPAN, which however, makes no reference to voice, at http://www.angelfire.com/ok/worldofradio/dxld1108.txt ``** JAPAN. I send you the information about the experimental SW station JG2XA. As I live in the neighboring city, the transmission is well received: University of Electronics & Communications, Chofu City, Tokyo started experimental SW transmission for research of HF-band Doppler-Shift (HFD). They had been using 5 and 8 MHz signals of former JJY, which ended transmission in March. They decided to set up their own SW station for this purpose. The new SW station, call sign JG2XA, started regular transmission on July 3. Frequencies: 5006 and 8006 (width 1.5 kHz) Power: 200 watt. Transmitter: Yaesu FT-860 + linear amp + lubidium generator (2 sets) Antenna: halfwave horizontal dipole. Schedule: 24 hours with continuous unmodulated carrier; ID in Morse Code is given at least every 30 minutes as "JG2XA JG2XA JG2XA UEC HFD STATION" in H3A mode. Addr: Tomizawa Laboratory, University of Electronics & Communications, Chofugaoka 1-5-1, Chofu City, Tokyo, 182-8585 Japan Tel: +81 42 443 5598 E-mail: tomizawa@ee.uec.ac.jp URL: http://ssro.ee.uec.ac.jp/lab_tomi/index.html (Takahito Akabayashi, Japan, Aug 5, BC DX via DXLD)`` UNIDENTIFIED. 6069.7: An unidentified station, which seems to be broadcasting religious programmes with a preacher similar to Peru 6020 and Brazil 6060, has been heard on air around 0615 very adjacent to Christian Voice, Chile, 6070. When heard Aug.22 the frequency was about 6069.9, and then thought in Portuguese. But heard again on Aug.24 on about 6069.7, and I couldn`t be sure if Portuguese or Spanish. The only other LA I can find listed for 6070 [besides Chile] is in the current WRTVH [pp 109/117] - Radio Capital from Rio de Janeiro - one I've never heard of. 73s, (Noel R. Green [Blackpool, NW- UK], Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) Dear Noel: On 6020 is Radio Victoria from Lima, Peru, and on 6060 is Radio Tupi from Brazil with the same religious program A Voz da Libertação. 73's (Nicolás Eramo, Argentina, ibid.) Hello Nicolás, Many thanks for the information. I have the ID of the two stations using 6020 & 6060 and have paralleled these frequencies with 6020 // 9720 and 6060 // with 9565 & 11765. All are often heard currently. But it's the one on about 6069+ that interests me. Hearing an ID will be difficult, to say the least, due to the amount of QRM present. What I hear is similar in content to 6020 & 6060, but does not appear to be in sync, so may not be the same programme. 73s (Noel Green, ibid.) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ NTIA EXPRESSES ``BROAD CONCERNS`` IN BPL COMMENTS NEWINGTON, CT, Aug 19, 2003 -- The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has weighed in on the FCC`s Broadband over Power Line (BPL) initiative. While urging the FCC to ``move forward expeditiously`` with its inquiry into BPL, the NTIA expressed ``broad concerns`` about interference to government users. The NTIA also has launched an extensive modeling, analysis and measurement program for BPL. A Commerce Department branch, NTIA is the president`s principal advisor on domestic and international telecommunications policy. It also administers spectrum allocated to federal government users. ``Notwithstanding BPL`s potential benefits, the Commission must ensure that other communications services, especially government operations, are adequately protected from unacceptable interference,`` the NTIA said in late-filed comments in the BPL Notice of Inquiry (NOI) in ET 03-104. ``In tailoring its rules to promote BPL deployment, the Commission must be certain to provide all communications stakeholders with adequate protections against BPL emissions that may cause unacceptable radio frequency interference.`` A form of power line carrier (PLC) technology, BPL would use existing low and medium-voltage power lines to deliver broadband services to homes and businesses. Because it uses frequencies between 2 and 80 MHz, BPL could affect HF and low-VHF amateur allocations wherever it`s deployed. BPL proponents--primarily electric power utilities-- already are testing BPL systems in several markets, and one is said to be already offering the service. FCC rules already allow BPL, although industry proponents want the FCC to relax radiation limits. ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, has called BPL ``the most crucial issue facing Amateur Radio and the one that has the most devastating potential.`` ARRL Laboratory personnel already have visited several communities where BPL field testing is under way and documented the potential for extensive interference on HF frequencies in all field trial communities visited. In its comments, the NTIA indicated its apprehension regarding ``radiated emission limits and other measures`` that may be needed to protect the more than 18,000 HF and low-VHF federal government frequency assignments that BPL could affect. Until releasing its comments this month, the NTIA has been largely silent on the issue since last spring. In an April 24 letter, then- NTIA administrator Nancy J. Victory applauded the FCC`s decision to launch its inquiry into BPL, but called on the Commission to make sure that BPL does not cause harmful interference to other services. In early July, Frederick R. Wentland, NTIA`s associate administrator in the Office of Spectrum Management, told the FCC that the NTIA did not favor Current Technologies LLC`s request for a permanent waiver of the field strength limit specified for Class B emissions under FCC Part 15 rules. A Maryland BPL developer, Current Technologies already is field testing and marketing the technology. Wentland worried that the pole-mounted interfaces and outdoor power lines used for BPL could interfere with public safety communication in the 30 to 50 MHz range. He told FCC Office of Engineering and Technology Chief Edmond J. Thomas that the ``unobstructed and ubiquitous nature of this BPL application, and perhaps other aspects of BPL, differs considerably from the situations presently found in typical unintentional radiators`` operating under Part 15. Wentland also expressed concerns regarding compliance measurement techniques for BPL and the characterization of BPL emissions for use in compatibility studies. NTIA`s technical studies will include detailed measurements and analyses to ``help determine the least constraining BPL emission limits that would preclude unacceptable interference,`` Wentland told Thomas. Wentland, who has been named to succeed Victory as NTIA administrator on an interim basis, also invited the FCC to coordinate its own BPL measurement activities with those of the NTIA. In an attachment to its comments, NTIA summarized its measurement plan, which, among other things, will take ambient noise measurements and also ``quantify unknown aspects of BPL signals`` at several BPL test sites. The plan noted that as a result of nonlinear elements in the electrical power distribution system, ``BPL systems may radiate emissions at frequencies substantially higher than the frequencies actually used intentionally within the BPL system.`` The NTIA`s Institute of Telecommunication Science is carrying out the measurement program over a two-week period, coordinating its efforts with BPL network administrators. The data will be folded into the NTIA`s BPL modeling and analysis initiative. The NTIA said the results of its research will yield recommendations on radiated emission limits and other operational restrictions for BPL that are ``necessary to preclude unacceptable interference to federal government systems.`` The agency said it planned to conclude its research by year`s end. A copy of the NTIA`s comments--which had not been posted on the FCC Web site as of August 19--is available on the NTIA Web site http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/fccfilings/2003/bplcomments_08132003.htm The FCC extended the reply comment deadline in the BPL proceeding to August 20, and the ARRL plans to file reply comments. The League`s initial 120-page package of comments and technical exhibits is available on the ARRL Web site [at] http://www2.arrl.org/announce/regulatory/et03-104/ There`s additional information and additional video clips on the ARRL ``Power Line Communications (PLC) and Amateur Radio`` page [at] http://www2.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/plc/ To support the League`s efforts in this area, visit the ARRL`s secure BPL Web site [at] https://www.arrl.org/forms/development/donations/bpl/ Copyright © 2003, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved (ARRL via John Norfolk, DXLD) BPL ADVOCATES` COMMENTS LACK TECHNICAL SUBSTANCE, ARRL REPLY COMMENTS SAY http://www2.arrl.org/news/stories/2003/08/21/4/?nc=1 NEWINGTON, CT, Aug 21, 2003 -- The ARRL says Broadband over Power Line (BPL) proponents failed in their comments to the FCC to substantiate their claims that the technology will not cause widespread interference. In reply comments filed August 20 -- the FCC`s deadline to receive comments in the proceeding, ET Docket 03-104 -- the League said that if the FCC is going to rely on industry statements in making decisions on BPL deployment, the industry should back up its assertions with technical studies and hard data and make these public. ``Unfounded assurances that BPL will not cause interference are no substitute for real-world measurements,`` the League declared, ``and the FCC should rely on documented test results and an impact of interference potential based on scientific, not marketing, criteria.`` Generalized conclusions drawn about BPL`s interference potential in industry comments ``are premature and meaningless,`` the League said. A form of power line carrier -- or PLC -- technology, BPL would use existing low and medium-voltage power lines to deliver broadband services to homes and businesses using frequencies between 2 and 80 MHz. Some BPL proponents -- primarily electric power utilities – already are testing BPL systems in several markets and want the FCC to relax radiation limits. ``Power lines are ubiquitous, and attempts by the BPL industry to obtain relaxed emission classifications based on operating environment are obviously illogical and frivolous,`` the ARRL said, noting BPL would impact not only hams but public safety low-band VHF systems and other mobile systems. In contrast to the BPL advocates` ``blanket statements`` of no interference from BPL field trial sites, the ARRL said its own field tests ``lead inescapably to the conclusion that BPL will, if deployed, create widespread harmful interference.`` It predicted signal levels of up to 30 dB over S9 on a typical amateur transceiver, ``well beyond what would preclude amateur HF communications entirely.`` To dramatize its point, the League urged the Commission to view video shot during recent ARRL test-and-measurement forays to BPL field trial communities in four states. The ARRL said the type of degradation expected from BPL would transform 20 meters from a band with worldwide communication capabilities to one of limited regional communication capability. ``ARRL has, in fact, done what the BPL industry should have done-- brought an amateur station to the trial area,`` the League said. ``When it did so, the interference was manifest and widespread and would be so even to an untrained observer.`` Noting claims by Main.net http://www.mainnet-plc.com/ that it had received no reports of harmful interference in its worldwide trials, the ARRL countered that the tests had resulted in ``strong protests from Amateur Radio operators.`` Austrian amateurs documented ``massive interference`` on video, and, in an unusual move, the Austrian Experimental Transmitters Union (OeVSV) filed comments in the BPL proceeding. BPL proponents argue that the European power distribution system differs from that in the US. The League said measurements and testing should be done when the BPL systems are heavily loaded, treating the system`s entire emission as a single device. ``If all of the appropriate measurement factors are applied,`` ARRL said, ``no access BPL system would be found in compliance with FCC Part 15 regulations.`` The ARRL characterized some industry comments regarding the interference potential of BPL as ``wishful thinking`` and based on flawed premises. It said the League`s own technical exhibits-- attached to its initial and reply comments--show that BPL signals do propagate well and that overhead power lines make excellent radiators of HF signals. The League also noted that comments in the proceeding so far have been silent on the interference susceptibility of BPL to ham radio signal ingress. The League predicted that even as little as 250 mW of signal induced into overhead power lines some 100 feet from an amateur antenna could degrade a BPL system or render it inoperative. The ARRL called on the FCC to stop acting like a cheerleader for BPL. ``It is past time that the Commission acted in its proper role as a steward of the radio spectrum and recognized the interference potential of BPL to the sensitive incumbent licensed services in these bands,`` the League concluded. ``The Commission cannot stretch the Part 15 regulations as far as would be required to accommodate BPL.`` The League`s complete reply comments and technical exhibits are available on the ARRL Web site. See also the article ``BPL is a Pandora`s Box of Unprecedented Proportions, ARRL Tells FCC``. Additional information and video clips are on the ARRL ``Power Line Communications (PLC) and Amateur Radio`` page. To support the League`s efforts in the BPL fight, visit the ARRL`s secure BPL Web site [see url at the beginning of the article for links and diagrams]. Copyright © 2003, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved (ARRL via John Norfolk, DXLD) CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ EUROPEAN DX COUNCIL Last weekend more than 70 shortwave listeners, DXers and broadcasters (including yours truly) attended the annual conference of the European DX Council (EDXC) in Koenigstein, north of Frankfurt. The event had been organised by a local DX Club , the Rhein-Main Radio Club (RMRC). As usual, it was a great occasion to meet old friends and make new ones, which is not difficult, because we all share an interest in international radio. Some are only interested in the technical side of the hobby, others only care about programme content, not to forget those who collect radio items, in particular QSL cards, or pennants. At this year's meeting, the emphasis was on DRM - digital radio mondiale, with most amazing presentations about this new broadcasting technology and the latest from the DRM receiver's front. The Secretary-General of the EDXC, signor Luigi Cobisi of Italy (left on photo, with predecessor Risto Vähäkainu of Finland), was pleased with the conference: SOUND Luigi Cobisi (listen to the programme via audio link on this page --- below) Meanwhile, the EDXC is in a bit of a crisis, or has been for several years now. It seems that in this age of new technologies, not only the DX hobby is in decline, but also the need of people to join up in special clubs or the need to publish club magazines. Everybody is hooked up to the internet anyway, and information can be exchanged more rapidly than ever before. In a move to save the EDXC Luigi Cobisi launched the idea to make it an organisation for individual members, not only collective members grouped in DX clubs. SOUND Luigi Cobisi Signor Cobisi is stepping down as Sec.-Gen. at the end of this year, and the future is uncertain. Who will step forward and take over, who will organise a conference next year? Nobody knows, we'll have to wait for another couple of months to see whether the EDXC can be saved. And, as on previous occasions when I had the pleasure of meeting Luigi Cobisi, I also asked him this time to say something in Italian to his DX friends, and our listeners, in Italy. SOUND Luigi Cobisi in Italian I don't think you want to hear what my Italian sounds like. Anyway, we'll hear more from the EDXC conference in Koenigstein in future editions of Radio World. http://www.vrt.be/wm/rvi/rw_HI.asx http://www.vrt.be/wm/rvi/rw_LO.asx FRANS VOSSEN (RVi Radio World Aug 24 via DXLD) CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES / DRM +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ DIGITAL RADIO MONDIALE`S DEBUT SUMMER TO SIZZLE AT IFA 2003 AS MORE BROADCASTERS SEND DRM TRANSMISSIONS August 30th Press Conference to Include 2G Consumer Receiver, plus Special Announcement with World DAB Forum Berlin – The grand debut summer of digital radio system Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) will sizzle next week during IFA 2003, the world`s largest consumer electronics show. Just six weeks ago in Geneva, 16 leading broadcasters made radio history by sending the world`s first DRM broadcasts across the globe. Since then, the number of stations transmitting live, daily DRM programs and periodic specials has risen to 25. DRM will showcase live broadcasts on a range of receivers -- including the first, second-generation DRM consumer radio, for distribution later this year -- at IFA`s Technical & Scientific Forum (TWF) in Hall 5.3, Stand 3, at the Messe Berlin, from August 29 to September 3. DRM Chairman and Deutsche Welle COO Peter Senger will outline DRM`s latest successes and future plans in a press conference on August 30. Experts representing German network operators, broadcasters, research institutions and manufacturing firms will also be available for reporters` questions. Additionally, Mr. Senger will be joined by World DAB Forum President Annika Nyberg, for a special, joint announcement. The press conference will start at 13:00 in the TWF. DRM is the world`s only non-proprietary, universally standardized, digital system for short-wave, medium-wave/AM and long-wave that can use existing frequencies and bandwidth across the globe. With clear, near-FM quality sound and excellent reception that offers a dramatic improvement over analogue, DRM will revitalize radio in markets worldwide. Various DRM receivers are expected to be available in shops in late 2004. The press conference will be followed by a DRM Symposium, from 14:00 to 17:00 in the same location, in which DRM`s experts will delve deeper into the system`s technical and commercial advantages. Scheduled to speak are: Mr. Senger; Michael Pilath of T-Systems MediaBroadcast (who leads DRM`s Koordinations – Komitee Deutschland), Michael Knietzsch of Thales Broadcast & Multimedia; Christian Hoerlle of TELEFUNKEN SenderSysteme Berlin; Stefan Meltzer of Coding Technologies; Gerd Kilian and Olaf Korte of Fraunhofer IIS; Wolfgang Schaefer of Robert Bosch GmbH; and Markus Zumkeller of Sony International Europe (DRM press release Aug 25 via DXLD) Continued: RECEIVER NEWS ++++++++++++ DRM`s technical highlights at IFA 2003 will include: Coding Technologies (CT) will present the first, 2G DRM consumer radio, the DRM Receiver 2010. A joint development by CT, Mayah and others, the DRM Receiver 2010 is smaller and less expensive than the first-generation models. As the first mass-produced DRM receiver, it will be ready for distribution in late 2003. Fraunhofer IIS will present the DRM FhG Prototype Receiver, the NewsBox DRM Radio. It is a novel DRM receiver prototype designed to fit in a 19`` hi-fi tuner rack, developed in the BMBF project, RadioMondo. It plays DRM audio and text, and permits navigation within the new data application NewsService Journaline, conveying categorised news in text form. Fraunhofer will also showcase the professional receiver, FhG Software Radio and the DRM Software Radio. The DRM Software Radio Project, managed by VT Merlin Communications, is at http://www.drmrx.org. Robert Bosch GmbH will showcase a modified car receiver that receives DRM signals on long-, medium- and short-wave (49m band only), using a conventional integrated RF front-end up to the 1st intermediate frequency. Digital decoding of the DRM signal is managed by a PC. Data services including Internet pages, slide shows and text will also be demonstrated. This was facilitated by Radiomondo (DRM press release Aug 25 via DXLD) IS THE SW-77 GOING UNDER TOO? Hi Glenn: Thanks for keeping us informed. Here`s a lip-smacking tidbit: The Sony Store in Plaza Las Americas in San Juan Puerto Rico is selling the SW-77 for $300!!!! That`s a bargain considering there is no sales tax in the island. Is this part of a nationwide closeout? The sales people couldn't tell me. They were surprised when I said that the receiver sold for close to $469 through mail order catalogues. What caught my eye was their ostentatious display of the receiver in their window – hanging from invisible threads (Marty Delfín, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Aug 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) RCA RP-3710 DIGITAL AM/FM TUNER RADIO AND ALARM CLOCK Was at the local Wal Mart Supercenter this morning and stumbled across the RCA RP-3710 Digital AM/FM Tuner Radio And Alarm Clock For $18.49. I just pulled it out of the box and it feels stout and has pretty good sound. Can't say I've ever comes a cross a radio with a lighted LCD digital readout for so low a price. I will give it a good going over today and then post a review of this nice little radio. As promised I put the RCA RP-3710 digital AM/FM clock radio through the DX grinder last night. First of all sensitivity with the internal loop stick is surprisingly good, with very deep nulling possible off the ends of the loopstick. Selectivity is also very good. I tuned to the local 5 kw pest on 910 kc a few miles away and there was no splatter on 900 or 920 kc; I was amazed. With the internal loopstick antenna I was able to null out WBBR NYC and WWBR Bartow, FL on 1130 and hear KWKH in Shreveport, LA in the clear. I'm not interested in FM DX so only checked local stations and all is okay there and sound is very good on AM and FM from the tiny front mounted speaker. As it's meant to be an alarm clock first, there is no external antenna input or audio output for headphones. Also no provision for battery operation but it does have 9 volt battery back up for time and memories. The digital frequency readout is LCD and approximately 1" high, which is easy on my eyes as I'm half blind in one eye and deaf in the other????? It also has a backlit display that is adjustable for brightness and 11 memories for AM and 11 for FM. It makes one wonder why RCA could put digital readout in an under $19 clock radio but GE could not do the same on it's Super Radio's I, II and III. I also put the radio it on the 2 foot box loop and man did it ever come alive for stateside DX, when I tuned for resonance via inductive coupling. It heard everything that my FT-840 and 130 foot inverted L did, including KOA 850 kc at times through the fading and blanketing auroral conditions. By the dimensions are 5 1/2" wide, 4" tall and 3" deep. See included photo. http://www.kn4lf.com/rcaradio.jpg 73, (Thomas F. Giella, Space & Atmospheric Weather Forecaster C/S KN4LF, {Tampa FL,} hard-core-dx via DXLD) PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ LOOK AT TRANSMITTER SITES FROM ON HIGH I found out about something last night at a radio club meeting and have had a ball playing around with it today. Since I recall a thread on this reflector about how almost all of you seem to be map freaks like me, I thought you might get a kick out of this if you didn't already know about it. I had never noticed until I heard it last night that MapQuest at http://www.mapquest.com/maps/ gives you the option of obtaining an aerial view of locations you request maps for. Not all locations in the USA have aerial view options (I tried areas in WI, TN, OH, MI, NY, VA and MD and only two -- just Northeast of Baltimore and in Eastern VA SE of Fredericksburg did NOT have the option of aerial views). MapQuest also gives you the option of searching for a location using geographic coordinates instead of a street address (just click on the "Lat/Long" option on the left side of MapQuest's page). So that means you can go to a site like Bob Carpenter's at http://www.qsl.net/w3otc/ and get the FCC coordinates for transmitter sites of BC stations, and then, once you plug them into MapQuest and get the street map for them, if an option appears just above the resulting map which says "Aerial Photo", that means an aerial photo IS available for the site in question and you can click on it and get it to display. The photo that comes up initially is quite wide in area, but I find that if you zoom in to the third zoom level from max, you will see the antenna farm quite easily. Since the photo is taken from almost vertically above, it is not always so easy to see the tower, but you can certainly see the tower bases, buried cable lines, etc. You can also see where the transmitter building is located and how to get to it from the main road if you are thinking of dropping in for a visit. Some towers show up very nicely from above, however, the WCBS/WFAN island location being one that comes to mind. One note about plugging the FCC-provided coordinates into the MapQuest program. Since the FCC figures give a coodinate such as 35 59.833 N you will have to convert the .833 to a whole number indicating seconds to make MapQuest happy. To get the number MapQuest wants just use your calculator and get the value for X as in: 833 X ---- = --- 1000 60 Just round off "X" to the nearest whole number, that's plenty good enough. And remember to type in the longitude with an initial minus sign as in -86 47 32 in order to get the program to work correctly for Western Hemisphere locations. Hope you have as much fun with this as I have. Regards, (Fred Laun, Temple Hills, MD, K3ZO, Aug 20, WTFDA via DXLD) WILLIAM HEPBURN SITE CHANGES In anticipation of my move from the Toronto Metro Area to the Hamilton Metro Area, I have had to make the following URL changes: Canada TV List now at http://www.iprimus.ca/~hepburnw/dx/tv/tv-can.htm Canada TV E-Skip logos now at http://www.iprimus.ca/~hepburnw/dx/tv/can/logo-2.htm Caribbean TV List now at http://www.iprimus.ca/~hepburnw/dx/tv/tv-car.htm DX Web Site: http://www.iprimus.ca/~hepburnw/ Tropo Forecast Maps : http://www.iprimus.ca/~hepburnw/tropo.html (Hepburn, Aug 19, WTFDA via DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ K INDEX AND SPORADIC E The K index got up to 8 last night according to an e-mail from one DX colleague. Look at what you guys got today. THIS HAS BEEN CONSISTENT THIS WHOLE SEASON --- One to three day bursts of Es starting a day or two after these warnings, and often but not always launching with an overnight Es session. I think this is a KEY part of the overall question (Saul Chernos, Ont., Aug 19, WTFDA via DXLD) ### ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-152, August 23, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3h.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1196: RFPI: Sat 2330, Sun 0530, 1130, Mon 0030, 0630, 1230, Wed 0100, 0730, 1330 on 7445 [nominal times subject to delay or pre-emption] WINB: Sun 0031 on 12160 WWCR: Sun 0230 on 5070, 0630 on 3210, Wed 0930 on 9475 WRMI: Sun 1800+ on 15725 WBCQ: Mon 0415 on 7415 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [NO LOW VERSION THIS WEEK; SORRY] [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1196h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1196h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1196.html WORLD OF RADIO ON SIUE WEB RADIO Here are the CONFIRMED times for WOR and COM on SIUE Web Radio: WORLD OF RADIO: Friday 10:30 p.m. (UT Saturday 0330) Tuesday 10:00 p.m. (UT Wednesday 0300) CONTINENT OF MEDIA: Friday 10:00 p.m. (UT Saturday 0300) U times will be one hour later when the United States returns to Standard Time on the last Sunday in October (E. B. Stevenson, SIUE Web Radio, Aug 22, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALASKA. RADIO STATION BROUGHT WORLD TO INTERIOR By MARY BETH SMETZER, Staff Writer http://www.news-miner.com/Stories/0,1413,113~7244~1581596,00.html The inaugural broadcast of Fairbanks' first radio station -- KFAR, "From the Top of the World to You" -- had all the trappings of a Hollywood premiere -- hoopla interspersed with music, speakers and self-congratulatory recognition. Fifteen minutes before its scheduled startup, Oct. 1, 1939, radio listeners tuning in early heard an organ prelude over the airwaves provided by Don Adler playing a Kimball organ keyboard in the Empress Theater. The "prelude broadcast," according to a Fairbanks Daily News-Miner article, was to aid faraway listeners across the territory in locating the KFAR frequency "to a hair" before the broadcast proper began. The music also provided a warmup to the historic Sunday evening event for excited Fairbanksans. The same article reported: "Hundreds filed into the Empress Theater where the program was released over the theater's amplifying system, and groups were clustered around radios in hotels, shops, and private homes to hear Interior Alaska's first "homemade" broadcast. "Thousands, too, crowded to the station's transmitter site on the Farm Road (today known as Farmers Loop) where engineers Stanton Bennett and August Hiebert showed old-timers and youngsters alike the "innards" of a modern broadcasting unit." At 7 p.m. sharp, station manager Jack Winston intoned, "KFAR is on the air!" Not surprisingly, the first airwave address from KFAR's penthouse atop the Lathrop Building was from Capt. Austin E. Lathrop, president of the Midnight Sun Broadcasting Co., proclaiming, "I can only say this is the happiest day of my life." Among the speakers during the first sesquihour live broadcast were Fairbanks Mayor Leslie Nerland; Leslie Baker, general manager of the Alaska Steamship company; Sgt. Leon Harper, officer in charge, U.S. Signal Corps and Alaska Communications System Fairbanks station; Ralph J. Rivers, district attorney; and Dr. Charles E. Bunnell, University of Alaska president. Bunnell lauded Lathrop's many accomplishments, calling him the "drive- on spirit of the pioneer" in his address. The 1,000-watt station on the dial at 610 kilocycles [per second] initially was on the air 12 hours a day, Monday through Saturday. Broadcasts ran from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again from 5 p.m. to midnight. Sunday air time was 2 to 10 p.m. Fairbanksans were hungry for timely news, which KFAR provided despite being unable to link up with teletype news services like The Associated Press or United Press International. The station subscribed to Trans Radio Press, which transmitted news in high speed code of 40 to 50 words per minute that was manually copied by the station's engineers, Stanton and Hiebert. The station also provided local news and special features. Irene Richards, head of the KFAR continuity department, initially carried the microphone moniker of "Story Lady." At 5 o'clock every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Richards read children's favorites over the airwaves for 15 minutes. Her lead-in was: "If you like to hear a story, The kind that isn't borey, Sit back; listen to the lady tell Of the doggies, bears, and bunnies That you don't find in the funnies. For, it's these the Story Lady knows so well." Richards also aired a half-hour daily morning women's program with features on food, interior decorating, fashions, book reviews, music, club news and church socials. The KFAR offices and studios were housed on the fourth and uppermost floor of the Lathrop Building, which was completed in 1933. Lathrop had a four-room penthouse apartment gutted for the studio. The wall panels were knocked out and replaced with plate glass and soundproofed, and the room was "trimmed in decorative mahogany and finished in acoustic cork of a modernistic cut ... thickly carpeted and fitted with chromium and leather furniture." (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** ALGERIA. Re: [BDXC-UK] DXLD 3-150; WOR 1195 - Algeria on SW? I'm surprised this question is still being asked as all Algerian shortwave transmissions were dropped at least 2 years ago! Guido is right to note a large number of new FM transmitters in Algeria, many of which have been confirmed in the UK this summer during several Sporadic E openings. I believe these new FM outlets replace lower powered mediumwave transmitters which have presumably been decommissioned. The only AM outlets listed now on the RTA web site (I believe this list is correct) are the high powered transmitters: 153 kHz Bechar 2 x 1000 kW - Chaine 1 in Arabic 198 kHz Ouargal 2 x 1000 kW - Chaine 1 in Arabic 252 kHz Tipaza 2 x 750 kW - Chaine 2 in French 531 kHz Ain Beida 2 x 300 kW - Chaine 1 in Arabic 549 kHz S. Hamadouche 2 x 300 kW - Chaine 1 in Arabic 891 kHz O. Fayet 2 x 300 kW - Chaine 1 in Arabic 981 kHz O. Fayet 2 x 300 kW - Chaine 2 in Berber dialects. (Dave Kenny, BDXC-UK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ANTARCTICA. Gabriel, Y ¿cuál de la emisión especial diexista proyectada para el 28 de agosto, que mencionó el 20 de julio? Si permitan los vientos, ¿se puede confirmar? Para quedarme antes del evento, lo menciono en la emisióm actual 1196 de World of Radio, como posibilidad... 73, (Glenn to Gabriel, Aug 22, Conexión Digital via DXLD) Sí, Glenn, la posibilidad sigue latente; el tema es que quiero la confirmación 100% desde Base Esperanza. Sólo espero comunicarme hoy con el operador para 'afinar' detalles. Todo está en manos de ellos, y..... del viento..... De todas maneras, puedes mencionarlo como altamente probable el 28/8/03 a 0100+ en 15476 khz. Ya he enviado todo el material realizado integramente en colaboración junto con Arnaldo Slaen. 73's GIB (Gabriel Iván Barrera, Argentina, Aug 22, ibid.) ** AUSTRALIA. Can't really imagine that I can find something of interest in the radio world that you may not have checked out, but: Western Australia Community Broadcasting Association is a vast website about the 200 + non- profit and largely nonprofessional stations in Australia. If you haven't looked, do peek and mourn for N America! http://wacba.com/ and the national site http://www.cbaa.org.au/ It also offered a chance to go to "our" alternativeradio.org – which I didn't know about, but which has some of my non- favorite liberals! And I'm a liberal. - HB (Howard Box, TN, Aug 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BAHAMAS. 1540: I heard them exactly twice, once very faintly during an aurora with little usable copy, and then again in Nov. 2001 during an extremely fortunate combination of circumstances. There was a really strong aurora which wiped out WPTR and KXEL and ZNS1 was on emergency facilities to give out hurricane information. They were alone on the channel and armchair copy. I haven't heard them since then (Dave Hochfelder, Highland Park, NJ, Sony ICF-2010 and Quantum QX Pro, Aug 22, IRCA via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. Radio Tacana, Iturralde 4780.96 kHz Hola, Amigos DXistas en la lista! En esta dirección se puede leer sobre los diferentes pueblos indígenas en Bolivia, ``Tacana`` y otros: http://www.bolivia.com/empresas/cultura/Pueblos_Indigenas/Tacana.asp Nuestro amigo Rogildo de Bolivia nos ha informado que la provincia de ``Iturralde`` está ubicada en el departamento de ``La Paz``, no en el departamento de ``Pando`` como yo he dicho. A partir de Domingo se puede escuchr una grabación de Radio Tacana, Iturralde en esta dirección: http://homepage.sverige.net/~a-0901/ Es muy difícil captar el nombre del departamento pero seguramente Rogildo tiene razón. 73 de (Björn Malm. Quito, Ecuador, 22/Ago/2003 21:20, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. Bolivia, 4905.45, Radio San Miguel, 0905-1030 Aug 23. Noted the first hour being just news and a few promos. A woman did the presenting of the news generally, heard a few men there too. At 1010 the programming changed to music. Additionally at that time, the signal began to improve here. My DX edge suggested it was sunrise in Bolivia while about a half hour prior to sunrise here in Clewiston. At 1023 a man gave TC followed by a short ID "... Radio San Miguel" and back to music. So the signal started out as poor and improved to good by 1030 (Bolland, Chuck, Clewiston, Florida, DX LSITENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. Hola Amigos DXistas ! Una nueva: ayer (21 de agosto) capté en 4905.3 kHz una emisora que al parecer era de Bolivia a eso de las 1040 UT, sin identificarse, y en efecto, HOY 22 de agosto les confirmo... 4905.2 (si, se movió...) 1040 UT, Radio San Miguel, Riberalta, Bolivia, Transmitiendo el programa "LOCRITO SAN MIGUEL", SINPO 44444. Estén atentos a la protesta de Radio La Oroya del Perú. 73 (Alfredo Cañote, Perú) Hi DXers ! A Bolivian station "moved" the frequency... I heard yesterday (August 21) but today i heard the name of the station. 4905.2 kHz, 1040 UT, Radio San Miguel, from Riberalta, Bolivia Program called "LOCRITO SAN MIGUEL", SINPO 44444. They use the same "channel" of Radio La Oroya (Perú). Greetings (SPACEMASTER, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. Caros amigos, Há pouco recebi um telefonema do diretor da Rádio Gaurujá, Orivaldo Rampazzo, informando que a QRG de 5045 kHz, onda tropical de 60 metros, cujo transmissor está em Presidente Prudente, começou a operar em fase experimental. Tentei captá-la aqui em Itajubá mas por enquanto nada... 73 (Caio Fernandes Lopes, Itajubá- MG, Aug 22, radioescutas via DXLD) Caio, Ontem a noite, 2350 hBr, escutei R. Guarujá Paulista em 5045 com bom sinal. Não ouvi em 3235 e 1550, talvez pela propagação. Esta manhã às 0720 hBr, estava presente com sinal fraco. Neste caso seria R. Guarujá Paulista, Guarujá, via Presidente Prudente? 73 (Rogildo Aragão, Bolivia, Aug 23, ibid.) Oi Rogildo, Sim, R. Gaurujá Pta via Presidente Prudente. Estou ouvindo-a neste momento. 73 (Caio, ibid.) ** CAMBODIA. [presumably] 11940.00 plus few +/- Hertz. National Radio from CBG is active again, maybe testing equipment, noted signing-on around *1200, and *2355 ... 0000 UT. But heard ONLY in local language, Khmer dialects? From first day observation on August 5th onwards (Roland Schulze, Mangaldan Pangasinan, Philippines, Aug 11, BC-DX via Wolfgang Bueschel, DXLD) ** CANADA. Canada. CHU. I checked at 1620 UT Friday August 22. All three CHU frequencies are operating. Everything seems back to normal (Bernie O'Shea, Ottawa, Ontario, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hearing all three outlets of CHU at 1930, 22 August. 3330, 7335 and 14670 (Steve Lare, Holland, MI, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. Glenn, I came across this article on the Native radio station in Fredericton. CKTP radio creates cultural bridge. CKTP is the first Maliseet radio station in the Maritimes. From: http://nb.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=nb_maliseetradio20030822 The CKTP website is http://www.thebeat957.tk/ (Wade Smith, New Brunswick, Aug 22, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHILE. 6010, Radio Parinacota, Putre Aug 22, 2224-2235 - followed this one for over 10 minutes; woman talked and mentioned "dia", "diez" and "Putre" followed by a man announcer who talked and mentioned "Parinacota". Very weak signal with some very minor RHC-6000 splatter too, but occasionally readable. New! (Bogdan Chiochiu, Île-Bizard, QC DXpedition, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. 15245 and 17720 kHz: CRI German new morning service at 0500- 0700 UT. I took a listen to the two new CRI freqs this morning. 15245 had some splash from 15250 - AWR via AUT I think - but was otherwise a good signal. 17720 was also good but is co-channel RFA via ULA in Tibetan plus CNR-1 jammer[s!!]. These were not very strong today, so not causing much disturbance, but can be fairly good when propagation allows. Obviously, someone is monitoring CRI! (later) Re CRI - it looks like "left hand" and "right hand" not knowing what`s going on on 17720. But, they are partly responsible for causing the QRM. This morning, reception was very weak and unusable on 17720 at 0635 and not much better on 15245 - usable with a communications receiver, but would be difficult using a portable, I think (Noel R. Green, UK, BC-DX Aug 20) Dear Noel, I didn't check this CRI morning service due to other commitments. 17720 -- CHN jammers, that's a pity to select such a channel. This morning [22nd] I checked the CRI German morning outlet. 15245 0500-0514 only fragments of IBB HOL Tatar-Bashkirian co-channel heard. 0514-0517 fade-in of Urumchi signal. 0520-0657 only S=7 signal level, poor signal on telescopic antenna, only fair level, when the outdoor longwire connected inductive to SONY 2010 set. 17720 0500-0640 no propagation from URU into Europe. At same time the various ISR and IRN sces came in with fair, up to S=8- 9+ level. 0640-0657 poor CRI signal, of about S=5 level (Wolfgang Bueschel, Aug 22) I also monitored CRI today [Friday] like Wolfie. I found 15245 only peaking to about S3 here, with deep fades, and difficult to copy. I think I could trace something on 17720 but couldn`t tell what it was. I would guess that many stations have been surprised this summer by the difficult propagation conditions around 0500 to 0900. It's a very interesting period to study, propagationally, and you can never be sure what you are going to hear. Another problem is that the frequency "window" available, for International broadcasters, is a narrow one - far less than later in the day. And the recurrent CME's etc. have caused havoc this summer to long distance propagation at this time of day - but may have been responsible for the appearance of some other interesting signals! (Noel R. Green, UK, BC-DX Aug 22 via Wolfgang Bueschel, DXLD) ** CHINA. CNR Music Jammers: This rainy afternoon I managed to hear CNR Music Jammer on two frequencies: 13690- and 11945 kHz with sign on at 1458 UT. According to ILG, transmitter site is Xi`an. Scheduled 15- 20 UT. Are they trying to make reception of R Free Asia difficult as possible in mainland China? However, music was nice, Chinese Opera. Sri to see this kind of stupid action these days. 73´s (Jouko Huuskonen, Turku, FINLAND, Aug 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CONGO. [freq? 4765 or 5985, ed] R. Congo verified my RR after 100 days with a numbered blanco card and a letter. My card is Nr. 2! Address: Direction Générale de Télédiffusion du Congo, B.P. 2912, Brazzaville, Congo. v/s Jean Medard Bokatola, Tel. +242 81 06 08. (Klaus-Peter Hilger, Germany, BC-DX Aug 19 via Wolfgang Bueschel, DXLD) ** COSTA RICA. Glenn, I have a web page containing some of the hard to find recent developments at RFPI ... http://copyexchange.com/_wsn/page3.html The reason I know this information is through the weekly online chats with the people at RFPI and a small group of supporters, and, in addition, am in frequent contact with the station by phone. It should be made clear that I am not directly associated with RFPI, other than the fact that I am a listener and supporter (Franklin Seiberling {sigh' bur-ling} KC0ISV, Iowa City, Aug 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: RADIO FOR PEACE INTERNATIONAL MAY BE FORCED TO RELOCATE August 17, 2003 - Exclusive to The Copy Exchange - In a meeting held on the University for Peace (UPaz) campus on August 11th between UPaz and RFPI officials, an agreement was made to hold talks in the coming months regarding RFPI's fate. The deadline for reaching agreement was set at October 31, 2003, and no statements are to be made to the public by either side regarding these talks until after that deadline. In the past RFPI management has expressed a concern that a forced relocation could run into millions of dollars. It is unclear how much UPaz would offer in compensation for existing structures, lost air time, and other costs associated with the move. RFPI would be required to purchase land, construct studios, transmission facilities and towers, as well as deal with the red tape of Costa Rican licensing procedures. Station staff told The Copy Exchange that of late UPaz guards at the RFPI gate have been allowing some vehicles through the gate to park next to the studio, avoiding the staff humiliation of climbing through the locked gate. Guards, who no longer carry firearms and are generally business-like but cooperative, reportedly are not present at the gate at all times to allow vehicles in. The station gate was chained and locked by UPaz on July 21st when the action against the station was initiated. Station staff also reported that the lockdown has drastically reduced enrollment in the RFPI-run Institute for Progressive Communications (IPC) courses, causing a shortfall in an important income source. The station must now support itself almost entirely on listener and supporter contributions. The small RFPI staff speak of exhaustion from working overtime. Members must be at the studio 24 hours a day to insure proper station operation and prevent damage from occurring (from http://copyexchange.com/_wsn/page3.html via DXLD) WHAT IS MAURICE STRONG'S AGENDA FOR SHUTTING DOWN RADIO FOR PEACE INTERNATIONAL (RFPI)? http://www.saverfpi.org/article.php?story=20030822142447673 (Save RFPI posting via DXLD) ** CUBA [non]. RADIO, TV MARTÍ TO BE BROADCAST VIA SATELLITE, OFFICIALS SAY http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/miami/sfl-dmarti22aug22,1,1163747.story?coll=sfla-news-miami (via Mike Terry, DXLD) REFUERZAN LAS TRANSMISIONES DE RADIO Y TV MARTÍ RUI FERREIRA, El Nuevo Herald http://www.miami.com/mld/elnuevo/news/world/cuba/6588738.htm El Nuevo Herald | 08/22/2003 | Posted on Fri, Aug. 22, 2003 TOMADO DE LA SECCION [CUBA] (via Óscar de Céspedes, FL, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** CZECHOSLOVAKIA. CZECH RADIO MARKS 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF BATTLE FOR RADIO STATION A military band played outside the Czech Radio building on Thursday morning, as politicians lined up to lay wreaths at the plaque to those who lost their lives defending the station in August 1968. It's thirty-five years to the day since the Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia, a day of reflection and remembrance for the Czech people. Czechoslovak Radio played a particularly important role in the hours that followed the invasion, as besieged reporters broadcast desperate appeals for help to the outside world. Representing the Senate at Thursday's ceremony was Jaroslava Moserova, then a doctor working at a hospital a few minutes from the radio station. She shared her memories of that time with Rob Cameron. "I was in Prague, and we live on a hill, on the sixth floor, with a good view of the whole city. I remember the planes coming in, just over our roof. I remember what somehow felt was very frightening, that suddenly the hum of the city - which one doesn't normally register - stopped. Suddenly it was silent. One heard only the shots, and saw the shots, but the silence was frightening. Then of course the next day I went to work because it was obvious that there would be wounded here, by the broadcasting station, and our hospital is just around the corner. So we were getting the wounded, being the nearest hospital to the radio building. I remember how impressed I was how everyone ignored the Soviet tanks. The soldiers were shooting and people simply walked along, they didn't take shelter, they ignored them. It was marvellous. Of course what came after was the worst." Is the memory of those days still as strong in your mind as it was ten or twenty years ago? Is it something which is slowly fading from your mind? "No. This will never fade. Never. Never - mainly the way our people behaved, how marvellous they were. How - without any instructions - they took down the street signs, changed the road signs. They were marvellous, and they didn't fire a single shot. It was only the Soviets who were shooting." Many young people today have little or no idea what happened outside this building 35 years ago. That's rather sad isn't it. "Well, they have no idea what the whole regime was like. What happened afterwards, how people were forced to lie, forced into hypocrisy, how they taught their children to be two-faced. The mediocrity of all the people in top positions who had no professional merit, only political. They just don't know. That's why I started this project 'the Absurdities of Totalitarianism', where I collect personal experiences and documents of what it was like. The extent of the lies, of the falsehood, of the suppression of facts. It was amazing." (source? via ASWLC yahoogroup via Mike Terry, DXLD) {see 3-153} ** DENMARK. Thanks for your interest in WMR - World Music Radio. Finally we`ve got some news to report: After several months of waiting, we have today received the license to commence broadcasting on two different short wave frequencies from the authorities here in Denmark - and so low power test-transmissions can be expected soon on 5815 and 15810 kHz. News will follow shortly. The power is 400 Watt and the transmitter site is near Karup in Central Jutland, Denmark. WMR is planning to commence regular transmissions within a few months – probably late November. We will be on the air 24 hours a day --- 7 days a week --- with our own very special, unique blend of current chart music, oldies from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s as well as popular tunes from countries all over the world. The power on short wave will be 10 kW on each frequency. Our programmes will be available not only on short wave but also via the Internet and hopefully also FM, medium wave as well as satellite. At a later stage --- when digital receivers become available --- we are planning on broadcasting in the DRM mode on a third short wave outlet. Reception reports for our programmes are welcomed and will be acknowledged by a new QSL-card. The address of WMR remains: WMR, PO Box 112, DK-8900 Randers, Denmark. Best regards, (Stig Hartvig Nielsen, http://www.wmr.dk Aug 22, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. DW changes to CIRAF 42, 49, 50, 54 from August 1st: German 1000-1355 cancelled 21790 NAU 500 kW 90 degr Chinese 1030-1055 cancelled 17835 WER 500 kW 60 degr 1300-1350 Cancelled 15535 TRI 250 kW 45 degr 1300-1350 Cancelled 17845 WER 500 kW 60 degr 2300-2350 Cancelled 9560 NAU 250 kW 70 degr (x9470) (Roland Schulze, Mangaldan Pangasinan, Philippines, BC-DX Aug 11 via DXLD) ** GUATEMALA. One of the reports on this week`s Common Ground (see USA) is about this: ProPetén through its resident agronomist sponsors a daily radio show called "Mi Amigo, El Agrónomo" (My Friend, the Agronomist). On the air since 2000, this variety program gives advice on organic alternatives to farmers across Petén interspersed with country music, jokes, and stories. Within the year, the program gained an audience of 100,000 listeners, making it the #2 radio show in the region. ProPetén also sponsors a weekly environmental radio show called "Connection with Nature" in conjunction with the local university. More at http://www.propeten.org --- Unfortunately, I have found nothing about the stations carrying such a popular show (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUYANA. Voice of Guyana, 3290, 0348-0402, August 21, English, Announcer with schedule, "..returning at (0900?) GMT.." and positive ID, "This is the Voice of Guyana". Instrumental music until 0355, news bulletin mentioning Israel, Palestine and Islamic Jihad, pips at 0400 into BBCWS relay with a big drop in already poor aduio quality. Poor under static crashes (Scott R. Barbour Jr., NH, August 21, DXLD) ** HUNGARY. HUNGARIAN RADIO, TV BROADCAST ON THE INTERNET COULD END FOR LACK OF FUNDS | Excerpt from report by Hungarian TV on 22 August [Presenter] The VilagRadio and VilagTV [WorldRadio, WorldTV], available on the Internet, could cease within a month. So far 8-10,000 people were listening and watching regularly the free Hungarian language broadcasts, but because of the company's serious financial problems, those beyond the borders can soon only listen to Hungarian news or music for eight dollars per month. [Reporter] Farewell to the Vilag Radio, mainly this kind of emails are arriving to the company which, through a special programme, made Hungarian radio and TV programmes available for anyone, free of charge. [passage omitted] The company, which was founded more than two years ago, is struggling with financial problems. According to their calculations, unless they will get at least 600 subscribers, the computers of the Hungarians abroad will go silent. [Representative of MAVIP Kft] We are asking eight dollars per month for listening to the radio, the television will remain free of charge. We need to cover the costs of operating the system from these subscription fees. [Reporter] Up till now only 114 people paid the subscription fee. According to statistics, the number of those listening to the radio via the Internet from the so far regular 8,000 has dropped to 600. Source: Hungarian TV2 satellite service, Budapest, in Hungarian 1810 gmt 22 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** INDIA. NEW DELHI: India's pubcaster Doordarshan director-general S.Y. Quraishi may be staying put for the moment. His new posting orders have not come but the official hunt for a DG for DD's sister organization, All India Radio, has been set in motion. . . http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k3/aug/aug173.htm (via Jill Dybka, DXLD) ** INDONESIA. 4896.96, RRI Wamena (presumed) 1152 Aug 18. English songs "Angel of the Morning" (strange version) and "Proud Mary". VG signal but tuned out before ID time (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Drake R-8, 100-foot RW, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL INTERNET. From: Charles H. Riggs, III Subject: OperaCast Weather Report For Weekend Of 8/23-5 Newsgroups: rec.music.opera Date: 2003-08-22 19:14:25 PST Dear fellow opera lovers, Here is our weekend Weather Report, intended as a guide for those planning to listen to some opera on the Web this weekend, but who would prefer not to experience the nasty and unsettling surprise of coming across an audio stream which is in less than tip-top technical condition. In the following discussion we use GMT time as a reference. For those of you in the United States remember that early in the morning GMT time means, in general, the previous evening in the States, that the evening GMT time is, in general, afternoon in the US, etc. etc. The following paragraphs will make most sense to those of you who have already taken a look at the schedule for this week, which has now been posted on the Opera On The Internet section of http://operacast.com Saturday Morning: Some of you probably plan to listen to Haydn's Seasons on Hector this afternoon. If you do, be aware that this station intermittently suffers both from clicking and very low-level beeping in the background. We have contacted the managers of this stream repeatedly on these matters. However, while always polite, they have failed completely to correct the problem in any way. If you should notice it, and if the problem should bother you a lot, let us know and we will furnish to you the appropriate email addresses. . . (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) He then goes into great detail about the audible deficiencies of many webcasters, which info ought to be equally applicable to non-operatic broadcasts. I didn`t spot a link to this rec.music group on the operacast site itself, which also has a great deal of info. With these magna opera, one never need be deprived of opera, especially on weekends (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. SOUTH KOREA/USA: HYUNDAI MOBIS DEVELOPS NEW INBOARD SATELLITE RADIO | Text of report in English by South Korean news agency Yonhap on 20 August SEOUL, 20 Aug: (Yonhap) - Hyundai Mobis said Wednesday [20 Aug] that it has developed a new inboard digital satellite radio that is more affordable and easier to install in a car than existing products. Mobis, which is one of the largest auto-tech and parts manufacturers in Korea, said the new product can provide clear digital sound quality music, news and sports from over 100 satellite stations in the United States, as well as pick up regular radio broadcasts. The company added that the radio took two years to develop and held a distinct advantage over rival products in the United States, Japan and Europe because there was no need for an outboard set-top box. Mobis said Hyundai Motor Co. plans to install the new satellite radio in its Santa Fe and Grandeur XG models next year, as well as aims to target car owners who do not have this option. The auto-part company said it is aiming to sell 100,000 units worth 100bn won (85m dollars) in the US market by 2005. Source: Yonhap news agency, Seoul, in English 0510 gmt 20 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** IRELAND. Following the reports about RTE Radio 1 on 252 kHz in the weblog, reproduced in DXLD3151, there was a report on the UKK-radio- listeners email list that when RTE Radio 1 split its service on Wednesday night to allow for soccer coverage on medium-wave and normal programmes on FM, LW carried the FM service. A later report from the same contributor indicated that RTE left LW on Thursday afternoon (time not given). Checking here in Wembley Park at 21:45 UTC 22 August suggests that RTE is still off the air on LW (PAUL DAVID, Chairman, Brent Visually-Handicapped Group, Registered Charity No.: 272955, Aug 22, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISRAEL. PIRATE BLAMED FOR BLOCKING AIR TO GROUND COMMUNICATIONS 22/08/2003 22:40 By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent An El Al aircraft with 420 passengers on board was delayed two-and-a- half hours from landing Friday afternoon at Ben Gurion Airport due to disturbances in the plane's communication with the control tower. The plane, which took off from New York, landed safely at 5:30 P.M. after it was discovered that a pirate radio station operated by settlers was the source of the interference. The station was broadcasting from the roof of a synagogue at the Bat Ayin settlement, north of Ramallah. Security forces, including police and Israel Defense Forces troops, pinpointed the location of the transmission and shut down the station. Only then was the plane able to reestablish communication with the control tower at the airport and land. . . http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=332401&contrassID=1&subContrassID=7&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y (via Mike Terry, DXLD) WTFK? Something doesn`t ring true about this; a set-up? Geez, don`t they have any emergency back-up channels??? Ought to have those regardless of any `pirate threat` (gh, DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH. MINISTER PLANS TO DROP RADIOS ON NORTH KOREA By Jeremy Kirk, Stars and Stripes Pacific edition, Saturday, August 23, 2003 SEOUL --- If the wind is just right this weekend, Douglas Shin's hopes for a unified Korea will go lofting over barbed wire and land mines and into North Korean airspace. . . http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=17165 (via Jilly Dybka, KF4ZEO, DXLD) RADIO AIR-DROP INTO N KOREA THWARTED --- From BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/3173541.stm South Korea police have blocked a group of human rights activists from sending balloons attached with radios into North Korea. The activists said they wanted to help the people of the secretive communist state find out what was happening in the outside world. Veteran German activist Norbert Vollertsen was reportedly injured in the ensuing scuffle. Douglas Shin, a Korean-American rights campaigner who took part in the attempted launch, told the BBC that the activists were not aware they were acting against the South Korean authorities. They "cheated us into believing this was OK to do", Mr Shin told the East Asia Today programme. "But when we got there it was a different story," he said. Asked if he thought the alleged about-face was related to upcoming six-nation talks on North Korea's nuclear arsenal, Mr Shin said: "It's all politically connected". It is hoped that the talks, which start in Beijing next week, will help break the political deadlock on the Korean peninsula. The activists were aiming to launch more than 20 helium-filled balloons across the Korean border. Each balloon was carrying about 20-25 small transistor radios. Officers stopped the activists' truck as they approached the border town of Cholwon, saying the air-drop was not authorised by the South Korean Government. "Norbert tried to fill up just one balloon as a token, and they pre-empted it by... swarming over him," Mr Shin said. Mr Vollertsen was later taken to a nearby hospital, complaining of a leg injury. The campaign was aimed at overcoming North Korea's strict ban on outside broadcasts. North Korean radios and televisions can only tuned in to government channels, which feature mostly army music or gushing praise for leader Kim Jong-il. "We are doing this because North Korean media is awful. There is no news at all - only propaganda," Norbert Vollertsen told the BBC's World Today programme on Thursday, before the attempted launch took place. "The ordinary people are thirsty for information because... silence is killing North Korea," he said. Mr Vollertsen is a 45-year-old German doctor, who was once honoured in North Korea for his humanitarian work there, but was expelled in 2000 after condemning the country's human rights record (Aug 22 via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** LESOTHO, Radio Lesotho, 4800, August 21, 0419-0433, announcer speaking with several different persons, presumed phone-in program with several mentions of "Botswana". Poor, battling with "sweeper" and data bursts (Scott R. Barbour, Jr., NH, August 21, DXLD) ** LIBERIA. IMPROVING SITUATION IN LIBERIA RENEWS HOPE AS AID SUPPLIES ARRIVE --- Posted by: newsdesk on Friday, August 22, 2003 - 01:19 PM The situation in the Liberian capital city of Monrovia is finally improving, said Rick Sacra, associated director for SIM Liberia, in an e-mail report that arrived today. ``Monrovia is at last a basically peaceful city and people are beginning to move around freely,`` he said. ``The peace process and the deployment of the ECOMIL (peacekeeping) troops are reported to be moving on slowly but surely. Displaced people on the eastern side of Monrovia at the Sports Complex and the Kendeja Culture Center (both sites close to the ELWA radio campus of SIM/HCJB World Radio) have not yet received any food distribution,`` but these are expected to begin next week. Fuel continues to be a concern in the city with gasoline selling at ``anywhere from $5 to $10 a Gallon,`` Sacra said. However, ELWA was able to obtain 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel for its generators and vehicles at the price of US$2.80 earlier this week. . . [from a much longer story about the situation there:] http://www.hcjb.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=741&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0 . . .ELWA is broadcasting a message of hope on a limited schedule as diesel fuel is available to operate its generators (HCJB World Radio/SIM/Reuters/AP/Mission Network News, via HCJB press via DXLD) ** MEXICO. As he is working with the HFCC, Jeff White has been trying to add some Latin American stations to the listings, which should result in less interference to them from the major broadcasters --- at least their existence becomes officially recognized (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Subject: Radio Mil record HFCC Estimados Julián y Héctor: Aquí, como prometido, está el record que acaba de aparecer hoy en la base de datos del HFCC para Radio Mil por la temporada B03. Muestra Radio Mil las 24 horas diarias, 7 días por semana, hacia Zona 10 (CIRAF), desde Ciudad de México, con 1 kilovatio y antena omnidireccional. Muchos 73. Jeff [spreadsheet wrapping] ; B03 NEW 19-aug-2003 NEW ; upload time: 19-aug-2003 16:07:55 ; Version:00 Total reqs:1 ; Subversion:00 ; Radio Mil Mexico ;----+----+----+------------------------------+---+----+-------+---+-- ;FREQ STRT STOP CIRAF ZONES LOC POWR AZIMUTH SLW ANT DAYS FDATE TDATE MOD AFRQ LANGUAGE ADM BRC FMO REQ# OLD ALT1 ALT2 ALT3 NOTES ;----+----+----+------------------------------+---+----+-------+---+-- 6010 0000 2400 10 MEX 1 0 0 926 1234567 261003 280304 D MEX NEW NEW 10028 R. Mil (via Jeff White, Aug 19, cc to DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 6045, XEXQ, *1200-1210 Aug 18. XE anthem, a few bars of march music, then YL with opening announcement at 1203:40. Mentioned freqs 1460 AM and "Seis punto cero cuatro cinco MegaHertz (sic) de la onda corta". More chat, including program lineup, to 1209, when the first classical piece was presented. Occasional good peak, but frequent signal dropouts, as noted by others. Very disturbed band condx today - A=65 and K=7 ! (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Drake R-8, 100-foot RW, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 3290. Radio Central. 0845 Aug 22. Excellent strength with news in English at 0900 (Ian Cattermole, New Zealand, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** PERU. 5029.97, R. Los Andes, 1003. Listened again to the tape of Aug 17 log and came up with this for opening anouncement at 1003: "Desde Huamachuco, capital(?) de los Andes, en la cumbre de la libertad(?), para el oriente, norte y centro del Perú, Radio Los Andes presenta 'Cantaré(?) de Mi Pueblo'..." (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Drake R-8, 100-foot RW, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** PORTUGAL. Re: [BDXC-UK] RDP spurious signals on 19 mb. Also heard on 22/8/2003 on 13554.1 kHz at 1950-2005 UT with a very FM- y AM signal. ID on the hour (Mark Hattam, London, England, Aug 22 via Wolfgang Bueschel, DXLD) Hi Mark, same transmitter I guess, spur signals 166 kHz away from both sides of fundamental 13720: at 2020 UT football transmission in progress, also disturbed signal on 13554 and 13886 kHz. 73 wb df5sx (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, Aug 22, DX LISTENING DGIEST) ** SLOVENIA. Last night 8/21 was great! I`ve never known a night like it for MW harmonics! Although later the aurora hit and it did blow out. E.g.: 1854 kHz, Slovensko R, (2 x 927), 2017 UT (Tim Bucknall, UK, harmonics yahoogroup via DXLD) ** SPAIN. Pals radio station Hi! It's Antoni Bernabe, the "owner" of the web about the closed radio station in Spain. I found your page, http://www.worldofradio.com/dxld3042.txt and it's very interesting; have not read all, but I was surprised of seeing my name :) From your txt I copied what follows: ------------------------------------- You can also view another interesting story about Pals, compiled by Antoni Bernabe, Spain, who tells us that it's at http://www.arbe-inc.com/ralib/radio-liberty.html (Bob Padula, Australia, EDXP March 13 via DXLD) Beware: MIDI launches automatically (gh, DXLD) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- I'd like if you could make some corrections (if you are in Alcatraz, may be I'll join you too when IBB's team see my site :D:D :) ). First I modified the problem with the midis; I'm very sorry for the inconveniences, but this www world is new for me, and some visitors (one) asked me to correct it, as not all the people have ADSL (256K internet). Last June I did a lot of improvements in the page, and currently I'm doing more, as well as new pics, and the most important, now it's necessary to download the files, they are not automatic, audio and the videos I uploaded (videos have not good quality, but it was too big the size for the best quality). The page is being improved, not as quick as I'd like, but I have to work too to eat, you understand, are'nt you? :). I'd appreciate very much your criticizes, the bad and the worses, just remember that some improvements are being done. In update 13, at end of September (I hope) will be on the net. The other news is the domain, now I have a paid server, not the best (the best is too expensive for me), but much better which I had before (free server), and new domain, the other redirects to the new, which is http://www.radioliberty.org The server you have the link to is from my "entrerprise", but the space was finally not enough (14 Mb), currently I have uploaded about 30 Mb between pics (23 Mb) and video and audio files (6). (I know, 30-6=24, but +/- one Mb it's for the html files) The last news is that the land will be kept green, is what people here want, but my black future sees houses and more houses there, very sad :( I do not steal more time to you, Only wanted you to know this. Thanks, (Antoni Bernabe, Spain, Aug 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SRI LANKA. 7302.5 [new crystal, ex-7300 even]. SLBC Ekala. Roland in the PHL noted this station at 1320-1420 in Hindi and 24332, best in usb mode. Strong splatter from 7295 RTM Kajang, Malaysia (Roland Schulze, Mangaldan Pangasinan, Philippines, BC-DX Aug 3 via Wolfgang Bueschel, DXLD) ** THAILAND. Reuters.com - BANNING SAUCY SONGS FROM THE AIRWAVES http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyID=3322119&fromEmail=true Another case of censoring playlists, this time in Thailand. 73- (Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** UGANDA. LEGISLATORS SAID OPPOSED TO 200M-SHILLING ARMY RADIO PROJECT | Text of report by Ugandan newspaper The New Vision web site on 23 August Members of the Defence and Internal Affairs Committee have opposed the army's plan of setting up a 200m-shilling radio when the ordinary soldiers' welfare remains inadequate. They said although the radio was necessary to inform, educate and entertain the officers, it was not a priority as one cannot entertain hungry and demoralized people. "When you look at that suggestion of the 200m-shilling army radio, considering the relationship between the army and the people in the north, who will listen to the radio? Why isn't this money put on soldiers' welfare instead," asked Nyombi Tembo (Kassanda south). The MPs were on Tuesday [19 August] meeting over the Ministry of Defence policy statement. They proposed that since the radio project can be deferred, the money should instead be re-allocated to improving ordinary soldiers' welfare, buying descent uniforms and on food. "The army is at liberty to use Radio Uganda and other existing radios. The way I understand it is that the radio was going to target the ordinary soldier. If it is an army radio, what additional values is it going to contribute? The money should go to welfare," said chairman Simon Mayende. The MPs also questioned the army's request for 21bn shillings under classified expenditure. Source: The New Vision web site, Kampala, in English 23 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** U K. BBC IS BIGGEST BULLY, SAYS NUJ SURVEY Ciar Byrne Friday August 22, 2003 Broadcast journalists suffer more bullying than any other sector of the media and the BBC is the worst culprit by far, according to research by the National Union of Journalists. . . http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,7493,1027658,00.html (via Jilly Dybka, KF4ZEO, DXLD) ** U K. DATE SET FOR TOWERS' DEMOLITION Two radio towers left over from the Cold War are due to be felled once and for all next week when a second attempt is made to blow them up. The 600-ft tall masts and towers of the former British Intelligence radio station at Criggion, ten miles from Welshpool, were due to be demolished last weekend. But the explosive action was only partially successful because people coming to watch the blast stood too close to the site. Contractors Alan Campbell Group had considered toppling the remaining two towers over the Bank Holiday weekend but have now decided to carry out the demolition on Wednesday. Spy station's heyday British Telecom decided to demolish all the masts - used to eavesdrop on Soviet radio signals during the Cold War - after a contract by the government to use the station ended in March. Criggion was built during World War II and its heyday was in the 1960s but after the fall of Communism in the 1990s the station became surplus to requirements. Three masts have already been demolished and another tower toppled over on Tuesday. Story from BBC NEWS: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/wales/mid/3176253.stm Published: 2003/08/23 14:17:11 GMT (c) BBC MMIII (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) {See 3-153 for correxions!} ** UNITED NATIONS. AHEAD OF INFORMATION SUMMIT, U.N. SHOULD EXAMINE ITSELF by Barbara Crossette, U.N. Notebook | July 21, 2003 from UN Wire UNITED NATIONS --- In December, a grandly titled World Summit on the Information Society will confront the technical (and, hopefully, political) gaps that keep so many of the world's people in perpetual darkness, deprived of the basic knowledge they need to change the course of nations, or just their own lives. A good place for member countries to start fixing things might be in the United Nations itself. … Now, about those radio programs. The enormous U.N. system in all its diversity and activity has the resources to offer only one 15-minute news-and-features program from Monday to Friday, at about midday (5:30 p.m. GMT), which stations around the world may air then or later, free of charge. Other special programs in a range of languages are produced when possible, though the radio section has no travel budget or money to do field reporting, unless it can piggyback on someone else's trip. Yet radio remains the main source of information for several billion people in the developing world, and the use of radio in peacekeeping missions (paid for by other budgets) has proved to be very popular as a calming, credible source of information in disturbed areas. The daily U.N. radio program, in the six official U.N. languages, can cover some but not all of the day's news, given its early release time. Who hears it? Well, because shift work is not allowed at U.N. radio, Asians generally don't, because the news is too late the first day and stale the next. African stations cannot always use the news broadcasts because their slow Internet systems make downloading too time-consuming, if there is any Internet access at all. In some cases, radio engineers must telephone African stations to deliver programs manually over phone lines. On the other hand, Spanish-language programs are apparently more successful in reaching their target audiences, and are reported to have a wide following in Latin America. U.N. radio has had problems with its software, which it cannot afford to replace. Its staff has to commute between eighth floor offices and basement studios to create and record programs. It has been estimated that it would cost about $1 million to upgrade to an effective contemporary radio service. That much money will never materialize at current budget levels and no large international corporation has stepped up to donate new equipment. The entire public information division -- including the radio operation, a talented video team reduced mostly to making archival footage and the very busy office of the secretary general's spokesman, which also monitors the Security Council and all other aspects of U.N. work for daily briefings and press statements -- operates on a current budget of $146 million spread over two years. Most of that, about $110 million, goes to pay a staff of 754 people, a large number of whom are in jobs protected against layoffs, officials say. That leaves $18 million a year for everything else, from buying new equipment and to meeting crisis needs, like promoting the voice of the United Nations in the wake of the 9/11 attacks on the United States... http://www.theatlantic.com/foreign/unwire/crossette2003-07-28.htm (via Jilly Dybka, KF4ZEO, DXLD) ** U S A. Re: 9495, jamming WHRI: It`s a whine like sound. Might be digital. But it`s unusual that it closed shortly after WHRI (LOU Johnson, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [and non]. This week`s Common Ground (heard Fri 22nd at 1706 UT on KWGS) starts off with two reports, first on Radio/TV Martí and second on VOA`s Zimbabwe service. Later on, Guatemala Eco Radio (a program --- did they ever mention the station, let alone the frequency? See GUATEMALA), Beijing Talk Radio (a farang does a personal-advice call-in), and China Internet. Segments may be listened to in mp3 or real, and transcripts available later. Here`s the Public Radio Fan page about the show: http://www.publicradiofan.com/cgi-bin/program.pl?programid=487 And the shows`s own site: http://www.commongroundradio.org/ (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. As we drove through St Louis, enjoyed WEW-770; they have a very impressive live-local format of nostalgia, honoring requests, warm and person to person. They even called me on the air to say they were having trouble finding my request. Per web it`s daytime only, but heard at 9 pm, and on air 24 hours? (George S. Thurman, MO, Aug 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) NRC AM log 2002y says they stay on until sunset in New York, and also have pre-sunrise authority (gh) ** U S A. A MESSAGE LOUD AND CLEAR --- Today`s editorial . . .The Radio Broadcasting Preservation Act of 2000 contains provisions that would prevent the FCC from considering applications from organizations who had previously been unlicensed broadcasters. Radio free brattleboro, therefore, has little choice but to either allow itself to be muzzled, or take its mandate from the people who own the airwaves. It has made the right choice, and its 10-watt signal today sends the message loud and clear. . . http://www.reformer.com/Stories/0,1413,102~8854~1585118,00.html (Aug 22 via Artie Bigley, DXLD) rfb --- they`re baaack By Daniel Barlow, Reformer Staff BRATTLEBORO -- With the flick of a few switches, the Ramones' "We Want the Airwaves" blasted out across the 107.9 FM frequency Friday evening and radio free brattleboro returned to the local airwaves. . . http://www.reformer.com/Stories/0,1413,102~8860~1587124,00.html (Aug 23 via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** U S A. FCC TO EXAMINE LOCAL BROADCAST PRESENCE Commissioner says study should have come before changes JONATHAN D. SALANT, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON -- The Federal Communications Commission will begin looking at how television and radio stations can best serve their communities, the agency's chairman said Wednesday. Michael Powell's announcement follows intense criticism by lawmakers and others of the FCC's decision to loosen broadcast ownership rules. Powell, the driving force behind the new rules that take effect next month, sought to play down concerns the changes would promote mergers and leave a few big companies controlling the vast majority of stations. "We heard the voice of public concern loud and clear, that localism remains a core concern of our public," Powell said. "And thus, I think it's time the commission address it head on." He plans to appoint a task force to study the issue, hold public hearings and report back within a year. In addition, the commission will ask for comments on rules designed to promote local programming, including looking at the practice of making a newscast sound local despite being aired from another city. Powell said the FCC would speed the licensing of noncommercial, low- power FM radio stations, which are designed to feature local programming. Commissioner Michael Copps, one of two Democrats on the five-member FCC, said the study should have been done before the FCC approved the rules. "You cannot use a blanket of study to quell the fire of public outrage about increasing control of the public's airwaves by fewer and fewer conglomerates," Copps said. "What if we complete these studies and find out that localism is not served by consolidation? It will be too late." The FCC voted 3-2 along party lines in June to overhaul ownership rules for newspapers and television and radio stations. The changes would allow a single company to own television stations reaching 45 percent of the nation's viewers -- compared with 35 percent before -- and to own newspapers and broadcast outlets in the same city. Smaller broadcasters, network affiliates, consumer groups and others are concerned the new limit will allow the networks to gobble up more stations and limit local control of programming. Lawmakers from both parties are pushing to roll back some or all the changes. Over Bush administration objections, the House voted 400-21 last month to roll back the rules. Powell said the question of how to best serve communities is best addressed separately rather than in the ownership rules. "Ownership rules are actually a very clumsy way to get at some of the things that consumers are actually concerned about," Powell said. Critics said Powell's proposal was disingenuous. "This is absurd on the face of it," said Jeff Chester, executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy, an advocacy group. "This is a man who spent 18 months looking at the issue. Only now, after there's a unanimous uproar, does he decide to re-examine the issue. He is trying to shore up his support in Congress." But Powell said he was not responding to criticism of the new ownership rules. "It is not a political strategy," he said. "It is an effort to be responsive to consumers." But a spokesman for the National Association of Broadcasters said the trade group welcomes "a review of the public service performed day in and day out by free, over-the-air broadcasters." Over the years the FCC has rolled back requirements that broadcast owners said handcuffed them. In the 1980s, the FCC said radio and television stations no longer had to air a certain amount of nonentertainment shows, such as news, public affairs or educational programming. The commission also abolished the Fairness Doctrine, which required broadcasters to air both sides of controversial issues. Powell pledged to speed up licensing of low-power FM stations, which broadcast with 100 watts of power and measure their listening audience by blocks rather than regions. While consumer advocacy groups praised the effort, they said the low- power stations serve neighborhoods, schools, and local groups, and can't compete with 50,000 watt commercial broadcasters. "Powell is giving away the store and offering the public some crumbs," Chester said. ©2003 The Olympian, Olympia WA (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** U S A. FCC LAUNCHES INITIATIVE TO PROMOTE LOCAL BROADCASTING By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell announced Wednesday a series of initiatives aimed at ensuring broadcasters serve the communities in which they operate. The move comes amid intense criticism of the FCC's decision in June to revamp media ownership rules, which opponents said would promote more mergers and limit local programming. "We've heard the voice of public concern loud and clear," Powell said in a statement. "Many fear the effect that large, out-of-state media conglomerates have on the media landscape." Powell said the FCC will form a task force that will make recommendations to the commission within a year on promoting localism in broadcasting. The FCC also will speed up the licensing of hundreds of low-powered radio stations, often run by churches, community groups and schools. And Powell directed his agency's staff to begin an inquiry seeking comment on FCC rules aimed at promoting localism. Powell, a champion of deregulation who critics say is too pro-big business, led the Republican dominated FCC's effort to ease decades- old rules governing ownership of newspapers and television and radio stations. The 3-2 party-line vote on June 2 approved changes that allow individual companies to own TV stations reaching nearly half the nation's viewers and combinations of newspapers and broadcast outlets in the same area. The vote prompted criticism from a wide range of groups and legal challenges. Opponents say the relaxed rules could lead to a handful of big companies controlling the majority of what people see, hear and read. Lawmakers from both parties are pushing to roll back some or all of the changes, a fight that's expected to heat up when Congress returns from its August recess. Powell said the new initiative is "an honest attempt to address the concerns raised by the public about localism during the media ownership proceeding. It is neither hollow nor political." The FCC review leading up to the ownership rules vote divided the commission, with Powell rejecting repeated requests from Democratic commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein to delay the vote to allow for more public comment on the impact of media concentration. Reaching out to his fellow commissioners, Powell said his colleagues "have consistently shown a deep and unwavering commitment" to advancing local views in broadcasting. He said, "I am optimistic that we will reach consensus on how the FCC can promote localism." Powell said the localism task force will hold its first meeting in September and the public may attend. Powell first discussed his new initiative Monday in Aspen, Colo. with a surprise announcement at a summit for technology and telecommunications leaders from industry and government. Mel Karmazin, president of media giant Viacom Inc., said at the summit's final event on Tuesday that broadcasters already do a good job of presenting viewpoints and that "to be successful you have to serve the local community." Major media companies said changes to the ownership rules were needed because the old regulations hindered their ability to grow and compete in a market altered by cable television, satellite broadcasts and the Internet. The government adopted the ownership rules between 1941 and 1975 to encourage competition and prevent monopoly control of the media. In 1996, Congress required the FCC to review the rules every two years and repeal or modify any regulation determined no longer in the public interest. John Rethorst (New York Times, August 20, 2003 via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** U S A. LATE NIGHT SHOWS FORCED TO FACE FACTS By Lisa de Moraes. Saturday, August 23, 2003; Page C01 "The Late Late Show With Craig Kilborn" did a very funny bit this week in which they closed-captioned Arnold Schwarzenegger's first campaign ad for those of us who have trouble understanding the Austrian native: "Dis hysterical erection his come bout becuz deres a tree men dos dis connect between da peep hole of Cauliflower and da readers of Cauliflower. . . ." http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A34642-2003Aug22?language=printer (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. CLASSICAL MUSIC INTEREST IS LOSING STEAM BUT NOT AT SEATTLE'S KING-FM Radio Beat: By BILL VIRGIN, SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER If you were trying to pick a radio format with which to snare a piece of the market, you might choose some flavor of contemporary pop or rock, perhaps country, or you might opt for talk. Classical would seem to be the ticket to distant also-ran. Classical record sales, never a big portion of the overall market to start with, have slipped further. Fewer orchestras syndicate their concerts for broadcast. The industry publication M Street Database counts 32 commercial classical stations, down from 45 10 years ago. Non-commercial stations have dropped from 267 a decade ago to 126. But then there's Seattle's KING-FM (98.1), never the top-rated station in this market but certainly no straggler either; in the spring Arbitron book it ranked 12th out of 31 stations (it was eighth in the winter book). Peter Newman, who is retiring at the end of this month after 26 years at the station, including the job of program director since 1985, says those classical stations that remain "are around for very specific reasons, because they make sense financially or they fulfill the goals of the ownership." In KING's case that means distributing profits to its owners, the Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera and Artsfund (the former Corporate Council for the Arts), nearly $4.8 million since the station was spun off by the Bullitt family in 1994. Of course, that role wouldn't be of much value if KING's audience was dwindling. Newman says that doesn't appear to be happening. The average age of listenership, at 50, hasn't increased during the last decade, Newman says. "People don't come to classical music generally until they get into their 30s." KING-FM has been trying to make sure it attracts and retains classical music fans. One is through balancing the playlist between the standard repertoire and less familiar composers and pieces. "Our station and others are programmed more deliberately," he says. "In the past, everyone came in, did their shift, and if the same piece of music played twice in a day, no one cared. We're more careful in controlling the rotation." KING's other trademark is its heavy promotion of local classical music organizations. "Partly it's strategic; those groups form a lot of the support in our community," Newman says. In addition, "We get a lot of good programming." KING also has been aggressive in developing Internet broadcasting and often shows up on national surveys of top Webcasting stations. "I think the station is in pretty stable shape," Newman says (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** U S A. DANA M. RAYMOND, PATENT LAWYER, DIES AT 89 By DOUGLAS MARTIN, The New York Times, August 20, 2003 Dana Merriam Raymond, a patent lawyer who won or achieved settlements in 21 lawsuits filed by the inventor of FM radio against companies that had denied him credit and compensation, died on Aug. 3 at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan. He was 89. Mr. Raymond represented Edwin Howard Armstrong, an electrical engineer who invented the basic electronic circuits underlying modern radio, television and radar, including wideband frequency modulation, known as FM radio. Though Mr. Armstrong's breakthroughs are sometimes said to have exceeded Edison's, the Radio Corporation of America and its broadcasting subsidiary, the National Broadcasting Company, challenged his claim to having invented FM in a court case filed in 1948. The case was one factor that drove Mr. Armstrong to commit suicide in January 1954. The next January, Mr. Armstrong's estate, under the control of his wife, Marion, settled with RCA and NBC for a payment of $1 million. Mr. Raymond worked on that case as a young assistant to Alfred McCormack at the law firm of Cravath, Swaine & Moore. Mr. Raymond left to join what was then Brumbaugh, Graves, Free & Donahue, which later became Brumbaugh, Graves, Donahue & Raymond. It merged into the firm of Baker Botts in 1997. Though they were then in different firms, Mr. Raymond and Mr. McCormack together prepared and filed suits on behalf of the Armstrong estate against 21 other companies that they contended had refused to give Mr. Armstrong proper credit for FM radio. Two years later, Mr. McCormack died. Mrs. Armstrong wanted Mr. Raymond to continue the battle. Cravath remained as co-counsel. According to a biography of Mr. Armstrong by Lawrence Lessing, "Man of High Fidelity: Edwin Howard Armstrong," Mr. Raymond brought a strong background in scientific issues, particularly physics, to the case. Mr. Lessing described him as "soft spoken and studious" and "a shrewd counselor." Mr. Raymond's first priority, according to the book, was not to reveal how close to insolvency Mr. Armstrong had left his estate, knowing that this knowledge would weaken his position in any settlement talks. Second, he wanted to make a show of strength to bolster negotiations. He knew that the RCA settlement could be seen as "a paternalistic gesture, designed to paper over a messy situation." Though they could legally have asked for triple royalties on all FM apparatus manufactured and sold from 1940 to 1950, Mr. Raymond and Mrs. Armstrong decided that the smarter course of action was to pursue only reasonable claims based on the standard royalty paid by other companies that had acknowledged Mr. Armstrong's claims and paid him for licensing the technology. They settled with some smaller companies. The Emerson Radio and Phonograph Corporation decided to fight in court rather than settle. Mr. Raymond made a risky decision: he asked for a trial before a judge. The conventional legal wisdom was that an individual suing a large corporation should seek a jury trial. Catherine Flickinger, Mr. Raymond's daughter and a lawyer, said there were two reasons for asking for a judge. First, the science was difficult to understand. More important, the legal reasoning of a judge would set a precedent for the cases to come, while a jury verdict is considered a unique occurrence with scant future relevance. In September 1959, Judge Edmund L. Palmieri of Federal District Dourt in Manhattan found for Mr. Armstrong on all counts. An important factor was Mr. Raymond's argument that for all the years at issue, many other radio companies, including General Electric and Westinghouse, had settled and paid the same uniform royalties that Emerson was ultimately forced to pay. All but one of the remaining companies then settled, but Motorola demanded a separate trial. Mr. Raymond won in Federal District Court in Chicago in 1963 and on appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in 1967. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case. Dana Merriam Raymond was born in Manhattan on July 28, 1914, and grew up in Berkeley, Calif. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley and from Columbia Law School. He went to work for what is now Cravath, Swaine & Moore, and was drafted into the United States Army in 1940. He was commissioned as a lieutenant and assigned to the Royal Air Force in Scotland, where he worked on the top-secret development of radar. Mr. Raymond, a chess enthusiast, specialized in the law of patents and intellectual property. He represented Dr. Charles H. Townes, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist whose work helped lead to development of the laser. He was secretary of the Armstrong Memorial Research Foundation at Columbia, which is dedicated to continuing Mr. Armstrong's work, and was a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Mr. Raymond's wife, the former Josephine Sheehan, died in 2000. His survivors, in addition to his daughter Ms. Flickinger, who lives in Manhattan, include two sons, Peter, of Bronxville, and John, of San Francisco, also lawyers, and seven grandchildren. Copyright 2003 The New York Times Company (via Dan Say, DXLD) ** U S A. A FINAL 73 TO K6DUE At the beginning of our newscast, we told you about the passing of a member of the Amateur Radio Newsline family. Roy Neal, K6DUE, died August 15th following heart surgery. One of the people who knew Roy best is Alan Kaul, W6RCL. Roy and Alan worked together at NBC News, and on projects benefiting amateur radio. Alan looks at the life of a man who was an institution in American broadcast journalism, as well as a driving force in amateur radio`s conquest of space: When Roy Neal, K6DUE, died last week, he was possibly the best-known ham in America. He left an indelible imprint on Amateur Radio. Roy, more than anyone else, was responsible for getting ham radio aboard manned space craft and each new mission is testament to his legacy. His efforts earned Roy awards from the Dayton Hamvention, they designated him Ham of the Year and from CQ-Magazine, which this year named Roy to the Amateur Radio Hall of Fame. He also received honors from The American Radio Relay League, and other groups and served as chairman of two key AMSAT committees. Roy was a good guy. He was my friend and colleague at NBC News. I met Roy in the 1960`s when I was working in Seattle and he came to town to report on aerospace giant Boeing. After I moved to Los Angeles and joined NBC News in the 70`s, Roy and I collaborated on a lot of news reports. As a correspondent Roy was best known for his coverage of the US Space program (he was a friend of the original astronauts) and often reported from both the launch site at Cape Canaveral and NASA Mission Control in Houston. Not many people know this but Roy was also the author of a book about America`s missile system, called The Ace In The Hole. It was written at the height of the Cold War. In the 1970`s, Roy teamed with television producer Dave Bell, W6AQ, to launch the first of several documentaries about amateur radio. Number One was a 16-minute film, Moving Up to Amateur Radio, followed a few years later by The World of Amateur Radio. Dave Bell remembers Roy as the ultimate professional: Dave Bell W6AQ: ``Of all the on-camera talent that I have known, Roy was the most assured and had the smallest ego of all of them. He was a true professional when it came to the news. Everything was always true. Everything was straight from the shoulder and there was no compromise. Roy was one of the old-school news guy. He grew up in the television business and he understood it better than anybody who is working in it today. `` In the 1980`s Roy helped convince NASA to put ham radio in Space aboard a manned flight of the Shuttle. That first ham-astronaut was Owen Garriott, W5LFL, on board STS-9. Garriott`s story of the first DXpedition in Orbit was told by Roy in the television documentary Amateur Radio`s Newest Frontier. Audio from ARNF: ``This is the story of an expedition. The story of STS-9. The Columbia. And these are the explorers: John Young - the commander. Brewster Shaw the shuttle pilot. And the scientists Dr. Ulf Merbold, Byron Lichtenberg, Robert Parker and Dr. Owen Garriott -- an Astronaut who is also Amateur Radio operator W5LFL. This is an expedition to probe the outer limits of science and Amateur Radio`s newest frontier. Roy`s next project was called SAREX - Shuttle Amateur Radio EX- periment, followed by the New World of Amateur Radio which profiled a new ham, teen-ager Kelly Howard, N6PNY. She`s now all grown up, married and has kids of her own. She fondly remembers working with Roy Neal. Kelly Lenhert (née Howard) N6PNY: It was all so exciting, but it was also overwhelming. But working with Roy made me feel so comfortable. He made me feel competent in what I could do. He took me under his wing and he was really supportive and he got me to do what I needed to do to make the film and bring out the best in me. `` Roy`s last documentary was called Ham Radio in Space. Roy`s interest was a natural fit with AMSAT. Roy`s close friend AMSAT Vice President Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, thinks of K6DUE as his mentor. Frank Bauer KA3HDO: ``One of the things that Roy taught me was how to distill information into basically sound bites, if you will. I remember one time where we had to give a presentation - at Dayton - and we had 20 minutes. I told him that I did no know how he could so that, and he said: `Frank, if I can do the whole world on the news in 30 seconds, you can do this in 20 minutes.` So Roy taught me a whole lot from an executive perspective because he was a true executive. `` Another AMSAT officer who worked closely with Roy is Robin Haighton, VE3FRH, the President of AMSAT North America. Robin Haighton VE3FRH: ``The space program itself is in good hands, but there is no doubt about it that we will miss that leveling confidence that Roy always brought to the meetings and the discussions. He made friends with everybody. The moment you met him you felt that here was a man you could trust. `` Other comments have come in from all over the world From New Zealand, the past president of NZART, Jim Meechen ZL2BHF sent his condolences. As have numerous other Newsline listeners. Another of Roy`s friends, Bob Heil, K9EID, had this to say. Bob Heil K9EID: ``I`m going to miss his spirit. He had a spirit about him that when you heard him on the air, you stopped tuning. This was something special you were listening to. And it wasn`t always the tone of his great broadcast voice. It was his spirit. He was always in an up-mode about this hobby. `` Roy was in the first generation of television newsmen who began their craft after World War Two. He started in Philadelphia and then moved to the West Coast where he helped found the NBC News bureau in Los Angeles. That was during the days of the old John Cameron Swayzee Camel News Caravan. Roy was at ease in front of a microphone, and could talk to millions of television viewers as easily as he could talk to the ham across town. On camera, he had the uncanny ability to read to time, precisely to time. When I produced updates for NBC Nightly News and Roy was the on-camera talent, I would time the newscast and tell Roy how long he would have to report the story. I`d say something like this: ``Roy, can you do it in 19 seconds?`` And Roy would always reply, ``You know I can old buddy.`` Roy liked that phrase ``old buddy. ``He used the phrase to address friends and co-workers for some time. As for the updates, Roy always got them right. He would stop talking just an instant before we`d have to switch back to the network. By the time he retired in 1986, Roy had worked out of the Los Angeles news bureau for almost 35-years. He`d probably written millions of words, and brought his audience uncountable hours of news and information. But even in retirement, Roy Neal didn`t stop doing what he did best. He was no stranger to listeners of Amateur Radio Newsline who knew him as a tireless volunteer giving freely of his own time to report the latest information, always signing off in his own stylized way. ``This is Roy Neal, K6DUE. Thanks for listening and 73.`` 73, Old Buddy _ I really hate to see you go. I`m Alan Kaul, W6RCL, reporting for Amateur Radio Newsline. Roy leaves his wife Pat, and sons Mark and David. Services were held August 19th at the Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in High Point, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations in Roy`s name be made to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation at the Astronaut Hall of Fame. The mailing address is 6225 Vectorspace Blvd, Titusville, Florida, 32780. Please mark your envelope to the attention of Linn Le Blanc. And this final thought. Yes, we at Newsline have lost a very dear friend. More important, so has all of Amateur Radio. 73, Roy. None of us will ever forget you. (ARNewsline, W6RCL) Additional on-line reading: The Roy Neal Story: http://www.angelfire.com/tv2/broadcastpioneers/neal/neal.html ARRL: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2003/08/18/101/?nc=1 ARISS: http://www.rac.ca/ariss/ CNN: http://edition.cnn.com/2003/TECH/space/08/19/neal.obit JSC Amateur Radio Club: http://www.w5rrr.org/sta-pix.html NEWSCAST CLOSE For now, with Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, at the editor`s desk, I`m Don Wilbanks, AE5DW. Amateur Radio Newsline(tm) is Copyright 2003. All rights reserved (via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** U S A. RADIO LAW: FCC DECLINES TO RECONSIDER ITS HUMAN EXPOSURE TO RF RULES The FCC has declined to open an Inquiry into updating its human exposure to RF signals rules. In particular, the petitioner in this case wanted the Commission to consider possible health hazards not covered by the current rules, including non-thermal effects and the effects of long-term low-level RF exposure. According to the CGC Communicator the FCC dismissed the petition, arguing that any such evidence should be presented to other, more appropriate expert agencies. The Commission also noted that its current human exposure rules have recently been upheld by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. This, in the face of similar arguments by other petitioners. The complete story is in cyberspace at http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-03-191A1.doc (CGC) (ARRL Letter Aug 22 via John Norfolk, DXLD) see also RECEIVER NEWS ** U S A. AMERICA TRIES TO CUT TOLL OF 50M MIGRATING BIRDS KILLED BY PHONE MASTS --- Paul Brown, environment correspondent Friday August 22, 2003 The Guardian A federal investigation has been launched into the plight of up to 50 million migratory birds killed each year by mobile phone and broadcast masts strung across the US. . . http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1027336,00.html (via Jilly Dybka, KF4ZEO, DXLD) ** URUGUAY. INFO Y RELACION SOBRE ONDAS CORTAS EN URUGUAY Amigos y colegas, Con cierta tardanza, seguramente debido a razones burocráticas, he recibido contestación por (correo certificado y aviso de retorno) de parte de URSEC, autoridad de las radiocomunicaciones en el Uruguay a mis preguntas sobre la situación oficial de algunas emisoras operando en Onda Corta en mi país, (Expediente. Nº 2003/1/1059.-Inf. RDF 167/2003.) Montevideo, 24 de julio de 2003.- La primera nota reza de la siguiente manera: "U R S E C Unidad Reguladora de Servicios de Comunicaciones DIVISIÓN TÉCNICA.- DEPARTAMENTO RADIODIFUSIÓN.- Exp. Nº 2003/1/1059.-Inf. RDF 167/2003. Montevideo, 24 de julio de 2003.- Con referencia a emisora CXA61, 6,045 MHz. R. Sarandí Sport corresponde informar que se encuentra coordinada con 2,5 kw y operando con menor potencia por el momento.– La emisora Ciudad de Montevideo, coordinado con 10 kw y operando con menor potencia.– Con referencia a 31 metros para operar desde Artigas, La Voz de Artigas, hasta el momento no se han adjudicado frecuencias en esa banda.– Se adjunta listados de emisoras y potencias.– Notifíquese a interesado.–" FIRMAS Y SELLO, Sr. Alain Núñez González, Director División Técnica y otra persona de apellido Iglesias, demás ilegible. Se recuerda que LV de Artigas menciona en su sitio web, el canal de 31m. Y R. Sarandí Sport dijo tener algo menos de 8 KW. Voy a hablar de nuevo con el técnico en los próximos días. -- Adjunto otra hoja con la lista de frecuencias, potencias y azimuth de antena, son los canales registrados a emisoras de onda corta en Uruguay. Téngase presente que sólo algunas operan/operaron efectivamente. Algunas nunca salieron al aire. Y que las potencias son las coordinadas. URUGUAY POTENCIAS DE EMISORAS ONDA CORTA FRECUENCIA ESTACION POTENCIA AZIMUTH 6000.0 MONTEVIDEO 5.0 40 6010.0 MONTEVIDEO 10.0 ND 6035.0 MONTEVIDEO 1.0 ND 6045.0 MONTEVIDEO 2.5 ND 6055.0 MONTEVIDEO 5.0 40 6075.0 ARTIGAS 2.5 ND 6115.0 MONTEVIDEO 5.0 10 6125.0 MONTEVIDEO 10.0 320 6125.0 MONTEVIDEO 10.0 320 6140.0 MONTEVIDEO 10.0 ND 6155.0 MONTEVIDEO 10.0 10 6170.0 MONTEVIDEO 1.0 ND 9515.0 MONTEVIDEO 10.0 ND 9515.0 MONTEVIDEO 10.0 38 9595.0 MONTEVIDEO 10.0 349 9620.0 MONTEVIDEO 20.0 320 9620.0 MONTEVIDEO 20.0 38 9620.0 MONTEVIDEO 20.0 38 9640.0 MONTEVIDEO 10.0 330 9650.0 MONTEVIDEO 10.0 ND 9670.0 MONTEVIDEO 10.0 210 9670.0 MONTEVIDEO 10.0 50 9680.0 MONTEVIDEO 10.0 280 9770.0 MONTEVIDEO 10.0 38 11735.0 MONTEVIDEO 5.0 ND 11835.0 MONTEVIDEO 5.0 348 11835.0 MONTEVIDEO 5.0 ND 11835.0 MONTEVIDEO 5.0 348 11845.0 MONTEVIDEO 10.0 330 11860.0 MONTEVIDEO 10.0 50 11885.0 MONTEVIDEO 10.0 320 11885.0 MONTEVIDEO 10.0 38 11900.0 MONTEVIDEO 20.0 320 11900.0 MONTEVIDEO 20.0 20 11900.0 MONTEVIDEO 20.0 38 11955.0 MONTEVIDEO 10.0 325 15230.0 MONTEVIDEO 5.0 348 15275.0 MONTEVIDEO 10.0 340 15275.0 MONTEVIDEO 10.0 38 15275.0 MONTEVIDEO 10.0 340 15355.0 MONTEVIDEO 10.0 340 15355.0 MONTEVIDEO 10.0 50 17870.0 MONTEVIDEO 25.0 ND La última nota es una RELACIÓN DE ONDAS CORTAS DE URUGUAY (vale la misma observación que en el caso anterior, muchas de ellas están inactivas; otras nunca salieron al aire.) Repito: esta **NO ES UNA LISTA de TODAS LAS EMISORAS EN EL AIRE, SON LAS QUE ALGUNA VEZ SOLICITARON PERMISO, O SON ASIGNADAS PARA EL SODRE**. FREC. kHz. NOMBRE 49 Mts 1. 6000.00 CXA2 RADIOMUNDO 2. 6010.00 CXA142 EM. CIUDAD DE MONTEVIDEO 3. 6035.00 CXA30 RADIO NACIONAL 4. 6045.00 CXA61 RADIO SARANDÍ SPORT 5. 6055.00 CWA148 UNIVERSO 6. 6075.00 CXA3 LA VOZ DE ARTIGAS 7. 6115.00 CXA73 CLARÍN 8. 6125.00 CXA4 SODRE 9. 6140.00 CXA20 MONTECARLO 10. 6155.00 CWA155 BANDA ORIENTAL 11. 6170.00 CXA21 RADIO FÉNIX 31 Metros 12. 9515.00 CXA71 SODRE l3. 9595.00 CXA72 MONTECARLO 14. 9620.00 CXA6 SODRE 15. 9640.00 CXA8 SODRE 16. 9650.00 CXA42 EM. CIUDAD DE MONTEVIDEO 17. 9670.00 CXA24 SODRE 18. 9680.00 CXA18 SODRE 19. 9770.00 CXA9 SODRE 25 Metros 20. ll735.00 CXA7 RADIO ORIENTAL 21. ll835.00 CXA19 RADIO EL ESPECTADOR 22. 11845.00 CXA11 SODRE 23. l1860.00 CXA16 SOBRE 24. 11885.00 CXA68 SODRE 25. 11900.00 CXA10 SODRE 26. l1955.00 CXA22 SODRE 19 Metros 27. 15230.00 CXA- SODRE 28. 15275.00 CXA14 SODRE 29. 15355.00 CXA10 (23) SODRE 16 Metros 30. 17870.00 CXA54 SODRE 73 de (Horacio A. Nigro, Montevideo - URUGUAY, Aug 18, Conexión Digital via DXLD) NOTE: Most of these are NOT on the air, but it`s nice to know that if they were, all frequencies would be correct to one or to decimal places! (gh) ** VENEZUELA. Hola Glenn, Saludos desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA. En días recientes me he enterado de que la popular estación juvenil Cosmos 94 (94.1 San Juan, 94.7 Isla), ha cambiado de nombre y de formato. El grupo estadounidense de medios SBC adquirió un lote de emisoras en Puerto Rico y Cosmos fue una de ellas. Ahora la estación se llama Onda 94 y transmite sólo hits del trillado TOP 40, o lo que llamamos algunos locutores independientes, "Radio Payola". Es lamentable, debido a que Cosmos 94 estaba dedicada al rock en español y a las bandas locales, las cuales carecen de algún apoyo por parte de las radiodifusoras de la Isla del Encanto. 73's y buen DX... (Adán González, Aug 22, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZAMBIA. ZNBC, 4910, 0405-0417, August 21, Afropops at tune-in, presumed PSA/announcement mentioning "Commission", "Zambia", "20 August" and a tentative web address, crc.(zm?).com. Announcer with local time (6:14 AM) and back to music. Strong, clear signal. I tried the "tentative" web address listed above, but I must have heard incorrectly, as it leads nowhere. A quick check at allafrica.com under "Zambia" shows a news article, posted August 20, regarding the CRC, Constitution Review Commission. No web address though (Scott R. Barbour Jr, NH, August 21, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 5006: I think that unID carrier on 5006.0 kHz which appeared on DXLD 3-139 might be JG2XA. It was reported by Mr. Akabayashi in DXLD 1-108. JG2XA is still on the air and I have noticed steady carrier on 5006.0 kHz (Takeshi Sejimo, Overseas Charge Secretary, Radio Nuevo Mundo, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RECEIVER NEWS +++++++++++++ A friend gave me an unsolicited subscription to Maxim, and I`ve been racking my brain trying to figure out what it has to do with DX, as I feverishly leaf through it every month vainly searching for interesting and relevant articles, among all the skinny nippleless nymphs and perfume pages, but now I finally know: --- HOW TO BUILD A RADIO 1. Get Loopy --- In addition to carcinogens and B.O., the air in your house is full of radio waves. ``All you need is an antenna to capture them, a coil to resonate them, and a rectifier to translate them,`` promises Rebecca the Crystal Queen ruler of the 1,000 member Xtal Set Society. Polish off some delicious Quaker Oats, then punch four holes in the cylinder: one in the lid, one in the base, one on the side an inch from the top, and one on the opposite side an inch from the bottom. String plastic-coated 24-gauge wire through the lid and out the top hole (fig. 1), then loop the wire around the container (fig. 2). Every five turns, strip an inch of insulation and twist it into an eyelet (fig. 3). Feed the last 25 feet into the can and out the base (fig. 4). The sound waves [sic!] are energy enough, so unlike your girlfriend`s orgasm, it requires no batteries! 2. Get Wired --- For the rectifier, get your hands on some high- impedance crystal earplugs. (This and other parts are available at http://midnightscience.com or any geek-friendly electronics store.) Cut off the metal plug, separate the two wires, and strip off an inch of insulation. Solder a 47,000-ohm resistor between the wires to regular energy flow. Clip a 1N34a germanium diode to one end to insulate the audible part of the sound wave from the useless inaudible parts. Strip off a section of the wire where it exists the container - -- that`s your ground wire --- and attach one end of the resistor to that section with another alligator clip. Warn the neighbors --- you`re about to rock the hizzouse! [?] 3. Get Down --- String your antenna --- about 50 feet of wire coming from the top of the cylinder --- out a window and tie it up high, far away from power lines. Connect the 25 feet of ground wire to a cold- water pipe --- your bong won`t do the trick, Cheech. If you didn`t screw things up, you should be jamming to the works of Bach and Limbaugh in no time. Tune your unit by attaching the tip of the diode to the eyelets with a clip (fig. 7) and repositioning the antenna. Reception will vary according to the position of the radio and the time of day, and there`s no way to guarantee which waves you`ll catch. ``You can usually get one to three stations,`` Her Royal Majesty says. ``The longer your antenna, the more you`ll pick up.`` Ain`t that just always the way! Very Technical Specifications: Total Cost: $10-$15 Tools: Utility knife, wire cutters, soldeirng iron, solder, wire strippers, strippers Difficulty: easy listening out of hard rock (Maxim, Sept 2003, page 62, q.v. for the missing figures 5 and 6, via gh DXLD) NEW SANGEAN WOODEN RADIO For everyone`s information, just found this new review. It`s only two days old! It looks like Sangean is coming out with a new radio. It looks pretty good too. Something unique is that there is a user feedback form so you can send a message to the CEO of Sangean. This is a must read for everyone intersted [sic] in radio. The radio won`t even be released for another 2 months. http://www.radiolabs.com/Articles/woodradio.html Just thought I would let everyone know! Ciao! Lee (Lee Marcus, rec.radio.shortwave August 22 via John Norfolk, DXLD) It appears to be a small analog AM/FM radio, although one photograph shows it with longwave! (John Norfolk, DXLD) BLACKOUT RUN ON GRUNDIGS Eton Corporation, the leading developer and distributor of shortwave radios under the Grundig brand name, today announced an immediate surge in demand for its products due to yesterday's blackout in parts of the Northeast region, the largest power outage in North American history. A rush on retailers for disaster preparedness supplies has prompted the company to arrange immediate shipments of its self- powered shortwave radio to retailers in the affected states. . . http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030815/sff044_1.html (via Jilly Dybka, KF4ZEO, DXLD) BLOOD FLOW TO BRAIN CHANGES WITH RADIO-WAVE EXPOSURE TOKYO, Aug. 19 (Kyodo) -- Japanese researchers said Tuesday they have found that blood flow in the brains of people who complain of irritation from electromagnetic waves changes when they are exposed to such waves from appliances such as cell phones and power lines. The research group measured the changes in the amount of blood flow in 10 people, five of whom have symptoms of hypersensitivity to electromagnetic waves. They found that the brain's blood flow in those with the hypersensitivity fluctuated with exposure to the waves. The findings are expected to contribute to understanding the symptoms, such as headaches and fatigue, for which the causal relationship with electromagnetic waves remains unknown. The researchers believe the symptoms were caused either because the electromagnetic waves disrupted the nerve system and thus caused changes in the blood flow, or that the ability to maintain the brain's blood flow at a certain level was reduced. The research involved Ko Sakabe of the Kitasato Institute Hospital and the nongovernmental environment organization Japan Offspring Fund. Many people with irritations linked to electromagnetic waves also have problems moving their eyeballs and abnormality in their pupils' reaction to light. "We want to conduct further research with more cases and higher precision," Sakabe said. There has so far been no method to test for hypersensitivity to electromagnetic waves. One indicator is that symptoms disappear or improve as patients distance themselves from the environment affected by the waves. In some cases, factors other than electromagnetic waves were said to be the cause of the illnesses (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) See also USA DRM +++ DIGITAL RADIO MONDIALE Christian Vision will be conducting special DRM transmissions to HFCC in Tromso, Norway on 25th, 26th, 27th August. The transmission parameters are as follows: Time 1300-1400 UT Freq 11675 kHz Site Rampisham Azimuth 33 deg Antenna 4/4/.8 ? Power 33kW Target northern Norway Language English ("The Voice"). The regular Monday transmission to Europe 1000-1100 will be suspended next week. Don't forget that the latest DRM schedule is always available at http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/html/drm_schedule.html DRM AND WORLD DAB FORUM TO MAKE JOINT ANNOUNCEMENT AT IFA 2003 The leaders of digital radio organisations Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) and the World DAB Forum will make a joint announcement at IFA 2003, the world's largest consumer electronics event. World DAB Forum President Annika Nyberg will join DRM Chairman Peter Senger during a portion of DRM's August 30th press conference in the Technisch- Wissenschaftliches-Forum (TWF) for a special announcement. The press conference begins at 1300 local time in the TWF at IFA 2003 in the Messe Berlin. [I have no idea what the announcement is about, but we will publish details as soon as possible after the event.] (Andy Sennitt, Media Network newsletter Aug 22, Radio Netherlands via DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ [CUMBRE DX] PROPAGATION REPORT One M class flare to note this week on Aug 19 causing a fadeout over Central Africa. Otherwise the sun has been fairly quiet. Solar wind speed declined on Aug 16 before a shock in the solar wind at 1342 Aug 17 due to a Coronal Mass Ejection. This caused brief active/storm levels in the geomagnetic field followed by a predominantly southward bias to the solar wind which kept levels active through until Aug 19. This led to significant depressions in the MUF at mid-high latitudes. Another coronal hole windstream started to impact the earth yesterday leading to further increased geomagnetic activity. IPS Geomagnetic Warning 39 was issued on 21 August and is current for interval 21-23 August. A rise in geomagnetic activity to minor storm, with some stations recording isolated major storm periods, today was due to a slightly earlier than expected start of the predicted coronal hole effect. The geomagnetic activity is expected to remain enhanced to 'active to minor storm' levels during the next two days. Conditions are expected to remain disturbed through until Aug 30. Prepared using data from http://www.ips.gov.au (Richard Jary, SA, Aug 22, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) QST de W1AW To all radio amateurs PROPAGATION FORECAST BULLETIN 34 ARLP034 From Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, WA August 22, 2003 Sunspot numbers down 19%, solar flux down 7%, and the planetary A index up 42%; Could it be any worse for HF operators? Well yes, it could, but those percentages reflect the change in average daily indices from last week to this week. What could be worse of course are zero sunspots with solar flux around 70 or lower, which is what we were seeing about seven years ago at the bottom of the solar cycle. For an example of this, look back to Propagation Forecast Bulletin ARLP042 dated October 11, 1996 at http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/prop/1996-arlp042.html The sunspot number was a flat 0 for every day of that week, and average solar flux was 68.6. What does that mean for HF propagation? Run the free W6ELprop software available from http://www.qsl.net/w6elprop/ Run one copy for August 22 with a solar flux of 68.6, and another copy with a flux value of 121.7. In my comparison, in each instance I ran a path from Dallas to Germany. The signal strength on the path with the lower values showed about the same signal levels for 40 meters, but the path reliability rating was much lower. Looking at 20 meters, the path seems to close about 90 minutes earlier on the one using the lower flux value. It is fun to run these comparisons over different paths and seasons. Without any doubt the day most disturbed by geomagnetic storms this week was Monday, August 18, when the planetary A index was 86 and the planetary K index was 8 during one three-hour period, 7 during another, and 6 during three other periods. This indicates a severe geomagnetic storm. This kind of thing gets worse as one goes toward either pole, and in Fairbanks, Alaska the College A index was 132. The College K index was 8 during two periods, 7 during three periods, and 4, 5 and 6 in the other three. This is why many Alaskan amateur radio operators complain of long periods when they can`t seem to hear or work anyone or anything. The Monday storm began around 0100z when the interplanetary magnetic field tipped to the south near earth. This makes the earth vulnerable to the effects of any solar wind or flare activity. A solar flare erupted on the sun on August 19 at 2005z, and this pushed a strong coronal mass ejection toward earth. The forecast from the U.S. Air Force for planetary A index was adjusted upward on Thursday, August 21 after the initial one at 2104z. That earlier one predicted a planetary A index of 30 for Friday, which is quite high. Six hours and twenty minutes later a new forecast was released which predicts Friday`s planetary A index at 50. Saturday is predicted at 30, and Sunday, Monday and Tuesday all show the same planetary A index of 25. Predicted solar flux for Friday, August 22 is 115, and 110 is the value for Saturday through Tuesday, after which the number is expected to head higher. I received several emails last week asking about any correlation between the widespread power blackout and space weather. This seems unlikely because conditions were actually rather mild during that time. But a solar flare is a natural thing to consider during a massive power outage, since a big flare on March 6, 1989 brought down an electric power grid in Canada. One who wrote to ask about this was Tim Anderson, AG4XM of Covington, Kentucky. He sent this article about space weather and the effects upon power grids: http://www.agu.org/sci_soc/eiskappenman.html David Moore of Morro Bay, California sent an article about an 11-year cycle in which the sun`s magnetic poles reverse. Read all about it at http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=12383 For more information on propagation and an explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin see the Propagation page on the ARRL Web site at http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html Sunspot numbers for August 14 through 20 were 108, 86, 92, 113, 104, 77, and 62, with a mean of 91.7. 10.7 cm flux was 129.7, 131.4, 126.9, 119.3, 115.9, 116.7, and 111.8, with a mean of 121.7. Estimated planetary A indices were 18, 14, 11, 15, 86, 21, and 15, with a mean of 25.7. Copyright © 2003, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved. (ARRL via John Norfolk, DXLD) ### ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-151, August 21, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3h.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1196: RFPI: Sat 0130, 0800, 2330, Sun 0530, 1130, Mon 0030, 0630, 1230, Wed 0100, 0730, 1330 on 7445 [nominal times subject to delay or pre- emption] WWCR: Sat 1030, Sun 0230 on 5070, 0630 on 3210, Wed 0930 on 9475 WRMI: Sat & Sun 1800+ on 15725 WINB: Sun 0031 on 12160 WBCQ: Mon 0415 on 7415 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [NO LOW VERSION THIS WEEK; SORRY] [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1196h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1196h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1196.html I AM NOT REPONSIBLE for any viruses you may be getting, spoofing one of my hotmail accounts as sender!!! Judging from all the bounces I am getting, further filling up my accounts with spam, making them almost unusable, a lot of these are going out, presumably the latest virus sobig. The entire message typically runs around 100K, whatever the subject may be, which won`t have any relevance to what you might really get from me. I do not believe my own computer is infected. One story about this: http://www.msnbc.com/news/955498.asp Preferably contact me via one of my yahoo accounts, such as the one announced on World of Radio. You are not likely to get an original message from me at hotmail, tho a reply might come from there if that`s where you sent yours (gh) UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS Got you, via the High Version but with a lot of interruptions, sorry to hear of your Recording Troubles, but as I believe you would say over there, 'I sure hope you will be back on Low Stream Next week'. (Ken Fletcher 2130UTC=2230UTC+1 August 21st 2003) Siempre trato de leerlo completo. Es sin duda un EXCELENTE MATERIAL para todo diexista que se respete. Saludos, (Adán González, Catia La Mar, Venezuela) ** ANTARCTICA. 15476 kHz - LRA36, Radio Nacional Arcángel San Gabriel En relación al comentario de que el pasado lunes 18 del presente, LRA36 no fue escuchada, les puedo confirmar que efectivamente la emisora estuvo fuera del aire ese día. Esto fue debido a que se estuvo trabajando en la reparación de la antena; no se efectuaron emisiones durante ese día. Las transmisiones de LRA36 están sujetas en ciertos momentos a las crudas condiciones climáticas del Territorio Antártico, en donde soplan rafagas de hasta 360 kms/hora; lo que hace en esos momentos, se retire la antena y se cambie su posición para que no sea destruída, razón por la que queda fuera del aire temporalmente. Inclusive, en esos momentos de fuertes vientos, el personal no puede salir siquiera de sus viviendas por razones obvias (Gabriel Iván Barrera, Conexión Digital via WORLD OF RADIO 1196, DXLD) What about Aug 27/28 special you foresaw back on July 20? Went ahead and mentioned it on WOR 1196, in case it is still in the offing (gh) ** AUSTRALIA. The ARDS studios are at Nhulunbuy (Gove) and the program is sent via satellite to the transmitter site near Darwin, for which they pay a rental of A$700 a week. The project has a budget of $A1m to become fully operational. Just under 50% of this has been raised to date. Programs include local indigenous music and pre-recorded programs funded by government, NGO and philanthropic groups. The idea of `radio browsing`' allows listeners to call the station with information and education requests. The staff then web search for answers and put a program together. ARDS was founded in 1973. It's the community development arm of the Northern Regional Council of Congress (NRCC) which is the Aboriginal & Islander Presbytery of the Northern Synod of the Uniting Church of Australia Australia {sic}. Contact details: 19 Pera Circuit, Nhulunbuy NT 0880 (studios) studios); PO Box 1671 Nhulunbuy NT 0881 (mailing) mailing); T: +61 8 8987 3910. F: +61 8 8987 3912. Email: nhulun@ards.com.au Website: http://www.ards.com.au Radio Service Manager: Dale Chesson Background: Australian domestic SW broadcasts using up to 1 kW power are permitted under recent law changes and must use a selected group of frequencies which do not require further notification outside Australia. Holders of other types of broadcasting licences are now allowed to add these SW broadcasts, but only for a domestic audience. Northern Territory obtained self-government in 1978 and now seeks full statehood by 2008. The population of the entire territory is just 200,000. Darwin has people from 130 countries speaking 60 languages. Many parts of SE Asia (such as Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia) are closer to Darwin than Australia`s federal capital in Canberra. The NT is embarking on a series of major economic infrastructure projects. A 1000 km gas pipeline is planned across Arnhem Land, linking the Timor Sea gas field Blackrip with the Alcan alumina plant at Nhulunbuy. The pipeline is likely to run through traditional Yolgnu land. Sources: ARDS, Australian X-Band Guide (under preparation), Australian Financial Review Magazine August 2003 (NEW ZEALAND DX TIMES PAGE 38 AUGUST 2003 via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. NOVA / NUEVA / NEW RADIO 4781.5 RADIO TACANA, Tumupasa, Departamento de La Paz, 0202, August 20, 45444; música latina, OM: "Sintoniza Tacana la radio... la programación contigo hasta 11 con 30 minutos (0330 UT)", "Transmite desde Tumupasa, norte de La Paz, Radio Tacana" "estaremos mañana a las 6 (1000 UT)..." 0305 música brasileira (música brega de la Amazônia brasilera) hasta 0328, s-off 0331. OM anuncia que ésta es la segunda prueba; pienso que salió al aire por la mañana. Radio Tacana pertenece al Consejo Indígena del Pueblo Tacana --- CIPTA y está localizada en la Población de Tumupasa, Provincia Iturralde, Departamento de La Paz. Al norte del departamento de La Paz, región de Ixiamas y San Buenaventura, al noroeste de Reyes y Rurrenabaque (Depto. Beni). http://amazonas.rds.org.co/Libros2/Bolivia/Bol00025.htm http://www.bolivia.com/empresas/cultura/Pueblos_Indigenas/Tacana.asp 73 (Rogildo Fontenelle Aragão, Quillacollo, Bolivia, Aug 20, WORLD OF RADIO 1196, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Also heard in other parts of South America and as far off as Europe: Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador: 19 August 2003, 0245, on 4780.96 kHz, Radio Tacana, provincia Iturralde, departamento Pando. [Rogildo Fontelle is stating depto La Paz]. Hermod Pedersen, Huaröd, Sweden: 22 August 2003, 0010-0110, on 4780.96, Radio Tacana, playing non-stop music occasionally interrupted by Radio Tacana-IDs. Before 0000 frequency blocked by het-tone from Mali on 4782. (hard-core-dx via DXLD) 4780.96 Radio Tacána, provincia Iturralde, departamento Pando. El 19 de Agosto 2003 - 0245 UT. Radio Tacána estuve en el aire la primera vez (probablemente) El primer de julio 2003 en la frecuencia de 4780.89 kHz. No he notado nada entre 1 de Julio y 18 de Agosto. En 19 de Agosto en la noche de nuevo estuvo en el aire en 4780.96 kHz con buena señal y calidad de sonido. "Radio Tacána está transmitiendo en 4780 M(!)Hz, banda de 60 metros onda corta". "Desde la provincia de __Iturralde, el departamento de Pando en 4780 M(!)Hz banda de 60 metros onda corta transmite Radio Tacána". 73 de (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** CANADA. For those interested in why CHU has been off the air, I talked to them via e-mail and they said that their backup generator failed during the power outage. They will return to the air when either the power grid is stabilized or the backup generator is repaired (Patrick Griffith, on the road in Alamogordo, Aug 19, NRC-AM via WORLD OF RADIO 1196, DXLD) CHU time/frequency station in Ottawa: I made contact by phone today August 20. CHU has been off since the blackout. They are having problems with the backup equipment and in particular the cooling system which requires a lot of energy, apparently. They are working on it and hope to be back on soon, whenever that is (Bernie O'Shea, Ottawa, Ontario, WORLD OF RADIO 1196, DX LISTENING DIGEST) CHU Ottawa. As of this time 1800 UT Thursday August 21 CHU is back on 7335 kHz only. Nothing on 3330 and 14670 as yet (Bernie O'Shea, Ottawa, Ontario, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA [and non]. WELL WORTH A LISTEN By PAUL GILSTER, Correspondent I enjoy being read to, and I used to tune in radio stations in Montreal or Toronto so I could hear the Canadian Broadcasting Co.'s regular book reading sessions. These weren't available over the CBC's shortwave service, so I had to cope with static-filled AM radio frequencies, but hearing a good book was worth the effort. I can now abandon the CBC, because Audible offers a wide variety of books... http://newsobserver.com/business/story/2797062p-2585870c.html (via Kim Elliott, DXLD) For a price. CBC Radio One readings still scheduled at 10:40 pm local, and also sometime during Richardson`s Roundup in the afternoon (gh) ** CANADA. GARDINER IN NEW SLOT (CKLW-AM's 50,000 watt signal reaches much of Southwestern Ontario, northern Ohio and a large part of Michigan.) Cam Gardiner comes back to life on AM-800 CKLW radio Sept. 2, flying solo in a new program. The veteran radio man has taken control of the diabetes that nearly killed him nine months ago. Now he will be working in the bright light of day, as host of a show created around him from noon to 3 p.m. called Live Today. His partner for more than 15 years, Lisa Williams, is returning, too, from family leave, but she will resume the station's morning shift, 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. [EDT = UT -4] She will have a new co-host, Mike Kakuk, who has been keeping the morning mike warm during Cam-and-Lisa's absence. "I'm going to miss working with Lisa more than anything," Gardiner said. He acknowledged, however, that getting up in the middle of the night had taken a toll on his health. Live Today will begin with an hour of information from the parent CHUM network, local news, sports and other items with Gardiner doing the intros. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. he will conduct telephone interviews, locally and across the continent, both on breaking news and human- interest issues. "It's local live programming in the middle of the day, something we haven't had in years. The station wanted to open up the slot anyhow," Gardiner said. Melanie Deveau's Windsor Now show shifts to 3-6 p.m. followed Dr. Joy Browne in a new slot, 6-9 p.m. She'll be followed by Dr. Gabe Mirkin and then the Deborah Ray Show, both continuing in their current time slots. Coast To Coast with George Noory continues 1-5 a.m. On weekends, Money Talks with Jerry White is moving to 8 p.m. on Saturday. Sunday schedule changes will put Motor Trend on at 9 a.m., Herbal Pharmacist at 10 a.m., Satellite Sisters from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Halo Radio after 2 p.m., Halt Trading at 6 p.m., the Local Line on Sports at 7 p.m. and Raceline Radio at 8 p.m. Wayne Stevens At Large has been dropped after 10 years but he continues his afternoon show on the sister station, CKWW-AM. Leah Hansen leaves the temporary morning job and returns to swing- shift replacement assignments (Windsor Star Via Harry van Vugt, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, DXLD) Satellite Sisters? Is that the same program which used to be on public radio in the US, cancelled? (gh) ** COSTA RICA. Radio For Peace International met on 18th August with University for Peace representatives in the first of the meetings to be held between the two organizations during the agreed time period for `conversations` ending October 31st. The next scheduled meeting between RFPI and the University will take place on 4th September. RFPI wishes to thank all listeners and supporters for their crucial dedication and commitment to an ongoing campaign of letter writing, petition sending and raising awareness in countless ways about this issue with their local media. Continuing international attention on events here at RFPI is vital for the survival of the only progressive voice on short wave, YOUR global community radio station!!!! Thank you!!! (RFPI Update Aug 19 via WORLD OF RADIO 1196, DXLD) For almost two decades, United Nations Radio has maintained a close working partnership with Radio for Peace International --- a short- wave broadcasting station that transmits its programming from the campus of the University for Peace in Costa Rica. Radio for Peace International retransmitted taped and news programmes of United Nations Radio in English, French and Spanish to audiences in the Caribbean and Central America. Starting in September 2000, when United Nations Radio launched its daily live news and current affairs programme in the six official languages, Radio for Peace International began broadcasting the programme in English and Spanish to same target regions (from http://www.un.org/ga/coi/6e.htm via Franklin Seiberling, IA, DXLD) ** COSTA RICA. 6175, 0950 20/7, Faro del Caribe good with music and ID (Andrew Sunde, Ohai, ICF 2001, 5 MHz dipole, 40m wire, Aug NZ DX Times via DXLD) Haven`t seen this frequency reported in a long time (gh) ** CUBA. GOOD NEWS, AMIGO BOB !!! Three new 100 kW transmitters now on the air replacing the more than 40 year old Brown Boveris. Try listening to 11760 kiloHertz in Spanish. It is beaming to NY, but should deliver a good signal at your QTH. We also use the same transmitter earlier in the day on 11875 kiloHertz. 73 and DX (Arnie Coro, Dxers Unlimited, Aug 19 with his script to Bob Chandler, ODXA via DXLD) Viz.: Item one: Big thank you from our engineering staff. They simply loved the reports provided by listeners in North America, South America, the Caribbean, Europe and even Australia and New Zealand of the new 100 kW transmitter during its first on the air test on 9600 kiloHertz; now they have two more of the new ones on the air. One is on 11760 kiloHertz with our East Coast of North America beam in Spanish, and the other one is on 9550 kiloHertz with our Caribbean and Southern region of North America phased dipoles array. So, once again, your kindfull coöperation is requested. Monitor both 11760 kiloHertz and 9550 kiloHertz from 00 to 05 UT and send your signal reports directly to me via e'mail to arnie@r... [truncated by yahoogouprs]. By the way, for the technically minded our new transmitting equipment is using pulse step modulation, a system that is much more energy efficient than the conventional AM plate modulated system. [Later:] You are listening to Radio Havana Cuba, and yes amigos, we are really happy here after almost completing the start up procedures of three new short wave 100 kiloWatt transmitters. They are now used for our Spanish language evening local time in Havana broadcasts, from 00 to 05 hours UT. The frequencies are 9550 kiloHertz to the Caribbean and Southeastern North America, 9600 kiloHertz beaming to South America's Atlantic coast and 11760 kiloHertz beaming to Eastern North America. We are also using the three new transmitters during our Spanish language morning broadcasts that start at 11 hours UT and last until 15. The morning frequencies are at this moment 11705 kiloHertz to South America, 9550 kiloHertz to the Caribbean and 11760 kiloHertz to Eastern North America, but we may be changing the 11705 kiloHertz frequency soon. On 9550 kiloHertz we are also broadcasting in English, Creole and French to the Caribbean during our local afternoon .... Send your signal reports and comments to arnie@r... [truncated] (Prof. Arnaldo Coro A., CO2KK, RHC DXers Unlimited Aug 19 via Bob Chandler, VE3SRE, ODXA via WORLD OF RADIO 1196, DXLD) ** CUBA. El gobierno cubano "censa" todos los ordenadores de la isla y "decomisará" los de origen dudosa En toda la isla se inició la semana pasada la "Operación Windows", que tiene como objetivo la realización de un inventario de computadoras en centros de trabajo y residencias particulares y el decomiso de las que se consideren de "origen dudoso", según publica el diario online "Cubanet" La operación es controlada por la Seguridad del Estado e incluye a la Policía Nacional Revolucionaria y el Departamento Técnico de Investigaciones. Participan también presidentes de los Comités de Defensa de la Revolución (CDR), jóvenes comunistas y estudiantes universitarios. En las viviendas privadas se recogen en formularios el nombre del dueño del equipo, la marca del mismo, documentos que legitimen la propiedad del mismo, año de adquisición del ordenador, uso y cómo lo adquirió. En las empresas se solicitan facturas de su compra, documentos de su existencia, roturas, pérdidas por robo y uso de los equipos, así como los autorizados a permanecer en viviendas. De acuerdo a informaciones ofrecidas por fuentes dignas de crédito, la "Operación Windows" no podrá obtener todos los datos que se estiman, ya que tanto los centros de trabajo como cualquier particular podrían no declarar la existencia de computadoras, pudiendo esto burlar el levantamiento de las mismas. cnet/20 (via José Elías, Venezuela, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** CUBA [non]. "We Will Succeed" -- BBG Chairman Tomlinson Announces Initiative to Improve Radio and TV Martí Delivery to Cuba [naughty, naughty, ``venceremos`` is reserved for the Commies! -- gh] Miami, FL, August 21, 2003-- At a press briefing this morning in Miami, Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) Chairman Kenneth Y. Tomlinson, joined by Office of Cuba Broadcasting Director Pedro Roig and fellow BBG Governor Joaquin Blaya, issued the following statement concerning Radio and Television Martí: "We have been working diligently to strengthen the signals of Radio and TV Martí, to allow the people of Cuba access to uncensored news and information. As part of this effort, I am pleased to announce that we will soon undertake testing to see if TV Martí can be sent to the Cuban people by satellite. This would allow viewers in Cuba to receive the TV Martí signal via state of the art satellite technology through free-to-air reception. Free-to-air means that the satellite signal is not encrypted and can be viewed by anyone with a dish and an ordinary digital receiver. Radio Martí's signal would also be included in the transmission. "Hispasat will provide a powerful signal with a footprint that fully covers all of Cuba and nearly all of Latin America. Satellite receivers now on the island that are able to receive direct-to-home, free-to-air can be easily tuned to receive the signal. According to various commercial sources, satellite dishes are being used by more and more Cubans, and the numbers continue to rise. Moreover, we expect that as a powerful television signal with reliable, objective news and information becomes available to the Cuban people, it will inevitably find viewers. If we build it, they will come. "VHS tapes with the best of the week's programming on TV Martí will also be made available to the Cuban audience. We are confident that with the extraordinary resourcefulness of the Cuban people, and with the assistance of those outside Cuba who wish them well, these VHS tapes will quickly find an eager and growing audience of Cubans who thirst for unbiased, fair, and professional reporting that is otherwise unavailable to them. We are confident that broadcasting the truth is not only right, and our duty. It is also comfort and an encouragement to the dissidents living in Cuba who -- as did their predecessors in Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and the Soviet Union -- brave the dictator's anger to speak the truth. "But the Castro regime is not content only to misinform the Cuban people. The Cuban government also spends huge sums to block Radio Martí and its television services. We hope that the measures we are announcing today will make it easier for the Cuban people to hear and see our signal through the electronic curtain that Fidel Castro has caused to descend upon the unfortunate Cuban people. But if our efforts to penetrate this obstacle do not succeed, we will not stop trying. We will succeed. "We are also making improvements in our programming to Cuba. TV Martí is now implementing a new format with a heavy emphasis on news and information programs. As a result, news programming will nearly double. On the entertainment side, we have arranged for Major League baseball games to be broadcast on TV and Radio Martí, including the playoffs and World Series. The Voice of America's half-hour radio program, Ventana a Cuba, that is now aired on Saturday and Sunday will be increased so that listeners can hear it every day. Cubans with access to the Internet will be able to receive the entire increased output of U.S. international broadcasting online. "All of these efforts are part of the Administration's commitment both to strengthen and modernize TV and Radio Martí, and to improve the content and usefulness of our broadcasts. The freedom of Cuba's long- suffering people remains a high priority for this Administration as it does for the American people. So long as the Cuban people remain in chains, the liberty of all people is threatened. Our efforts to provide a reliable, accurate, and accessible source of news and information to the people of Cuba will advance the day when they can breathe free." (BBG Press release Aug 21 via DXLD) ** CUBA [non]. THROWING A BONE TO MIAMI'S CUBANS [do they mean to imply that Miami`s Cubans are (mad) dogs ??] By NBC 6 Reporter Hank Tester --- POSTED: 12:15 p.m. EDT August 19, 2003 UPDATED: 9:05 p.m. EDT August 19, 2003 MIAMI -- NBC-6 has learned that early in September the Bush administration will announce that the signal for TV-Martí will be beamed into Cuba via satellite. The satellite delivery system announcement is an attempt to answer harsh criticism by Cuban exile power brokers and politicos that TV- Marti is a failure. They charge the U.S. Government has been unable to figure out how to penetrate the Castro government's electronic jamming of TV-Marti's over-the-air signal. . . http://www.nbc6.net/hanktester/2415506/detail.html (via Jilly Dybka, WORLD OF RADIO 1196, DXLD) U.S.-FUNDED TV MARTÍ TO REACH CUBA VIA SATELLITE --- BY MADELINE BARO DIAZ, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Posted on Thu, Aug. 21, 2003 MIAMI - (KRT) - Officials with U.S.-funded TV Martí, the television station that broadcasts an alternative to Cuba's state-run media, announced Thursday that they will start using a satellite to reach the island. The Office of Cuba Broadcasting, based in Miami, said the effort was aimed at thwarting the Cuban government's repeated jamming of TV Martí`s signal. Within a few days, its employees will begin using the Histasat satellite, located over the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa and near the equator, to strengthen the signals of both TV Martí and Radio Martí. "We have great confidence that this platform, this satellite, is the answer we have been waiting for," said Pedro Roig, director of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting. "It is the most modern communications technology available." Cuba analysts, however, described the Bush Administration's attempt to strengthen the ability of the stations as not just an attempt to evade the blocking technology of Fidel Castro's government. Experts said the plan also helps address a wave of criticism from prominent Cuban- Americans that the administration has not had a tough enough policy towards Cuba - much as the indictment Thursday of a Cuban general and two pilots for the 1996 deaths of four Cuban-American fliers did. Jaime Suchlicki, director of the University of Miami's Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies, said those moves were only a start. "The Cuban community would like to see more," Suchlicki said. "They had big expectations." TV Martí, which went on the air in 1990, broadcasts its signal from a balloon that is tethered to Cudjoe Key. Because of Cuba's efforts to block its signal, the U.S. government has had better luck with Radio Martí, which Cubans have been able to pick up on shortwave radios or on AM radio outside of Havana. Using satellite technology will cost close to $1 million, money that will come from TV Martí's $10 million annual budget. Although the satellite might get around the jamming, only Cubans with satellite dishes will be able to pick up the signal. Roig said he did not know how many Cubans have satellite dishes, but some estimates put the number at close to 20,000. Officials also said Cubans might be able to fashion a device that would allow them to get the signal. In Cuba, the plan was met with some skepticism. Elsa Morejón, whose husband Oscar Elias Biscet was convicted in April along with 74 other dissidents in Cuba, is a weekly contributor to Radio Martí, where she speaks about Cuba's penal system. She called the plan to send Radio and TV Martí signals to Cuba via satellite "unviewable" because only a few privileged Cubans have satellite dishes at home. "What are they going to do, broadcast for foreigners?" she asked. "Those (dishes) are concentrated in the capital because this is where the foreigners and the money are, but in the interior provinces they don't exist." Satellite dishes cost about $700 for 200 channels on the black market - almost 100 times more than an average Cuban's salary. Some Cubans tape new release movies and sporting events and make a brisk side business renting the videos for a few cents. Though the satellite dishes are generally tolerated, last year the government swept several Havana neighborhoods and seized some. Cubans generally hide the dishes in water tanks or other receptacles on their roofs and sometimes share programming by splitting cables into various apartments in a building. Morejón also said beaming Radio and TV Martí programming via satellite might cause the Cuban government to clamp down on those who have dishes. "Maybe there is tolerance now because most people only watch entertainment," she said. "They (the government) will see who has satellites and taken them away." Radio Martí officials said even if the latest signal is jammed they are committed to getting TV Martí into Cuba. The station hopes to nearly double its programming, with a heavy emphasis on news and sports. Otto Reich, Bush's chief adviser on Latin America, touted the satellite broadcast as "one more step the Bush administration is taking to break through the information blockade." In Miami, however, the announcement failed to satisfy some of the Bush administration's staunchest critics, who have alleged that a lack of political will - not a lack of adequate technology - has kept TV Martí off the air. "This is a mockery," said Cuban exile activist José Basulto, who earlier this year broadcast a video message to Cuba from a plane to show how easily the U.S. bypass the Cuban government's jamming. "This will only reach the hotels and Cuban government officials." --- (South Florida Sun-Sentinel correspondent Vanessa Bauza contributed to this report.)--- (c) 2003 South Florida Sun-Sentinel (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) TV MARTÍ WILL TRY TO REACH CUBANS WITH SATELLITE TRANSMISSIONS --- BY NANCY SAN MARTIN, Knight Ridder Newspapers, Posted on Thu, Aug. 21 MIAMI - (KRT) - TV Martí will begin satellite transmissions to Cuba as early as next month in an effort to break through the government jamming that has left the $11 million-a-year station largely unable to get its pro-democracy message to its intended audience, U.S. officials announced Thursday. ``The freedom of Cuba's long-suffering people remains a high priority for this administration,'' Kenneth Tómlinson, chairman of the federal agency that oversees the broadcasts, said at the Miami office for TV Martí. ``Our efforts to provide a reliable, accurate and accessible source of news and information to the people of Cuba will advance the day when they can breathe free.'' The decision was viewed by some Cuban-Americans as part of an effort by the Bush Administration to quell rising frustrations among South Florida's exile community, which has openly criticized Washington in recent weeks for doing little to step up U.S. pressures on Cuba. Thursday's announcement came as federal authorities unsealed a Miami grand jury indictment against two Cuban MiG pilots and the head of the island's air force for the 1996 shoot-down of two Brothers to the Rescue planes that killed four people. At a monthly cost of about $80,000, the satellite TV broadcasts will begin with a three-month trial period and, if deemed successful, will be extended on an annual basis for up to seven years, Tomlinson said. The signal for Radio Martí, now broadcast on short-wave and AM frequencies, will also be broadcast on satellite now, he added. TV Martí also will nearly double its airtime to eight hours, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. daily, to include more news programs as well as Major League baseball games - Cuba's national sport. Its top programs will be copied on VHS tapes and given to travelers to the island for distribution to friends and relatives. ``We hope that the measures will make it easier for the Cuban people to hear and see our signal through the electronic curtain that Fidel Castro has caused to descend upon the unfortunate Cuban people,'' Tomlinson said. ``But if our efforts to penetrate this obstacle do not succeed, we will not stop trying. We will succeed.'' One State Department official dismissed the assertions that the TV Martí decision was politically inspired, saying that ``This is part of a long-standing and continuing effort by the administration to provide more and better information to the Cuban people.'' Pedro Roig, director of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, operators of TV Martí, characterized the satellite transmissions as ``historic,'' adding that ``this will break the monopoly of information that Castro has over Cuba.'' TV Martí currently relies primarily on a regular TV signal, broadcast from a balloon tethered 10,000 feet above Cudjoe Key in the Florida Keys. Those transmissions have been easily blocked by the Cuban government, and few Cubans have ever seen its programs. Cuba may be able to block the TV Martí signal, however, since jamming out of Cuba briefly disrupted U.S. government and private Los Ángeles station broadcasts this summer to Iran of programs critical of the Shiïte Muslim government there. The signal will be broadcast from the Hispasat satellite, operated by a private Spanish company, which orbits above the Atlantic and close to the Brazilian coast. It will allow Cubans with any satellite dish and receiver, such as those used by Direct TV subscribers, to obtain the free-of-charge transmissions. Hispasat provides a powerful signal with a ``footprint'' that covers all of Cuba and a large portion of Latin America, making it more difficult to jam, Tomlinson said. It is also widely used by broadcasters in Latin America and Europe. U.S. broadcasters hope to tap into a flourishing but illegal satellite receiver market in Cuba that has become apparent over the past five years. U.S. authorities estimate that as many as 15,000 satellite dishes are now in operation at Cuban households. Cuba's jamming of the regular TV Martí broadcasts has been so effective that a survey done in September in Havana, commissioned by Tómlinson's Board of Broadcasting Governors, sampled 1,000 adults and found that only 0.1 percent reported they had watched TV Martí within a one-week time period. ``This indicates, at least numerically, that at least 1,700 people tuned in that week. What it doesn't tell you is how well they were able to see the broadcasts,'' said BBG spokesman Joe O'Connell. (c) 2003, The Miami Herald.(via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** CUBA. LA HABANA INFORMA A E.U. QUE DIPLOMATICOS IRANIES EN LA ISLA INTERFERIAN SEÑALES DE SATELITE DE COMUNICACIONES ESTADOUNIDENSE El gobierno de Cuba ha informado al de los Estados Unidos que la fuente de interferencia que afectaba las transmisiones estadounidenses en lengua farsi hacia Iran, via satélite, procedía de unas instalaciones diplomáticas iranias en o en los alrededores de La Habana, según ha dicho el Departamento de Estado. Y en lo que parece ser una insólita muestra de cooperación desplegada entre los dos antiguos enemigos de la Guerra Fría, La Habana parece haber actuado para satisfacer una reciente protesta formal de Washingon. "La interferencia ha cesado," dijo Jo-Anne Prokopowicz, una vocera del Departamento de Estado. A mediados del pasado mes de julio, tras negar que su régimen fuera responsable por la interferencia, Cuba prometió investigar la denuncia estadounidense y finalmente ha informado a Estados Unidos que ha encontrado la fuente de la interferencia y le ha puesto fin. "Cuba nos informó el 3 de agosto que había localizado la fuente de la interferencia y que había tomado acción para detenerla," dijo Prokopowicz. "El gobierno cubano nos has comunicado que la interferencia provenía de una facilidad diplomática iraní", y agregó: "Ahora le daremos a este asunto seguimiento con el gobierno de Iran." El 15 de julio pasado, la Junta de Gobernadores de los Servicios de Transmisiones de Estados Unidos acusó a Cuba de interferir su programación dirigida hacia Irán al igual que la de una emisora privada de la oposición iraní que opera desde territorio estadounidense y transmite hacia Irán. La interferencia afectaba todas las transmisiones en lengua Farsi que utilizaban el satélite Loral Skynet, en un momento en que tenían lugar en Irán protestas públicas crecientes contra el régimen de Teherán. Terranet --- AFP --- Lebanon --- USA --- La Nueva Cuba --- Agosto 21, 2003 (TOMADO DE LA EDICION ELECTRONICA DE "LA NUEVA CUBA" FECHA 21 DE AGOSTO, 2001. http://www.lanuevacuba.com/master.htm via Oscar de Céspedes, Conexión Digital via DXLD) Satellite-jamming case: see also IRAN ** CZECHOSLOVAKIA. RADIO PRAGUE'S FINEST HOUR In the early hours of the morning on 21 August 1968, troops of the Warsaw Pact countries crossed the border into Czechoslovakia, and within hours they had brought an end to the bold experiment called "Socialism with a human face" that was being pursued by the government of Alexander Dubcek. This tragedy for Czechoslovakia was played out on the airwaves of Radio Prague. To commemorate the 35th anniversary of these dramatic events, Radio Netherlands publishes a special feature, including another chance to hear extended highlights from the Media Network documentary Truth Will Prevail. http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/features/html/prague010830.html (Media Network blog Aug 21 via DXLD) I think MN won a NY Festivals award for this one (Lou Josephs -- 8/21/03; 5:20:07 PM, ibid.) ** GERMANY. Re: ADDX / RMRC European DX Conference 2003 report on Juelich 3965 today Some just posted comments reveals that the DRM transmission was a no- show and could not be decoded, the cause is described as a software fault at Jülich. The incident kicked off an argument about the skills of the T-Systems staff. Well, they did the AM transmission fine as always, so I have no reason for any criticism (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Aug 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HAWAII. Long time DXer, Chuck Boehnke of Keaau Hawaii is seriously ill in the hospital in Hilo. He would appreciate get well cards that are cheerful. At Post Office Box 488, Keauu HI 96749-0488. His e mail address: CCB@flex.com (Patrick Martin, Seaside OR, Aug 21, IRCA via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. Radio Republik Indonesia has moved its website to a new provider and slightly changed the address: http://www.rri-online.com instead of http://www.rrionline.com It is mainly a news portal, but includes also some information about the radio services. New email address for the External Service "Voice of Indonesia" is voi@rri-online.com (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Aug 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) As previously reported here, for a while both were in use, but only they new one led to English (gh) ** IRAN. OPPOSITION CONDEMNS REGIME'S ALLEGED "JAMMING" OF SATELLITE BROADCASTS | Text of report in English by Iranian Mojahedin-e Khalq (MKO) web site on 20 August Mullahs' regime uses its espionage and terror nests (under cover of embassy) for "satellite terrorism": The Cuban government has declared that the religious fascism ruling Iran has in recent months been using its diplomatic centre and installations in the suburbs of Havana to jam and disrupt Persian- language satellite television programmes. The Iranian resistance calls on the UN Security Council and competent international authorities to condemn this blatant breach of international law and conventions by the mullahs' regime. It underscores the need to adopt binding decisions against the medieval regime ruling Iran. The mullahs' Supreme National Security Council, chaired by Mohammad Khatami, assigned the Intelligence Ministry in summer 1999 to jam and disrupt Persian-language satellite television broadcasts with the help of the state television, the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, the Revolutionary Guards' Directorate of Electronic Warfare (known as JANGAL) and the Army's Directorate of Communications and Electronics (known as ARAL). On the basis of an independent investigation by Britain's DERA Defford (Defence Evaluation and Research Agency) satellite communications company, the Iranian resistance announced in 2000 that jamming signals were beamed from a location inside Iran near the Caspian Sea in northern Iran. Subsequently, the mullahs used more sophisticated technology to continue jamming satellite programmes from several locations. The use of diplomatic installations by the religious, terrorist dictatorship ruling Iran to jam and disrupt satellite broadcasts shows a new stage in the extension of terrorism to satellite communications. It also displays the mullahs' fear of any cracks appearing in the wall of censorship and repression in Iran. The Iranian resistance calls on the UN Secretary-General, the Security Council and the International Telecommunications Union to adopt effective measures and impose binding sanctions on the religious tyranny ruling Iran. Inaction and silence by international agencies only emboldens Tehran's rulers to continue their blatant violation of international law and conventions. Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran, 20 August 2003 [The US State Department on 20 August said it had received information from the authorities in Cuba that an Iranian diplomatic facility was responsible for jamming American satellite television broadcasts aimed at Iran in July 2003. A State Department spokeswoman said the Cuban government had informed the United States that it had taken action to stop the interference. The US had previously accused Cuba itself of jamming the television broadcasts, a charge the Cuban authorities denied. The jamming affected Persian-language broadcasts carried by the Loral Skynet satellite, and reportedly became more pronounced during anti-government protests in Iran.] Source: Mojahedin-e Khalq (MKO) web site in English 20 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) See also CUBA ** IRAQ. U.S. TAPS MEDIA CHIEF FOR IRAQ --- Regulation Attempted Without Appearing Heavy-Handed --- By Daniel Williams, Washington Post Foreign Service, Tuesday, August 19, 2003; Page A14 BAGHDAD, Aug. 18 -- U.S. authorities have appointed a media commissioner to govern broadcasters and the press, establish training programs for journalists and plan for the establishment of a state-run radio and television network -- part of an effort to regulate Iraq's burgeoning news media while dodging allegations of heavy-handed control. The standards and enforcement mechanisms are being "fleshed out," said a senior official of the governing Coalition Provisional Authority. A board to take complaints about media excesses was envisaged, but the official declined to specify the limits on news coverage. In June, L. Paul Bremer, the civil administrator in Iraq, issued guidelines for all media outlets here, forbidding them from inciting violence, promoting "ethnic and religious hatred" or circulating false information "calculated to promote opposition" to the occupation authority. Occasionally, U.S. soldiers have raided newspaper offices deemed to be in breach of the regulations, and they have closed at least two newspapers and one radio station. But the delicacy of sending heavily armed troops to enforce media rules has prompted the occupation officials to look for other ways to exercise their power to censor. The new media commissioner will be Simon Haselock, a spokesman and media supervisor for U.N. authorities overseeing Kosovo. In June, he drafted a proposal to regulate journalists' activities through a panel that officials here have dubbed a "complaints commission." The commission, which would include journalists, would levy fines. Alleged transgressors could appeal. The system is similar to one functioning in Kosovo. . . http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A11484-2003Aug18.html (via Kraig Krist, DXLD) ** IRELAND. RTE is testing on longwave 252 kHz again today. Observed from tune in at 1445 UT with a relay of RTE Radio 1 parallel with 567 kHz MW. At 1449 they switched to a continuous 1 kHz audio tone. 73s (Dave Kenny, BDXC-UK, Aug 20, via DXLD) Thanks to a tip from Ron Candy of Canning Town, East London, I noted RTE Radio 1 being carried on 252 kHz LW at 22:00 BST on 20 August (21:00 UTC). However, the programming was several seconds behind the signal on 567 kHz MW, which was by this time clear as it was almost 2 hours after London sunset. In addition, the LW channel was dominated by Algeria, with Ireland quite difficult to hear, suggesting that quite low power was being used. If I remember rightly, in previous existences, the power of the Irish transmitter had to be reduced to 100 kW once the sun dipped below the horizon. I would suggest that the power on this occasion was well *below* 100 kW. If I remember, I will check the frequency again tomorrow before leaving for work around 7:00 BST (0600 UT) by which time the sun will be well and truly up over NW London (PAUL DAVID, Chairman, Brent Visually-Handicapped Group, Registered Charity No.: 272955, Aug 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) RTE FIRES UP 252 KHZ AGAIN Thanks to Gerald Gray and Mike Guy for drawing my attention to the fact that Irish public broadcaster RTE is again testing the longwave transmitter on 252 kHz. Gerald writes: "RTE Radio 1 is currently using the 252kHz LW in Trim Co. Meath as at 0030 GMT on 20/8/03. Seems rather weaker than Atlantic 252 used to be, so maybe it's not running the full 100 kW night time power. Haven't had a chance to hear it in the daytime, so I'm not sure whether it's still testing and whether it's using 500 kW." Well, at 1005 UT this morning they were carrying a test tone, so obviously this is not (yet) a regular service. Mike notes that when relaying Radio 1 the audio is delayed by several seconds. I initially wrote here that I doubted the delay was so long, but several people have confirmed that it is. I therefore assume they're feeding the audio from Dublin via ISDN, and the delay is caused by the encoding process. So far, RTE hasn't mentioned the longwave tests on its Web site or in a press release (Andy Sennitt, Holland) 252 is one satellite hop behind both releases of RTE Radio 1 at 28 east (about half a second), and roughly four satellite hops (about 2 seconds) behind the 13 east release of RTE Radio 1. Perhaps they've introduced a delay to allow them time to switch 252 to carry different adverts to 567? Or maybe they're sourcing it from the web? (Ray Woodward • 8/20/03; 4:18:40 AM. . .) Thanks, Ray. I don't think they're sourcing it "from the Web" but they might well be using a dedicated ISDN feed, as we did for Radio 10 FM and Radio Nationaal before it. There are inherent delays in the encoding process. In fact, the more I think of it, the more that would make sense. If they've gone to the trouble of installing that, it suggests to me they're serious about longwave (Andy Sennitt • 8/20/03; 5:46:50 AM) Just to add to the confusion - RTÉ have now synchronised 252 with 567 kHz. Perhaps they couldn't afford the ISDN line! (Del (North Wales) • 8/20/03; 6:51:59 AM. . .) The audio quality is vastly better than I've ever heard previously from RTE on 252, I guess they've tagged it on to the same feed as Tullamore. The ISDN presumably being a back up (like virgin in the UK)? (Ray Woodward • 8/20/03; 7:22:42 AM) In fact I'd go so far as to say the audio quality of RTE 252 is now better than that of the BBC on 198! (Ray Woodward • 8/20/03; 7:51:23 AM) The signal is coming in here in NW London quite well on my kitchen radio - but the car radio doesn't have as good a signal. Right now they're alternating between tone, RTÉ Radio 1 and silence (Richard Logue • 8/20/03; 7:56:31 AM) Well, from all the reports, obviously they're still in the testing phase. As Ray says, they're probably doing comparative tests between different ways of feeding the audio. Maybe they're also at times taking the audio off air from the nearest FM transmitter. I have to say that I find it very hard to get excited about all this. Maybe it's because I'm getting old :-) (Andy Sennitt • 8/20/03; 8:18:27 AM) Well I guess when you (like me) can tune into the stereo satellite version of RTE Radio 1 via Astra 2D Long Wave does seem to be a little insignificant. BTW 252 has dropped behind 567 again (Ray Woodward • 8/20/03; 8:52:32 AM) That, plus the fact that it's neither a new transmitter nor a new network (apologies for the excessive alliteration). It would be interesting were it to start carrying different programming from the existing networks. But that's unlikely. The RTE annual report (available as a PDF file on their Web site) specifically says they plan to relay Radio 1 for the Irish in the UK (Andy Sennitt • 8/20/03; 9:26:12 AM) We heard the transmissions in Basildon Essex at 7 pm today coming in quite well and clear audio. Reception of Atlantic 252 in this location was virtually non-existent (Paul • 8/20/03; 11:42:42 AM) RTE was still transmitting on LW just before 8pm local time. Reception is still acceptable. Chatting about RTE with my partner, we are both looking forward to having an alternative source of news to the BBC. The audio on 198 has been poor for some time, and there have been a string of transmitter failures from that unit. It has led to complaints from older listeners using LW about the poor quality of the transmissions. Were your listeners/readers aware that the mast and the site at Droitwich were condemned some years ago and when parts of the aerial system fall off they are not replaced. Source: Radiophile Magazine (Paul • 8/20/03; 12:17:17 PM) Judging from reports, some people saying it's weaker than before and others stronger, I suspect they may have done something to the antenna pattern. South East England was outside the marketing area of Atlantic 252, and RTE is anxious to get into London to reach the large Irish community who have been unable to hear Radio 1 clearly on 567 since 558 was allocated to commercial radio. When I'm back at work next week I'll try to contact RTE, unless someone else beats me to it :-) (Andy Sennitt • 8/20/03; 2:33:04 PM) I suspect it may be simpler than that, I'd be amazed if CLT spent much on it with regards to maintenance in its latter years of ownership and you can be certain TeamTalk won't have done anything. I reckon RTÉ might well have given the site the sort of preventative maintenance it probably hasn`t seen since it was built - cleaning insulators, checking earth mat etc. etc. It could just be that the site is now back to performing as it did when it was first built? (Ray Woodward • 8/21/03; 2:17:52 AM) Yes Ray, you could well be right. Last night I was just about able to null out Algiers and listen to RTE without much co-channel interference, but then it went into a slow fade and became unreadable for several minutes. I also noticed some other unidentified audio faintly in the background, which I think may have been caused by the "Luxembourg effect", unless I'd left another radio switched on somewhere in the house :-) (Andy Sennitt • 8/21/03; 4:52:12 AM) (all: from Media Network blog Aug 20-21 via DXLD) RTE was on 252 kHz most of last night with a relay of Radio 1 parallel to 567 kHz. However the transmitter power must have been very low as the frequency was completely dominated by Algiers here during the hours of darkness. When Atlantic 252 was on air, they used to reduce power at night to 100 kW, but I suspect that RTE was running much less than this last night. This morning RTE is still on 252 kHz but now in the clear with good reception here in Berkshire. 73 (Dave Kenny, Aug 21, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** ISRAEL. For those of you tracking local (Israel) stuff. GalGalatz, which is Army Radio's secondary network (more music), has changed their FM frequency in the north. It has changed from 106.4 to 107 FM. This according to the news on the hour - and their website http://www.glz.msn.co.il (Doni Rosenzweig, Aug 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISRAEL. Kol Israël a indiqué qu'à compter du 17 août 2003, l`émission de 1645 TU sera temporairement supprimée et celle de 1000 TU sera réduite de 5 minutes (Christian Ghibaudo - 14 août 2003 et Mohamed Khallel - 15 août 2003) (informations issues de http://perso.wanadoo.fr/jm.aubier via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH. I notice that the Korean Central Broadcasting Station has now popped up on 6250.3 // 6398.9 naturally in Korean. From Memory this station is a relay of the Domestic service and is relayed to the substantial Korean diaspora in Japan. I wonder if the senders were redirected away from the former northern based clandestines that were closed at the end of July (Robin L. Harwood, Norwood Tasmania, Aug 18, EDXP via DXLD) ** LIBERIA. On Tuesday, Monrovia's Catholic-run Radio Veritas played gospel songs celebrating peace. The station recently resumed broadcasting after fuel shortages during 10 weeks of rebel sieges shut down transmitters in the city. . . http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-3045313,00.html (via Jill Dybka, MSIS, Aug 20, WORLD OF RADIO 1196, DXLD) WTFK? Used to be on SW 5470. Rest of story about other things (gh, DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS [non]. BREAKING NEWS: RADIO 10 FM TO TEST TOMORROW IN DRM!! Talpa Radio International has announced that Radio 10 FM will become the first Dutch domestic radio station to broadcast in DRM. They will make a test transmission tomorrow, Friday 22 August, between 1100 and 1300 UT via the UK mediumwave transmitter at Orfordness on 1296 kHz. Although Talpa Radio is continuing with efforts to secure terrestrial FM coverage for Radio 10, it is seriously considering DRM as a possible long-term solution. Regular mediumwave broadcasts in AM continue on 1395 at 0400-1800 UT (Media Network blog Aug 21 via DXLD) ** NEW ZEALAND. Will be interesting to see what frequency list will be provided for the new 24 hr broadcast and if reception will be reasonable here in the Northeastern part of the US. I have to guess it will not beamed to the US but only to the Pacific region. I do not see an advanced look at the frequency schedule on the website and only a couple of weeks to go (Bob Montgomery, Levittown, PA USA, Aug 21, swprograms via DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA [non]. HAM-CONCERT PIANIST-JOGGER COMPLETES 880-MILE CHARITY RUN --- http://www2.arrl.org/news/stories/2003/08/21/2/?nc=1 NEWINGTON, CT, Aug 21, 2003 -- Concert pianist and cancer survivor Martin Berkofsky, KC3RE, has completed his 880-mile Celebrate Life Run from Tulsa to the Chicago area. An ARRL member, Berkofsky set out jogging on April 9, his 60th birthday, to celebrate his recovery from cancer and to raise money for research into the disease. He concluded his marathon around midday August 20 in Zion, Illinois. There he`ll perform a special concert today for cancer patients, their families and staff members at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) Midwestern Regional Medical Center. ``How grateful I am for all of the support and help from so many radio amateurs,`` Berkofsky told ARRL. He singled out for special mention the Tulsa Amateur Radio Club and its president, Gregg Wonderly, W5GGW, as well as the Washington (Missouri) Zero Beaters, the Chicago FM Club, and his QSL manager Murray Green, K3BEQ. He also acknowledged ``the countless radio amateurs who kept me company with on the road QSOs, many even driving out to meet me personally and to help me with road directions when my maps weren`t clear.`` Along the way, Berkofsky carried a quad-band ham radio handheld transceiver to chat with locals as he passed through their communities. He marked his daily position using APRS gear loaned to him by John Chamberlain, AC5CV, of Waco, Texas, and he also made some QSOs via EchoLink. Berkofsky says he set a daily record of 23.1 miles on July 16. ``Went through the wall, as runners would say,`` he told ARRL. ``Could have continued even longer had it not gotten dark!`` CTCA and the Cancer Treatment Research Foundation (CTRF) sponsored Berkofsky`s run and are benefactors of the donations pledged on its behalf. CTCA says his run raised more than $80,000 for cancer research. ``How proud I am to say that Amateur Radio played such a large part in this,`` Berkofsky added. It also garnered extensive media coverage along the way, with nearly every local newspaper running a feature story on the pianist as he passed through their towns. In St Louis, Martin`s Celebrate Life Run made the front page of the St Louis Post- Dispatch. He also received TV and radio coverage. Following his Zion encore concert, Berkofsky will fly back to Tulsa for a Saturday night benefit for cancer patients at the CTCA hospital there. He`ll return home to Northern Virginia next week, where he hopes to resume his hamming activity on 20 meters. ``I think it will take months to really understand everything that has happened,`` Berkofsky said. ``What an incredible experience, what incredible lessons. I hope I come out of this as a better person.`` Copyright © 2003, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved (ARRL via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** PERU. Fascinating discussion of the Incas and the quipus in particular on hour 2 of The Connection, Thu Aug 21 --- We have the alphabet. The Egyptians used hieroglyphics. The ancient Mesopotamians had cuneiform marks that they pressed into bricks. Most civilizations develop a language and find a way of writing it down. Which is why anthropologists have wondered for years about the Incas. The great South American seemed to have everything but writing. They formed a complex government, conquered lands from what is now Colombia to Chile, but left no known record of their achievements. They did have strange things called khipus, made out of string, sort of like a grass skirt with knots. Now one anthropologist is taking a new look at khipus, arguing that these twisted knots and different colors of string might actually be the first known three-dimensional form of writing. Listen: http://realserver.bu.edu:8080/ramgen/w/b/wbur/connection/audio/2003/08/con_0821b.rm (via Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU [and non]. Hola Glenn, Saludos desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA. El programa "La Voz de la Liberación", de la secta "Dios es amor" --- capítulo Perú --- fue captado el 19-08, a las 0532 UT, SINPO 4-3, en la frecuencia de 6020.34 kHz. La misma programación se repetía en 6060.19 kHz. Pensaba --- al principio --- que era Alcaraván Radio, pero el 20-08 escuché a Alcaraván en 6009.8 kHz, mientras la otra estación estaba en 6020.34 kHz. Primera vez que oigo esta emisora. Acá en Venezuela la misma secta se ha apoderado de un gran número de emisoras de OM. 73's y buen DX... (Adán González, Aug 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Radio Victoria uit Peru komt de laatste tijd 's-morgen goed door met id's en al op 6020 (6020.313). Tijd zo vanaf 04.30 utc tot wel 8.26 utc. Ik hoor hem op dit moment (0820 UT) heel zachtjes door de ruis. Ik heb er opnames van gemaakt! groeten, (Hans, SDZ. http://www.hansdezeeuw.nl Aug 21, BDXC via DXLD) ** PITCAIRN. UK HANGS ON TO PITCAIRN http://www.nbr.co.nz/home/column_article.asp?id=6861&cid=5&cname=Asia printer-friendly version: http://www.nbr.co.nz/print/print.asp?id=6861&cid=5&cname=Asia (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** ROMANIA. Sur les 12 émetteurs ondes courtes de la radio roumaine, 6 seulement sont en activité, d'où un manque de signal sur certaines fréquences. Il n'est pas possible de modifier les fréquences attribuées jusqu'à fin octobre (Radio Roumanie Internationale - 15 août 2003) (informations issues de http://perso.wanadoo.fr/jm.aubier via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. Getting very weak (classical?) music on 1935 kHz at 1959 UT 20/8/03; from the math I see it can't be a real harmonic --- must be some kind of intermod. Later: it's in again tonight, even stronger: it's from St Petersburg, a mix of Radio Maria 1053 & VOR 1494! (carrying audio from both) 2001 UT; also something on 1926 kHz at 2125 utc 20/8/03 verv weak; couldn't get enough audio to make any ID Best regards (Tim Bucknall, Congleton, Cheshire, UK, Icom R75, Wellbrooke ALA1530 outdoor Loop, harmonics yahoogroup via DXLD) ** SUDAN [non]. Thank you for your e-mail. I am surprised to hear from someone in New Zealand about our SW service for Sudan. Are you Sudanese, have you worked there, or are you just interested? Regardless, I am happy to hear that we have people wanting to listen to us from all over the world. We are targeting our broadcasts to Eastern Africa, so you may not be able to hear us, but our programs run at these times at these frequencies: 6 PM to 7 PM (GMT+2) at 17,630 khz. 7 PM to 8 PM (GMT+2) at 17,660 khz We will be on air Monday through Friday. So if you are listening during the week, you should hear us at 8 AM to 10 AM, assuming you are at GMT+12. Unfortunately, after the sun comes up, SW reception starts to diminish. With luck you may be able to pick us up faintly. Right now we are running a test signal that consists of 30 minutes of Sudanese music that repeats for the 2 hours. Starting Thursday (August 7) we will add other content, including some news about Sudan. We are starting humbly and it will be some weeks before we will be able to offer a completely original 2-hour program every day. Still, in the coming days there is much we hope to do. It may be difficult for you to tune us in with only music playing. Starting Thursday it should be easier to identify us when you hear us. If you have questions, please let me know. You may send a reception report to me or to the radio e- mail, which is srs@edc.org. SRS is Sudan Radio Service. We have dropped the word ``independent`` from our working title. We think S-R- S has a nicer ring to it. I look forward to hearing from you. Best regards, Jeremy Groce, Radio Programming Advisor. EDC (Education Development Center, Inc.) Sudan Radio Service Project. In Washington, DC: (igroce@edc.org) (via NEW ZEALAND DX TIMES AUGUST 2003 via DXLD) UNITED KINGDOM, 17630, Sudan R. Service, 1608+ 21 August. Oddly enough, found on this frequency with Afro Hi-life music at tune-in, and quickly into multi-lingual IDs, including English by W announcer as "You are listening to Sudan R. Service on 17630 kHz", then long canned English ID/mission announcement by W as: "Good evening, you are listening to Sudan R. Service ? shortwave radio service dedicated to peace and development in the Sudan. We will be bringing you a variety of BBC(?) programs, including programs on health ?. We also will be bringing you independent and balanced news. The Sudan R. Service is operated by a ? Sudan... one of the most important objectives of this radio station is to provide you with accurate... we will also ? cultural programs including music, stories, and ?. We will ? development of ? programs ? on how to prepare your livestock, information of local markets... we need your help... SRS ? Sudan R. Service (address, but couldn't copy)...". As you can tell, there was quite a bit a fading. Pretty weak signal. I left and returned later, around 1630, only to find them gone, possibly back on 17660. At 1658, they suddenly came back on 17630 with M and W alternating and mixed with instrumental music. So they must've erroneously punched up the wrong frequency for the first part of the 1600 hour (Dave Valko, Dunlo PA, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** SWEDEN. RADIO SWEDEN -- Coming up on Radio Sweden: Thursday: In "HeartBeat", child-proofing the home and imaginary friends Friday: Our weekly review Saturday: "Studio 49" Sunday: In "Sounds Nordic" Aeysha and the new room at Music Museum for people with learning disabilities (SCDX/MediaScan Aug 20 via DXLD) ** TAJIKISTAN. Tajik Radio has added an English program for the domestic audience on its 2nd National Channel (1143 & 7245 kHz) at 0800-0830 (Mon-Sat). The program includes news, English lessons and pop music. (Monitored by Alexander Polyakov, Uzbekistan). (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Aug 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K [and non]. Does the BBC's sexed-up reporting on the blackout count as a glitch? :-) From listening to CBC North Quebec in the first hour after the power went out, and then later listening to WABC radio it was fairly obvious that the Canadians were handling the outage the same way New York City (and I presume the other major cities hit) were: there was some confusion at first, which is understandable, but the people handled it with aplomb for the most part. The BBCWS didn't give this impression at all. In listening to the 0200 UTC edition of "The World Today", the folks in Bush House (to a much greater extent than their correspondents here in North America) kept using the word "chaos" to describe the situation in NYC. I laughed particularly hard when the correspondent said that many people were "taking the chaos in stride" -- if they're taking things in stride, it's not chaos! After the Bush House folks talked to their New York correspondent, they went to their Toronto correspondent, and tried to paint a completely different picture of what was going on, as though they thought Toronto (and by extension the rest of Canada) was a model of how to do things, while New York (and by extension the rest of the US) was a model of how *not* to do things. Ironically, the broadcaster that I thought gave the most objective, just-the-facts report on the blackout was China Radio International (Ted Schuerzinger, Aug 20, swprograms via DXLD) ** U K. News of GB2RS on 5 MHz. The experimental GB2RS news reading on 5405 kHz upper sideband each Sunday at 12.30pm local time is still attracting a large number of NoV-holders to the after-news net. Today Peter, GM4WCE, is reading the news from Ellon near Aberdeen. During the peak of summer, the D-region of the ionosphere has been causing considerable attenuation to across-the-UK signals, but last Sunday - when Gordon, G3LEQ, read the news - he found that propagation conditions were much better than during the last month. So far his experiments with various 5 MHz antennas have shown the basic 88-foot reference dipole at 0.15-wavelength above ground to be the best performer. He issued a challenge over the air to other experimenters to find and demonstrate a more efficient and practical antenna that outperforms the basic dipole for NVIS (Near Vertical Incidence Skywave) propagation. So far no-one has said that they are experimenting with the Jamaica or Shirley aerial arrays which favour Near Zenithal Radiation, but this may be due to space limitations. Anyone able to try them out is asked to contact the GB2RS News Manager, Gordon, G3LEQ, on 01 565 652 652 or by e-mail to gb2rs@ntlworld.com (Radio Society of Great Britain GB2RS News script for August 24, 2003 posted August 20 on uk.radio.amateur by G4RGA via John Norfolk, DXLD) I am somewhat bemused by the hams` fascination with propagation on this `new` band. We all-band DX listeners have been familiar with it forever (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. AMSAT`s Roy Neal, K6DUE, Silent Key. Roy Neal, K6DUE, of AMSAT has become a Silent Key. He was recovering after heart surgery but died from complications on the 15th of August. Roy Neal was for many years the NBC-news Science Correspondent, covering the American space missions for US television audiences. Through his extensive contacts at NASA, he was instrumental in convincing NASA management to fly amateur radio on-board the Space Shuttle. Later, he worked on the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station - or `ARISS` - program and provided much support to AMSAT and the ARRL on amateur radio space matters (Radio Society of Great Britain GB2RS News script for August 24, 2003 posted August 20 on uk.radio.amateur by G4RGA via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** U S A. HAM RADIOS CAME TO RESCUE IN BLACKOUT http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/blackout_ham_radio (via Jill Dybka, DXLD) When everything else failed, ham radio operators stepped into the breach as backup. . . http://wizzer.advance.net/cgi-free/getstory_ssf.cgi?a0460_BC_Blackout-HamRadio&&news&newsflash-national (AP via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. Re: WVIP Item in DXLD 3-150 Hi Glenn --- I was born in Mt. Kisco and lived in Bedford Hills (4 mi away) for more than 25 years before marriage and totally agree with Karl on the waste of a station. I grew up listening to WVIP-AM mostly hoping for a snow day from school, when it played mostly what was known as elevator music. I recall visiting the station in 1994 (they were next to the cardiac rehab facility I went to, located on Radio Circle) for information to give to the National Radio Club for a station profile. By the time I mailed in the info a month or two later, Tony Fitzherbert of the NRC said the station had switched to automated format and no longer followed the info I sent him. I recall a trailer to the left of the main studio building. Maybe it's the same trailer used after the fire. At 2230 UT on 19 August, the signal from WVIP appears to be at full power as I'm hearing them at S9 +10 level as indicated on the NRD-515 S-Meter. Recheck at 0000 20 August has them at S7+. The 20th ed. 9 of the NRC Logbook shows 33 watts. Not sure if that is now the current low power Karl means or a later Logbook shows something different, but it certainly sounds too strong even for only 15 miles from the station (Mahopac to Mt. Kisco distance). Maybe Karl can indicate the correct time for the power reduction? At 0045 when I bailed out, WVIP still appeared to be at full power as I had not heard a discernible change in level with a signal of S7 to S8. By the way, 1330 is being received at an S5-6 and is being QRMed a lot even using a K9AY loop. I wonder what Radio Visión Cristiana is gaining with two 5 kW (day power) stations 40 miles apart. One final recheck at 0415 had them at a very "fadey" S4 to S7 in addition to a longer fade cycle with an ESPN station. I would guess the way they sound now, they are on lower power (John Sgrulletta, Mahopac, NY, JRC NRD-515 /K9AY Loop, Aug 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) If it leads to one additional convert, it`s worth it??? (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. BLACK DAYS FOR US MEDIA --- WHILE MILLIONS OF NORTH AMERICANS STRUGGLED TO MAKE DO WITHOUT ELECTRICITY, ADVERTISERS WERE ALSO LEFT POWERLESS Stefano Hatfield, Wednesday August 20 2003, The Guardian As politicians, television and newspaper pundits flail around looking for someone to blame for the Great Blackout of 2003, media owners can get down to counting the cost. All told it was, understandably, a miserable and difficult couple of days for much of the east coast media, struggling to get their programmes [sic --- we have programs over here --- gh] and papers out to an audience hungry for information. Many found their back-up systems were simply not prepared for how sudden and total the blackout proved to be. If anyone "won" the media battle, then it was an old stalwart: radio. Some of the sights of the day were crowds of bewildered pedestrians huddled around car or old transistor radios, chattering nervously as the scale of the debacle became apparent. It was through radio that the few advertisers that were able to take advantage of the situation made themselves heard: most notably Duracell, which had a great blackout. The other marketer who was quick to capitalise was actually a Brit. David Morison bid for the keywords "blackout," "black out" and "power outage" on the Google search engine. When people who had power for their computers then entered these words or phrases on Google's web search, they saw Morison's ads, headlined "power outage" which read, "how do you keep your employees informed in an emergency situation?" with a link to his website. There was also blackout-related news and advice on handling power outages. Visits to his one-man site, http://www.emergencyintranet.com increased by 40 times. Television stations in the north-east were soon able to regain their signals, but nobody was watching. The real challenge now is to pin down just how many consumer eyeballs advertisers lost. It's not easy, given that there is still dispute over the 50 million figure ascribed to the number of people who were affected by the outage. The north-east is estimated to contain some 15% of the national viewership, with New York metropolitan area accounting for perhaps half of that. "Make goods" (free ads) will be expected from advertisers to compensate for their ads not being seen. It will certainly affect the crucial Nielsen TV ratings. Meanwhile, early estimates are that anything up to $20m in ad revenues will have been lost by networks that had to switch to blanket news coverage - for anyone with a battery-operated television. To be honest, we were dreading the moment the television news returned. Without power, we were blessedly spared NY1's tales of commuters "bravely" going home ("Normally we take the subway, but today we walked over the bridge! No-one mugged us for our Nikes. That would never have happened before September 11th"). We were also spared the New York Post's uplifting tales of courage: "the day I took the stairs and lived!" and similar. Having been killed by the New York Daily News on the first editions, the Post's journos worked in the dark all night to produce a special second edition on Friday morning - only for terrible distribution problems to prevent many copies ever hitting the streets. Forget the commuters - the executive who fesses up responsibility for that to Rupert Murdoch really is "brave". The New York Times's coverage was excellent, and so extensive it could almost have been prepared in advance without anyone leaving the office. But that could never happen at the grey lady, could it? Accurate reporting was at the heart of what was, for me, one of the jarring moments: on the excellent PBS radio [sic --- maybe he means NPR? Incredibly, many Americans also mix up PBS (TV) and NPR (radio), two entirely separate oganizations --- gh], no less. The anchor said "Now, we shouldn't let this affect our relationship with Canada, should we?". This was early on in the blame game - once it was clear that the culprit wasn't Iraq, North Korea or France, Canada was fingered as the foul perpetrator of a monumental cock-up that couldn't possibly be America's fault. I guess I should vouch for the bravery of some advertising Brits who had to "endure" the blackout terror in the unfamiliar surroundings of the rooftop pool at SoHo House. I counted them all out flat on sun loungers on Friday morning, and I counted them back in the pool that same afternoon. Assorted key Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe/Y&R, WPP executives and commercials production freelancers waved their Blackberries around meaningfully, and swapped stories of the German model who thought her hairdryer might have triggered the entire blackout. Somehow, they all endured the mini fire and evacuation, the "trauma" of having to open their own windows for air, and then their Ben and Jerry's ice cream bars melting. Our indefatigable host Podge, who actually had worked short-handed night and day, was not the first service sector employer to question Mayor Bloomberg's bizarre exhortation to New Yorkers to stay at home and take a "snow day". By Friday night I was sick of the city authorities and the electricity people using the media - as they had all day - to tell us that power had returned to the city "pretty much" everywhere. At 9.02 pm however, after 29 hours, we were still "pretty much" in the dark in SoHo. At 9.03 pm, though, the fan started twirling. It was over. But I will forever cherish my "I survived the blackout" T-shirt as proof of my "bravery". So, that was the blackout. Now, of course, we are being told how wonderful we were for not panicking. Well, of course we didn't - we still had some leftover duct tape from a previous orange security alert, so we were bound to be safe. Unlike during the 1977 blackout, we didn't even go out looting for television sets. What would be the point? We couldn't watch them. Stefano Hatfield is contributing editor of Advertising Age and Creativity Copyright Guardian Newspapers Limited (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** U S A [non?]. Getting some jamming on WHRI 9495 between 1200 and 1300 during the Power Hour Show here in Atlanta. After WHRI closed at 1300 the jammer closed one minute later. So much for freedom of speech (LOU KF4EON Johnson, Aug 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Other than the timing, what evidence do you have that this is deliberate interference against WHRI? Please describe the `jamming` in as great detail as possible (gh) ** U S A. KXOK --- THE ST. LOUIS LEGEND: http://www.630kxok.com/ (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) historical site; the KXOK calls have taken a sidetrip since to --- Enid OK! At least on TV (gh) ** U S A. HIGH AND MIGHTY --- IN A CORPORATE-CENTERED NATION, LEGENDARY TEXAN JIM HIGHTOWER SPREADS HIS MESSAGE OF PROGRESSIVE POPULISM --- BY TAMARA WIEDER YOU CAN CALL Jim Hightower all kinds of things: former Texas agriculture commissioner; national radio commentator; columnist; public speaker; modern-day Johnny Appleseed; founder of the nationwide "Rolling Thunder Down-Home Democracy Tour"; author of books such as If the Gods Had Meant Us To Vote They Would Have Given Us Candidates (HarperCollins, 2000) and the recently published Thieves in High Places: They`ve Stolen Our Country and It's Time To Take It Back (Viking); America`s most popular populist. But when it comes to the hell-raising Hightower, it`s best simply to let him do the talking... http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/news_features/qa/documents/03106270.asp (Boston Phoenix, via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** U S A. RADIO STATION TO RESUME BROADCASTING FRIDAY By Daniel Barlow, Reformer Staff BRATTLEBORO -- An unlicensed community radio station shut down by the Federal Communications Commission in late June intends to return to the airwaves on a new frequency on Friday {Aug 22]. Members of radio free brattleboro said the more than 2,000 signatures collected from area residents justifies the station's return to the public airwaves, although the FCC still considers the station to be operating illegally. When rfb was shut down on June 24, station co-founder Larry Bloch said the FCC agents asked him to produce either the station's license or its authority to broadcast. The signatures from area residents supporting rfb's return to the airwaves constitute that authority, Bloch said. "We are a community radio station and the community has given us the authority to broadcast," he said. "We've done some research, spoken with an attorney familiar with the FCC, and this seems to be the most sensible way to return to the airwaves." The station will resume broadcasting on Friday at 5 p.m., at its new frequency of 107.9 FM, Bloch said, and will feature a number of the station's DJs passing the microphone around until 8 p.m. A spokesman for the FCC in Washington declined to comment on the move. "The Federal Communications Commission has no comment on the subject matter you called us about," the spokesman said. Founded five years ago, rfb has broadcast at less than 10 watts from an apartment building in downtown Brattleboro and could only be heard within the town limits. Between 60 and 70 DJs are part of the station and pay dues to keep it running. Station DJs said rfb performed a valuable community service in training residents in the art of radio broadcasting and was a local news source and outlet for opinion. According to the station's promotional information, rfb was "part of the national movement to resist homogeneous corporate influence and return the airwaves to the hands and voices of the citizens, as it was intended." The FCC was acting in response to two complaints that rfb, which used to broadcast at 88.1 megahertz, interfered with the frequency for WFCR, the Amhert, Mass., National Public Radio affiliate that broadcasts at 88.5 megahertz. One of the complaints came from WFCR and one from a Guilford resident. At the time of the shutdown, one of the FCC agents warned a DJ that if the station went back on the air, U.S. marshals would seize the equipment as evidence and "put it in jail." The lawyers with whom rfb consulted advised the station that with the frequency switch and the community support, the FCC is likely to leave the station alone, Bloch said. "We think nothing will happen," Bloch said. "They've got bigger fish to fry than going after a true community radio station." Michael Mello, a professor at Vermont Law School, said rfb's move appears to fall within the realm of civil disobedience. He said while the federal government has legal authority to shut down the station, rfb members may also have a legal case if they challenge the shutdown. More troubling, said Mello, is that the federal government would choose to use its resources fighting a tiny station like rfb when terrorism continues to loom as a larger threat. "The federal government is stretched so thin after Sept. 11, that it is just insane to devote the time and manpower and energy to go after a group of harmless people," he said. "This seems to me to be a misuse of federal resources. It's really quite obscene." The new frequency is the third for rfb, which switched from 88.1 FM to 88.9 FM a few weeks before the shutdown to make room for a planned National Public Radio classical music station. [sic --- NPR owns no stations --- gh] Bloch said no station currently broadcasts at 107.9 FM -- one of the frequencies left open for the 100-watt community radio stations for which the FCC accepted applications in 2001. A license was never granted for that frequency, Bloch said, and the station never applied for one as it would have required it to cease broadcasting. "We're in safe territory," Bloch said. Brattleboro Selectboard member Pat DeAngelo, a vocal supporter of rfb, said she was delighted to hear the station would return, but added that she knew nothing of the legal ramifications that could result when the station resumes broadcasts this week. "I don't know much about the procedure of what they are doing, but I certainly support them," she said. "I like getting my information from local organizations, whether it's rfb or ibrattleboro.com . I don't want to get my news from just one or two large corporations." Bloch said he and many other members of rfb were surprised by the large and diverse outpouring of community support the station received after it was shut down. Along with the more than 2,000 signatures the station collected, numerous "free rfb" T-shirts were sold, he said. "It seems the station's appeal crosses all boundaries," he said. "We've trained over 500 people at the station and it seems that everyone knows somebody who has worked or does work with us." A new program schedule for the station is being developed, Bloch said, and he expects a majority of the station's shows to resume normal broadcast soon (Brattleboro Reformer Aug 20 via Artie Bigley, WORLD OF RADIO 1196, DXLD) ** U S A. FCC CHIEF TO PROD TV STATIONS ON LOCALISM POWELL TO RESPOND TO CRITICS WITH CALLS TO SERVE VIEWERS By Frank Ahrens, Washington Post Staff Writer, Wednesday, August 20, 2003; Page E01 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17211-2003Aug19.html (via Kraig Krist, DXLD) FCC PANEL TO STUDY LOCAL MEDIA http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23027-2003Aug20.html (via Kraig Krist, Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** VENEZUELA [and non]. LOS 15 AÑOS DE LA FM COMERCIAL EN VENEZUELA Era 1ero. de julio de 1988. 2 de la tarde. Regresaba del liceo como cualquier otro día y encendí el radio para hacer mi habitual "escaneo" de bandas. Para mi sorpresa, al final del cuadrante me topé con una potente estación con música continua y excelente modulación; era la frecuencia de 107.3 MHz. Sin saberlo, era testigo presencial de un momento histórico en la radiodifusión venezolana: el comienzo de la "Generación de la FM". Ya dos años antes nos habían bautizado como la "Generación Halley" --- en clara alusión al famoso cometa --- y ahora asistíamos al descubrimiento de la "banda misteriosa", "la banda del ruido". El comienzo de la explotación del "HI-FI" estéreo vernacular estaba a la vuelta de la esquina. Venezuela, para el momento, era uno de los pocos países del mundo donde prácticamente no había radiodifusión en modulación de frecuencia. Durante años sólo conocí una estación en dicha banda, la legendaria Emisora Cultural de Caracas, 97.7 MHz. Lo único que podía oírse en Caracas y en casi toda Venezuela. Después capté, varias veces, la señal de La Voz de Maravén (una de las desaparecidas filiales de Petróleos de Venezuela), localizada en Punto Fijo. Del resto, no había emisoras de FM en Venezuela. Hasta mediados de la década de los 60, la FM fue una banda para enlaces entre estudio y planta. Nada más. En los 70 hubo promesas de concesión de licencias para explotadores privados, sin embargo transcurrieron muchos años sin una respuesta definitiva por parte de los organismos reguladores estatales. Para 1985, yo ya hacía diexismo en FM. Lo veía tan apasionante como el de las ondas cortas. Conectaba la antena del televisor a mi radio y podía atrapar casi cualquiera cosa presente en el éter. Como siempre he vivido en el Litoral Central de Venezuela, mi ubicación ha sido estratégica para captar las frecuencias muy altas. Mis primeros DX's fueron Curazao (Radio Korsou 93.9, Radio Hoyer 2 105.1, Z-FM 95.5- Radio Curom), Puerto Rico (Cosmos 94, Cadena Salsoul 98.5, Criolla 103, Sonorama 107) y las Islas Vírgenes (WVIS, 106.1). Y todo ello gracias a lo "desértico" del espectro radioeléctrico venezolano. Incluso, una vez sintonicé Radio Rosario 99.5 ¡fue fantástico, no lo podía creer! y Radio Cidade de Brasil ¡menos lo creía! Como comprenderán, aquel 1ero. de julio de 1988 significó dos cosas para mí: una, que al fin se iba a hacer radio de una manera más amplia en Venezuela. Dos, que ya no iba a poder hacer más diexismo en FM porque el cuadrante se iba a inundar de emisoras locales, como efectivamente ocurrió. Eran dos sentimientos encontrados. Dulces y amargos a la vez. A partir de la salida al aire de "Éxitos 107", primera estación de radiodifusión sonora comercial en FM de Venezuela, la radio dio un vuelco total en este país de Suramérica. Podría llamarse como el renacer de ese medio que a tantos nos ha embrujado. Luego de 1988, años fructíferos vinieron y la radio inclusive llegó a competir con la televisión en popularidad, sobre todo entre los más jóvenes. Lamentablemente, esa llama que se encendió a finales de los 80 se fue apagando lentamente y propuestas "quemadas" hasta el cansancio como el formato de la "radio participativa", pusieron en la guillotina la creatividad de productores, locutores y musicalizadores. Y ni hablar que eso de la "radio participativa" sólo se limitó a poner a los oyentes al aire cuando telefoneaban a la emisora. ¡Desperdicio total! La Generación Halley-FM se evaporaba. En la actualidad, la tecnología ha sido usada por ciertos dueños de circuitos y estaciones de radio para deshumanizar el medio y circunscribirlo a "dar la hora y pinchar un CD". Las computadoras, que podrían ser un gran aliado, se han convertido en un gran enemigo de la radio y de su audiencia. Ya ni siquiera se puede dedicar o pedir una canción. Ya no se puede disfrutar de otro tipo de música que no sean los mentados "éxitos" del TOP 40. La mercantilización en su máxima expresión es el actual virus que corroe la radio en FM y en general, la radio comercial. La única salvación a la vista podría ser el naciente fenómeno de las radios comunitarias, las cuales rescatan buena parte el sentimiento de "hacer radio" de las primeras décadas: la radio como un servicio público y no como maquinita para producir monedas (Adán González, Certificado de Locutor 26.950, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, Aug 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. Hi Last night on the 20th, I was hearing a station on 4939.63 using LSB mode around 0900 to past 1000 GMT. The announcers spoke Spanish and had one female at times and one male at times. They played an awful lot of Spanish language songs. The audio had a bit of echo to it, not too loud or distorted. At no time did I hear anything remotely sounding like an ID from either announcer. I figured at first if it was Radio Nacional from Quito [sic] I would at least hear Quito somewhere in there around the hour, but nothing was heard at all. Any ideas on who this is? I have two listings that have the stations running on this frequency of sorts at variable frequencies. One from Venezuela, one from Bolivia. Tonight at 0809 on this same frequency I can just tell something is there. I hear the het but not much of anything else. Every so often a bit of audio pops in, mostly music. I am using the RX320 and the 50 ft south wire to hear this (Chris Dx'ing in Kentucky, hard-core-dx via DXLD) Has he read the discussion of 4960v in DXLD 3-150? (gh) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ PRIME TIME SHORTWAVE After a hiatus of a month and a half the Prime Time Shortwave website is up and running again. I had to take some time off from working on my database due to a torn retina. I can't see too well yet but it shouldn't be too much longer. At Prime Time Shortwave you will find schedules for shortwave stations sorted by time, country and even by frequency. Daniel Lyddy provides the schedules in palm pilot format and I provide the schedules in html, ascii, dBase and Excel formats. Fellow Canadian International DX Club editor provides an up-to-date listing of DX media programs. Prime Time Shortwave can be found at http://www.primetimeshortwave.com Users of screen reader programs can find the ascii text files at http://www.primetimeshortwave.com/time.txt and http://www.primetimeshortwave.com/country.txt Enjoy, (Dan Sampson, Aug 21, swprograms via DXLD) RECEIVER NEWS +++++++++++++ COMPANY CREATES VCR FOR RADIO http://www.nbc5.com/irresistible/2421299/detail.html?z=dp&dpswid=1260382&dpp (WMAQ via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) BLOOD FLOW TO BRAIN CHANGES WITH RADIO-WAVE EXPOSURE Tuesday, August 19, 2003 at 17:31 JST TOKYO - Japanese researchers said Tuesday they have found that blood flow in the brains of people who complain of irritation from electromagnetic waves changes when they are exposed to such waves from appliances such as cell phones and power lines. . . http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=1&id=270016 (via Jill Dybka, DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ POWERFUL GEOMAGNETIC STORM SENT OUT BY THE SUN A strong geomagnetic storm that rated a G4, the second highest rating on the NOAA space weather scales, was reported today at 5 a.m. EDT by the NOAA Space Environment Center in Boulder, Colo. These storms are disturbances in the geomagnetic field caused by gusts in the solar wind that blows by Earth. . . http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=12359 (via Jill Dybka, DXLD) ARNIE CORO'S DXERS UNLIMITED HF PLUS LOW BAND VHF PROPAGATION UPDATE AND FORECAST According to scientists, this latest geomagnetic storm caught them all by surprise; it came out of nowhere and did send the A index shooting to sky high figures above the 60 mark, while the K index at times went even up to 7. From a very authorized research organization in Belgium, I received the following comment about what happened on the 18th of August that left the HF bands dead for several hours at many locations around the world. Here is what the Belgian solar astronomers said, and I quote: ``Since 0000 UT Aug. 19, the N-S component of the interplanetary magnetic field turned positive again (now near +20nano Teslas), and around 0400 UT, the geomagnetic storm, which has reached major to severe storm levels yesterday, ended rather abruptly. The geomagnetic field is expected to remain unsettled to active until late Aug. 20 or Aug. 21, when the Earth will be submitted to the influence of a low latitude coronal hole now crossing the central meridian of the Sun. Although it started to decay, active region Catania#96 (NOAA0431) produced two M flares this morning (M2.2 at 0759 UT, M2.9 at 1004 UT). This region is thus still capable of producing M flares over the next 2-3 days, before it passes the West limb.`` As you may realize, current solar terrestrial conditions are far from ideal for the enjoyment of the short wave region of the radio spectrum!!! After a significant geomagnetic storm that struck Earth on Monday, conditions are now going back to near normal, but only for a few hours, as scientists are forecasting the impact of yet another stream of particles from the Sun that will further disrupt HF propagation. Solar flux is now around 115 units, and the A index was moving down at the time I was writing the script of the show at around 18 hours UT Tuesday. The optical sunspot count was very near 100, and the effective sunspot number, the figure used for a nowcast [sic] of HF propagation conditions was around 65. Be ready to pick up some interesting AM broadcast band DX if the increase in solar wind speed and particle content causes another geomagnetic storm within the next 24 to 36 hours. Chances for 6 meter sporadic E openings are very low at this moment. We still must wait at least two more weeks to see some improvement in HF propagation (Prof. Arnaldo Coro A., CO2KK, RHC DXers Unlimited Aug 19 via Bob Chandler, VE3SRE, ODXA via WORLD OF RADIO 1196, DXLD) PROPAGATION NEWS Solar data for the period from the 11th to the 17th of August, compiled by Neil Clarke, G0CAS. http://www.g0cas.demon.co.uk/main.htm Despite a moderately sized and magnetically complex sunspot group, solar activity was `very low` on the 11th, and `low` for the remainder of the period. The largest solar flare that the group could muster was a C8, early on the 15th. Solar flux declined from 131 on the 13th to 119 by the 17th. The average was 127. The 90-day solar flux average on the 17th was 127, that`s two units up on last week. X-ray flux levels increased to peak at C1 units on the 14th but by the 17th levels were down to B3.7 units. The average was B5.3 units. Geomagnetic activity was unsettled; the most disturbed day was the 12th with an Ap index of 25 units. Around midday on the 17th a sudden storm was recorded at the ACE spacecraft. Just prior to that the three-hourly K index was zero. The daily Ap average was 16 units. Solar wind speeds at the ACE spacecraft declined from 750 kilometres per second to 420 by the 17th. Particle densities were low except on the 17th, when they increased to 23 particles per cubic centimetre. Bz fluctuated between minus and plus 8 nanoTeslas but on the 17th varied between minus 10 and plus 20 nanoTeslas. HF band conditions were once again rather poor due to seasonal effects. Hopefully, HF conditions should start to improve during the coming weeks as we head towards the autumn equinox. The daytime MUFs will increase, although unfortunately not to last year`s levels because of the continuing decline in the sunspot cycle. The minimum is still expected around the end of 2006 or early 2007. VHF Sporadic E is now less prolific than last month, but openings were reported on most days, including a number of double-hop 50 MHz contacts to the Middle East. A short 70 MHz opening to Slovenia occurred on the morning of the 15th. The continuing heat-wave across the UK and much of continental Europe again brought good extended tropospheric propagation at VHF and UHF. And finally the solar forecast. This week solar activity is expected to be mostly low with only a small chance that activity could increase to moderate. Solar flux should be around the 100 mark for the next couple of days but then increase as we head towards next weekend. Geomagnetic activity is expected to be disturbed for most of the coming week due to a recurring coronal hole. This hole has survived several solar rotations and it`s interesting watching it change shape with each rotation. This can be viewed at the SOHO website - look for the EIT 284 Angstroms image. The image is gold in colour and the coronal hole shows up as a large black area. MUFs during daylight hours at equal latitudes should be around 20 MHz for the south and 17 MHz for the north. The darkness hour lows should be around 11 MHz. Paths this week to the Middle East should have a maximum usable frequency, with a 50 per cent success rate, of about 24 MHz. The optimum working frequency, with a 90 per cent success rate, should be around 17 MHz. The best time to try this path should be between 0800 and 1700 UTC. Sporadic E may take place on the occasional day. The RSGB propagation news is also available in a Saturday update, posted every Saturday evening and for more on propagation generally, see http://www.rsgb.org/society/psc.htm (Radio Society of Great Britain GB2RS News script for August 24, 2003 posted August 20 on uk.radio.amateur by G4RGA via John Norfolk, DXLD) FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 20 AUGUST - 15 SEPTEMBER Solar activity is expected to range from very low to moderate levels during the period. Activity for most of the period is expected to be at very low to low levels. Region 431 may produce an isolated M-class event before it rotates off the disk on 21 August. No greater than 10 MeV proton events at geosynchronous orbit are expected during the period. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to reach high levels on 25 August – 01 September, 05 – 07 September, and again on 10 – 13 September. The geomagnetic field is expected to range from quiet to major storm levels during the period. A large coronal hole high speed flow is due to return to a geoeffective position on 22 August with minor to major storm levels possible on 22 – 29 August. Another coronal hole high speed flow is due on 02 – 05 September with minor to major storm levels possible. Towards the end of the period a couple smaller coronal holes may produce isolated minor storm levels. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2003 Aug 19 2211 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Environment Center # Product description and SEC contact on the Web # http://www.sec.noaa.gov/wwire.html # # 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table # Issued 2003 Aug 19 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2003 Aug 20 120 15 3 2003 Aug 21 115 15 3 2003 Aug 22 105 25 5 2003 Aug 23 100 25 5 2003 Aug 24 100 20 4 2003 Aug 25 100 30 5 2003 Aug 26 100 25 5 2003 Aug 27 105 30 5 2003 Aug 28 105 30 5 2003 Aug 29 110 20 4 2003 Aug 30 120 15 3 2003 Aug 31 125 10 3 2003 Sep 01 130 15 3 2003 Sep 02 130 25 5 2003 Sep 03 135 35 6 2003 Sep 04 135 25 5 2003 Sep 05 130 15 3 2003 Sep 06 130 15 3 2003 Sep 07 130 15 3 2003 Sep 08 130 25 5 2003 Sep 09 130 35 6 2003 Sep 10 130 20 4 2003 Sep 11 130 12 3 2003 Sep 12 130 20 4 2003 Sep 13 130 15 3 2003 Sep 14 130 10 3 2003 Sep 15 125 12 3 (http://www.sec.noaa.gov/radio via WORLD OF RADIO 1196, DXLD) ### ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-150, August 19, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser, ghauser@hotmail.com Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3h.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1195: RFPI: Wed 0100, 0730, 1330 on 7445 [nominal times subject to delay or pre-emption] WWCR: Wed 0930 9475 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1195.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1195.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1195h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1195h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1195.html SOLICITED TESTIMONIALS Traditionally, I've listened to WoR on WPKN-FM in Bridgeport, CT. I'm moving to Westchester County, NY. I'll have to find a local station or just keep listening to WPKN over the 'net... Thanks for keeping on the excellent work. Cheers, (Joshua S. Freeman) UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS Glenn, I've been burning your WOR shows to cd and listening on long car rides. They're a real pleasure to listen to. I've sort of re- kindled my childhood DX'ing hobby (hmmm... a typical, yet harmless mid-life crisis?:)). I just wanted to send along kudos. My only wish is that they were in *.mp3 format, as the conversion from Real to MP3 can be a long, tricky task. Any chance they would be posted in another audio format in the future? Again, the shows are really enjoyable. Keep up the good work (Todd Van Gelder, Maryland, Aug 18) They are converted to mp3 at http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/NetworkRadioInternational/files (gh) Thanks Glenn! Note: Always a pleasure to hear your weekly show. I hope this small amount helps in some way to support your outstanding program. Best to ya! (Larry NX2V Guerrera, Jericho, NY, Aug 18, with a contribution via PayPal) ** AFGHANISTAN. NEW AFGHAN RADIO STARTS BROADCASTING | Text of report by Afghan television on 18 August Radio Kelid officially started broadcasting programmes today. According to a report by the Bakhtar news agency correspondent, Radio Kelid broadcasts news shows, educational, sports, entertainment, cultural and social programmes round the clock on 88.00 FM. According to a relevant source, Radio Kelid covers an area of 30 km. Radio Kelid has been established with the technical cooperation of the Internews organization. It is also supported by the Orfan cultural organization and the Kelid, (?Morsal) and (?Sapida) weeklies. Source: Afghanistan Television, Kabul, in Dari 1500 gmt 18 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** AFGHANISTAN [non]. R. Amani, 15615 is via Armavir-Krasnodar, Russia (Wolfgang Bueschel, BC-DX Aug 17 via DXLD) ** ALGERIA. Has anybody heard RTA Algiers lately? A week ago there was some discussion on #swl if they are still on short wave, or not. Their web page at http://www.algerian-radio.dz isn't showing any short wave frequency anymore, but their FM transmitter park has been growing enormously. I've sent them an e-mail to ask for definite answer but haven't got a reply until now. 73, (Guido Schotmans - Antwerp, BELGIUM, Aug 19, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** ANTARCTICA. Ayer lunes 18 estuvo fuera del aire LRA36 en los 15476 khz. Alguien sabe si está operando normalmente??? (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, Aug 18?, Conexión Digital via DXLD) No puedo determinar a qué hora actual escribes, pero me parece que ayer era el domingo 17 cuando no opera la emisora. O puede deberse a la tormenta geomagnética, anulando señales polares. 73, (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) Hola Glenn! fue ayer lunes 18 cuando no encontré la emisora y me sorprendio. Generalmente la señal es muy fuerte por aquí. De todas maneras, bien vale la sugerencia. Muchas gracias (Arnaldo Slaen, ibid.) ** AUSTRALIA. Now I have monitored RA`s Feedback of Aug 16 from the WRN archive, Roger Broadbent interviewing Richard Trudgeon(sp?), community educator and business manager of ARDS. Some of the points which may not have been covered previously: People in Arnhem Land get some TV services, but not much on radio, especially in their own language. They get very good reception of R. Australia, but that`s in a foreign language, English. Richard is the main program producer, but he`s trying to recruit people in the various communities to participate. Some of the subjects mentioned were diabetes, renal failure, and other medical problems; Australian law, e.g. the people do not understand how courts work and what pleading guilty or not guilty means. Has material recorded over the past 4-5 decades, including religious (apparently the missionaries were active here previously), song cycles, and also some contemporary Y. music. This is a A$5 million project, done for only $280 thousand. No one wanted to fund it, and it took three years to get on the air, since it`s a ``non-sexy`` medium, antiquated shortwave, but it`s ideal for this service to start up. Still trying to correct the aerial to be sure the signal isn`t going off to Fiji instead, hitting ionosphere at wrong angle. Has had report from NZ and Melbourne, but only on `professional ham radios`, not ordinary receivers. Plans to move to digital radio and ``satellites straight down`` at some point in the future. Will create online dictionaries in medical, economic and technical fields. This is all aimed at adults, and elders to turn them into teachers. Richard is getting excited now that ARDS is on the air, but is taking a couple of weeks rest before concentrating on producing more programming. There is an ID clip at about 45 minutes into the WRN 0800 UT file for last Sunday which I plan to insert on WORLD OF RADIO 1196 (notes by Glenn Hauser for DX LISTENING DIGEST) I reckon I had Humpty Doo last night very poor, off frequency 5048.7 or thereabouts. USB. Cheers (Lew Chapman, somewhere in Australia, Aug 18, ARDXC via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. 4905.16, Radio San Miguel, Riberalta, Beni, 0944-1000, August 18. Spanish. Interview with medicine doctor who talked about different health themes. At 1000, "Cu-Cu" sound and TC and ID as: "Radio San Miguel" by female, 34222 (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Ao que tudo indica, a Rádio San Miguel, da cidade de Riberalta, não mantém freqüência fixa em 60 metros. Em Cochabamba, o dexista brasileiro Rogildo Aragão ouviu a emissora, em 16 de agosto, às 0215, pela freqüência de 4905 kHz. Na oportunidade, apresentava o programa Show de los Sábados. Anteriormente, era captada em 4930 kHz (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX Aug 17 via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. 5927.1, R Minería, Oruro, August 18th, 2340-2350, Spanish, advertisement, ID, music of the Andes; SINPO 22222 (Michael Schnitzer, Homepage: http://home.arcor.de/mschnitzer/ Location: Hassfurt, Germany, Receiver: NRD-525, Antennas: 25m long wire, DX-One Professional, EWE to South America, dxing.info via DXLD) ** BOTSWANA. Yesterday morning, August 15, I had been listening for about an hour on 1350 kHz without results. Then at 0302 came the surprise: I heard a hymn and a male voice talking, with no doubt, in an African language. A rapid research on WRTH gave me the hint that it might have been RB1 Tsabong opening. Later on I checked my recording and found that the hymn corresponded to a midi version of it found on the web. QRK 2/3 for a few minutes. TEN TEC RX 340, T2FD 29.4 meters long (Valter Comuzzi, Pasian di Prato (Udine), Italy, dxing.info via DXLD) Nice catch! This summer I have also heard Botswana several times on this frequency. Especially fine the station came just on the same day, 15th of August. Somehow I 've heard them mostly on Fridays or Saturdays - extended programme?. Here they've been audible starting approximately 2200 (Jyrki HYtönen, Kannus, Finland, ibid.) ** BRAZIL. 3235.05, 0058-0145, R. Clube, Aug 19. Male announcer mentioned Marília in Portuguese. Lots of station promos at TOH. Then on to music program. S6 signal level. Recheck at 0130 and signal level the same but quality has diminished. Playing various Latin tunes. A few static crashes (Bob Montgomery Levittown, PA, Cumbre DX via DXLD) So the Guarujá acquisition is partial? Nos próximos dias, a Rádio Guarujá Paulista, de Guarujá (SP), passará a emitir pela freqüência de 5045 kHz. A informação é de Orivaldo Rampazzo, diretor da emissora. Ele conversou com Caio Lopes, de Itajubá (MG). A Guarujá Paulista já ocupa a freqüência de 3235 kHz, que era da Rádio Clube, de Marília (SP). A freqüência de 5045 kHz é da Rádio Difusora, de Presidente Prudente (SP). De acordo com Rampazzo, "a onda curta engrandece a emissora". A Guarujá também está projetando transmitir em 31 metros. O endereço da emissora é o seguinte: Rádio Guarujá Paulista, A/C Orivaldo Rampazzo, Rua Montenegro, 196, CEP: 11410-040, Guarujá (SP). A Rádio Nacional do Brasil transmite, desde 1º de agosto, duas emissões, em português, para o continente africano. A Gerente da Radiobrás, Taís Ladeira, informou ao dexista Sarmento Campos, do Rio de Janeiro (RJ), que as emissões ocorrem entre 0500 e 0800 e entre 1900 e 2100. As freqüências utilizadas são as duas que a Radiobrás dispõe, no momento, ou seja : 6180 e 11780 kHz. De acordo com informações de Tobias Jung, publicadas no sítio Rádio Agência, a programação é constituída de espaços que a Radiobrás já produz para o público interno do Brasil. A única exceção seria o programa Giro Afro, este sim, um boletim diário com notícias dos países de língua portuguesa. No entender de Sarmento Campos, "o executivo brasileiro dá sinais de reconhecer a importância do rádio", com o anúncio. Não há previsão do retorno do sinal da Rádio Liberal, de Belém (PA), na freqüência de 4775 kHz, em ondas tropicais. A informação é de Paulo Roberto e Souza, de Tefé (AM), que conversou com a direção da emissora. Algumas peças já foram adquiridas. Falta apenas o conserto do transmissor. Por enquanto, a Rádio Liberal pode ser ouvida em ondas médias, em 1330 kHz. Na Internet, possui o seguinte sítio: http://www.radioliberal.com.br (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX Aug 17 via DXLD) ** BULGARIA. 11600, R. Bulgaria 0135-0154 07/Ago SINPO=34442 Español. Con algunas noticias DX y luego el programa "Para los Oyentes Jóvenes", entrevistando jóvenes sobre sus preferencias musicales y tocando algunas canciones de un grupo búlgaro de música "rock". Me parece que el audio es muy bajo en relación a la fuerza de la señal, por eso en el SINPO la O=2 (Elmer Escoto, Honduras SONY ICF-SW7600GR y antena "random" de 10 metros, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. Canada. CHU time/frequency station in Ottawa has not been heard here on Monday August 18 so assume that they are off the air. I tried phoning but no answer, Federal public servants working in Ottawa have been told to stay home today unless their work is essential. This is to keep down the use of electricity. Those government workers who work across the river in Gatineau, Quebec were to report for work as usual today (Bernie O'Shea, Ottawa, Ontario, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Isn`t accurate time an `essential service` for many scientific and civilian applications??? One graf says they have generator backup, so why aren`t they on? Here`s the official CHU page: http://inms-ienm.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/time_services/shortwave_broadcasts_e.html ``The CHU station is located 15 km southwest of Ottawa at 45º 17' 47" N, 75º 45' 22" W. Main transmitter powers are 3 kW at 3330 and 14 670 kHz, and 10 kW at 7335 kHz. Individual vertical antennas are used for each frequency. The electronics systems feeding the transmitters are duplicated for reliability, and have both battery and generator protection. The generator can also supply the transmitters. The announcements are made by a talking clock using digitally recorded voices`` (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. My blackout observations (long post). Well, where was I when the lights went out? I was with my wife in a supermarket in Port Dover, a resort town on the north shore of Lake Erie. When the power went out we kind of joked that it was "all our fault" because the week previous, we'd been in a supermarket in Fenelon Falls, Ontario when the power went off (although the emergency generator kicked in within two minutes). In Port Dover though --- the backup generator didn't come on and all that was working was the cash register. We got back in the car to head down to our campsite at Turkey Point Provincial Park and of course I did what any radio junkie would do --- I turned the radio on. Before entering the supermarket we'd been listening to WQLN 91.3, the NPR station out of Erie, PA. When I got back in the car, the station wasn't there. I thought at first --- okay maybe some weird tropo happening. However I tuned around the FM band and noticed alot of stations weren't there or there were a lot of weak signals. I managed to tune in CBC Radio One on 99.1 out of Toronto --- with a rather fuzzy signal and heard the news of the big blackout. I usually carry a ham radio HT with me but this time I didn't have one with me --- just the hustle of getting the car all packed up. I thought --- rats. biggest emergency in years and I don't have any ham equipment with me. I did however have my trusty Radio Shack DX-392 along with a 30 ft. piece of wire and a Kaito KA007 multi-band emergency windup radio (courtesy of Durham Radio. I have a review I've written that will appear in an upcoming issue of LI). I also had plenty of spare batteries! So, while setting up the tent and getting dinner ready, tuned into CBC Radio One and listened to all the news reports coming in from around the city. I could pick up CBC-1 out of Paris, Ontario on 89.1, London on 93.5 and occasionally on some other frequencies. CBC-1 went into special programming mode pretty much till Friday night. My French is limited but from what I could tell Radio Canada was also running special programming. My compliments to the folks at the CBC, I thought they did an excellent job under difficult conditions. There were a few technical "glitches" along the way but given the circumstances they were quite understandable. In many cases it was caller's cellphones that went out of commission. Cellphones are wonderful things --- but all too often don't work in a disaster area. Also noticed that on quite a few FM frequencies there was a carrier, but no audio --- so the transmitters were working but the studio/transmitter links were down. After dinner, I switched to listening to some of the ham nets. The Trans Provincial Net ran an extended session on 7.055 MHz with Jeanne VA3FW out of Kingston, Ontario operating as net control. As the propagation shifted they switched to an extended session of the Ontario Phone Net on 3.742 The various local ham radio emergency coordinators had obviously swung into action on local VHF/UHF repeaters that had emergency power. The nets were quite busy and nice to see lots of hams were able to get themselves on the air with emergency power. I heard a lot of familiar voices, including ODXA member James VE3TPZ popping in from Stratford both from home...and from the Red Cross emergency station VA3PRC. (You were louder from home James!) I did notice that quite a number of AM/FM "combo" stations began simulcasting news and taking phone calls from listeners --- running the "AM" programming on the FM "side". Heard this kind of activity from Hamilton, Guelph and Kitchener. The NPR stations were also running special news reports. Other FM stations just kept playing music as if nothing was going on - -- and the evangelical stations kept playing their canned religious programming. Couldn't they at least say a prayer for those in the affected areas, I thought??? I tuned into CBC Radio One out of Windsor on 1550. They had moved their studios to the transmitting site during the emergency and weren't running the "Toronto" feed. They were taking calls and mentioned that people were honking their horns as they drove past the CBE transmitter site! The AM band I found much more useful, especially after dark. I could easily tune in to WABC 770 and WCBS 880 from New York, WTAM 1100 from Cleveland and WJR 760 Detroit were quite loud at my "campfire" location. CFRB 1010 was a little tough to listen to with the co-channel interference from WINS New York. CFTR "680 News" was generally in the clear as was "Mojo 640". AM740 obviously had trouble with their studio-transmitter link. There was a carrier on the frequency but with no audio. The little Kaito KA007 was very handy for listening to TV audio. I could pick up quite a number of the local Cleveland TV stations along with CHCH out of Hamilton and the Global TV Channel 6 transmitter out of Paris, Ontario. There were lots of "eye in the sky" reports --- only I can imagine that very few people were watching! I tuned into the BBC World Service and of course the blackout was the first item of news --- with reports from correspondents in both New York and Toronto. The little Kaito also tunes in the VHF band from 145 to 170 MHz. Just with the little whip antenna I had some faint signals from one of the two meter band repeaters on the U.S. side of Lake Erie. It appeared to be linked to either the I-Link or IRLP systems and there were folks coming in from all over the U.S. Also tuned into one of the marine weather channels where in their notice to shipping they were warning boaters about navigation hazards due to all the normal lighting being out. I listened to WGY 810 out of Schenectady, NY after midnight. They were carrying the "Coast to Coast AM" programme and were very quick at coming up with conspiracy theories on the reason for the blackout. Talk of electromagnetic pulse weapons in the hands of terrorists etc. Spent Friday at the beach...and later went to Port Dover for their "Summer Fest" (the power was back on) the solar panel on the Kaito works great on a bright sunny beach! Also listened to the ONTARS ham net on 3.755 for a little while Friday night. ONTARS remained in "special session" till around 11 PM with Percy VA3BBD in Owen Sound as net controller and VE3EMO the ham station at Ontario's Emergency Measures Organization taking reports from hams across the province as to who was back up and who was still "off". I suppose I could have spent time "chasing DX" during the power outage --- but instead found myself doing more listening just to get a picture of what was going on --- and what would await us when we got back home to Toronto. From talking to a few folks in the building where I work today, all kinds of folks were looking for batteries for their portable radios and finding stores sold out. I'm sure that after this experience, wind-up "emergency" radios like the Baygens, Grundig FR-200 and the Kaito KA007 will be selling like hotcakes! Had a look at the Kaito website and I see that Kaito has a new Dynamo/Solar radio for sale with digital readout. It covers AM/FM and shortwave but lacks the TV audio and the VHF band. You can look at the new radio at: http://www.kaitousa.com/KA007D.htm 73 (Bob Chandler, VE3SRE, Ham Radio Editor, "Listening In" Magazine, ODXA http://www.qsl.net/ve3sre Aug 18, ODXA via DXLD) ** CANADA. BITOVE TUNES IN TO SATELLITE RADIO FIRM PLANS TO FILE APPLICATION WITH CRTC By KEITH DAMSELL TECHNOLOGY REPORTER UPDATED AT 3:48 AM EDT Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2003 The future of digital radio in Canada grew more clouded this month following news that food service tycoon John Bitove wants to launch a high-tech satellite radio service. Canadian Satellite Radio Inc. plans to file an application to the federal broadcasting regulator within the next few days. The company is a partnership between a Toronto group led by Mr. Bitove and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., a Washington, D.C., broadcaster with about 700,000 subscribers across the United States. The company wants to begin broadcasting its CD-quality sound next year but declined to discuss the specifics of its proposal. Mr. Bitove's plans are being watched closely by broadcasters. Some of the country's largest radio station owners are backing a rival technology, digital audio broadcasting. Currently, about 70 AM and FM stations across the country are simulcasting their signals in digital formats. The potential launch of satellite radio has created "a bit of a conundrum. There's no question it doesn't help what we're trying to do with DAB. It's another distraction," said Steve Edwards, vice- president of corporate engineering and technology at Rogers Broadcasting, a unit of Toronto holding company Rogers Communications Inc. Seven Rogers stations currently simulcast in the DAB format and three additional stations are scheduled to go digital over the next few months. Gary Slaight, president and chief executive officer of Toronto-based Standard Broadcasting Corp. Ltd., argues that satellite radio may have little or no impact on DAB. Nevertheless, Mr. Slaight, one of digital radio's most outspoken critics, thinks the technology's future may be "under review." "I have a feeling even Rogers and CHUM Ltd., who have been waving the DAB flag, may now be saying this may not necessarily be the best way to proceed," he said. First developed in the late 1980s, DAB has had a brief and troubled history. Via a digital radio technology called Eureka 147, broadcasters can transmit a complex signal with many potential applications, not the least of which is a crystal-clear sound. As CD-quality music plays, a radio display will show the song title and artist. Press a button and you can order the CD. Press another and you can order concert tickets. Stations can be personalized according to a listener's needs with the latest weather, traffic or stock market quotes available on request. In 1995, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission released a policy for the introduction of digital radio, foreseeing "digital radio services as coming to replace existing AM and FM services over time." The policy set a rough framework for incumbent players to access the L-band, a valuable chunk of digital spectrum set aside by Industry Canada. Launching services with a single digital transmitter costs about $40,000 per radio station. Blanketing an entire city with eight digital transmitters costs about $300,000 per station. At this stage, there are no data available on DAB's actual listening audience in this country. While Europe's major broadcasters embraced Eureka 147, it was a very different story in the United States. Concern that a new dedicated digital band would undermine the value of FM stations prompted the United States to support a made-in-America compromise called IBOC (in band/on channel). The IBOC plan requires no new spectrum and squeezes new digital signals within the existing FM and AM radio bands. Canadian supporters of Eureka 147 claim the U.S. plan will mean an inferior digital radio signal for the world's largest commercial audience. The two formats are not compatible and require separate digital receivers. To date, the Canadian industry's hopes have largely rested on a single retailer, InterTan Inc., the Barrie, Ont., parent of Radio Shack. In November last year, Radio Shack stores across the country began selling two DAB receivers priced at $299 and $399. Unfortunately, consumer demand has failed to materialize and InterTan has sold only "hundreds" of units, reports David Easden, associate vice-president of merchandising. "We ended up with a very cool radio that a number of early acquirers bought in to, but kind of a radio that's out of the average individual's reach," Mr. Easden said. "It's great technology but it hasn't maybe taken off quite the way I think the industry had hoped it would." Radio Shack has discontinued the sale of the two DAB receivers and later this month will begin selling a cheaper $99 unit. Digital Radio Rollout Inc., an industry lobby group, is confident the more affordable DAB unit will lead to a "significant breakthrough" in consumer interest, said spokesman David Bray. Satellite radio has complicated matters further. In the United States, XM Satellite and competitor Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. have each quickly built a base of subscribers willing to pay a monthly fee of $10 (U.S.) to $12 to listen to commercial-free radio. Combined, XM and Sirius have invested more than $2.5-billion in operations and continue to lose money. Auto makers are unperturbed and after an initial commitment to support DAB, are now offering satellite radio as an option in a handful of 2004 U.S. models. General Motors Corp. and Honda Motor Co. Ltd. are supporting the XM platform while Ford Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler AG are offering Sirius to customers. The car market is essential for success, industry sources report, noting that the rush-hour commute to and from work is the key radio-listening period. Meanwhile, some retailers report increasing interest in satellite radio systems, especially in rural Canada. Satellite radio has yet to be licensed in this country and getting access to signals mirrors the trade in grey-market satellite TV. Retailers interviewed buy satellite receivers in the United States and then resell them here. The consumer must then set up a U.S.-based account with Sirius or XM to receive signal access each month. Audio Video Unlimited in Williams Lake, B.C., has sold a handful of car stereo satellite units manufactured by Tokyo-based Alpine Electronics Inc. for $1,000 (Canadian) each. "They've been fairly popular," said store owner Brian Sawyer. "Once you get 40 kilometres out of town, you've got no radio period. And we have so many people working in the logging industry. So for all these operators, logging truck drivers, haulers that have been out of the office for 10 to 12 days, satellite radio is fantastic." While satellite radio may appear to have some momentum, there is some optimism digital radio may find an audience among new Canadians. In April, the CRTC granted a DAB licence to Sur Sagar Radio Inc. of Toronto. Some time next year, the Asian language station will begin operating Canada's first stand-alone digital radio service. "It's a new technology . . . and we're sure it's going to be picking up. We wanted to be in something current," said station manager Amar Prett. Wayne Stacey, an Ottawa-based broadcasting engineering consultant, said the fate of DAB is akin to the "chicken and egg" puzzle: innovative broadcasting may drive consumer demand for receivers but at the same time, broadcasters are waiting for greater consumer acceptance before launching further DAB services. © 2003 Bell Globemedia Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved (via Dan Say, DXLD) ** CHILE [non]. A 30 AÑOS DEL GOLPE MILITAR EN CHILE Nos dirigimos, en primer lugar al auditorio chileno, y no sólo a ellos. El 11 de septiembre de este año conmemoramos con ustedes una luctuosa fecha en la historia contemporánea de Chile. Aquel día, hace tres décadas, una junta castrense se levantó en armas contra la democracia y, pisoteando el juramento militar perpetró en el país un golpe de Estado. El presidente Salvador Allende, legalmente elegido pereció en el palacio de La Moneda. Quienes sintonizan desde hace tiempo las ondas de Radio Moscú deben recordar que después de implantada la dictadura, por primera vez salieron al aire los programas con el título de `Escucha Chile`. Aquella fue una de las primeras manifestaciones de la solidaridad de los pueblos de Rusia y de las otras repúblicas soviéticas con los chilenos que eran víctimas de la opresión de los militares. Este programa conquistó popularidad desde los primeros días de su existencia. En las ciudades y aldeas chilenas era escuchado en secreto por gentes de distintas convicciones. Ello se debía a que contábamos solo y nada más que la verdad, denunciábamos los crímenes de la Junta y dábamos los nombres de los patriotas asesinados y de sus verdugos. La voz desde Moscú llegaba incluso hasta los prisioneros de los centros de reclusión pinochetistas. No es casual que la Junta declarase entonces a Radio Moscú como a un enemigo jurado suyo. Un poco más tarde salió al aire además, el programa ``Radio Magallanes`` Semana tras semana y año tras año esos programas fueron creados por un pequeño equipo integrado por periodistas chilenos y soviéticos. Ellos trabajaban activamente con la correspondencia que llegaba a Moscú desde distintos rincones del mundo, sobre todo de América Latina. A través de terceros países, y a veces incluso directamente, nos llegaban también mensajes de Chile. Les invitamos a recordar y a que nos escriban de cómo supieron ustedes de la existencia de los programas Escucha Chile y Radio Magallanes y qué significado tenían para los chilenos en aquellos años. Además, nos gustaría recibir vuestras respuestas a las siguientes preguntas: 1.-¿Qué piensa de la llegada al poder del gobierno de la Unidad Popular y cuales fueron a su juicio las causas de su derrota? 2.-¿Por qué la cúpula castrense resultó entonces más fuerte que la democracia? 3.-¿Qué opinión le merece la figura de Salvador Allende 30 años mas tarde? Les anunciamos que, a partir de mediados de agosto, La Voz de Rusia comienza Las Jornadas Chilenas, a las que desde ya les invitamos a participar con su testimonio. Quedamos a la espera de vuestras cartas por correo postal y por Internet. Las mejores respuestas serán premiadas con recuerdos de la alcaldía de Moscú, de la Fundación Nuevo Mundo 500 y de nuestra emisora, La Voz de Rusia. La fecha para el envío de las respuestas es, a más tardar, el 20 de agosto. De antemano, muchas gracias. Por supuesto que se puede participar por correo electronico: letters@v... [truncated] REDACCION LATINOAMERICANA, LA VOZ DE RUSIA (via Arnaldo Slaen, Aug 18, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** CONGO. 5985, 2243-2300, R. Congo, Aug 18. Male announcer in French at tune in with mentions of Congo several times. Signal level between 10 and 20/ S9 level. Fairly clear with little to no interference. Must have been commentary on the news as George Bush mentioned a few times. Two male announcers back and forth with comments. Very nice copy with SF at 116 and A index at 62. 2247 to some very nice African tunes. Sudden off at 2300 in the middle of a tune (Bob Montgomery, Levittown, PA, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** CUBA. Las frecuencias de Radio Habana Cuba han mejorado una barbaridad. Este 18/08 la monitoré en 9550, 9600 (fortísima, +40dB), 11760 y 15230 kHz. Muy débil en 11930 kHz. Todas a las 0230. 11875 entra al aire luego de las 0400. 73's y buen DX (Adán González, Saludos desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The geomag storm got new 9600 here; quite weak around 0130 Aug 19. I meant to mention with the Arnie Coro stuff in previous issue, that the http://www.radiohc.cu/ingles/dxers1.htm website, nor via Bob Chandler, ODXA, lacks DXUL scripts between Aug 2 and 16 --- was the show on vacation, or in repeats? In fact as of Aug 19, radiohc still has doesn`t have the Aug 16 script (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. A Rádio Havana Cuba tem novo concurso, conforme dica de Valdirei Carneiro, de Curiúva (PR). O tema é a trova cubana. Para participar, o ouvinte deve responder, até 31 de dezembro, as seguintes questões: 1) Mencione 3 temáticas que coincidam entre os trovadores tradicionais e os atuais e suas respectivas canções; 2) Nomeie 3 representantes da trova velha e 3 da nova trova cubana; 3) Que é, para você, um trovador? Respostas para: Rádio Havana Cuba, Apartado 6240, La Havana, Cuba (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX Aug 17 via DXLD) ** CUBA. Hoy Lunes 18 de Agosto hube de sintonizar desde mi QTH: Sur de Miami la emisora de Ciudad de la Habana, Cuba "CMCA RADIO CIUDAD DE LA HABANA" en la frecuencia de los 910 AM con una señal aceptable, moderada pertubación de propagación entre las 1300-1400 UT. La emisora emitía el programa "BUENOS DIAS CIUDAD". En ese tiempo de una hora se abordaron distintos temas: noticiosos, infantiles, informaciones sobre la salida y llegada de trenes y ómnibus a las respectivas terminales, así como otros temas a los residentes de Ciudad de la Habana. Lo interesante resultó que en la identicación de la emisora se anunció: "CMCA Radio Ciudad de la Habana la emisora joven de la Capital 94.9 FM, 820 AM desde el quinto piso del edificio # 1, Radio Ciudad de la Habana". Teléfono: 55-46-44`` Nuevamente sucede, se anuncia una frecuencia y se emite por otra. Revisando el WRTH encuentro CMCA 820 AM 10 kW desde Santa Catalina, Municipio de 10 de Octubre. En dias pasados también sucedió con Radio 26 la emisora provincial de Matanzas en los 1060 AM, por donde se continúa escuchando. Cordiales 73's (Oscar de Céspedes, FL, Aug 18, Conexión Digital via DXLD). ** DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Hola Glenn, HIJQ, primera vez que la encuentro tan temprano, 2028 UT, en los 4959.86 kHz, con SINPO 2/2. Tocaba el tema "Not gonna get us", de la banda Tatoo. Luego escuchada a la 0120, con el espacio "El Guerrero de Super Q", con una alta dosis de rap estilo "The Noise". (17/08). (Adán González, Saludos desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUATEMALA. Radio Buenas Nuevas, en 4799.79 kHz, en lengua indígena a la 0153 UT. SINPO 3/3. (17/08). (Adán González, Saludos desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUATEMALA. 3325, R. Maya de Barillas 2349-0000/ 29/Jul SINPO=34332 En español. No escuché los acostumbrados "saludos" en lengua indígena, sino el programa "La Biblia dice". Apaga el transmisor a las 0000 (Elmer Escoto, Honduras SONY ICF-SW7600GR y antena "random" de 10 metros, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HAWAII. 15000 khz - WWVH - Hawai/USA --- Cartão QSL Full data sob o nº de série 22048, Carta agradecendo a recepção e confirmando também os dados do informe, pedindo novos informes. Foto aérea da estação e NIST Brochure. V/S - Dean T. Okayama - Engineer-in-Charge, 37 dias. NIST Radio Station WWVH, P.O. Box 417, Kekaha HI 96752 - USA, site: http://www.boulder.nist.gov/timefreq e-mail: wwvh@boulder.nist.gov (Alexandre Deves Sailer / Viamão – RS, @tividade DX Aug 17 via DXLD) ** HONDURAS. 3249, R. Luz y Vida, 0029-0032 28/Jul, SINPO=22222, señal débil. Locutor en español con mensajes cristianos "Que Dios te bendiga en ésta hora... mantengámonos en el Camino del Señor". Anuncian un número telefónico (ininteligible). Hora "Las 6 con 30 minutos. Radio Luz y Vida, San Luis, Santa Bárbara". La frecuencia varía (Elmer Escoto, Honduras SONY ICF-SW7600GR y antena "random" de 10 metros, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. 9690, 11620, 13710. All India Radio 1430 check, Good signals on the eve of their independence day. 11620 runs behind the other frequencies by some seconds (David Norcross, SLO Cen Cal Coast CA, Aug 17, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Ergo heard on Aug 14. That would be the AIRGOS to SEAs at 1330-1500 (gh) ** INDIA. PRIVATE RADIO NOT ALLOWED IN NEWS PTI[ MONDAY, AUGUST 18, 2003 01:38:02 PM ] NEW DELHI: The government on Monday said private radio is not permitted to broadcast news and current affairs. Following a complaint received through the CEO of Prasar Bharati on June 11, 2002 regarding broadcasting of news and current affairs on private FM Channel in Mumbai, the matter was taken up with the company, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said in a written reply. In its response, the company said it had happened inadvertantly and they had taken measures to ensure this is not repeated. Central Monitoring Services of the Ministry had also been asked to monitor Radio Mirchy, 93.5 RED FM and Radio City Private FM channels on July 19 and July 20, 2003, the Minister said. He said monitoring is being done by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to ensure that the terms and conditions of licence agreement are adhered to (Times Of India, Aug 18, 2003 via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, dx_india via DXLD) What is the so-called democratic government of India afraid of? (gh) ** INDONESIA. 15150, Voice of Indonesia, 2028-2106* Aug 10, tuned in to hear English program with ID ("From Jakarta, you are listening to the Voice of Indonesia.") and e-mail address, program preview, Indo vocals followed by travelogue feature. Mix of music and talks rounded out the programming until news at 2055. ID, schedule and close down announcements at 2103 ("Now we are saying goodbye to our listeners from the Voice of Indonesia, Jakarta."). After brief pause there was another vocal until 2106. Fair and steady signal making for enjoyable listening (Rich D`Angelo, PA, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. 4869.96, RRI Wamena, 1029-1110 Aug 18. I thought this was a local station at first, it being so strong. Stayed with this during the period and noted steady music. On the hour a quick ID by a man and then back to music. No news or other pertinent details noted. Signal was good even after 1110 (I left the recorder on while I walked the dogs) (Bolland, Chuck, Clewiston, Florida, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. 4870.9, RRI Sorong, 0924 Aug 15, azan magrib call to prayer started followed by 0929 lagu padang pasir (desert songs, i.e. Arabic style) then tedious information but with many mentions of Sorong from around 0935 until unceremonious 1005*. Crazy freq choice as RRI Wamena not far away on 4870 at similar strength. However, Sorong may have no choice but to use their very old 10 kW transmitter. The usual but extremely irregular 4875 xmtr (actually 4874.6) was first mentioned in WRTH in 1978 and before that 4871v was used. From 1986-88 both transmitters were used, 4871 in local a.m.'s and 4875 in evenings but since then only 4875. 9743.6, RRI Sorong, 0759* Aug 15, close down just after HCJB 9745 had s/on. Before that was weak but clear. 15125, RRI Jakarta, 0807 Aug 15, reactivated after many moons \\ 9680 11860. Observed past 1030 but fading as band propagation collapsed. Again at tardy *2223 on the same date (David Foster, Australia, DXplorer Aug 16 via BC DX via DXLD) ** IRAN. For how long has Iran been jamming Israel? Kol Israel`s Farsi service has been unjammed for a long time, but powerful jammers are heard on 15640 - and spreading down to 15650 some days - and weaker jamming on 17545. I haven`t heard jammers on new 17525 [x13860] yet (Noel R. Green, UK, BC-DX Aug 11/15 via BC-DX via DXLD) ** IRAN [non]. 7460, Radio Sedoye Payeme Doost, *0227-0315* Aug 11, musical opening, woman with ID and announcements in Farsi. Some vocals but mainly long talks. At 0310 a man with ID and sign off announcements with music played until carrier cut. Good signal (Rich D'Angelo, PA, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) ** ISRAEL. KOL ISRAEL ENGLISH CHANGES Comments in Brackets [] are mine [Doni`s]. As of this past Thursday, they were totally removing the evening (Israel time) English broadcast. Instead, they removed the 15 minute broadcast, and added a 5 minute one. They also shortened the afternoon broadcast from 15 minutes to five minutes. http://bet.iba.org.il/?lang=23 English-language broadcast changes begin [began] Sunday This is an important announcement to local and overseas listeners of Kol Yisrael English-language news broadcasts. English news broadcasts can now be heard at the following local [Israel] times on Reshet Aleph, in the AM and FM bands: 7:00 to 7:15 a.m 1:10 to 1:20 p.m. [Instead of 1:15-1:30 p.m.] 8:00 to 8:05 p.m. [Instead of 7:30-7:45 p.m.] There is also a 10 p.m. broadcast in Reshet Hey on the FM band that can be heard in the Jerusalem area. [88.2 FM - difficult to receive without a decent PLL digital tuner, as there is another IBA radio station on 88 FM.] Overseas listeners can hear these broadcasts [on shortwave] at 4, 1010[-1020 instead of 1015-1030], 17 [a 5 minute broadcast - instead of the 15 minute broadcast at 1630 UT] and 19 hours UT. [I have not heard about the frequencies being used at the 1630 broadcast.] [That's Midnight-12:15 AM, 6:10-6:20 AM, 1-1:05 PM, 3-3:25 PM Eastern {daylight -- gh} Time. All of them are relays of the domestic English service, besides the 3 PM.] Daily Kol Yisrael news reports in English can also be heard on the Internet at websites http://www.iba.org.il and http://israelradio.org.il 17.08.2003 15:10 (Doni Rosenzweig, Aug 17, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ENGLISH RADIO NEWS CUTS DRAW PROTESTS By TOVAH LAZAROFF, From the Jerusalem Post http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/A/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1061110452195 Despite protests from listeners here and abroad, Israel Radio's English and French news on Sunday lost the bulk of their evening broadcasts to make way for Channel 1's 7:30 Hebrew news program. Past and current English News radio staff said the move to a five- minute news bulletin has destroyed what was once a vibrant news program that drew listeners from Washington, New York, London, and the Arab world, including the late King Hussein. Staff members already struggling to present a comprehensive news program in 15-minute segments instead of the half-hour they once had, said the 10-minute loss makes their programs irrelevant. According to Zvi Pantanowitz, a former head of English news, "Given what is happening in Israel today, to expect the whole thing to be summed up at the end of the day in five minutes is a bit ridiculous." Oren Helman, a spokesman for Israel Radio, disputed the claim that the new schedule will destroy the foreign-language evening news broadcasts. He said they have not been canceled, but rather replaced by a new schedule of five-minute news bulletins in English, French, and Spanish from 8:00-8:15 p.m. The bulletins are a tribute to the importance of foreign language news to listeners here and abroad, he said. Helman said Israel Radio shortened the broadcasts after receiving many requests from listeners to air Channel 1 television's Hebrew news program. Israel Radio feared it was losing listeners because it was not broadcasting the Channel 1 program, Helman said. But according to Marvin Silverman, national president of the Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel, the cutbacks are simply the latest in a series of moves by the Israel Broadcasting Authority directed against English radio and television broadcasts. "There appears to be an attitude on the part of the powers that be at the IBA that the English-speaking audience are second-class citizens," he said, adding that the televised English news program on Channel 1 has also been cut back. Silverman said without comprehensive English news programs, it is hard for new immigrants and tourists to get accurate news about Israel. "The president and the prime minister talk about aliya from North American and then do all kinds of things to give a contrary message," he said. "The world speaks English, and to cut off the English news is to prevent others from hearing Israel's side of the story," Silverman said, adding that for lack of an alternative listeners abroad will be forced to rely on CNN and BBC. Industry, Trade, and Labor Minister Ehud Olmert, who was also appointed communications minister on Sunday, and is responsible for the IBA, was out of the country and could not be reached for comment. English and French news retain their 15-minute morning slots at 7 a.m. and 7:15 a.m. on Radio 1, but lost five minutes of their 15-minute lunchtime broadcasts, which can now be heard from 1 p.m. in French and 1:10 p.m. in English. The 15-minute Spanish evening news was split, with 10 minutes moved to 1:20 p.m. and another five minutes in the evening after the English and French news (via Doni Rosenzweig, DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH. According to Mr. Tohru Yamashita of Asian Broadcasting Institute, North Korea lost patience to the fact that South Korea did not stop their propaganda broadcasts to North in return for the close of "Voice of National Salvation" on August 1. "Korean National Democratic Front", the parent organization of "Voice of National Salvation", announced in P`yongyang on August 12 that they will relay Korean Central Broadcasting Service for 12 hours a day from August 15. On August 15 they broadcast at 0700-1300 and 1700-2300 KST (2200-0400 and 0800-1400 UTC on August 14-15) on 1053 (Haeju), 3480 (Wonsan), 4557 (Haeju), 4450 (Pyongyang) with the name of "Pyongyang branch of Korean National Democratic Front". The station is not a clandestine, but a formal one from North Korea now (Takahito Akabayashi, Tokyo, Japan, BC-DX Aug 15 via DXLD) I notice that the Korean Central Broadcasting Station has now popped up on 6250.3 // 6398.9 naturally in Korean. From memory this station is a relay of the Domestic service and is relayed to the substantial Korean diaspora in Japan. I wonder if the senders were redirected away from the former northern based clandestines that were closed at the end of July (Robin L. Harwood, Norwood Tasmania, Aug 18, EDXP via DXLD) ** KOREA SOUTH. Os ouvintes mais assíduos da programação em espanhol da Rádio Coréia recebem a publicação Anual Report. Possui ótima encadernação e interessantes informações, conforme dica de Osmar Rodrigues, de Atibaia (SP). A publicação pode ser solicitada ao endereço eletrônico: intl@kbs.co.kr (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX Aug 17 via DXLD) ** KURDISTAN [non?]. V. of People of Kurdistan, 8170, July(?) 11, 1705 in Arabic, 4085 x 2? SINPO 25522 (Luca Botto Fiora, Italy, August World DX Club Contact via DXLD) ** MEXICO. XEBI, 790 kHz, Aguascalientes. Friendly VL and two stickers from Ing. Alfredo Rivas Godoy, Dir Gen who also said that XEBI is one of the oldest stations in Mexico, having been established in Sept 1936. Thanks to Henrik Klemetz for originally providing the ID on this one. (My 17th Mexican State QSL'd). (Paul Ormandy, ZL4TFX, Aug 19, EchoLink Node 87378, Host of The South Pacific DX Report http://radiodx.com DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAKISTAN. Harold Hausenfluck of Richmond, Virginia alerted me to a station that turned out to be Radio Pakistan in Urdu heard Saturday Aug 16 on 15065 before 1800 and signing off around 1906 GMT with South Asian music, brief Kor`an, IDs. Good signal strength. Modulation could have been clearer, but not as bad as some. 73 (Charlie Gambill, Aug 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAKISTAN. 15728, R. Pakistan 8/05 0220-0233 Farsi. Said programa en Farsi. ID, news, mentioning Iran (Sheryl Paszkiewicz, WI, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) ** PAKISTAN: MINISTER SETS TARGET OF 25 TV CHANNELS, 100 RADIO STATIONS IN A YEAR | Excerpt from report by Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency Islamabad, 18 August: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shaykh Rashid Ahmad said on Monday [18 August] that target of 25 television channels and 100 radio stations would be achieved within a year in the country. Addressing PTV General Managers Conference here, he said four channels of PTV and seven in private sector are presently functioning in the country. Some new channels are also being allowed to start working, thus the number of television channels would reach to 25 within a year, he added. Similarly, the minister said, new radio stations are being opened in private and public sector and there would be 100 radio stations in the country within a year. Shaykh Rashid asked Pakistan Television to prepare itself to meet this new challenge. Only those television channels which have better performance would survive in future. He said PTV has best talent and infrastructure to face the challenge of private channels. The minister said there is a big margin to improve news and current affairs programmes and directed to separate the news and current affairs. He said PTV News, Sports and Home channel will be started in a bid to provide latest information to the viewers. Appreciating the performance of PTV National, he said the viewers have appreciated this new channel which has recently been launched to telecast regional language programmes. [Passage omitted] The minister expressed the need to start a channel for children to educate them. He congratulated Chairman PTV Syed Anwar Mahmood and Managing Director PTV Akhtar Waqar Azeem for earning a profit of 70m rupees. Source: Associated Press of Pakistan news agency, Islamabad, in English 1417 gmt 18 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. This week`s RVi Radio World is made up of vintage recordings from here and NZ, Samoa, including R. Wewak, 3325, full ID in Pidgin and English, GSTQ. As usual the audio is only available for one week until the next show http://www.vrt.be/wm/rvi/rw/rw_HI.asx http://www.vrt.be/wm/rvi/rw/rw_LO.asx (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 4995, R. Andina, Huancayo 0300-0307 31/Jul SINPO=35222/35221 Leyendo carta de un "hermanito' a quien supuestamente le hicieron brujerías por medio de un muñeco y lo invita "a venir a mi consultorio en la ciudad de Huancayo... Usted me está escuchando a través de Radio Andina" y luego algo ridículo: "Les voy a adivinar de qué color es su radio. Hay un hermanito que nos escucha con un radio color negro. Otro hermanito nos escucha con un radio color gris, otro hermanito con un radio color plata...." (hi hi hi). El ruido atmosférico y el "fading" hacen muy difícil la escucha (Elmer Escoto, San Pedro Sula, Honduras, SONY ICF-SW7600GR y antena "random" de 10 metros, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. La peruana de 5030 kHz puede oírse a las 0005 UT, con SINPO 2/1. Desconozco el nombre esta estación. (18/08). (Adán González, Saludos desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) R. Los Andes, Huamachuco, reactivated, as in 3-146 and 3-147, which I guess you don`t have time to read?? (gh) ** POLAND. R. Polonia English schedule: NEWS FROM POLAND – reports and correspondents` dispatches on events in Poland as they happen, including Press Review: M-F 1200, 1700 EUROPE EAST --- Reports from a network of correspondents all over the region: how are Poles, Czechs and Hungarians getting ready for EU membership, when will the Baltic states join NATO and why tourists should avoid Belarus`: Sat 1700 MULTIMEDIA SHOW --- News, chat and interview for shortwave and satellite enthusiasts: Tue 1730, Thu 1230 PANORAMA --- investigates a topical issue, from horse racing to child abuse to Polish millionaires: Sat 1205, Sun 1705 BUSINESS WEEK --- what`s happening in Europe`s fastest growing economy: Fri 1220, 1720 DAY IN THE LIFE --- anyone from government minister to polar explorer to Miss Poland: Wed 1720, Tue 1220 FOCUS: the arts in Poland: Thu 1720, Mon 1220 THE WEEKLIES: Sat 1730, Sun 1200 [press review?] COOKERY CORNER: Mon 1720, Wed 1220 DISCOVERING CHOPIN: Wed 1730, Fri 1220 POSTBAG: Fri 1730, Sun 1235 REQUEST CONCERT: Sun 1730, Tue 1230 SOUNDCHECK: Thu 730, Sat 1230 LETTER FROM POLAND: Tue 1720, Thu 1220 CHART SHOW: Sat 1730, Mon 1230 (Website via Mike Barraclough, Radio World, Aug World DX Club Contact via DXLD) ** PORTUGAL. Re Portugal and the spurs - this is a regular occurence, Wolfie. Whatever the cause, the effect can produce massive signals. 15525 is used by one of the older 100 kW units. I will try some of the signals you quote between 1600 and 1800 (Noel R. Green, UK, BC-DX Aug 15 via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. Frecuencia RM sale al aire en la programación de La Voz de Rusia los días martes: España: 2030-2100 UT por 11630, 9480, 7440 kHz America Latina: 0000-0100 (UT del miércoles) por 12010, 11750, 11510, 9965, 9830, 9665, 7330 kHz 0100-0200 (UTC del miércoles) por 12010, 11510, 9965, 9945, 9830, 7330 kHz (info enviada por gentileza de Pancho Rodriguez) (via Arnaldo Slaen, Aug 18, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ¿A qué horas exactas? (gh) See also CHILE [non] ** SAUDI ARABIA [non]. 15705, Sawt al-Islah (Voice of Reform), 1915- 2001* Aug 10, presumed the one with long Arabic talks by various men with a couple of musical selections as bridges. Fair signal but heavy jamming reduced reception to poor level. Although transmission ended, jamming continued past 2025 tune out (Rich D`Angelo, PA, Cumbre DX Aug 19 via DXLD) ** SOUTH AFRICA. 3320, 0016-0044, R. SonderGrense, Aug 19. Very clear reception. 0015 Enya tune, Sail Away. S9 signal level with some fades. But very good reception. Then to more US pop tunes after male announcer with intros in Afrikaans language. Then to long talks at 0020. Some static crashes but fairly nice (Bob Montgomery, Levittown, PA, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** TOGO. 5046.68, Rdiff. Togolaise 1911 Aug 12. Audible and talk program in French. 1950 Changed to English News program. Radio Togo and Radio Lomé ID confirmed. Fair (Nobuo TAKENO, YAMAGATA, JAPAN, NRD- 535D with 10 meters wire, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) 5046.66, 2331-2400, R. Togo, Aug 18. French tune at check in. A bit of a surprise as audio has been a problem. S9 signal level with some fades. Fairly clear however. Popular US pop tune at 2336; the name escapes me. Signoff with NA at 0006. Nice copy (Bob Montgomery Levittown, PA, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** TURKEY. VOT in the first week of July started a new series of programmes titled ``Religious Traditions in Turkish Music`` which was heard in the Sunday transmission at 1230 on 17830 to Eu, 17595 to Au/As (Edwin Southwell, UK, Radio World, Aug World DX Club Contact via DXLD) ** UGANDA. Re Idi Amin`s UBC: North American service when you could hear the damn thing was at 0100 UT on 15.320, I think. At least that's what was on the QSL I got 3 years later (Lou Josephs, USA, 8/18/03; 8:50:52 PM, Media Network blog via DXLD) I thought it was 15325; 9515 is mentioned in the vintage clip at http://www.intervalsignals.net I plan to include in WOR 1196 --- BTW, prepare to cover your eyes if you mistakenly go to .com instead (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. For the benefit of those of you outside the BST time zone, this note relates to Tuesday 19 August. Sir Henry Wood, the man who single-handedly invented the BBC Promenade Concerts, died on this date in 1944. I think he was aged 70 (PAUL DAVID, Chairman, Brent Visually- Handicapped Group, Registered Charity No.: 272955, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Three cheers ** U S A. WBCQ`s main site http://www.wbcq.us has been down for several weeks, but lately we have been seeing this: ``We've been delayed... New Website Opens On Monday, August 18, 2003`` NOT: still not open on Aug 19 (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [non]. 11785 - SITE? Radio Sawa 8/05 0230-0300* AR pop music, American pop music, ad, website. IDs. News mentioning Colin Powell, FM and kHz. Clever that they are on Baghdad's frequency (Sheryl Paszkiewicz, WI, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) Morocco per SW Guide (gh) ** U S A. NEW STATION, 93.7, SCANS FOR IDENTITY By Robert Philpot, Star-Telegram Staff Writer If you've hit the "scan" button on your car radio lately, you might have been surprised to see it stop at 93.7, where a Fort Worth-Dallas radio station didn't previously exist. And perhaps more surprised to hear a smooth-jazz CD on the dial halfway between classic-rock land and regional Mexico. This is KNOR, which somehow found a home on Fort Worth-Dallas' overpopulated radio dial. What's KNOR gonna be? Don't know yet. When is it gonna play music full time? Don't know that, either. . . http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/living/6559104.htm (via Artie Bigley, Aug 18, DXLD) ** U S A. When I came through Albuquerque this morning I noted that KDEF/1150 was having problems. They obviously lost their satellite feed. The automation was still playing the commercials and IDs at the proper time. But when it would switch back to the programming all it got was dead air. This went on for at least an hour until I risked the roaming fees on my cell phone and called the station. Surprisingly I got a live person after only 2 rings on a Sunday morning. He said he was working on the problem with the satellite feed. Everything was back to normal within 10 minutes of my call. Made for an interesting format - dead air, commercials, IDs, more dead air. I can see the promos - "When you're tired of all the talk, all the music, and all the noise - relax with us. Dead air 11-50, KDEF, Albuquerque." (Patrick Griffith on the road in Alamogordo, Aug 17, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** U S A. Local station WVIP, 1310, Mt. Kisco, New York has had an open carrier since the blackout ended here around 10 pm on Thursday. It is a relay station for Radio Visión Cristiana (1330 in New York City and a transmitter in the Caribbean.) It is a Spanish-speaking Christian station group. This station is 5000 watts directional during the day; low power at night. Two short towers in a meadow. It's hard for me to believe that no one has had the time to drive up here and reset the satellite receivers. They have recently dramatically cleaned up the transmitter hut by rebuilding the exterior walls and adding a new modern door in the last few months. WVIP`s studio facilities burned to the ground a few years ago. Since then, they have been on the air from (briefly) a mobile trailer next to the transmitter house, and then from another station's facilities nearby (WGCH Greenwich, CT 1590). They were sold to RVC a sesquiyear ago approximately. I have not noticed if their power change from high to low power is occurring at the correct time. It's a shame that a full-powered station in the New York City metropolitan area is now this disposable. So sad (Karl Zuk, N2KZ, Aug 17, amfmtvdx at qth.net via DXLD) ** U S A. Back from the Blackout --- As we go to press (so to speak) Sunday night, the Blackout of 2003 is well on the way to the history books: power is back on across the region, and the radio and TV dials are back to normal. But it's worth a moment to update our Friday recap of how broadcasters from Long Island to Cleveland handled the power failure - and to offer some lessons to broadcasters looking to make sure they don't go dark the next time the power goes off. We'll start with the market-by-market look at who stayed on and who didn't: http://www.fybush.com/nerw.html (Scott Fybush, NE Radio Watch Aug 18 via DXLD) When next week`s edition is published, the above issue (illustrated} should be found at: http://www.fybush.com/nerw-030818.html (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) see also CANADA ** U S A. Could Louisville broadcasters handle blackout? http://www.courier-journal.com/features/columns/dorsey/2003/dorsey20030818.html (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** U S A. WIRELESS GROWTH HINDERS RESCUERS FCC VOWS TO FIX RADIO INTERFERENCE By Christian Davenport, Washington Post Staff Writer, Monday, August 18, 2003; Page A01 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A7270-2003Aug17.html The explosive growth of the mobile phone industry has crowded and tangled the nation's airwaves to such an extent that wireless company signals are increasingly interfering with emergency radio frequencies used by police and firefighters, public safety agencies said. Emergency departments across the country -- including some in the District, Maryland and Virginia -- report unsettling stories of officers who can't call for backup, dispatchers who can't relay suspect descriptions and firefighters who can't request ambulances because of radio "dead spots" believed to be caused by wireless phone interference. "Just by the grace of God or good luck, we've been able to avoid a major problem," said Gary Manougian, a police officer in Portland, Ore. "But I don't think we can go on like this indefinitely." The Federal Communications Commission has vowed to find a solution, even if it has to reorganize a large swath of the radio spectrum -- a massive and controversial task, potentially costing hundreds of millions of dollars and taking years to complete, industry officials said. FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell said in a speech last week that "it is one of my top priorities . . . to ensure that public safety has the reliable spectrum resources it needs to do its lifesaving work." He warned that solving the problem "may be one of the most challenging spectrum policy proceedings" to come before the agency. No death or catastrophe has been attributed to such communication problems, said Robert Gurss, director of legal and government relations for the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International, a nonprofit organization representing emergency communication officials. But dozens of agencies large and small -- from New York City to Androscoggin County, Maine -- have registered complaints, and one public safety coalition estimates that interference is a problem in at least 27 states. The issue has its roots in the 1970s, well before the popularity of mobile phones, when the FCC assigned channels in the 800 megahertz band to public safety departments. In the 1980s, wireless companies began to acquire, with federal approval, space adjacent to the emergency radio frequencies. Soon, the wireless phone industry started to grow. Last year, there were an estimated 140 million wireless phone subscribers, the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association said. An increasing number of public safety agencies moved into the 800 megahertz band as well, and as the agencies and wireless companies occupied more spectrum space, airwave conflicts intensified. Communication officials said many factors cause interference. A common problem arises when a police officer, for example, is close to a wireless phone company transmitter but far from a tower that carries the signals for emergency radios. In that situation, the wireless phone tower overpowers the officer's radio, rendering it useless, the officials said. To solve the problem, the FCC is considering reshuffling channels in the 800 megahertz band. The idea is to separate the wireless companies from the public safety departments, so they inhabit different ends of the band. None of the companies is doing anything wrong, FCC officials said. As organized, the spectrum, which is a limited resource, simply can't accommodate everyone. There are several wireless companies operating in the 800 megahertz band, including Verizon, AT&T Wireless and Cingular, the FCC said. Most of the complaints that the agency has received have been caused by Reston-based Nextel Communications Inc. because many of its band frequencies abut those of emergency radios. Mindful of the mounting pressure, Nextel has teamed with a broad coalition of partners -- including the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International and the International Association of Chiefs of Police -- to develop a proposal to reorganize the spectrum, which, if approved, would give Nextel some prime real estate in the airwaves. Nextel also has offered to pay $850 million for the cost associated with reshuffling the channels if its plan is adopted. The company's proposal is just one of many the FCC is reviewing. Many communication experts said that a complete reorganization of the spectrum is unnecessary, too expensive and too time-consuming. Meanwhile, public safety officials said the situation is urgent. "If we don't fix this now, it's only going to get worse," Gurss said. Anne Arundel County police officer Patrick A. Fisher said he ran into the problem one day this spring. The call from his partner that came over the radio was crackled and fuzzy, and Fisher could make out only two words: "start . . . fire." Fisher sensed a tone of urgency in the other officer's voice and rushed to the street he knew his colleague was patrolling. When he arrived, he saw the other officer futilely fighting a house fire with a garden hose. Fisher reached for his radio, but its reception was too weak until he drove a few blocks away. Finally, firefighters arrived. "If it was another couple of minutes," Fisher said, "the whole side of the house would have been gone." About two years ago, police officers in Portland were chasing a man after a carjacking attempt when their radios went dead. The man ran through a suburban area, then hid in the woods. About a dozen officers dropped into formation around him. "We were trying to set up a perimeter, but our radios wouldn't work," Manougian said. Some officers had to run into nearby homes to call in information to the dispatcher. Denver has identified at least 24 dead spots in its communications system, and the police officers know where they are, said Dana Hansen, superintendent of communications for the city's police department. It's particularly troubling, she said, that many of the dead spots happen to be at major intersections where many traffic accidents occur. When Fairfax County first purchased an 800 megahertz radio system, it had interference problems, said Mernie Fitzgerald, a county spokeswoman. Nextel and Cingular agreed to reconfigure their systems in the county, and they were able to solve the problem, she said. "We haven't had any problems in the last two years," she said. Montgomery County recently spent $175 million on a communications system that includes an 800 megahertz radio network. The county took care to ensure there wouldn't be any interference problems, said Lt. Dallas Lipp of the county fire and rescue department. The county's system is on a different part of the spectrum than local wireless phone networks, he said, so its system is less susceptible to problems. "But we're always monitoring how our system is performing," Lipp said. The District filed an interference complaint last spring with the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International. Now, having been awarded a $40 million grant from the federal government, the city plans to build seven transmitters and receivers to strengthen its radio system's signal. Anne Arundel County plans to spend $15 million over five years to build more towers and to update its equipment. And last year, county officials passed a zoning law that required wireless companies to certify that their signals would not interfere with the county's radio system. Cingular asked the FCC to strike down the ordinance. Last month, the commission did so, saying that the county was trying to regulate the airwaves through its zoning code. The county, which has appealed the FCC's decision, has worked with the companies to reduce the interference. The effort appears to be working: The number of known dead spots has dropped from more than 60 to about 20, county officials said. Still, they said, 20 is too many. Meantime, Fisher said many colleagues on the Anne Arundel County police force have found their own solution: They carry cell phones in case their radios go dead. © 2003 The Washington Post Company (via Kraig Krist, DXLD) ** U S A. GETTING LOST WILL GET HARDER WITH NEW PERSONAL BEACONS BY PAUL ROGERS Knight Ridder Newspapers Posted on Sun, Aug. 17, 2003 SAN JOSE, Calif. - (KRT) - Forget about leaving a trail of bread crumbs. Getting lost in the woods may become a thing of the past, thanks to a new high-tech panic button for outdoors lovers. In a move that could change society's relationship with wilderness, the federal government last week rolled out a new electronic homing system that uses satellites to track "personal beacons" carried by outdoors enthusiasts. The devices will allow rescuers to immediately locate people stranded miles from civilization and facing life-threatening injuries. The beacons weigh about one pound and are slightly larger than a Palm Pilot. Each carries a transmitter that sends a satellite distress signal, when activated, to a national rescue center in Maryland. Used by sailors and pilots for 20 years, the devices were approved for land use for the first time on July 1 by the Federal Communications Commission at the request of NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (www.noaa.gov). They cost $600 to $750, but prices are expected to fall as their use becomes more common. NOAA, which also runs the National Weather Service, predicts that as the beacons are offered for sale in outdoors stores such as REI in the coming months, they will prevent the deaths of hundreds of hikers, hunters, skiers and mountain bikers by providing an emergency lifeline to civilization. "We're extremely excited," said Marilu Trainor, a NOAA spokeswoman. "People buy good trekking shoes, clothing and tents. They should consider adding these beacons to their checklist. It's an investment in your own safety." Some outdoors lovers, however, are wary. While supporting the safety potential, they note that many people head to remote wild areas, such as California's Sierra Nevada, the Mojave Desert or Alaska's vast wildernesses, to sever ties with civilization. By carrying an electronic beacon, people heading into any American wilderness - no matter how remote - will always have the ability to be found, or to contact civilization, at a moment's notice. "People have profound experiences in wilderness," said Steven Shewach, the Sierra Club's national outdoor activities training manager. "They are spiritual. They are emotional. It is inspiring to see the beauty. But there's also a sense of adventure that comes from risk and pushing personal limits, both physically and emotionally. A lot of folks might say I don't want this technology there. I want to handle it on my own." Several companies manufacture the beacons. The more expensive models can pinpoint a person lost in the wilderness to within a few dozen yards. The less expensive models can pinpoint people to within about a mile. The way they work is similar to a tiny radio transmitter. [actually, exactly like a tiny radio transmitter --- gh] Operating on a 406-megahertz frequency, the beacons emit a signal that is picked up by 24 NOAA satellites in orbit after the user presses a button. That signal, which contains unique information about each user, is relayed to the U.S. Mission Control Center at the NOAA Satellite and Information Center in Suitland, Md., for processing, and the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. Air Force officials then contact local police or search-and-rescue teams to go find the person in trouble. An early test program using the devices in Alaska has saved more than 200 lives since 1994, from stranded snowmobilers to lost hunters. "The desire is to use resources effectively," said Lt. Col. Scott Morgan, the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center commanding officer. Personal beacons "do that by pinpointing the location of the person in distress. The bottom line is we'll be able to better locate individuals and save lives." False alarms are a concern. After the beacons are activated, the user has 50 seconds to cancel the signal. People convicted of malicious use of the beacon can face up to six years in prison, $250,000 in fines and a bill from rescue agencies. For several years, hikers have debated whether to carry cell phones or GPS devices. Some do for safety, but others forsake them because of weight concerns and the feeling they compromise the wilderness experience. "Hikers are pretty much out there to get away from it all," said Liz Bergeron, executive director of the Pacific Crest Trail Association, in Sacramento. "I want to be out there with no connection. But these might bring some peace of mind to people's family and friends." In the end, the best route to back-country safety remains the tried-and-true rules, many experts say: Always tell others where you are going and when you'll return. Don't venture too far alone. Carry plenty of food and water. "I normally wouldn't carry one of these beacons," said Vern Gersh, an outdoor guide with Yosemite Guides, in El Portal. "But if I was going to do something more hard-core, alone, off the trail, it might be a good safety net." (c) 2003, San Jose Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.). (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. I've made a few updates to our http://www.dkosmedia.com website that I would like to call your attention to. We have joined the over 100,000 sites that now carry the Code Amber ticker, the internet's version of the AMBER alert. To add this vital service to your website, click on the banner or the running ticker on my homepage to connect to codeamber.org. We've added obituaries for Roy Neil and Ed Townsend to our "Latest News" section. There is also a link to Roy's bio page; Plans for this week's show and the live365.com re-run schedule are in the "Program/Website" section. The sections are opened by clicking the item on the menu over on the left side. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ "Big Steve" Coletti, A Different Kind Of Oldies Show on WBCQ, 7415 kHz Shortwave, Saturday Evenings at 8:00 ET, 0000 UT-Sunday, E-mail: bigstevecole@email.com - Web: http://www.dkosmedia.com US Mail: P.O. Box 396, New York, NY 10002 (via DXLD) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ** U S A. SK - ROY NEIL HINKEL, K6DUE - SK We mourn the passing of someone we never met but worked with for many years. Roy Neil, formerly of NBC News and a co-founding member of, and regular reporter on the Amateur Radio Newsline passed away Friday August 15th from complications following heart surgery in High Point, NC. He was 82. For many years we helped distribute the ARNewsline by way of the old BBS network systems and in the early days of AOL, Prodigy, Compuserve and the long defunct GEnie network. Back in the 90's we used excerpts from ARNewsline on our old Crossband program on Radio Newyork International and later on the Let's Talk Radio satellite network. Through these reports and with comments we occasionally relayed back and forth by way of ARNewsline Founder/Editor, Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, we felt like we got to know Roy just a little. We had an affinity for Roy Neil's work from the NBC days. He explained the space program and various scientific discoveries in layman's language, but always had that little extra in his reporting that made techknowledgy hungry minds like mine wanting more. His easy going style made it reassuring that we could also understand a little more of our ever changing science, turning our apprehension of the unfamiliar into comfort with our future. The AR Newsline was not published last week. Roy Neil Biography: http://www.angelfire.com/fl/engservice/K6DUE.html Warning: it plays a very boring MIDI version of the NBC News theme, John Williams' "The Mission" (Big Steve Cole, DKOS News via DXLD) SERVICE SET FOR ROY NEAL, K6DUE; FAMILY INVITES MEMORIAL DONATIONS NEWINGTON, CT, Aug 18, 2003 -- A service has been set for Tuesday, August 19, in High Point, North Carolina, for Roy Neal, K6DUE, who died August 15 following major heart surgery earlier in the week. He was 82. A retired NBC News science correspondent, producer and executive, Neal -- born Roy N. Hinkel -- chaired the Space Amateur Radio EXperiment (SAREX)/Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Working Group. ARISS Chairman Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, said Neal played a pivotal role in getting NASA to permit Amateur Radio aboard human spaceflight vehicles. ``Through his extensive contacts in NASA, he was instrumental in convincing NASA management to fly Amateur Radio onboard the space shuttle,`` said Bauer, who expressed condolences to Neal`s family on behalf of ARISS and AMSAT. ``Roy`s successful negotiations with NASA management led to the first on-orbit Amateur Radio operations by astronaut Owen Garriott, W5LFL, on the STS-9 space shuttle Columbia flight in November 1983.`` Bauer, who`s also AMSAT-NA`s vice president for human spaceflight programs, also credited Neal with being instrumental in forming the ARISS international team and for moderating its gatherings. ``K6DUE`s extensive experience as a newsman was put into practice as he utilized these talents to keep the ARISS team on-track and focused during these critical, consensus-gathering meetings,`` Bauer added. Neal also often emceed ARISS school group ham radio contact teleconferences. ARISS, a joint project of ARRL, AMSAT and NASA, developed the first permanent ham station in space aboard the ISS. Bauer called Neal ``an encyclopedia of knowledge`` about the US space program and said he was honored to have him as a friend. ``I will miss him dearly,`` Bauer said. ``K6DUE worked tirelessly to expand Amateur Radio operations beyond the surface of the earth. He personally challenged me and the entire ARISS team to develop, operate and maintain a permanent Amateur Radio station on the ISS. The ham radio station onboard the ISS serves as a living legacy to Roy Neal.`` Neal covered all of the Mercury missions for NBC -- becoming a personal friend of the Mercury 7 astronauts in the process -- and later reported the Gemini and Apollo missions and many early space shuttle flights. In the process, he got to know many of the country`s space pioneers. Earlier this year, he was inducted into the CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame for his role in persuading NASA to allow the first Amateur Radio operation from space. Neal also was a regular visitor and sometime presenter at Hamvention and a correspondent and reporter for Amateur Radio Newsline. He hosted the 1987 ARRL video production New World Of Amateur Radio, an overview of ham radio in space. A Pennsylvania native, Neal began his broadcasting career at a Philadelphia radio station. Subsequently, he served as an infantry officer during World War II and served as a program manager for the Armed Forces Radio Network in Europe. Following the war, he resumed his broadcasting career in Philadelphia, this time in television. He went on to set up NBC`s West Coast news bureau. Later, the former NBC correspondent and producer anchored the New Year`s Day Tournament of Roses Parade telecast for many years. An ARRL member, Neal had been licensed for much of his adult life and was active on the air until the last few weeks of his life. He enjoyed DXing, HF and VHF. Survivors include his wife Pat and sons David and Mark. Neal`s services will be 11 AM August 19 at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1225 Chestnut Drive, High Point. The family invites donations in lieu of flowers to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, Astronaut Hall of Fame, ATTN Linn LeBlanc, 6225 Vectorspace Blvd, Titusville, FL 32780. Copyright © 2003, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved (ARRL via John Norfolk, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. For those who didn't already receive this: Busta moves... the "Radio Citadelle" on my page, no doubt. http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-03-2661A1.doc (Terry L Krueger Clearwater, Florida USA, Aug 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: Before the Federal Communications Commission Washington, D.C. 20554 In the Matter of Odino Joseph c/o Noah`s Ark Baptist Church 576 11th Street North Naples, Florida 34102 File No. EB-02-TP-300 NAL/Acct. No. 200232700020 FRN 0007-3087-3 FORFEITURE ORDER Adopted: August 14, 2003 Released: August 18, 2003 By the Chief, Enforcement Bureau: I. INTRODUCTION In this Forfeiture Order (``Order``) we issue a monetary forfeiture in the amount of one thousand dollars ($1,000) to Mr. Odino Joseph (``Mr. Joseph``) for willful violation of Section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (``Act``). The noted violation involves Mr. Joseph`s operation of a radio station without Commission authorization. On August 5, 2002, the Commission`s Tampa, Florida Field Office (``Tampa Office``) issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture (``NAL``) to Mr. Joseph for a forfeiture in the amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000). Mr. Joseph filed a response to the NAL on September 24, 2002. II. BACKGROUND On April 22, 2002, the Tampa Office received a complaint from a Naples, Florida broadcaster regarding an unlicensed FM radio station operating on 104.3 MHz in the Naples area. On May 14, 2002, two agents from the Tampa Office drove to the Naples, Florida area to investigate the complaint of unlicensed operation on 104.3 MHz. As the agents approached the Naples area they detected an FM radio station on 104.3 MHz. Using electronic direction finding techniques, the agents positively identified the source of the transmissions to be an antenna mounted on a tower attached to the back of Suite #530 in a strip mall located at 11th Street North, Naples, Florida. The agents determined that the station exceeded the permissible level for a non-licensed low-power radio transmitter by 31,953 times. Accordingly, a license was required for operation of this station. FCC records show no license has been issued for the operation of an FM broadcast station at this location. Thus, the station operated in violation of 47 U.S.C. § 301. The agents approached Suite #530 and interviewed a man near the suite. This man stated that he subleased Suite #530 along with a ``Pastor Odino`` but that it was ``Pastor Odino`` who operated the radio station. This man identified to the agents the location of the radio station behind locked doors inside Suite #530. Inside Suite #530, the agents found a handwritten note with the words ``Pasteur Odino`` and a telephone number. The agents observed a van parked in front of the strip mall. On the van were signs with the words ``Noah`s Ark Baptist Church`` along with an address that identified the location of the church as another suite in the same strip mall. The signs also listed a telephone number and the name ``Pastor Odino Joseph`` as the church`s pastor. The agents contacted Pastor Odino Joseph at the phone number found during the investigation. During this call, Mr. Joseph admitted to the operation of the unlicensed radio station on 104.3 MHz and promised to cease operation until a license could be obtained. On August 5, 2002, the Tampa Office issued an NAL for a $10,000 forfeiture to Mr. Joseph for operating a radio station without Commission authorization in willful violation of Section 301 of the Act. Mr. Joseph filed a response to the NAL on September 24, 2002. In his response, Mr. Joseph admits that he operated radio transmitting equipment, but requests cancellation or reduction of the forfeiture amount. Mr. Joseph asserts that although the violation was willful, it was not intentional. Mr. Joseph argues that the facts of this case do not warrant an upward adjustment of the forfeiture amount. Further, Mr. Joseph contends that all of the downward adjustment criteria are applicable. In support of his argument regarding the downward adjustment criteria, Mr. Joseph indicates that his violation is minor. Mr. Joseph states that the second criterion, good faith or voluntary disclosure, is also applicable because he did not attempt to conceal the origin of his broadcast or evade detection. Mr. Joseph also maintains that the signal strength of his transmissions was greater than he intended, which was only to reach within a couple of miles from his church. Mr. Joseph adds that he cooperated with the Commission`s agents and terminated all transmissions upon request. In addition, Mr. Joseph argues that he has a history of overall compliance. Finally, Mr. Joseph asserts that payment of the proposed $10,000 forfeiture would impose a financial hardship on him and submits financial information for 1999, 2000, and 2001 in support of this assertion. DISCUSSION The proposed forfeiture amount in this case was assessed in accordance with Section 503(b) of the Act, Section 1.80 of the Commission`s Rules (``Rules``), and The Commission`s Forfeiture Policy Statement and Amendment of Section 1.80 of the Rules to Incorporate the Forfeiture Guidelines, 12 FCC Rcd 17087 (1997), recon. denied, 15 FCC Rcd 303 (1999) (``Policy Statement``). In examining Mr. Joseph`s response, Section 503(b) of the Act requires that the Commission take into account the nature, circumstances, extent and gravity of the violation and, with respect to the violator, the degree of culpability, any history of prior offenses, ability to pay, and other such matters as justice may require. Mr. Joseph acknowledges in his response to the NAL that he operated radio transmitting equipment without a license. Accordingly, we conclude that Mr. Joseph willfully violated Section 301 of the Act and a forfeiture amount of $10,000 was properly assessed. The term ``willful,`` as used in Section 503(b) of the Act, does not require a finding that the rule violation was intentional or that the violator was aware that it was committing a rule violation. Rather, the term ``willful`` simply requires that the violator knew it was taking the action in question, irrespective of any intent to violate the Commission`s rules. Moreover, the NAL in this case proposed the base forfeiture amount of $10,000 for the violation and did not apply any of the upward adjustment criteria. Thus, Mr. Joseph`s arguments that the upward adjustment criteria are inapplicable are irrelevant. Mr. Joseph`s claim that the violation was minor is not supported by the facts. Specifically, we do not believe that a non-licensed FM operation that exceeds the level for permissible non-licensed low power operation by more than 31,953 times is a minor violation. Moreover, we are not persuaded that a reduction on the basis of good faith or voluntary disclosure is warranted in this case. There is no evidence that Mr. Joseph made any efforts to correct or voluntarily disclose the violation prior to our investigation of this matter. Also, Mr. Joseph purports to have a history of overall compliance with the Commission`s Rules to support his claim for reduction of the forfeiture. However, in light of the fact that Mr. Joseph is not a Commission licensee, we do not believe he has any history with the Commission upon which a history of overall compliance reduction can be based. Furthermore, although Mr. Joseph has terminated all transmissions, remedial action taken to correct a violation is not a mitigating factor. Finally, based on the financial documentation provided by Mr. Joseph, we conclude that payment of the proposed $10,000 would impose a financial hardship on Mr. Joseph. Therefore, we will reduce the forfeiture from $10,000 to $1,000. ORDERING CLAUSES Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 503 of the Act, and Sections 0.111, 0.311 and 1.80(f)(4) of the Rules, Mr. Odino Joseph IS LIABLE FOR A MONETARY FORFEITURE in the amount of one thousand dollars ($1,000) for willful violation of Section 301 of the Act. Payment of the forfeiture shall be made in the manner provided for in Section 1.80 of the Rules within 30 days of the release of this Order. If the forfeiture is not paid within the period specified, the case may be referred to the Department of Justice for collection pursuant to Section 504(a) of the Act. Payment may be made by mailing a check or similar instrument, payable to the order of the Federal Communications Commission, to the Federal Communications Commission, P.O. Box 73482, Chicago, Illinois 60673-7482. The payment should reference NAL/Acct. No. 200232700020 and FRN 0007-3087-3. Requests for full payment under an installment plan should be sent to: Chief, Revenue and Receivables Operations Group, 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20554. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that a copy of this Order shall be sent by first class mail and certified mail return receipt requested to Mr. Odino Joseph, 576 11th Street North, Naples, Florida 34102, and to his counsel, Marc L. Shapiro, Esq., 720 Goodlette Road North, Suite 304, Naples, Florida 34102. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION David H. Solomon Chief, Enforcement Bureau [Footnotes the referents of which did not survive conversion, deleted here] Federal Communications Commission DA 03-2661 (via Terry Krueger, DXLD) ** U S A. NPR and the International Association of Audio Information Services have asked the FCC for more time to reply to a study of low- power FM interference. They requested a 90-day extension of the deadline, originally set for Sept. 12. posted at 11:09 AM EST http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/retrieve.cgi?native_or_pdf=pdf&id_document=6514383297 (Current via DXLD) ** U S A. Infineon: Glenn, To check the status of the Supreme Court of the United States case of Infineon vs Rambus (SCUS 03-37) go to http://www.supremecourtus.gov/docket/03-37.htm 73, (Kraig Krist, VA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hmm, I see among the Attorneys for Petitioner is: Kenneth W. Starr (gh, DXLD) ** URUGUAY. Desde Montevidéu, Manrique Beceiro envia panorama atual das emissoras daquele país nas ondas curtas: em 6045 kHz, emite a Rádio Sport, com programação esportiva 24 horas, em paralelo com 890 kHz. Já em 11735 kHz, aparece a Rádio Oriental, em paralelo com 770 kHz. Na faixa de 31 metros, a SODRE pode ser ouvida em 9620 kHz, paralelamente com 650 kHz. Também a Emisora Ciudad de Montevideo, em 9650 kHz, em paralelo com 1330 kHz (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX Aug 17 via DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. La estación YVTO, 5000 kHz, ha estado más de una semana fuera del aire. No quiero pensar que tan errática actividad sea el preludio a una salida definitiva del aire. 73's y buen DX (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, Aug 18, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VIETNAM [non]. Re Degar Voice, 7115: The website http://www.radioradicale.it has material related to the Degar people. (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, DXplorer Aug 16 via BC-DX via DXLD) Interesting. Unfortunately, won't propagate to ECNA at that hour. Do they have a website? http://www.montagnard-foundation.org does not appear to be connected to the station itself (Jerry Berg, MA, DXplorer Aug, via BC-DX Aug 17 via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 4960, 0015-0036 30/Jul SINPO=xxxxx Idioma indígena, probablemente miskito con algunas frases en español. Anuncian un número telefónico que no corresponde al formato usado en Honduras: 895-015. Además los controles de la hora que emiten no concuerdan con la hora en que se realizó la escucha, por lo que debe tratarse de un programa pre-grabado: "10 de la mañana con 30 minutos...". No capté ninguna identificación (Elmer Escoto, Honduras SONY ICF-SW7600GR y antena "random" de 10 metros, DX LISTENING DIGEST) En la frecuencia de 4959.98 kHz está transmitiendo Radio Federación Shuar, Sucia (Ecuador). Probablemente sea la emisora Elmer Escoto ha captado. Estoy de acuerdo con Arnaldo. Otra posibilidad es Cima100, Sto. Domingo (República Dominicana); no recuerdo la frecuencia exacta pero está más bajo que Federación. Se reconoce la emisora por su sonido ``débil`` y claro también por su música ``caliente``. Durante bastante tiempo he tenido una estación no identificada en 4960.46 kHz pero solamente en la mañana aproximadamente entre 10-1100 UT con español y algún idioma indígena. Bolivia? (Björn Malm, Ecuador, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ DE RADIOS Estimados Amigos, Por medio de la presente los invito a participar de http://www.deRadios.com - Un Sitio de Radios, donde accederá a toda la información de lo que ocurre con las Radios de Argentina y Latinoamérica. Para ello suscribase a nuestro Newsletter Semanal Sin Cargo haciendo click en este link SUSCRIPCIÓN y disfrute los beneficios de compartir la Magia de la Radio en la Web. A la espera de vuestro contacto, los saludo muy cordialmente (Darío Durán, Director General, http://www.deRadios.com +54 223 495-8871 Aug 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ THE PROPAGATION OUTLOOK FROM OTTAWA http://www.spaceweather.gc.ca/myservlet/geomag_CLF/main_e.jsp Here`s the 27-day outlook in graphical form, which we used to get in the P-mail and quote on WOR along with Boulder info. 27 - Day Magnetic Activity Forecast http://www.spaceweather.gc.ca/forecast27days_e.shtml Unfortunately, it is only issued every 27 days, apparently with no daily or even weekly updates, and the current one covers thru Aug 26; further, it is awfully slow-loading (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) MAJOR GEOMAGNETIC STORM We have ALL been caught out, by the behaviour of the Sun in the last 30 Hours or so (This includes the observatories!!!). Jan Alvestead has just returned from holidays; you might like to look at his latest report on http://www.trsc.com A surprise Coronal Mass Ejection arrived at Earth at about 1340 UT on Sunday 17th August 2003; this was followed by the commencement of a Severe Geomagnetic Storm at 0100 UT on Monday 18th August 2003. The 'K' Index got as high as '8' at some observatories. It now looks as though the next forecast Coronal Hole, may get into Geoeffective Position on the Sun, somewhat earlier than originally expected. I am afraid it looks as though the 'promised window' for quiet conditions for the next couple of days, is not, now, in the main, going to happen. The Solar Wind IS dropping quite quickly, at the moment, I am NOT confident that this will continue for more than a further 6 to 18 Hours. VERY sorry, folks!! There are also currently, several interesting comments on Auroras, which are very much connected with Solar and Radio Conditions. on the Main Page of http://www.spaceweather.com Can I especially commend you to read the Daily Report and Forecast on this Site after 2210 UT this evening. Because of changes on the Site, I find the best way to access this, now, is to put 'NOAA Forecast' into http://www.google.co.uk and select the second item that comes up on the resultant list (Ken Fletcher, 1811UTC=1911UTC+1, 18th August 2003, BDXC-UK via DXLD) Severe attenuation of Radio Signals observed here on Short Wave, this evening (Hardly surprising!!) This is the best time to look for Transmissions from SOUTH of us, where Northern Signals are Attenuated by Geomagnetic Storm Effects. I bet 5.850 Radio Canada via Sweden won`t be up too much to-night. I would be interested in any observations posted on this one, relating to this evening`s transmission (2000-2130 UT) from various parts of the country, or any other transmissions thought relevant, for example can the 60M experts tell us about transmissions this evening, compared to normal? Many Thanks (Ken Fletcher, 1842UTC=1942UTC+1, 18th August 2003, BDXC-UK via DXLD) DAILY SOLAR SPACE WEATHER AND GEOMAGNETIC INDICES Here are some general guidelines concerning correlation of propagation indices to actual expected propagation conditions. You can find more information at http://www.kn4lf.com/kn4lf8.htm 1.) Dropping indices numbers are better, except for solar flux on HF. 2.) For medium frequencies a solar flux under 150, under 100 better, 70 is best for E layer multi hop. Keep in mind though that the 10.7 cm (2800 MHz) solar flux index is not a "reliable" gauge of ionization in our atmosphere, as the energy of photons at this frequency is to low on the order of one million times. 2a.) For high frequencies a solar flux of 100 is okay, 150 better, above 200 best for F layer multi hop. 3.) Solar flux of at least 100 for E valley-F layer ducting mechanism. 4.) Previous 24 hour Ap index under 10, under 7 for several days consecutively is best. 5.) Previous 3 hour Kp index under 3 for mid latitude paths, under 2 for high latitude paths, 0-1 for several days consecutively is best. 6.) Energetic protons no greater than 10 MeV (10+0) for 160/120 meters and no greater than (10-1) on MF broadcast band. 7.) Background x-ray flux levels less than C1 for several days consecutively for 160/120 meters and less then B9 for MF broadcast band. 8.) No current STRATWARM alert. 9.) IMF Bz with a negative sign, indicates a better chance of high latitude path auroral absorption/unpredictable refraction or scattering of MF RF signals, when the Kp is above 3. 73, Thomas F. Giella, Space & Atmospheric Weather Forecaster, C/S KN4LF, Plant City, FL, USA 33566, EL87WX SWFWMD Rainfall Observer #574 NWS Tampa Bay, FL Skywarn Spotter #HIL-249 Florida Space & Atmospheric Weather Institute: http://www.kn4lf.com/fsawi.htm (via hard-core-dx via DXLD) ### |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-149, August 17, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser, ghauser@hotmail.com Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3h.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1195: RFPI: Mon 0030, 0630, 1230, Tue 1900, Wed 0100, 0730, 1330 on 7445 [nominal times subject to delay or pre-emption] WBCQ: Mon 0415 on 7415 WWCR: Wed 0930 9475 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1195.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1195.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1195h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1195h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1195.html WORLD OF RADIO on WJIE: We missed checking Sunday 1630 the last few weeks to confirm whether WJIE has still been running #1179 from April, but on Aug 16 we found that the schedule had been updated at http://www.wjiesw.com/schedule.htm to show only one time for WOR, Sat 0930 UT. However, occasional checks at various times of both frequencies, 7490 and 13595, the past week have failed to confirm WJIE is even on the air, or modulating if there is a carrier. We have told them there is no point in continuing until WJIE can become serious about SW (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) WORLD OF RADIO WATCH: On WRMI: 1195 confirmed Sat Aug 16 at 1804 on 15725; on WINB: confirmed 0031+ UT Sun Aug 17 on 12160; CONTINENT OF MEDIA on RFPI was about half an hour early at 0300 UT Sun instead of 0330 (gh) SOLICITED TESTIMONIALS Re: DXLD 3-146 comments by Steve Cross: ``The best reception by far is the Sunday UT show on WWCR 5070 at 0230 UT.`` I agree with that assessment, but the UT Saturday 1030 airing, also on 5070, matches it occasionally. For the past several weeks, I have been waking up around that time and tune the program in on the Satellit 800. For the past two or three weeks reception was marginal but it could have been impaired by some nearby interference. I didn`t wake up in time this morning (August 16) but I did tape it on the VCR from my DX-398, and today it was very clear, and it was complete, while during recent weeks it would usually be cut off before the propagation outlook as the program occasionally starts 1-2 minutes late. I must make a habit of checking the tape afterwards, even if I do wake up early and listen to it then on the 800, as I have noticed that occasionally reception will be better on one radio than on the other. Perhaps this is due to the fact that I use two separate antennas, both the wind-up type (the one for the 800 is attached to the whip antenna while the 398`s is plugged into the antenna input) which I am limited to but fortunately they are both satisfactory. ``The Thu afternoon local show on WWCR 15825 at 2030 fades in and out but is usually readable, again if no weather or solar problems.`` I usually find this to be completely inaudible, but I believe that is due to local interference burying the signal. ``The first show of the week on WBCQ is not readable until wintertime on 7415 and is occasionally readable on 17495, both at 2200 UT Wed.`` I agree with the comment for 7415 but 17495 is usually buried under local interference. But as the slide into winter continues the interference should abate. So, at the moment, my first chance to hear WORLD OF RADIO clearly is the Saturday 1030 airing on WWCR. As the nights get longer, however, the first airing on WBCQ should start coming in stronger, although even at its best it never matches the reception I usually get on WWCR Saturday mornings and evenings. I have, on a couple of occasions (both in July late in the evenings while I was home on vacation), downloaded it from the net and listened to it on the computer. The first time it played complete with no interruptions but the second time it cut out so many times I was forced to stop after five minutes or so. I consider WORLD OF RADIO to be the only DX program worth listening to. I never listen to DXING WITH CUMBRE, although, as I have said once before somewhere in the gh universe, they really ``don`t speak my language, so to speak.`` (I have no interest in DXing as such). DXERS UNLIMITED definitely doesn`t speak my language and I never listen to that, although I have in the past checked their posted scripts (but not for many months now). I have been intending to start listening to DX PARTYLINE again, but I usually find that I`m busy with something else when their broadcast times comes around so I don`t bother. However, if I didn`t get good reception Saturday morning, I always make sure I finish with or stop whatever I`m doing by the time the Saturday evening WORLD OF RADIO broadcast rolls around. 73, (John Norfolk, OKCOK) Dear Mr Hauser, Hello! My name is Ian and in answer to your question, ``What is my favourite station for listening to World of Radio?`` I would say WWCR. I listen to you at 0230 UT Sundays on 5070. Actually I usually set the tape recorder because it`s 0330 local time here. I use a Sangean 818, the one with the built-in cassette recorder, with an 11 meter `open` end fed ceiling loop clipped to the set top whip. The loop is a single strand of 12 volt doorbell wire (insulated). The wire is held in place by 5 plastic `map pins`, two or three turns around each pin. I actually have 23 or these lops about 2.5 inches apart. The other one feeds my 1972 Eddystone EB37 transistor `cabin` set which I bought at the National Vintage Communications Fair for 20 pounds in May this year. . . (Ian Evans, Gwent, UK, 10 Aug, by P-mail, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AFGHANISTAN [non]. 15615, CIS(?) to AFGHANISTAN, R. Amani, 1624- 1637, 15/08, Arabic?, CIS test tones at tune-in until 1628, silence until 1631 sign-on, very poor/weak under propagational QRN, with presumed ID and Arabic-like music fanfare followed by music and talks. Not able to get any readable copy, just enough to know something is there! (Scott R Barbour Jr., Intervale, NH, Sangean ATS 818, RF Systems MLB-1, RS longwire w/ RBA balun, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Surely they would not use Arabic except for Qur`an recitations (gh, DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. RA will be able to broadcast a few more hours out of Darwin in the near future to Asia; to improve signal in Vietnamese, which is presently from offshore [Taiwan?]; also looking at mounting a transmission to S and SE As in English, probably around 1300-1530 UT for a presence in the evening as well as afternoon. Due to budget cuts, RA will make some changes, cancelling some programs to be replaced by others, details not yet decided, to take effect at the beginning of September (Jean-Gabriel Manguy, RA network manager on Feedback Aug 8 [presumably] from WRN archive Aug 17, looking for current show about ARDS, notes by gh for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. 5050, ARDS, another "vague" QSL but a QSL all the same, especially when Radio Manager Dale Chesson dale@ards.com.au said the male announcer I heard on Aug 8 was him. Other info from Dale: "We are a community education/community development organisation and our media release went out on Thursday (Aug 7)." He added: "We're collecting S readings from hams across the Top End (i.e. the Northern Territory) to identify if our antennae are aimed correctly. We'll use MF transmitters in the major communities once time and finances allow. We are on 5050, as that was the frequency assigned by the ACA when we applied for our HF Domestic Broadcasting Licence. 5060 is the upper limit of the licence and we wanted something as close to that as possible to cope with the tropical climate, etc., as we would only be issued with one frequency due to congestion of the spectrum. Over 5060 you need an International Broadcasting Licence and that was really out of the scope of our operations." I recommended shifting to 5045 or 5055 to lessen interference. Dale's response was: "Given frequency allocation by ACA, and also that 5040 is the Defence frequency in Townsville, there is little hope of us being issued something inside their 9 kHz spacing requirements." I made reference to the ABC SW transmitters at Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs. Dale said that the ABC's transmitters are "50 kW vertical incidence with shower antenna. We were quoted A$5 million to replicate this service!" The station`s name isn't finalised yet: "We have a name in mind at this stage, but are waiting for our listening audience to come up with something that they will identify with. As we talk to people, we refer to it as the Community Development Radio Service." (David Foster, Australia, DXplorer via DXLD) ** BAHAMAS. 1540, ZNS1, Nassau - 0535+ 8/17. Weird, a couple of years ago I recall hearing them track Billy Joel's "River Of Dreams" album in its' entirety. So whadda ya know, tonight I stumbled upon them tracking Joel's "The Stranger" and across the top-of-the-hour. Is there some hidden meaning here, or could there be a closet Billy fan working graveyard in central New Providence? (Terry L. Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BANGLADESH?? 9550, Bangladesh Betar, 1228 17 Aug, Instrumental music and announcement by W in what sounded like English, then into long talk by W after 1230 although it didn't sound like English then. No IS noted. Definitely Asian. If them, maybe they started the English program a little early. Weak and fading. Nothing but Hams on 7185. Could they be using the same transmitter and switching frequencies?? 73's (Dave Valko, Dunlo PA, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) Well, GVG said 7185 was the only active SW frequency here (gh, DXLD) 7185, Bangladesh Betar 1234-1259* 8/16. English transmission; last minute of news, then commentary with mentions of India and Bangladesh; subcontinental vocal music at 1240. Fair signal with ARO QRM (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Drake R-8, 100-foot RW, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. 4905, RADIO SAN MIGUEL, Riberalta, 0215, August 16. Spanish, program "Show de los Sábados" "...la multitud de Radio San Miguel", "...mes aniversario, 35 años de Radio San Miguel..." sign-off 0300 45444; also 1035, August 16 Spanish, Mass 55555 (Rogildo F. Aragão, Quillacollo - Bolivia, Sony ICF-2001D - Lowe HF-225E, LW 20m + LW 50m, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Nominal 4930; this is the one that jumped to 4735v recently (gh, DXLD) e.g.: 4930.01, R. San Miguel, 15 Aug 2353, M talk in Spanish with mention of Sierra, and ending with R. San Miguel ID at 2355, into nice Tango vocal song. Fair (Dave Valko, PA, 15 August, micro dxpediton, Used a 26 meter dipole oriented 120-300 degrees and 4 meters off the ground, and a 300' Beverage on the ground running to 190 degrees, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. Hi Glenn, Re the item NACIONAL DO BRASIL PARA A ÁFRICA in DXLD 3-146: So you think the Af service is actually on 9665? I haven`t heard anything yet to indicate this is for Africa, but I am by no means fluent in Portuguese. Today, Aug. 17, I heard the usual sambas and what sounds a recorded ID which includes station name, frequency[ies?] and a schedule, and also mentions RadioBrás, but no mention of a target. Audio is overmodulated which doesn`t improve audibility. Signal strength here is very good, which doesn`t suggest it`s beaming towards the main Portuguese speaking countries in southern Africa. 73s, (Noel Green, England, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 12 AMAZON CATHOLIC STATIONS FORM NEWS SERVICE Tefé, Amazonas, Aug 9 (Conexión Digital) --- Twelve Catholic radio stations located in the Amazon Basin are working together to produce a regional newscast, reports Paul Roberto e Souza. With the goal of creating an informative program over the Amazon Basin, originating from Tefé, Amazonians will produce it. According to Padre Edilberto Sena, director of ZYI354 Rádio Rural of Santarém 710 AM and ZYG363 on 4765 kHz shortwave in the Brasilian state of Pará, ``It is not xenophobic, but is dedicated to highlight the values of our region and to alert our people about international greed, especially that of the Gringo North Americans.`` Forming the network are stations in ZYH204 Cruzeiro do Sul 940 AM and ZYF203 on 4865 kHz shortwave in the state of Acre, ZYI535 Bragança 1390 AM and ZYG364 on 4825 kHz in the state of Pará, Rádio Rural de Santarém, among others. ZYH282 Rádio Educação Rural 1270 AM and ZYF271 on 3385 kHz shortwave, of Tefé, in the state of Amazonas, a city where Paulo Roberto e Souza works, is not currently a member of the network, but it will be entering shortly (Catholic Radio Update Aug 18 via DXLD) ** CANADA. RCI is expecting a new design of QSL card within the next month or two. That card will picture the flags of the Canadian provinces and territories. 73s (Swopan Chakroborty, Kolkata, India, Aug 17, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. I received the following inquiry from a DXer in New Zealand. I didn't do any SW listening at all during Thursday's blackout. Does anyone know if CHU went off? And if they did go off, how long did they stay off? Or did they switch to emergency power and stay on during the outage? As I type, just after 1 PM eastern (1700 UTC), I can't hear CHU at all. But that's likely due to propagation, as I can't hear WWV on 5000 or 10000, and reception is poor on 15000. 73 (Mike Brooker, Toronto, ON, Aug 17, NRC-AM via DXLD) Nope, CHU is definitely off the air (as of 1345 EDT). I live just a few km away from the transmitter site, and there is not even a weak carrier on 3330 or 7335. I can't say whether they've been on at all since the blackout, since I didn't check until now (Barry McLarnon, Ottawa, ibid.) CHU has indeed been off since the blackout. I thought it was bad band conditions at first, but I guess not. I wonder if they are dropping the service? I ask because some time ago, they removed the web pages on CHU's data format and such. I'd think WWV would reach well into Canada, so I never understood why they have CHU. Are there some areas where WWV just doesn't get into in Canada? (Adam Myrow, Memphis TN, ibid.) I live near Boston. We have heard them occasionally since the blackout, sometimes very weak, sometimes normal level for very short periods, and then totally gone. Did not know if it was propagation or blackout related. Suspected the latter, and you are confirming this. But I can say they have been on although very sporadically (Allan Dunn, K1UCY, ibid.) ** CANADA. We're told - but have not yet confirmed - that the CN Tower transmitting facility lost power, sending most of the signals there either into darkness (CTV's CFTO, CHIN-FM, CJRT, CBL-FM) or to low- power auxiliary facilities. On the AM dial, CHWO (740) was off the air most of the night, though the problem appeared to be at the studio and not the transmitter, since CJBC (860) stayed on from the same transmitter. Scattered off-air stations were reported elsewhere in Ontario, and we caught the CJBC relay network picking up Syracuse's WTKW and relaying it in the absence of the Kingston 99.5 signal early in the blackout. On Friday morning, the transmitters of the TVOntario network that weren't off the air were carrying a slate apologizing for the lack of programming because of the power outage (Scott Fybush, NE Radio Watch Aug 15 via DXLD) more under USA ** CANADA. CIAO-530, CHKT-1430 and CHIN-1540 were k.o.'ed completely. CJBC-860 stayed on, but CHWO-740 was off sporadically. They didn't seem to have any special programs when they were on, just the usual nostalgia music. CFTR-680 was off for about an hour after the power went out, with only a growlly carrier, but came back on around 1800 EDT. Of course MOJO-640 stayed on - power outages are a test of macho and separate the men from the boys. No sign of JOY-1250, presumably they were knocked off - God works in wonderful ways :) CFYZ-1280 stayed on, with emergency programming (well, duh, virtually every flight at YYZ was cancelled) (Mike Brooker, Toronto, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** CANADA [and non]. RADIO TO THE RESCUE WHEN POWER OUT People spent hours in their cars flipping from station to station Julie Smyth, National Post, Saturday, August 16, 2003 http://www.nationalpost.com/home/story.html?id=1C6A930E-72D0-46F6-A871-901FACC0BD38 It was the renaissance of radio. As the power went out, leaving television screens black, people huddled around battery-powered radios to get their news. Neighbours gathered on lawn chairs, lit lanterns and candles, watched the stars and turned on the old-fashioned pocket radio someone had dusted off and dug out of the basement closet. Through out the night, the scratchy sounds of beat-up hand-helds and more modern ghetto blasters filled the air with music and newscasts. Many people spent hours in their car, flipping from station to station, or fell asleep, clutching their radio and listening to bulletins about when their power might be restored. "I laid all night listening to the radio. People were phoning in asking where they could get a Tim Hortons," said one woman. It was a throw-back to the fifties when only months ago every family across the modern world was glued to the television watching live footage of combat in Iraq on CNN through the camera of an embedded camera crew. For one of the most important stories in years -- the biggest blackout in North American history -- television, for once, could not reach viewers in major cities such as Toronto, Ottawa, New York. With limited news access -- even the Internet proved useless except on portable computers -- people relied on the only source of information that was still available. The good old radio made a temporary come- back, brought upon simply by the fact that all the technology available to the giants of broadcast could do nothing about the fact 50 million people could not turn on their television sets. "Radios were flying off the shelves," said Peter Collins, who works at a Waterloo, Ont., Radio Shack. "Some people were picking up shortwave radios, others were going for the old-style pocket radios." The CBC spent most of yesterday airing footage from the night before, with Ontario viewers seeing the first images of the blackout as late as 24 hours after the outage began just after 4 p.m. on Thursday. CBC, with its head office in the middle of downtown Toronto, relied initially on radio coverage, then had to broadcast out of Calgary and Vancouver on what was an exclusively eastern story. By 6 p.m., Peter Mansbridge, on holidays and driving home to his home in Stratford, Ont., had arrived and reported from the CBC's rooftop in his shorts and, somewhat controversially, his annual summer holiday beard. (He was expected to keep his facial hair, which one CBC official described as his "casual look" for last night's coverage.) Even radio had to bounce from signal to signal on occasion, said Tony Burnman, editor-in-chief of CBC News. It was not until 9 p.m. that CBC had enough back-up power to move coverage to Toronto. "We had to struggle with the technology but I think we were able to get our message out." But it did not get to the people who cared about the story most. As one Ottawa woman put it: "As soon as we got home, we kept thinking we'd put on the news so we could find out what was happening. Then we realized, we can't turn on the TV." CBC relied on limited emergency power that allowed it to broadcast on radio and to feed television news reports, including footage of Mr. Mansbridge, to Vancouver, then it moved to the full-scale program out of the Toronto building. The network had full power back by 11 p.m, which was early compared to most homes in the city. Other national networks across North America had similar problems and had to hope people would once again return to the round-the-clock television coverage yesterday. "I expect the audience for the National tonight will be phenomenal," Mr. Burnman said yesterday. Or maybe they'll just stick with their radios (© Copyright 2003 National Post via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** CANADA. Radio Shalom application DENIED --- It's a very lengthy decision. Excerpts presented below. See http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2003/db2003-399.htm [...] 6. The Commission received 23 letters of support and two petitions with 182 and 533 signatures, respectively, in support of Radio Chalom's application. On the other hand, the Association des radiodiffuseurs communautaires du Québec (ARCQ), Radio Centre-Ville Saint-Louis inc. (Radio Centre-Ville) and Radio Communautaire Francophone de Montréal inc., licensee of CIBL-FM Montréal, opposed any new radio licence in the Montréal market because of their concerns for the survival of community radio stations CINQ-FM and CIBL-FM Montréal and CHAA-FM Longueuil. Fred Leclaire and Hyman Glustein filed a joint intervention opposing the application based on their concern that the new station would have negative impacts on radio stations currently offering ethnic programming in the Montréal market. 7. The Union des artistes (UDA) and the Société professionnelle des auteurs et des compositeurs du Québec (SPACQ) also submitted comments on the application. UDA stressed the importance it placed on promoting French-language stations in the Montréal market, while SPACQ stated, among other things, that priority should be given to broadcasting outlets that would give airplay to French-language musical selections. [...] 9. Radio Chalom's proposed frequency and technical parameters made it non-competitive on technical grounds with the other applications to serve the Montréal region, and could in the Commission's view, have represented an appropriate technical use of the proposed AM frequency. The Commission also considers that the applicant's experience in operating an SCMO service has provided Radio Chalom with the appropriate practical knowledge and sufficient resources to operate the proposed radio station. Given the relatively modest nature of the proposal from a commercial vantage point, the Commission is further satisfied that the proposed Montréal station would not have had an undue negative impact on existing radio stations. 10. Radio Chalom, however, failed to convince the Commission that its application to operate a broadcasting undertaking that is both ethnic and religious, responded to the requirements of the existing Ethnic and Religious Policies, or that it would be able to comply with those Policies and its obligations as a broadcasting licensee. Given the lack of details and clarity of the information provided by Radio Chalom, both in its application and at the public hearing, the Commission considers it important to clarify in this decision certain provisions of its Ethnic and Religious Policies as they pertain to Radio Chalom's proposals. [...] 19. The Commission finds that the measures proposed by Radio Chalom for soliciting points of view from other religious groups were not sufficiently concrete to ensure that its programming would be balanced. The Commission notes that the applicant proposed to achieve balance through on-air exchanges of opinion between members of the Jewish community. In the Commission's view, Radio Chalom's proposal to fulfil the balance requirements through an exchange of ideas within its own group would not have allowed it to meet the requirements of the Religious Policy. [...] 21. (...) It is not sufficient, however, merely to make air time available to other groups. A broadcaster must actively solicit such programming to ensure that different views are presented. An applicant should demonstrate to the Commission that it has contacted other religious groups, and present evidence that a willingness exists on the part of other faith groups to participate. Moreover, it should indicate to the Commission how it will ensure that programming from the various faith groups in the community will continue to be available on an on-going basis. (...) [...] 22. On the basis of the information provided by Radio Chalom in its application and at the public hearing, the Commission does not consider that the applicant fully appreciates, or that it would be willing or able to meet the requirements of, the Ethnic and Religious Policies. 23. The Commission notes further that Radio Chalom did not provide, either in its application or at the public hearing, reliable quantitative information with respect to several matters, including the proposed weekly hours of local programming, news in general, local news and music. [...] (via Ricky Leong, QC, DXLD) ** CANADA. CKUT now has a 2-month experimental audio archive derived from their logging recordings. If you can get it to work, says Sheldon Harvey on this week`s IRR. You have to specify the date, start and stop time you want to hear, mp3 either in 32 kbps mono or 64 stereo. International Radio Report is Sundays at 10:30-11:00 local. I could not get it to work either: again seeing `this may not be an MPEG file` error message. IRR`s own audio archive, which only contains the latest show, is still OK at http://www.vif.com/users/rleong/stream.html (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHILE. 6089.9 Radio Esperanza, Temuco, 1401+, August 02, Spanish, local ads: "si busca muebles... Quincalleria Cohue, pionero en el sur", gospel music, 43522 (Arnaldo Slaen, Chascomus, Argentina, hard- core-dx via DXLD) ** CHINA. Due to heavy co-channel interference [and bad frequency selection, wb] CRI Beijing's new introduced morning service in German at 0500-0700 UT will replace both 15215 17690 kHz, by new 15245 and 17720 kHz from August 18th at 0500 (Marcel Goerke, Germany, A-DX Aug 17 via Wolfgang Büschel, DXLD) ** CHINA [non]. World Falun Dafa Radio Dear Lim Kwet Hian, Our broadcast schedule and frequency are: Asian: Everyday: Beijing time 6:00am-7:00am, 9.625 MHZ [2200-2300 UT] Sunday - Friday: Beijing time 11:00 PM - 12:00 AM, 9.930 MHZ [1500- 1600 UT] Tuesday - Saturday: Beijing time 12:00 AM - 12:30 AM, 9.930MHZ [1600- 1630 UT] Europe: Everyday: GMT 21:00-22:00, 5.925 MHZ The 9.625 MHZ one will be stopped in after this September. Dafa Hao means "Falun Dafa is good". It's just another name for World Falun Dafa Radio. Thanks for you interest. Best regards, Editor editor@falundafaradio.org (Falun Dafa R to L. Kwet Hian, Indonesia, Aug 7, 2003 for CRW via DXLD) 9930 being KWHR, of course ** CUBA. Attention Radio Havana Cuba listeners around the world... your attention please... our engineering department needs your help... We are now testing our 9600 kiloHertz frequency with a new transmitter. It is on the air starting at 00 UT, that is 8 pm Eastern, 7 pm Central, 6 PM mountain and 5 pm Pacific time. Again the frequency is 9600 kiloHertz and the new transmitter under test will be on the air from 00 to 05 UT. The program we are broadcasting on that frequency is in Spanish, but you can easily identify the station because we do ID quite often, and use the same interval signal that is used on our regular English language programs. Send your reports to arnie@r... [truncated by yahoogroups] amigos, and we will be sending back to you a special transmitter test QSL card that I will autograph for you. Friday evening, when we first tested the new transmitter it was sounding really good, with excellent modulation quality, as heard via ground wave here in Havana. We are also now using on a regular basis from 05 to 07 UTC our 250 kiloWatt transmitter on 9820 kiloHertz with the Pacific Coast of North America Curtain Array. By the way the new transmitter is a 100 kilowatt rig, but we are running it at 70 kiloWatts during the test period. The antenna used on 9600 kiloHertz is beaming to Venezuela, but many of you in North America can pick up the back of the beam quite easily according to my calculations. You can also send your reports via AIR MAIL to Arnie Coro, Radio Havana Cuba, Havana, Cuba, and don't forget to include your postal mailing address in all of your correspondence to the station, so that we can send you our nice QSL cards that verify your reception reports (Dr. Arnie Coro Antich, CO2KK, RHC DXers Unlimited Aug 16 via Bob Chandler, VE3SRE, ODXA via DXLD) ** CUBA [non]. Glenn, heard Radio Martí on 19610, 2 x 9805 at 0805 UT on the 17th. Signal was fair with fading; heard female with talk and slow Spanish ballads. 9805 was an excellent signal, presumed from Delano (Ron Trotto WDX4KWI, Waggoner, Illinois, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. Special ADDX / RMRC European DX Conference 2003 report on DTK T-systems Juelich 3965 kHz today at 1900-1930 in AM mode, 1930- 2000 UT in DRM mode, noted here in southern Germany with S=9 +60 dB. Interviews with various DX personages and DRM developing staff could be heard. This is not a 'malicious criticism', but in reality the DRM Juelich outlet used three adjacent channels. Measured a bandwith of 12.70 kHz with the small 2.2. kHz filter of the AOR 7030 set. Signal covered 3958.68 to 3971.38 kHz portion of the 75 mb. 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, Stuttgart, Aug 17, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. AIR MAITHILI NEWS, DD METRO TO START IN DARBHANGA Indiantelevision.com Team (16 August 2003 5:00 pm) NEW DELHI: India's radio pubcaster All India Radio (AIR) is starting a daily news bulletin in Maithili language from Darbhanga station of AIR from today. Deputy prime minister LK Advani would formally inaugurate the bulletin at Darbhanga and would also lay the foundation stone of DD Metro channel. The minister of information and broadcasting Ravi Shankar Prasad would preside and several union ministers, including CP Thakur, Hukam Narain, Dev Yadav, Sanjay Paswan, Shahnawaz Hussain and Rajiv Pratap Ruddy, MPs (members of parliament) from Bihar and some state leaders would be present on the occasion. Maithili bulletin would raise the number of languages/dialects to 66 in which AIR broadcasts bulletins. The Maithili bulletin would benefit a total Maithili speaking population of 2.41 crores (24.1 million) in India and Nepal. Maithili speaking population in India accounts for 2.2 crores (22 million) in northern Bihar. Madhubani and Darbhanga are the major towns and cultural centres in the region (via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, DXLD) WTFK?? ** IRAQ. CRW AND RNW ANALYSIS ON IRAQ PROVEN CORRECT Note: Long-time readers of CRW, Radio Netherlands Media Network and ClandestineRadio.com will recall our analyses of the campaign against Baghdad, which the following piece published by the New York Times proves were indeed on target. We were first to report in 1998 that Wifaq Iraqi National Accord's radio stations broadcast from the 50kW Harris transmitter administered by the CIA in Kuwait. In 2000 we revealed the Wifaq's ties to Jordanian intelligence. As early as October 2002 we reported "(T)he Bush administration is clearly pinning its hopes on the Iraqi National Accord (INA), which seeks to eliminate Saddam by recruiting support from within his inner circle." We stated in December 2002, "The pro-coup stations, meanwhile, continue to broadcast as... the Pentagon proceeds with its build-up in the region - leading to suspicion that hope lingers within the Washington Beltway that America's show of force will act as a force multiplier to the broadcasts and lead to a so-called "zipless coup" that lies at the core of the Iraqi National Accord's platform." RNW's Andy Sennitt was first to note that astrological forecasts on Radio Tikrit were probable surreptitious messages to intelligence assets in Baghdad. Hours before Operation Iraqi Freedom began, on March 17, 2003, we detailed how the Bush administration and the radio stations it covertly supported were trying to neutralize the Iraqi military and political elite. Clandestine broadcasting, we have long believed, can serve as a window into the murky realm of espionage and covert operations. Clearly, this is the case (N. Grace-USA for CRW and RNW Media Network, CRW via DXLD) Viz.: U.S. MOVED TO UNDERMINE IRAQI MILITARY BEFORE WAR By Douglas Jehl with Dexter Filkins, New York Times, A1 August 10, 2003 http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/10/international/worldspecial/10IRAQ.html (via CRW via DXLD) ** ISRAEL. At the end of today's 1630-1645 UT English broadcast (heard on usual 15640 and 17545 kHz) Israel Radio carried an announcement confirming the end of the this English broadcast from tomorrow. The full announcement said: "And now this announcement: Local and overseas listeners of Kol Israel English language news broadcasts. As of Sunday 17th August Kol Israel will stop broadcasting the 7.30 pm, that's 1730 hours UT [wrong, its at 1630 UT in summer] English news bulletin. In addition the 1.10 broadcast is being reduced to 10 minutes and will be heard from 1.10- 1.20 local Israel time. Starting Sunday 17 August Kol Israel local English broadcasts will be heard at 7 am and 1.10 pm in the AM and FM bands and at 10 pm in the FM band. Overseas listeners can hear these broadcasts at 0500, 1110 and 2000 UTC." It appears they got the time conversion to UTC completely wrong as surely Israel is on UT +3 hours in Summer, in which case English will be on SW at 0400, 1010 and 1900 UT from tomorrow. 73s (Dave Kenny, UK, Aug 16, BDXC-UK via DXLD0 ISRAEL RADIO TO CEASE EVENING NEWS BROADCAST IN ENGLISH By Anat Balint, Haaretz Correspondent and Haaretz Service http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml? Israel Radio will cease its daily 7:30 P.M. [1630 UT] news broadcast in English as of Sunday, the Israel Broadcasting Authority has decided. In addition, the daily lunchtime news in English will be cut from 15 to 10 minutes [1015 UT?]. The radio announced the changes Friday on air, but no explanation was given. The 7:00 A.M. [0400 UT] morning news broadcast is not affected by the decision. The IBA will continue to broadcast its English news program abroad on shortwave at 10 P.M. Israel time [1900 UT]. This broadcast, however, cannot be picked up anywhere in Israel, except for Jerusalem. A staffer at Israel Radio's English News division said there had been a flood of telephone calls, email messages and faxes from listeners protesting the move. The staffer said that the English department had only been informed of the decision on Thursday evening and that management had not offered any explanation. The upshot of this decision, he said, was that there would be no news broadcast in English from 1:20 in the afternoon, when the lunchtime program ends, until the next morning at 7 A.M. Last month, Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) Director General Yosef Barel announced that he had reached an agreement with Industry and Trade Minister Ehud Olmert to freeze all planned changes in the broadcasting hours of Voice of Israel radio stations and IBA television stations until a committee headed by Ra'anan Dinur, the director general of Olmert's ministry, finishes formulating a reform program for public broadcasting. Barel's plan to consolidate broadcasts on Reshet Alef, the Voice of Music and Reka (which airs programs focusing on new immigrants) into one culture channel will not happen in the near future, following the announcement, and the same is true of his plan to cancel the Mediterranean channel's Arabic-language satellite broadcasts and merge them with Channel 33's programs (via Mike Terry, DXLD) [apparently same story:] http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=330044&contrassID=1&subContrassID=7&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y (via Daniel Rosenzweig, DXLD) ** KOREAS. Re: KOREA NORTH. SOUTH KOREA TO HEAR NORTH'S RADIO "WITHOUT FILTRATION" FOR ANNIVERSARY | --- I guess this statement refers to KCBS put on former Voice of National Salvation frequencies as observed by Hans Johnson? I wonder whether or not 1053 is on, too. There is already a KCBS outlet with 1500 kW from Haeju on 1080, I bet that two 1500 kW rigs are installed there side by side, one for 1080 and the other one for 1053. Re. jamming: The main mediumwave frequencies (at least 657 and 1080) and also some shortwave outlets of KCBS and Pyongyang Pangsong are jammed in Seoul. I think we had a detailed report a couple of months ago? (Kai Ludwig, Germany, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MALI. ORTM Bamako: on 16 Aug at around 1906 on 4835 heard with English news and pop tunes between the items. A weak parallel was heard on appr. 4782.4 (heavy ute-qrm). At 1920 music and at 1925 local language program. I recall these English news are aired only during weekends (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. XERMX seems to be in a real state of flux. I understand the Portuguese program was cancelled, and now the producers of the English and French programs are gone, but they may be replaying some old programs still. I assume their frequency/time schedule is the same, with the appropriate adjustment for daylight/standard time (Jeff White, FL, Aug 17, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. Enid`s community access cable TV service, Pegasys, is in danger of a drastic budget cut, as the city manager thinks it is getting too much, based on a percentage of Cox Cable`s franchise fee, which has been steadily growing over the years. Pegasys is a rarity in Oklahoma, with only one other equivalent service in the state, in Norman. Unfortunately, Pegasys` schedule is topheavy with gospel huxters since ``that`s what the community wants``. See the week`s schedule (still last week`s as of Aug 17, a big help): http://www.pegasys.org/this_week_schedule.htm Read about the current crisis and links to Enid Eagle coverage about it: http://www.pegasys.org (Glenn Hauser, ibid., DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: PEGASYS IS IN JEOPARDY! YOUR HELP IS NEEDED...... On Tuesday, August 19, 5:00 pm, the Enid mayor and city commissioners will be discussing PEGASYS funding and the July 2003 - June 2004 contract, which has not been signed by the City of Enid. They will be discussing cutting funding this year, instead of in 2004! This is a public study session. If you would like to attend, please come to the Enid Municipal Building (Martin Luther King, Jr. building) upstairs in the city manager's conference room at 5:00 pm. The regular city commission meeting will follow downstairs [cablecast on Pegasys ch 11] The Enid City Commission is considering a proposal to cut PEGASYS funding by 50% or more over a period of time. Your input is critical to help keep YOUR community access station alive! Please write, email, or call your City Commissioner TODAY!! (via gh, DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA. Selected AM Happenings: Anadarko KJON 850 was silent; not ethnic [and moved toward Dallas!] Chickasha KOCY 1560 silent; now Radio Disney. FMakings --- Applications: Blanchard (from Weatherford) KWEY-FM [97.3 --- gh]. The country station serves the Clinton area; but would move to southwest of Norman, with a signal to reach the southern parts of the OKC market. Comments by Sept. 22; replies by Oct. 7 (Aug FMedia! via DXLD) Unnecessary; leave one FM to serve Weatherford (gh, DXLD) ** SCOTLAND. RAIDED PIRATE RADIO HIJACKED CHARITY STATION'S FREQUENCY A PIRATE radio station broadcasting in the Glasgow area has been raided by industry watchdogs for operating without a licence. Inspectors from the Radio Communications Agency seized broadcasting equipment in a swoop on the operator of Perfecto FM. The station had been broadcasting on 106.9FM, the same wavelength as community radio station Sunny Govan FM, which has been given a licence allowing it to broadcast on the frequency until the end of this month. . . http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/hi/news/5018121.html (via Artie Bigley, OH, Aug 9, DXLD) ** UGANDA. IDI AMIN AND INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING The death in exile of former Ugandan dictator Idi Amin brought back memories of how it was 30 years ago. A young Ugandan journalist who was recently on a course at the Radio Netherlands training centre told me he didn't know that Uganda had ever had an external service. In 1972, President Idi Amin changed the name to Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) to compare with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). He purchased some high power shortwave transmitters and started a foreign service, which was inaugurated in time for a conference of the Organisation of African Unity which he hosted in Kampala. He boasted at the time that Radio Uganda was stronger than the BBC - hardly surprising, as the transmitter site was just down the road from the conference centre. It wasn't long before the expensive transmitters fell into disrepair due to lack of proper maintenance. By the time Amin was deposed in 1979, the only similarity with the BBC was the name, and that was duly changed back to Radio Uganda (Andy Sennitt, Media Network blog Aug 16 via DXLD) WTFK? 15325 (gh) ** U K. SPECIAL EVENT. Glyn, GW0ANA, reports: ``Many Amateur Radio operators may be aware of the significance of ``Flatholm Island `` located in the Bristol Channel in the UK. The island has a very historic link in connection with our hobby as it was used by Marconi when he demonstrated to the British Post Office that his theory that radio waves would travel across water. He made the link via radio from Lavernock Point in south Wales to the island on Thursday, May 13th 1897. To pay homage to Marconi, the Barry Amateur Radio Society (South Wales) erected a monument on the island and each year make an annual visit to operate a special event station using the callsign ``GB5FI`` (Flatholm Island). This years` visit will take place between Friday, August 22nd and Wednesday, August 27th.`` The society will activate this very rare WAB square ST26 and operate mainly on the amateur HF bands to follow in the footsteps of the historic event. This year they also plan to operate via satellite using AO-40 and also Oscar 14 (subject to access in the short pass time). Their priority will be mainly SSB operation, but they may operate on the digital or SSTV modes. This is a very rare opportunity to add to your QSL card collection a ``MARCONI Experiment`` location, Flatholm Island, via satellite! Lighthouse ref. number: 0007. QSL via GW0ANA direct CBA or via the Bureau is no problem (KB8NW/OPDX August 18 [posted August 15]/BARF-80 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** U S A. A follow-up to the item on Roy Neal, K6DUE, in DXLD 3-148: Neal was a contributor to the Amateur Radio Newsline service, and no doubt a tribute will appear from that source shortly. K6DUE also conducted a net on 7153 LSB Saturday mornings at 1315 UT. On August 16 there were a couple of hams talking about K6DUE shortly after 1315, but their comments were brief and they left the frequency shortly afterwards. I am assuming that if a net continues, it will probably be done as a memorial to K6DUE. But until such comes about (if it does), the K6DUE net will be deleted from future editions of Nets To You! Speaking of Nets To You! I found that the Treasure Coast Net, which meets on 7153 earlier, begins at 1200 during summer, not 1300. The QCWA net list on their web site simply gives the time as 1300 UT, and I assumed that it was for all year, which of course turns out to be wrong (John Norfolk, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. EWTN CELEBRATES ITS 22ND ANNIVERSARY; NETWORK`S FOUNDRESS, MOTHER ANGELICA, DOING WELL Irondale, Ala, Aug 13 (EWTN) --- EWTN Global Catholic Network celebrates its 22nd Anniversary on August 15th and will air a 30-minute special that day profiling the network`s historical achievements. The program titled, ``EWTN Yesterday and Today,`` airs at 2:30 PM EDT. As Mother Angelica, EWTN`s Foundress often said, ``The history of EWTN isn`t about what we`ve done, it`s about how we`ve done it.`` Giving all the credit to God and His Providence, she says she didn`t have a business plan when she powered up the network in 1981. As Mother pointed out, ``What could a handful of nuns know about starting something that would become a global Catholic television and multimedia network?`` According to Sister Mary Catherine, Vicar of Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Hanceville, Alabama, Mother Angelica continues her recuperation after suffering a debilitating stroke nearly two years ago. ``Mother is doing well and is taking part in all of the Community`s activities,`` she said. ``She sings at daily Mass, joins the Sisters for the Divine Office and spends time each day in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.`` Sister Mary Catherine said in the evenings, ``Mother enjoys lending a helping hand snapping beans from our garden. She keeps us all entertained with her funny little remarks and one-of-a-kind facial expressions! Even with few words, she is able to get her point across. She is in very good spirits, enjoying every moment that she spends with the Sisters.`` As it celebrates its anniversary, EWTN Global Catholic Network is planning several new series and specials for television, radio and the Internet http://www.ewtn.com According to Doug Keck, Vice President of Programming and Production, ``Headlining our special events calendar are two major programs in October, first, the much anticipated Beatification of Mother Teresa on October 19th and later that month, the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II`s pontificate. EWTN will take you to the heart of these celebrations, live from Rome,`` he said. Keck also mentioned the launch of a new live Monday-Friday 60-minute radio call in program in September called ``EWTN Open Line,`` which will feature a different host and Church related topic each day. EWTN Global Catholic Network is available in more than 84 million television households in 110 countries. And with its worldwide short- wave radio station, satellite delivered AM & FM radio network, Internet website http://www.ewtn.com and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world (Catholic Radio Update Aug 18 via DXLD) ** U S A. WCPE *89.7 Raleigh NC is among five finalists for ``Classical Station of the Year`` in the 2003 Marconi Radio Awards from the National Association of Broadcasters. The nomination comes as WCPE celebrates its 25th year of broadcasting classical music. An independent task force selected finalists in 19 awards categories. Ballots will be sent to members of the NAB Marconi Radio Awards Selection Academy in August. The ballots will be tabulated by the accounting firm of KPMG. The winners in each category will be announced on October 2 at the NAB Marconi Radio Awards Dinner & Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. The annual dinner and show, radio`s premier awards program, will also feature comedian Steve Harvey as the emcee. In addition to WCPE, finalists for NAB`s ``Classical Station of the Year`` are KDFC 102.1 San Francisco; KFUO-FM 99.1 Clayton MO; WFMR 106.9 Brookfield WI; and WRR 101.1 Dallas --- all commercial stations (Bruce Elving, Aug FMedia! via DXLD) LAST CHANCE FOR TRANSMITTER --- By Michael Futch, Staff writer Do you own a slice of the Fayetteville skyline where a classical music radio station can install a station transmitter? If so, officials with WCPE would like to talk with you. WCPE (89.1 FM) is a 100,000-watt station that operates out of Wake Forest in Wake County. Fayetteville is part of WCPE's secondary broadcast area, which is anywhere from 50 to 100 miles from the station. Those are areas where the signal is not good, but the station still has a crop of faithful listeners. . . http://www.fayettevillenc.com/story.php?Template=local&Story=5803835 (Fayetteville NC Observer, via Artie Bigley, Aug 11, DXLD) ** U S A. Bob Edwards tells The Tennessean that union-management relations at NPR have been "a little testy" lately: "A nonprofit thinks it's doing God's work, whether it's NPR, the Red Cross or NATO. They're doing God's work and how can you argue with God? -- that's their attitude. So sometimes you need a union to just cut through that." http://www.tennessean.com/business/archives/03/08/37641758.shtml?Element_ID=37641758 (posted at 4:07 PM EST Aug 14, Current via DXLD) ** U S A. NPR BOARD WANTS NO PART OF TV'S PROPOSED PAC Originally published in Current, Aug. 4, 2003 By Dan Odenwald The NPR Board has firmly refused to join public TV execs in establishing a political action committee to aid congressional allies of public broadcasting. In a unanimous vote at its meeting last month, the board said "the act of soliciting and collecting funds to influence the outcomes of elections is not appropriate to the mission of NPR or public radio." "A person's ability to contribute to a PAC in support of a cause he or she believes in is an important First Amendment right," commented John Lawson, president of the Association of Public Television Stations (APTS). "We were surprised the NPR Board would be so quick to say that those rights should not be available to public radio supporters." ... http://www.current.org/funding/funding0314pac.html (Current via gh, DXLD) ** U S A. PIRATE GETS OFFICIAL SUPPORT! By Jean Choung Of The Examiner Staff, Published Friday, August 15 In a 2-to-1 vote, the Board of Supervisors City Services Committee on Thursday passed a resolution supporting an unlicensed, low-power FM station, San Francisco Liberation Radio 93.7 FM, which the Federal Communications Commission is investigating and threatening to close or heavily fine. The station offers shows on alternative social and political views, such as those on gay issues and the Green Party. The resolution also urges Congress to hold meetings and develop laws to help such diverse forms of local media, which are not run by large corporations. Independent, low-power stations have a tougher time obtaining a license to operate due to stringent laws that favor large media companies. Additionally, the resolution urges Congress and the FCC to reverse a decision made in early June allowing large media companies nationwide to own more television stations, radio stations and/or newspapers than previously allowed. The full board must still weigh in on the issue. Supervisor Fiona Ma voted against the resolution, saying she was uncomfortable weighing in on a federal issue. Supervisor Matt González, a Green Party member, developed the resolution. About 60 volunteers run SFLR. The FCC visited the station, operated out of the dank and musty basement of a three-story Victorian home, last month. At the time, SFLR volunteers refused FCC's request to be able to inspect the radio equipment. The FCC threatened the station with a $17,000 fine for refusing to comply and being unlicensed. The station continued to refuse inspectors, launching an FCC investigation. Peter Franck, a lawyer representing SFLR, said the FCC has also threatened to close the station if it did not provide proof of a license to operate. An FCC official would not comment on the investigation. The station has applied for FCC licenses on two occasions, once in 1998 and most recently in mid-2000. Both requests were denied. The most recent rejection was based on two laws, one that prohibits providing a license to a station that has operated previously without a license, and another that requires a channel separation from other radio stations that SFLR does not meet. The first law is being challenged in Supreme Court and the second law is under review by Congress. Based on the uncertainty of the future of those laws, the FCC should hold off on making any decisions about the station, Franck said. Supporters of SFLR who spoke during the committee meeting said preserving the station would mean preserving democracy and a diversity of voices on the airwaves. "It's about giving the public the widest breadth of information possible," said Steven Schubert, an SFLR supporter. The microstation broadcasts in some city neighborhoods and parts of the East Bay (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** U S A. A long-inactive Manatee County pirate is back, though suspect not the original operator (probably a friend, though): "Hot 102.1" was noted with a killer signal (audible up through south- central St. Petersburg). Format is (while I listened, 4:50 p.m.+ Friday, 8/15) urban and current rap (Ashanti, Papa Doc, R Kelly, B2K...). Announced 744-2786 followed by many 'shout outs' by girls-in- da-hood, mostly in the Port Manatee area (station was previously DF'ed by myself in the Palmetto area). The host was "Boy DJ" but he mentioned "Big Dog" is on Wednesdays (so apparently this is a seven- day operation). Often uses the slogan "All New Hot 102.1" as well as "Ghetto Radio" (the latter especially when the phone line is activated). Stereo, clean though very compressed audio with heavy bottom-end. Noted one 'commercial' for a nightclub (Terry L. Krueger, Clearwater, Florida Aug 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 87.9 MHz FLORIDA (PIRATE): "Mélodie FM" Tampa. "Mélodie" appears to be the correct slogan for this one, not "Unité FM" as I originally thought. Quite a few ID's noted 0330+ 8/17 while driving home from St. Petersburg. Usual Kreyol format (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, Visit my "Florida Low Power Radio Stations" at: http://home.earthlink.net/~tocobagadx/flortis.html DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. The bands seemed "quieter" last night when I was tuning around. I suspect it was because many of the lower power stations in smaller communities were off the air for want of an emergency generator. I kept the dial on 740 for some time hoping that the CBC affiliate in Winnipeg [Edmonton --- both west of the Hudson -- gh] might punch through, but no luck. Had this happened in the winter, I think we might have had better DX --- but then again, we would have all been shivering too! :-) Locally, here in the Albany area, it was hit or miss. The local NPR powerhouse -- WAMC, whose main transmitter is located on Mt. Greylock in the Berkshires of western MA but whose studios and control room facilities are in Albany -- suffered "brownouts" all evening. The transmitter would be on, but at times programming was interrupted. WGY 810 was down for a very short while, but then kicked in its emergency generator which had it on at reduced power from its normal 50kW. The Clear Channel (the co., not the frequencies) stations in the area all tacked to WGY whether they were on AM or FM. (It really becomes apparent who the station owners are when something like this happens.) Some of the CC stations clearly lacked back-up because they were down and stayed down for some time. I suppose CC considers some of its stations in a community "essential" and provides a way for them to stay on the air (John Figliozzi, Halfmoon, NY, Aug 15, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. August 15, 2003--- THE NIGHT THE LIGHTS WENT OUT IN NERW-LAND --- By SCOTT FYBUSH http://www.fybush.com/nerw.html It's been an interesting 24 hours or so here at NERW Central, and while we get our Monday issue together, we can offer this update on what we've pieced together from across the region in the wake of the Great Blackout of 2003: New York City and vicinity: Still recovering from the damage to its broadcasting infrastructure on 9/11 (see link at left), New York's broadcast scene - especially the TV stations - was ill-prepared to handle a huge blackout as well. Of the major TV stations, only WCBS-TV (Channel 2) stayed on more or less uninterrupted, again proving the wisdom (however accidental) of the decision to keep a transmitting facility at the Empire State Building after most TV moved to the World Trade Center in the late seventies. Fox's WNYW (Channel 5) and WWOR (Channel 9) were off the air much of the day, while WNBC (Channel 4) and WABC (Channel 7) apparently transmitted from the old Armstrong tower at Alpine, N.J. at low power, with WABC making some of the arrangements for Alpine on the air. Without power, though, TV wasn't the medium of choice for those in the midst of the blackout - radio was. And just as it did in 1965 and 1977, radio came through. The big AM signals had the fewest problems, with WOR, WCBS and WBBR staying on essentially nonstop, WABC experiencing a few glitches, and WINS off for the first hour or so. We learned what it takes to make WCBS dump the Yankees - with no Mets game at Shea, it was an easy decision to move the Yankees road game down the dial to WFAN and let WCBS keep rolling with news. (Later, WFAN would simulcast WCBS overnight before returning to its own programming at 5:30.) Notably absent from the dial all night was WQEW (1560); WSNR (620 Jersey City) came back on the air with Sporting News Radio rather than its usual leased-time fare. On FM, the New York dial was much quieter than usual. While some stations had backup generators at the transmitter site (especially WSKQ/WPAT-FM, WNYC-FM and the Clear Channel stations at the new Four Times Square facility), studio power failures still plagued many stations through the night and into the morning. WNEW didn't "Blink," but did come back on the air at low power with a WINS simulcast once WINS itself was back on. The Clear Channel stations without studio power simulcast WNBC's TV news, we're told. Upstate: Without being able to rotate the antenna atop NERW Central (we've been advised to buy a power inverter to run the rotor off the car battery next time), we had a hard time being certain who was on or off outside the Rochester area. Locally, all our TV stations - and most of the city's FM signals - went dark when we did, about 4:10 PM. With the AM dial missing the usual electrical noise, we were able to dial around and get a sense of who was doing what in Buffalo and Syracuse. WHEN (620) in Syracuse dumped sports to simulcast news from WSYR (570); their FM counterparts in the Clear Channel stable appeared to be off the air for most of the evening. Buffalo's WGR (550) and WBEN (930) each did their own coverage, with most of the Queen City's smaller AM signals still on the air as well. Here in Rochester, the only AM signals on the air were WROC (950), WHAM (1180) and WXXI (1370), all of them doing live blackout coverage, with Entercom simulcasting WROC on WBEE-FM (92.5), WBBF (93.3) and even WBZA (98.9) when it managed to flicker on the air. WHAM kept going with Bob Lonsberry and company all through the night (at which point Lonsberry turned around and did his Salt Lake City talk show and his regular WHAM midday shift); WROC went to network talk around 10, from what we could tell. On TV, Buffalo's signals apparently stayed on with generators, with the exception of several UHF signals (23, 29 and 49); Batavia's Pax 51 WPXJ stayed on throughout - and, as the only signal easily seen in Rochester, would have made a wonderful simulcast of LMA partner WGRZ if anyone had thought of it. Rochester's WHEC was back on at low power at about 8:45, with WOKR joining it at 1:20 AM (just after we regained power at NERW Central), WUHF (Channel 31) on and off through the night, and WROC (Channel 8) and WXXI (Channel 21) silent until Friday morning. Utica's WKTV (Channel 2) never lost power at its transmitter site; it managed to get the studios back up with a generator about 6:30 and was into live coverage by 7. Syracuse's WSTM, WTVH and WIXT all were seen here by early evening as well. And we're told Albany was a patchwork, with some FM signals on and others off through the evening. [more: see CANADA] New Jersey/Pennsylvania: Except for northern New Jersey and the Erie area, we're told everything is pretty much OK in the southern reaches of NERW-land, as well as across most of New England. Much more over the weekend here at fybush.com; stay tuned - and send in your blackout notes and observations! (Scott Fybush, NE Radio Watch Aug 15 via DXLD) Wonder where s gets all his material? He never says ** U S A. DJ'S BLACKOUT SPOOF NO JOKE TO SOME NORTH TEXAS RADIO LISTENERS --- By Paul Bourgeois, Star-Telegram Staff Writer An on-air stunt by a Dallas radio jock on Friday morning had some people believing that the blackout in the Northeast had spread to North Texas. It hadn't, but a radio personality who goes by "The Fitz," on the weekday morning show on KRBV/100.3 FM, spent more than two hours telling listeners that the power was out. . . http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/news/local/6547685.htm (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** U S A. NON-LOCAL TRAFFIC --- CLEAR CHANNEL PROVIDES TUCSONANS WITH TRAFFIC REPORTS FROM PHOENIX. By Chris Limberis When you hear traffic reports on one of Clear Channel's six radio stations in Tucson, keep in mind that the bulletins are cooked up in Phoenix. We're not alone in such treatment from big brother Clear Channel, the San Antonio-based behemoth that used the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to devour station after station to build its list to more than 1,220. Las Vegas, with more rapid growth and worse traffic, also hears how things are moving on its streets and interstates from Clear Channel's Total Traffic in Phoenix. So do listeners in Albuquerque. "That they would do traffic reports for Tucson out of Phoenix is outrageous," said John Scott Ulm, host of the mostly political John C. Scott Show on AM 990 KTKT. "It's an affront to the sensibilities of the community." . . . http://www.tucsonweekly.com/tw/2003-07-17/curr4.html (Tucson Weekly July 17 via DXLD) ** U S A. UT Bountiful 101.5 --- a booster of KKIK 101.5 Oakley, requesting the KKIK-6 calls. I e-mailed the FCC not to grant those calls, and Dale Bickel replied: If you want to object to whatever KKIK has requested, you must do it formally via an informal objection [sic] filed through the Office of the Secretary. Under our processing rules as they stand now, an e-mail cannot be considered as an objection. Sorry, Dale Bickel, dale.bickel@fcc.gov My note to him read: Hi, I see that KKIK in Oakley UT has applied for a booster in Bountiful UT, asking for the calls KKIK-6. Don`t grant those calls! Make them use one of the unused calls, KKIK-2 or KKIK-4! Keep the series intact, perhaps changing KKIK-5 Price UT to KKIK-4! (Bruce F. Elving, Ph.D., August FMedia! via DXLD) ** U S A. ``A lot of politicians get ticked off at the FCC and some get ticked off at big corporations --- although there are fewer and fewer of them everyday --- but [Senator Ernest ``Fritz``] Hollings gets ticked off at both. He once told FCC chairman Michael Powell he`d make `a wonderful executive vice president of the chamber of commerce but not the chairman of a regulatory agency.``` --- Brooks Boliek, Reuters, August 12, 2003 Commentary --- THE SADDENING DRIFT OF THINGS AT THE FCC I must confess: I have put off writing this commentary for weeks now. Not that I do not have subject matter; there is enough stupidity around to warrant commentary. It`s just that, the older I get, the less stomach I have for fight. Now several years past sixty, I have come to the conclusion that the world does not change for the better, despite the urgings of Pope John XXIII and the earnest do-gooders that have turned our Church and world upside down these past 40 decades. The Catholic Catechism says the same thing in more eloquent terms. Teilhard de Chardin`s poetical ideas of a universe constantly improving and thus ascending to the perfect joy of union with Christ is nonsense. Human nature and human behavior are constants; nothing changes. In Washington, in regard to the Federal Communications Commission, the same holds true. Change the administration. Change the politicians. Change the agenda. Try as one might, one still gets stupidity, crassness, greed. To wit: In early July the FCC decided to permit historic (1946) WSNJ-FM 107.7 FM in southern New Jersey, in a town called Bridgeton, to change its city of license to Pennsauken. No big deal, right? Wrong. Pennsauken is a suburb of Philadelphia, although the Jerseyites may not think so. Pennsauken is the town adjacent to and immediately north of Camden, the hometown of the old RCA. Both are across the Delaware River from Philadelphia. Thus, WSNJ-FM becomes a de facto Philadelphia station. The owners persuaded the FCC (these days it does not take much persuasion) to drop in a Class A in Bridgeton to replace its traveling station. The value of WSNJ-FM soars as a result, and if the owners decide to hang on for the long-term revenue, the value of those revenues has increased immensely. But that is not all. In the process, WSNJ-FM will wipe out two 10-watt high-school FM stations, WHHS 107.9 FM Havertown, Pennsylvania, and WWPH 107.9 FM Princeton Junction, New Jersey. It will also wipe out a translator for classical music WWFM 89.1 FM Trenton, New Jersey, which is the only fulltime classical music service for Philadelphia since Franklin Broadcasting sold its 50-year-old WFLN 95.7 FM several years ago. Both stations, WHHS and WWPH, protested, as did two emeritus WHHS staff members, but to no avail. The FCC denied their opposing comments. To their credit, the owners of WSNJ-FM offered to work with the stations to eliminate interference, but the FCC in its Final Report & Order said that, nonetheless, if they interfere (and they are sure to interfere), then their licenses are forfeit. Please continue to read on. This may look as if it has nothing to do with Catholic radio, but it does. It has everything to do with radio in the United States today. Allow me to explain briefly the phenomenon of 10-watt radio. The FCC moved the FM band to its present 88-108 MHz just after World War II. It deliberately set aside the first 4 MHz --- 88-92 MHz --- for educational radio stations. The thinking back then was the same that would occur with educational television just a few years later, that instruction could be conveyed to school children, high school students, university students, and the general public by courses offered over educational stations. Quite a few school boards did construct pioneer educational FM stations back then, and one or two still survive, notably WNYE 91.5 FM in New York City. To compress a lot of history, it was television and not FM radio that caught the public`s eyes and ears back then, and there was even less interest in educational FM stations. In fact, there was talk about reducing the size of the FM band or even eliminating it to provide additional VHF television channels! In 1948, Syracuse University approached the FCC and suggested that it authorize 10-watt stations that would operate in the 88-92 MHz educational band with a minimum of regulations and legal requirements once the license was awarded. Nonlicensed personnel, that is, teachers, administrators, and students, could operate these stations with a minimum of log work. In such manner, Syracuse argued, the launch of educational FM stations would be accelerated and made a lot easier. Licensees could upgrade their 10-watt stations later as necessary and as resources permitted. The FCC agreed, and it opened the 88-92 MHz band to 10-watt stations. At first, it was school boards and high schools that opened these stations. Then, colleges joined them, but the great impulse came with the advent of high-fidelity (``hi-fi``) sound equipment and recordings in the mid-1950s. Dozens of colleges across the country saw students and radio-TV-theater divisions apply for 10-watt licenses and receive them. In those days, even in large cities, there was a lot of open space on the FM band, and some of these stations got out surprisingly far. One station in southern Louisiana, KRVS 88.3 FM Lafayette, could be heard 30 miles away with an outside antenna with no problem; 10 watts was the transmitter output; fed into a multi-bay antenna, the power was enhanced by the multiple bays, less an average 30% for transmission line losses. Thus, a 10-watt station feeding a five-bay antenna achieved an ERP of about 35 watts, independent of whatever antenna height it could achieve. Syracuse University proposed the successful 10-watt program, but it was not the first 10-watt FM licensee. That honor went to Haverford High School in Havertown, Pennsylvania, in 1948. It was on the air on St Nicholas Day, December 6, 1949. For 54 years, WHHS has been on the air from Haverford High, offering the students training in radio and television, and providing a local service to the suburban Haverford Township. WHHS is uniquely historical and successful; many of its fellow pioneer high school stations have long since vanished. (WWPH is much younger, 28 years old, and is operated out of West Windsor– Plainsboro High School.) You can read about WHHS at http://www.whhs.org The WWPH website is under construction and due back shortly: http://www.wwph1079fm.com/ Now, its future is bleak. About 10 years ago, the FCC reworked the regulations governing the 88-92 MHz band. Several factors caused this. First, with the advent of public radio, noncommercial stations operated as public interest and fine arts operations by not only universities but ad hoc groups, often public television licensees, the reserved 88-92 MHz frequencies came into great demand. Second, instructional radio (``radio classrooms``) had been largely abandoned by school boards. Third, the number of college and high school student stations had proliferated. In a few years, a wave of religious group applications would also be filed for these increasingly scarce frequencies, after the FCC would relent and drop its previous, long- standing refusal to allow religious stations in the band. At that time, the FCC then gave 10-watt stations an opportunity to upgrade their facilities to Class A, with a minimum ERP of 100 watts. Those that did not do so during the year after the public notice were required to find a frequency that would offer no interference to full- power stations, even among the 92-108 MHz commercial frequencies (the commercial operators protested, to no avail). Nevertheless, their immunity from interference from new applications was eliminated, and new educational and commercial stations that would cause them interference required them to find yet another frequency of minimal obstruction, ad infinitum. WHHS Havertown unwisely chose to remove itself to 107.9 FM, freeing up its 89.3 FM for two competing applications that would become a share- time operation, Cabrini College`s WYBF 89.1 FM in Radnor Township and Villanova University`s WXVU 89.1 FM at Villanova. It could have upgraded to a minimal 100 watts and thus have forever ensured its frequency. It did not do so, apparently considering that 10 watts had served it well all those decades and there was no need to block two new college stations with more power than it needed to continue to serve Haverford Township. Besides, under the regimes at the FCC back then, it had no reason to fear that 107.9 FM would ever be assigned to a full-power station in the Philadelphia area, precisely because WSNJ- FM used 107.7 FM in Bridgeton, New Jersey, 40 miles away, and there was no way under stringent FCC spacing regulations that such a station could be licensed in the Philadelphia area, nor under equally stringent FCC regulations, tested in court, that WSNJ-FM Bridgeton could move closer to Philadelphia. That, my friends, is the grain in the oyster, the pebble in the shoe, the smell in the refrigerator. There was a time when the FCC would never consider allowing a station owner to move his station into a more lucrative market. Never. When a West Virginia AM station owner proposed this 50 years ago, the FCC refused and the station closed down. Not that long ago, when the owner of WQSB 105.1 FM in Albertville, Alabama, proposed to move the 50-year-old WQSB into the Atlanta market, the FCC refused, even after lengthy appeals. The FCC opposed the move not only because of regulatory tradition, but because it also saw such an authorization as the hole in the regulatory dike that held back the flood of move-ins to larger markets to thereby enrich the owners on either immediate sale or long-term revenue, and consequently reduce service to the areas left behind, which were often left with a less desirable, lower power Class A frequency. But times and administrations have changed, and the climate at the FCC is much more conciliatory to move abouts. Suddenly the realm was filled with megamedia corporations looking for outlying AM and FM stations that could be moved into metro areas and thus be converted into stations far more valuable than the piddling price they paid for a rural station. We saw this happen in Moberly, Missouri, where the owner of a rural station in central Missouri successfully proposed to the FCC that he be allowed to move his station 140 miles west to Kansas City, where the station was licensed to the suburb of Lee`s Summit. Thirteen stations had to change frequencies as the result, and the possibility of putting KOFL-LP, a Catholic low-power construction permit, on the air in Cameron, Missouri, was rendered impossible. The KOFL-LP CP expired. This was not a unique occurrence. There is a proposal to move Hattiesburg, Mississippi`s oldest FM station, originally WFOR-FM 103.7 FM, 110 miles southwest to the New Orleans suburb Westwego. Recently, AM stations in Anadarko, Oklahoma, and Waco, Texas, have been moved into the Dallas-Fort Worth market. KREH 990 AM in Oakdale, Louisiana, in the central part of the state, was moved over 100 miles into the Houston market. There are many such proposals filed since the Albertville proposal, and the only thing that will stop this flow is when the metropolitan areas see their FM bands filled with wall-to- wall signals. KOFL-LP Cameron was the first LPFM station to succumb to move-ins. In South Carolina, the holder of a CP (Taylors Public Radio, Inc.) for another low-power station had constructed it completely and then filed for its permanent license. The application was refused and returned because a commercial FM station, WGVC Greenville-Spartanburg in South Carolina had upgraded its power, and since LPFM stations are no more protected than 10-watt educational ones, WFBP-LP Taylor, was out of luck. After having spent $20,000 to $30,000 on constructing the station, it was left with no license and a useless radio station facility. This is a grave injustice. Some of the groups getting into LPFM radio have had to scrape up the funds to put a station on the air; it is cruel that at the last minute their frequency is pre-empted and they are left with a lot of useless equipment and dashed hope. That is what happened to WFBP-LP, and it should give pause to any group, religious or not, going into low-power radio. They can expect no quarter if some entrepreneur finds he can move a station onto their frequency and they can find no other. This situation is the result of the cozy relationship between the FCC and the commercial outfits, principally the mega-media corporations that it ostensibly regulates. True, the FCC low-power website states that LPFM stations are not protected against full-power stations, commercial and noncommercial, either existing or proposed, or to be proposed at any time in the future. But what does this mean to people who usually have no background or knowledge of radio broadcasting, the very kind of people that go into LPFM station operation and, in fact, are the very kind of people who have been encouraged to do so by the FCC and various groups? This cautionary note is akin to the small print found in the bottom of contracts, the kind of print that undoes what the larger print seems to have assured and the kind of note so beloved by lawyers. That a small group can invest so much money into filing for, winning, and constructing an LPFM station, only to have it shut out of any operations by a full-power licensee is rank cynicism working against the public interest. Such maneuvers are typical of Chairman Michael Powell`s FCC, an FCC that has sold out to the giant financial interests whose sole regard is the profit margin. Such maneuvers are also the trademark of the present administration, which leaves no stone unturned in its efforts to wax the skis of big telecommunications interests. Historic 10-watt stations, existing and permitted LPFM stations, small-town America, all are left behind as the fat cats get fatter and the general public is starved. How poorly we are served by some of our politicians and their camp followers! (Michael Dorner, editor, Cathoilic Radio Update Aug 18 via DXLD) ** U S A. KAHN COY ON CAM-D DETAILS Leonard Kahn says 10 broadcasters have agreed to test his Compatible AM Digital technology, and he expects those stations to begin field tests by the end of the year. Kahn says his Cam-D technology will restore AM to 15 kHz stereo fidelity by using digital processing. Kahn declined to identify which stations had paid for his system and how much money that entailed. He said, "The receive end of this has a very big potential if it's done right. AM radio going digital and doing the tricks (the system) is capable of, can make the receiver shoot right up. That's where the money is and where our patents will go." Kahn said he would make a small amount of receivers available to his test stations as pre-production models. Industry engineers and other observers have called for details concerning the technical specifications of the system, which Kahn claims will "provide improved fading performance over vast distances at night" and "will not increase adjacent or co-channel interference." But he declined to give details. However, he said he knows he needs to do that soon. "After bragging, it's time for people to put up or shut up. ... We're not playing around and not weasel wording." Asked whether he would discuss details of his system at the NAB Radio Show, Kahn said he wasn't sure. An NAB official said in July that Kahn was not slated for a presentation. Ralph Carlson, president of Carlson Communications in Salt Lake City, plans to test Cam-D and hopes the necessary equipment would be installed in the fall. Using Kahn's Powerside AM stereo exciter, Carlson said he has increased his station's nighttime power level by a factor of three. "Previously, we couldn't get 20 miles south. Now, we can be heard 40 miles," said Carlson. Kahn has said his Cam-D system would perform using a station's existing transmitter and antenna (Leslie Stimson, RW Online Aug 13 via DXLD) ** U S A. The NRC's Chuck Hutton achieves instant Fame, and perhaps a little Fortune, as he is quoted in a story originally in EE Times and now linked on the front page of Techweb which I think does a good job of laying out the current mess in a concise format (Bob Foxworth, FL, Aug 17, NRC-AM via DXLD) Viz.: LAST-MINUTE CHANGES BLUR U.S. DIGITAL RADIO SPEC August 15, 2003 (4:10 p.m. EST [sic]) By Junko Yoshida, EE Times PARIS - Days before the launch of its heavily promoted digital radio system, iBiquity Digital Corp.-sole intellectual-property owner of the U.S. terrestrial digital broadcast scheme called HD Radio-earlier this week announced a fundamental change in the audio codec that is the heart of its system. The last-minute switch was designed to quell growing doubts about HD Radio's fitness for broadcasts, and while some observers believe the HDC codec does the trick, skeptics said the system is still not ready for the airwaves. http://www.techweb.com/wire/story/TWB20030815S0008 (via DXLD) ** U S A. DTV becomes more and more a QRM problem, to analog DXing. Aug 17 at 1520 UT I am getting WTKR-3 Norfolk VA with what would be a nice sporadic E signal, more or less free of analog QRM. But it keeps fading into snow, not correlated with its own fading, and this goes on for an hour. This must be another station running DTV on 3 nearby, undergoing its own fade cycle, and I see WBRA in Roanoke VA is the most likely culprit, per Doug Smith`s list of low-band DTV http://bellsouthpwp.net/w/b/wb9nme/articles/lowbanddtv.htm --- but how up to date is it? Says 11/21-2002! This list does have a few more channel 4 DTV than the industry list I quoted a few weeks ago (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VANUATU. R. NETHERLANDS PROGRAM PREVIEWS FOR AUG 20, 22: The Weekly Documentary: Vanuatu - The Mysterious Isles Vanuatu - the name means 'land eternal' - is a group of more than 80 islands in the South Pacific. It lies east of Australia along the Pacific ring of fire. Prior to independence from Anglo-French rule in 1 980, this dark and rugged archipelago spread over nearly 1000 km of ocean, was known as the New Hebrides. Today Vanuatu is home to about 200,000 people - the Ni-Vanuatu. Daily life for the Ni-vanuatu is bound by custom. From the goods that are traded, and the way food is prepared to the stories told, and the songs that are sung. Join us as we visit these Mysterious Isles --- a place where magic and religion go hand in hand. Where men drink kava prepared in sacred ceremonies and women are often believed to be bad luck... Broadcast times (UT): Wed 10.00 (Pacific/Asia/Far East), 11.30 (Europe/East Coast USA), 12.30 (USA WRN), 13.30 (Europe WRN),15.00 (Asia/West Coast USA), 18.00 & 19.30 (Africa), 21.00 (Europe), Thu 00.00 (North America), 04.00 (USA WRN) & 05.00 (North America) Broadcast times (UT): Fri 11.00 (Pacific/Asia/Far East/Europe/Eastern USA), 15.30 (Asia/West Coast USA), 19.00 (Africa), 21.30 (Europe), Sat 00.30 (North America) If you need to check out our shortwave, mediumwave or satellite frequencies, surf to: http://www.rnw.nl/en/html/tuning_in.html (RN program previews via DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. Recibe un fuerte abrazo desde Cumaná. El motivo de la presente es para hacerles llegar copia de un artículo de prensa publicado por el Semanario "La Razón" con información referente a la radio venezolana (Julio Trenard, Venezuela, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: TEMEN QUIEBRA MASIVA DE EMISORAS DE RADIO "Si los costos siguen subiendo, la tendencia será el cierre de emisoras en todo el país. En el interior del país, esa posibilidad es más fuerte, la inversión publicitaria está deprimida", advierte el radiodifusor Ciro García [por?] Myriam Mosquera Tras una silenciosa y paciente labor de cinco años, ejercida en cuatro ocasiones en la vicepresidencia de gestión de la Cámara de Radio, Ciro García llegó entre bastidores a conquistar la presidencia de este organismo gremial que agrupa a los profesionales y trabajadores de la radiodifusión. Una posición que lo hace sentir como pez en el agua, tal y como él mismo lo manifiesta: "Me siento bien cómodo en este cargo, no solamente conozco a mis colegas radiodifusores, mantengo excelentes relaciones con ellos, sino porque llegué a manejar el día a día en la institución". Pero, su recién iniciada gestión despierta algunas interrogantes por su acercamiento con el gobierno, el cual promete, como es lógico pensar, la más rápida solución de los problemas de un sector que tradicionalmente mantenía posiciones antagónicas, más en estos momentos cuando se anuncia la aprobación de la Ley de Responsabilidad Social de Radio y Televisión, también conocida como Ley Mordaza o Ley de Contenido, que supuestamente mediatiza el ejercicio de la libertad de expresión, especialmente en los medios radioeléctricos. Suspicacias a las que García le sale al paso, con la convicción que es necesario establecer lazos amistosos y proyectos comunes a favor de este sector de la radiodifusión venezolana. Además, dejó claro en la conversación que no está vinculado con el gobierno y que el gremio que ahora preside, "no es de militantes de políticos". "Es bueno acotar que el presidente Chávez conoce bien la situación que confronta el medio de la radiodifusión y en mi visita a Miraflores le informé al mandatario, sobre la problemática que le compete al Estado y la radiodifusión del país", agregó. - ¿En estos momentos en qué estado se encuentran las conversaciones entre el gobierno y la Cámara de Radio en relación con la Ley de Responsabilidad Social de Radio y Televisión? - Estamos trabajando. Hemos hecho reuniones en Conatel. No creemos que sea necesario ir varias veces a Miraflores. Ahora viene el trabajo con los organismos competentes. Yo precisé cuando asumí el cargo, que es un proyecto inconveniente para el pueblo venezolano y los medios de comunicación. - ¿Quién propició el encuentro de la Cámara de Radio y el gobierno? - El ciudadano ministro de Comunicaciones fue quien me llamó y me dijo que si deseaba una reunión para un encuentro con el Presidente. De inmediato dije que sí. - ¿Cuál fue la actitud del Presidente hacia el sector de la radiodifusión? - Bastante positiva. Mantiene una actitud de diálogo con el sector que represento. - ¿Hay intenciones del gobierno de presionar a los propietarios de las emisoras? - Yo no he sentido ninguna presión. No he tenido quejas de los propietarios de las emisoras. - ¿Por qué han surgido algunas especulaciones acerca que se tienen algunas negociaciones de emisoras con personeros del gobierno? - Desconozco eso. Pienso que pueden ser malas interpretaciones de algunas posiciones. No hay nada de eso. PESCANDO EN RÍO REVUELTO Entre las acciones inmediatas a tomar por el presidente de la Cámara de Radio está intensificar la lucha contra las emisoras ilegales, las cuales han tomado "mucho cuerpo en todo el país". "Siento que hay gente pescando en río revuelto, eso se lo dije al Presidente de la República y al presidente de Conatel. Hay mucha gente que coloca emisoras al aire, sin permisos y sin papeles de Conatel. Son negocios y haciendo ver que al gobierno le convendría tener emisoras comunitarias para favorecer y más que eso, son ilegales. El presidente Chávez me prometió que iba a estudiar y solucionar bien esta situación", explicó García. - ¿Las estaciones de radio comunitaria han desplazado a las emisoras comerciales? - No. Las radios comunitarias tienen un sentido comunitario y nunca desplazarían a las comerciales. Son patrones diferentes, atienden a una comunidad determinada. Las comunitarias tienen un vatiaje y localización específica. No son competencia. Las de competencia son las ilegales. - ¿Cuántas emisoras ilegales hay en el país? - Ciento cuarenta emisoras ilegales. Eso es un problema muy grave para el país. Desde hace un año esto viene ocurriendo. Hay que meter en cintura este problema. - ¿Es cierto que en Perijá y Mérida hay emisoras clandestinas de las FARC? - Nosotros denunciamos ante el gobierno una emisora clandestina que operaba desde El Vigía. No hemos tenido noticias que siga operando. - ¿La Cámara de Radio hace seguimiento de esto? - Sí. A través de su capítulo hace un seguimiento, especialmente las que violan la ley. LA CRISIS APRIETA EN LA RADIO Para Ciro García la crisis económica reinante en el país ha afectado "enormemente a este sector de la radiodifusión". Muestra gran preocupación en este sentido y a la vez, señala que también los problemas financieros arroparon a la industria. "Nosotros hemos bajado las ventas en las emisoras del país en un sesenta y cinco por ciento. Eso es producto de la grave crisis económica. En otros países, con criterios más sólidos, la publicidad se abre ante la crisis. Mientras que aquí, el mercado publicitario cerró. Estamos en situación de incertidumbre, por eso hacemos un llamado de unión, estamos en la búsqueda de mejorar las relaciones con el sector de la publicidad. Queremos contactar a los gremios del país, a los directivos de Fevap y Anda, para tratar de buscar soluciones que nos beneficien a todos. Esto también es parte de mis objetivos dentro de la presidencia de la Cámara", indicó García. - ¿Esta situación de crisis en la radio venezolana aumentó o se agravó con el paro de diciembre? - Esto venía ya rodando. La crisis lleva tiempo. El paro agravó esta situación. - ¿Hay la tendencia al cierre de emisoras por la crisis? - Si los costos siguen subiendo, esa será la tendencia. En el interior del país, esa posibilidad es más fuerte, la inversión publicitaria está deprimida. "La Cámara de Radio hace un llamado al gobierno, para que saque el dinero a la calle para que el país reviva económicamente, porque lamentablemente esta economía depende del gobierno", señaló. REUNIÓN DE CONSULTA EN EL TSJ Para mañana lunes 11 de agosto, está previsto que la Sala Constitucional del Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (TSJ) escuche la opinión de la Cámara de Radio, en relación con la nueva directiva del Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE). Sobre el particular consultamos a Ciro García, quien dijo que sí fue citado por el presidente de la mencionada dependencia y que espera asistir con una representación de la organización que dirige. "Nos dijeron que es una reunión de consulta, aún no hemos resuelto cuál va a ser la propuesta a presentar. La junta directiva de la Cámara de Radio tomará sus decisiones y cuál es la política a seguir en este caso. Quizás hasta el mismo lunes bien temprano, esté lista esa decisión. Esperamos por una reunión. En este momento que me haces esta entrevista, no hay decisión", señaló. - ¿Usted cree que la Sala Constitucional del TSJ estaría usurpando funciones de la Asamblea Nacional? - Yo creo que no. Si el TSJ considera que es una decisión acertada, eso debe ser respetado. Aunque no me atrevo a hablar con más profundidad sobre el tema, porque sencillamente no soy abogado, legislador. Pero, creo que está a derecho para hacerlo. No sería bueno una opinión mía. - ¿Tiene la Cámara de Radio alguna propuesta de candidato para el nuevo CNE? - A título personal me gustaría hacer alguna propuesta. Pero, soy presidente de la Cámara de Radio y me debo a ciertas directrices que debo acatar. "Renny fue mi amigo" Ciro García es caraqueño, nacido en la parroquia San Juan. Se califica como un luchador gremial, y a quien le preocupan los problemas en el medio radiofónico. Su vinculación en el medio traspasa los años sesenta. Tiene bonitos recuerdos de su primer trabajo dentro de la asistencia de producción del programa televisivo "El Club del Clan", en VTV. Con especial atención refiere de un trabajo que desempeñó de extra que realizó en el programa de Renny Ottolina, "Renny Presenta". "Fui su amigo, sin duda el mejor en televisión", recuerda. "He sido de todo en el medio", manifiesta orgulloso. Desde el año 1966, su figura ocupó espacios como asistente de producción, tanto en radio como en televisión, locutor, publicista y más recientemente como gerente de ventas, de la emisora Triple X. También conduce un espacio musical llamado "El jazz y sus intérpretes", el cual le apasiona por el interés que despierta en él este género musical. Es transmitido cada sábado entre cinco de la tarde y las siete de la noche, a través de la emisora Jazz 95 FM. Tiene el empuje ganado de su padre, según su confesión, quien fue un obrero calificado de la prensa venezolana. "Mi papá trabajó por más de treinta años en el diario El Nacional, y luego ingresó a la Cadena Capriles", añade. Actualmente su máxima preocupación es proseguir en la misión radiofónica que se le ha encomendado, como voz del sentir de quienes trabajan en este medio, "y también en el sentir del pueblo venezolano", agregó. "No quiero ser presidencialista, tengo veinticuatro directores y converso con ellos día a día. Nuestras ideas se contrastan y toman cuerpo a la hora de las decisiones. No creo en los que se la dan de presidencialistas, mi trabajo está basado en la apertura, en la opinión de todos", afirmó García (via Julio Trenard, Cumaná, DXLD) ** VIETNAM [non]. Degar Voice is scheduled Tue, Thur, Sat 1300-1330 on 7115 kHz in Vietnamese (via Russia according to Wolfgang Büschel). This is a service targeted at the Degar people (also called Montagnards) in the Vietnamese Highlands. More info about the Degar people can be found e.g. at http://www.montagnard-foundation.org (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Aug 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) You`d think broadcasts would be in their own language. That explains `DGV` in 3- 124 (gh, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 1020, 0450-0532 8/17. Nonstop classical music fading in and out of the Cuban buzz jammer and the Kreyol format station in Kendall, FL. My first thought was Musical Nacional on a new channel. And while it could be, no parallels located and 590 seemingly silent. Musical used to close around local midnight or 1 a.m. Anyone know if that is still the case? (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 1669: 0532-0535 8/17. Huge buzzing blob noted on 1670, actually seemed more like 1669 when in sideband. No audio. Anyone else hearing this? (Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. Al-Asr: Hi Ludo, Wonder if you can provide any info about your new addition Al-Asr Radio. Their website in Arabic only does not tell us much. Time, frequency, start date, target, organization, studio location? Of course I will not ask about the transmitter site! Thanks, (Glenn Aug 14 to Ludo Maes, TDP, via DXLD) Dear Glenn, We started broadcasting Al Asr Radio on satellite on August 7, 2003. The addition of shortwave for 2 hours per day is scheduled for early September. The station's web site is at http://www.alasr-radio.com and you can get in touch with them by writing to info@alasr-radio.com Kind regards, (Ludo Maes, Belgium, TDP, Aug 17, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ ALL CLANDESTINE AND OPPOSITION MOVEMENT STATIONS IN TIME ORDER http://www.schoechi.de/crw/crw140.html (Compiled from Eike Bierwirth's http://www.eibi.de.vu/ by DXA375- Silvain Domen - 3 August 2003, CRW Aug 15 via DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ CUMBRE PROPAGATION REPORT Once again a very quiet week as far as solar flares are concerned with nothing to report. As usual the effects of coronal hole windstreams have been felt, with the earth being in their path from Aug 8-10 and 12-13. We are currently in another windstream however this one is not having as great an effect as the others. At times the geomagnetic field reached storm levels and MUFs were generally enhanced except at polar latitudes. Conditions are forecast to be good until Aug 22 then becoming disturbed once again. Prepared using data from http://www.ips.gov.au (Richard Jary, SA, Aug 16, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ARNIE CORO'S DXERS UNLIMITED'S PROPAGATION UPDATE AND FORECAST The largest sized sunspot group at this moment stopped developing on Saturday, but it is still capable of producing M or even an X class solar flare. The number of sunspots is expected to diminish during the next several days, but this may change if the new sunspot active region now about to rotate into view has a complex structure. Expect much better radio reception during the next three days as compared to the previous three days, and the reason for this improvement is the much lower geomagnetic activity expected. The number of sunspots from optical observations is between 80 and 90, and the solar flux is hovering between 120 and 130 units. Expect a nice and low A sub P or planetary geomagnetic disturbance indicator on Monday UT if no further coronal hole or flare activity changes this forecast. I will recommend the 19 and 16 meters international short wave broadcast bands for easy listening from shortly before sunrise to about 2 hours after sunset in the case of 16 meters and much later into the local evening for the 19 meter band. Amateur radio operator's best DX chances continue to be on the 20 meter band, with 30 meters running a close second (Prof. Arnie Coro Antich, CO2KK, RHC DXers Unlimited Aug 16 via Bob Chandler, VE3SRE, ODXA via DXLD) ### |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-148, August 16, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser, ghauser@hotmail.com Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3h.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn CONTINENT OF MEDIA 03-05 Nominal schedule on RFPI, 7445: Thu 2000, Fri 0200, 0830, 1430, Sat 2130, Sun 0330, 0930, 1530 NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1195: RFPI: Sat 0800, 1400, 1730, 2330, Sun 0530, 1130, 1830, Mon 0030, 0630, 1230, Tue 1900, Wed 0100, 0730, 1330 on 7445 [nominal times subject to delay or pre-emption] WRN: Rest of world Sat 0800, Europe only Sun 0430, N America Sun 1400 WWCR: Sat 1030, Sun 0230 5070, 0630 3210, Wed 0930 9475 WRMI: Sat & Sun 1800+ on 15725 WINB: Sun 0031 on 12160 WJIE: Sun 1630 on 7490, 13595 (maybe) WBCQ: Mon 0415 on 7415 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1195.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1195.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1195h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1195h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1195.html ** ALGERIA. Het lijk er op dat RTA Algiers definitief gestopt is met KG-uitzendingen. Op hun website is geen enkele KG-frequentie meer te vinden en ik kan ze ook nergens horen. Ik heb een mail aan hun technische dienst gezonden met een vraag om wat meet uitleg. 73 (Guido Schotmans, Antwerp, Belgium, Aug 12, BDXC via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. RA Previews: FEEDBACK* - listener letters, features and news about RA. This weekend we have some good advice for those who may be interested in setting up their own radio station. Don't whatever you do mention the word short-wave. If, like the Aboriginal Resource & Development Services in Australia's Arnhem Land, you decide to set-up a short-wave service to offer education, information and cultural reinforcement for the people of the region be prepared for a long hard slog. But, as we'll hear, the three years of hard work has paid off and the Community Development Radio Service is now broadcasting on short-wave, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And they said that short-wave was dead! [T;%] (via John Figliozzi, swprograms via DXLD) I caught the tail end of the UT Fri 2105 broadcast, beautiful signal on 21740; but it always conflicts with the first and best chance to hear DXing with Cumbre, which spends a good many minutes wrapping up the show with no news; and I also had to be sure Mundo Radial, with which it also conflicts, was correctly airing on WWCR 15825 at 2115 (well, 2114). Other airings of Feedback are 0605 UT Sat and 0305 UT Sun. At the Feedback site, http://www.abc.net.au/ra/feedback/default.htm the `latest program` was still ``Aug 10`` when I checked at 0105 UT Aug 16, but it did have audio available; is the latest show, somewhat delayed, always available now for only a week? If that doesn`t work out, as was pointed out here a while ago, the WRN archive on Sundays includes Feedback for a week (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. For those put off by all the Portuguese in previous issues (and you should not be --- it`s a lot like English, especially when slurred), altho I mentioned the gist briefly in English on WORLD OF RADIO, the two important stories were that R. Nacional do Brasil has resumed an external service, but only to Africa in Portuguese, on existing Amazonian service frequencies; and on 3235, R. Clube de Marília which recently reactivated, has been taken over by R. Guarujá (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL [and non]. Over-reaction to Bandeirantes being reported slightly off-frequency continued: Prezado Sarmento, e demais amigos. Não se deseja polemizar. O dexista que enviou a noticia com certeza é gente boa, e que defende bem o nome do dexismo na Rep. Checa. O nosso amigo Glenn Hauser cumpre uma tarefa de reproduzir noticias que chegam até ele de todas as partes do mundo, tanto é que já publicou muitas mensagens oriundas daqui do Brasil, sobre o que acontece por aqui. O que se coloca em questão é a relevancia de discutir ou não mundialmente pouco mais de meio quiloHertz numa emissão quando deveriamos (mundialmente) nos aperceber de novas escutas, novas emissoras, a mudança da tendencia mundial nas ondas curtas (o impacto das 'grandes' abrindo espaço no dial ao sairem de algumas frequencias, proporcionando a recepção de muitas 'menores'), enfim, desejamos muito, mas muito mesmo que a Radio Bandeirantes, por ser uma das mais serias emissoras de rádio do mundo (juntando-se a outras de tantos países que seguem uma linha de ação que lhe dão a devida credibilidade), que se diga que ela foi bem recebida na Espanha, na Indonésia, no Egito, na Rep. Checa, na Nova Zelandia, enfim, em todos os quadrantes do mundo. Levantar mundialmente diferenças de menos de 1 kHz no padrão irradiante de uma emissora qualquer do mundo (ondas curtas, em especial), é algo que não leva a nada. Sarmento, voce não tem problema algum nisto. Voce apenas sem querer levantou um fato que já é notório em alguns lugares do mundo, onde se discute a cor da camisa de quem discursou e não o discurso propriamente dito. Um abraço a todos, e de minha parte dou por encerrada essa discussão que no fim pode acabando em nada (Rudolf Grimm, São Bernardo, SP/B, radioescutas via DXLD) Prezados da lista, Circulou por aqui uma interessante discução sobre o pequeno desvio de frequência da Rádiio Bandeirantes e não vou entrar nessa área técnica embora conheça um pouquinho tem experts por aqui. O que chamou atenção foi encontro do Sarmento com alguém da área técnica da emissora onde o mesmo define que as ONDAS CURTAS, são mantidas pela empresa como ''extratégica da empresa''fazendo supor que realmente são deficitárias. Devemos levar em conta que as emissoras que operam nessas faixas trabalham com transmissores valvulados de manutenção bastante cara, assim como os de ondas médias, apesar de já existir os estado sólido há bem tempo. Muitas emissoras sumiram, aliás qualquer dia quero consultar os mais veteranos dessa lista se sabem alguma coisa sobres elas. Devo louvar as emissoras RÁDIO BANDEIRANTES, RÁDIO APARECIDA, pois deste criança que ligo o rádio nunca deixei de captar uma só vez em uma de suas frequências essas emissoras.Outras de vez em quando somem voltam boas,algumas meio capengas e outras nunca mais. Abraços e boas escutas, (José Maria de Morais, Manhuaçu, MG. SONY SW ICF11, SONY SW ICF7600GR, ibid.) Estimado colega Grimm, yo tampoco quiero polemizar, pero cuando usted dice ``Levantar mundialmente diferenças de menos de 1 kHz no padrão irradiante de uma emissora qualquer do mundo (ondas curtas, em especial), é algo que não leva a nada.`` Estoy seguro, muy seguro de que la mayoria de los DXistas escandinavos no estariamos de acuerdo con usted. Permítame recordarle un caso que ocupo mucho espacio en los foros internacionales últimamente y es la frecuencia de 6010A ("A" debe interpretarse aquí como "aproximadamente", es una abreviatura caida en desuso en este país donde resido, pero en la época de los receptores convencionales de tubos sí se usaba). Aquí en los alrededores operan varias emisoras latinoamericanas, a saber de México, Chile, Uruguay, Brasil, Colombia. También operan allí algunas emisoras de países no latinamericanos, pero de ellos no me pienso ocupar ahora, porque no son DX. La mexicana Radio Mil viene utilizando la frecuencia desde hace unos 20 años y cuando surgió el otro año la colombiana La Voz de tu Conciencia en una frecuencia contigua, causó interferencia a la anterior si se escuchaba en el modo AM, pero al mismo tiempo pudo escucharse en todo el mundo para los que usaban el modo SSB. Entonces a través de un colaborador de la radio mexicana, también DXista, formularon una queja a la emisora colombiana, que por otra parte sólo habia acatado lo ordenado de Ministerio de Comunicaciones de dejar las frecuencias de 6060 y 6065 en donde antes había transmitido. Vino una fase de reajuste de frecuencias, porque la colombiana quería complacer el deseo de Radio Mil, y mientras tanto los DXistas tuvieron mucho tino a la hora de sintonizar la frecuencia para ver si era Parinacota, CX42 o alguna de las otras. En las listas internacionales salieron entonces las frecuencias de estas emisoras con 1 y hasta 2 décimos. Era información útil en ese momento. Para muchos escuchas en esta parte del mundo la medición de frecuencia se ha vuelto incluso más importante en algunos casos que la propia identificación de la emisora. Eso es absurdo, pero con los receptores que los colegas usan, NRD525, 535, Drake R8, Icom R71 y otros, la frecuencia viene indicada con décimos, y por influencia de la escucha en onda media, la moda de medir las frecuencias se ha establecido también en la onda corta. Te cuento como algunos de mis colegas DXistas de onda media trabajan, cuando están en casa o en una expedición. Se sientan enfrente de 2 ó 3 receptores que contínuamente cambian de frecuencia, pasando de una memoria a otra, o en pasos rápidos, de 10 en 10 kHz. Pocos utilizan el modo AM, sino USB o SSB (o ECSS) y por eso, al pasar de 10 en 10, es lógico que la frecuencia sea xxxx.00. Si fuera distinta la frecuencia, no se captaría sino heterodinos. Para volver a la onda corta, resulta que allí también se puede grabar la frecuencia en la memoria del receptor, y de ahí el interés en registrar que una emisora haya variado de frecuencia, aunque tan sólo fuera por un décimo o dos. Si tengo grabado una emisora en 5677.24 USB y unos días más tarde resulta que se mudó a 5676.88 (variables o no), y entre las dos frecuencias hay una señal de teletipo muy fuerte, pues entonces le aseguro que no se va a captar si la señal por otro lado es débil. Para oirla debería haberla grabado en 5676.88 LSB. No deseo polemizar más, pero quería dejar constancia de la utilidad que puede tener el registro fraccionado de una frecuencia. En el caso de Radio Bandeirantes concuerdo que resulta exagerado indicar que su frecuencia de 31 metros estaba 30 Hz por debajo de la exacta. Esa información no conduce a nada. En cuanto a las demás frecuencias de la RB pienso que tiene validez, porque un desfase de .4 o .5 kHz sí se nota inmediatamente a la hora de rastrear las bandas valiéndose del modo USB, SSB o ECSS. Me permito agregar de http://www.sover.net/~hackmohr/ la lista de Mark Mohrmann los datos actuales de las emisoras latinas que se oyen en los alrededores de los 6010 kHz: 6009.78 COLOMBIA LV de tu Conciencia, Pto Lleras [0009-1120](9.78- 11.06) Jul 03 C (fpl)To 5910 (r)AM1530 R Alcarván ex6060/6065 6009.79 MEXICO * XEOI Nucleo R Mil, Mexico City [0032-1318](09.9-10.2) Jul 03 P (r)AM1000 6010.07 CHILE R Parinacota, Putre [2308-1059](09.7-10.07) Jul 03 X *0800-1053 FM94.5 (r)R Cooperativa 0400-0800 6010.2 URUGUAY Em Ciudad d Montevideo [1300-1900/0030-0240](.02-.71) Jul 03 X ex9650 (r)CX42-AM1370 0030* 6010.24 BRAZIL * R Inconfidência, Belo Horizonte [2049-1135](.10-.2) Jul 03 X Los guarismos entre paréntesis indican registros en frecuencias diferentes a la indicada. Así, Radio Mil, en 6009.79, ha sido captada en otras oportunidades en frecuencias que han variado entre 6009.9 y 6010.2. En Europa, la única emisora realmente difícil de las mencionadas, es la uruguaya. La emisora que se capte, depende un poco de la hora y la propagación del momento. Entonces, una indicación relativamente precisa de la frecuencia viene a ser una herramienta útil a la hora de tratar de "pescar" la identificación. Hay que recordar que muchos DXistas europeos, aunque saben distinguir entre el portugués hablado en el Brasil y el castellano, no logran distinguir el castellano que se hable en Chile del que se hable en Colombia o en México. Cordialmente, (Henrik Klemetz, Suecia, ibid.) ** CANADA. CIRB, 93.9, at the Confederation Bridge [connecting PEI to the mainland], heard at 1900 UT July 3, a TIS with info on bridge and events in surrounding areas (Nigel Pimblett, visiting PEI, CIDX Messenger via DXLD) This one qualifies for the latest FM Atlas: location: Borden, stereo, 70 meters high, 37 watts (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. DIGITAL DEPENDENCY EXPOSED By JACK KAPICA, Globe and Mail Update http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20030815.gtkapicapower0815/BNStory/Technology/ Cracks in the dream of a high-technology future appeared when the massive blackout, which covered the northeastern United States and most of Ontario, knocked tens of millions of people back to the pre- digital age. For many people, it took lot of phone calls using landlines before it they discovered that the power outage was more than a local phenomenon - in fact, it covered some 15 million square kilometres. For people using cellphones, it wasn't that easy - most cellphone relay towers, which use electricity, were knocked out, leaving owners with perfectly usable handsets that couldn't connect anywhere. A few towers had backup power, but not all. Those whose cellphones remained operational suddenly found themselves in demand. On a Toronto street, a woman who identified herself only as "Tz-zik," was offering the use of her cellphone for $2 per call. "Look, power went out, we gotta make a hustle," said the 18-year-old. "It's awesome, we make fun out of every situation." She and her group of five friends proudly flashed the eight dollars they had made in the first five minutes of their campaign. Internet sites Worse, the Internet - which has been touted as a medium of last resort during a disaster - was rendered next to useless; though the Internet stayed up for the most part, many people couldn't even turn on their computers to get to it. The only ones who could connect were those using battery-powered laptops with built-in modems and a dial-up connection to the Internet. And even then, when some areas got their power back, people still couldn't connect to the Net as random power surges knocked local nodes off-line. Fortunately, most of the telephone system continued to work - often, however, without the extra features, such as caller display, which require an additional power source. At Bell Canada, spokesman Andrew Cole said both telephone and Internet services remained uninterrupted. Bell's networks remain functional, he said, but as a result of the increased traffic, he said the company requested that customers not use their cellphones and landlines to and from affected areas except for essential purposes, and not to call the operator or 911 for information on the current situation. Even those people who could connect to the Internet couldn't reach some Web sites. Globeandmail.com remained functional on reserve power, as did CBC.ca, the Toronto Stock Exchange, Google.ca and Canada.com. Several other news sites - Eye.net, Thestar.ca, Thespec.com - all were down when checked early Friday morning. Radios led way People found themselves forced to get their news in old-fashioned ways. Commuters who were sitting in gridlocked downtown traffic could at least listen to their car radios - but only certain stations. In Toronto, for instance, the all-news station 680News was knocked off the air for a while before its owner, Rogers Radio, a division of cable-TV and Internet giant Rogers Communications, struggled to kick in emergency power. All the company's other radio stations - CHFI-FM, AM590 and Jack-FM - also experienced "brief outages," reported Chick McCoy, vice-president and general manager of Rogers Radio. Like other AM-band radio stations, 680News had to rely on its own power to broadcast. FM-band stations, all of which broadcast from the CN Tower, required only enough power to get their signals to the transmitter - the tower's emergency power system ensured that all stations that could summon a signal could broadcast it. The CBC TV News operation was forced into silence briefly Thursday as technicians scrambled with kick in emergency power and to find other ways to get its television signals across the country. Eventually, CBC Newsworld had to continue broadcasting through its Calgary bureau. CBC-1 radio (99.1 FM) experienced an extended silence, during which reporters moved to CBC-2 (94.1 FM), from which the company managed to provide continuous coverage of the blackout. The all-talk radio station CFRB, one of the authoritative voices of the Toronto radio scene, stayed on the air with its coverage of the event. [but not CFRX as previously noted] Digital systems Many industries that have switched to digital systems were affected - especially those doing business on-line. Even if they had emergency back-up power, customers without power couldn't reach their services. A number of airline flights were cancelled or delayed because of the blackout, leaving travellers to spend the night sleeping in waiting lounges or checking into hotels. About 1,000 people found themselves unexpectedly stranded in Winnipeg, which was not affected by the blackout, when six Toronto-bound flights were diverted to the Winnipeg International Airport. As well, no planes took off for Toronto, Hamilton and Ottawa Thursday afternoon. Disgruntled but orderly passengers stood in enormous lineups to reschedule flights or started working the phones to find a hotel room. The blackout also emphasized the digital revolution's dependence on electricity, and how that dependence is putting an extra strain on the power system's ability to provide it. In many stores without reserve power, sophisticated cash registers with stock-tracking barcode readers gave way to handheld calculators as clerks struggled to complete sales. In smaller grocery stores, which did not have backup power, owners were even more anxious to sell their produce before the lack of refrigeration spoiled it. In Toronto, one darkened convenience store lit only by two candles was doing a brisk business. Shoppers queued for groceries while clerks calculated prices on a solar-powered calculator held under a flashlight. There were no reports of major corporate failures. Corporations Large companies housed in corporate towers in Toronto went on emergency power almost immediately, and provided a few points of light on the city skyline after sundown. Aside from some loss of data on computers that had not been saved at the moment the power failed, central systems continued working. But with other systems down, most companies found it impossible to continue doing business and sent their employees home, ordering them not to come in today unless their work was critical. The blackout also brought out business opportunists. The insurance industry is taking the opportunity to sell "cyber-risk" packages to companies whose insurance policies have not evolved along with their computer systems. "Unfortunately, most companies are operating in a 21st-century threat environment with 20th-century insurance coverage," said John Spagnuolo, with the New-York-based Insurance Information Institute. "The dynamics of risk management have changed with technology." Regardless of its product line or service, Mr. Spagnuolo said, "virtually all major businesses today rely on computer networks to function. But they need to recognize that network security risks are fundamentally different than traditional physical risks like fire. "If a hacker or virus shuts down a network or destroys computer software or data, most businesses today have either limited or no coverage. Insurers have excluded these risks from standard commercial policies and are now offering standalone coverage. Whether your company conducts business over the Internet, stores customer data on servers or simply uses e-mail, it is at risk." The sudden reliance on older technology has verified what a number of experts have been saying about our power system - that our networks are vulnerable. A report published in 1996 by the U.S. Pentagon, concentrating on the prospect of a terrorist attack (which was quickly ruled out in Thursday's blackout) said that increasing deregulation and competition in the communications industry has created "an increased reliance on information systems to operate, maintain, and monitor critical infrastructures. This ... creates a tunnel of vulnerability previously unrealized in the history of conflict." "The energy infrastructure is vulnerable to physical and cyber disruption that could threaten its integrity and safety," warned the U.S. National Energy Policy Development Group, under the chairmanship of Vice-President Dick Cheney, warned two years ago. "Disruptions could come from natural events, like geomagnetic storms and earthquakes, or could come from accidents, equipment failures, or deliberate sabotage." The interdependence of many systems - including things as diverse as electric power, transportation, communications, water supply and banking - are also becoming more interdependent, raising the fear that they could shut down too, like Thursday's cascading power failures (via Kim Elliott, DC, DXLD) ** CANADA. TRANSISTOR RADIO THE MEDIUM OF CHOICE AS BLACKOUT AFFECTS COMMUNICATION http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/MediaNews/2003/08/14/160962-cp.html TORONTO (CP) - Old-style radio made a comeback Thursday as Ontario residents - at least those without their own generators - tuned in to radio broadcasts to find out about the great blackout of 2003. Without electricity, desktop computers were kaput and television screens faded to black - even if they could broadcast a signal. And it was touch-and-go at some newspaper offices, where editors and reporters scrambled to put out Friday editions without the benefit of electricity at deadline crunch time. With the power out, residents of Ontario hit by the massive outage shortly after 4 p.m. ET got their news about the blackout - albeit sketchy in the early going - from transistor radios, Internet sites via battery-powered laptop and through telephone calls to friends and relatives. The major television networks were on the air, but for the most part, those in affected areas were unable to tune in. Music play lists and regular programming were ditched at many radio stations, which provided live reports of the unfolding drama during the rush hour and throughout the evening. Radio reports advised commuters to treat traffic light intersections as four-way stops, to be cautious at railway crossings and noted that some people were abandoning vehicles because they couldn't fill up at electricity-powered gas pumps. Listeners were also warned to turn off electrical appliances and to be careful when using candles. And as the electricity was slowly restored to some communities, newscasters relayed the warnings of officials not to overdo it. "Hydro officials are asking you to keep everything off except for maybe one light," said a report on 680 News in Toronto. "As far as electronic appliances go, definitely air conditioners (off) because they don't want to overload the system when they try to restore power." Using emergency backup power, Broadcast News continued its national newscasts from its Toronto newsroom, and fed wire and audio reports to radio stations across the country. The Toronto Sun and the Toronto Star were among the big-city dailies trying to put out a newspaper without the benefit of electricity. The Globe and Mail had backup power in its newsroom, as did the national newsroom of The Canadian Press. "We're still planning to publish," Don McCurdy, managing editor of the Record of Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo, said at about 7:30 p.m., although the newspaper's offices were without power and only a few computers had hooked to backup power at the time. "All our reporters are out gathering information, they're coming back in now with stuff and they're itching to write." But even if the newsrooms were able to function, many papers were scrambling to figure out how to make it into print without working presses. At the Brockville Expositor, Doug Coward said they were looking for a generator. "We went through this in 1998," he said, noting that during the ice storm that year the paper didn't publish for three days. But, he added, it was better to be without power in the summer than the winter (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** CANADA. DIGITAL RADIO IN CARS: THE TECHNOLOGY THAT NEVER MADE IT TO THE DASHBOARD Patrick Langston, The Ottawa Citizen Friday, August 08, 2003 http://www.canada.com/search/story.aspx?id=cc939688-8633-424a-991d- 7cb631f50dd6 It promised to be the brave new world of automobile radio listening. Pristine sound. Static and interference abolished. Video screens displaying the name of the song and artist, weather and sports updates, traffic bulletins. It all sounded great when, back in 2001, GM announced plans for Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) receivers as standard or optional equipment for 2003 Chevrolet Impalas and Monte Carlos sold in Canada, with 24 other models soon to follow suit. In Europe, Asia and the United States, DAB was already old hat, but we were to be the first country in the world to enjoy manufacturer-supplied DAB systems in our cars. In fact, not a single DAB-equipped vehicle has left the factory. And don't look for one any time soon. "We were advised that this was a technology that had great demand in the marketplace," says Richard James, manager of product communications for GM Canada. "But once we had it in a sense out there, we found there really wasn't enough demand for this particular feature to drive the kind of costs that would have been involved." A quick check with Ottawa dealerships confirms James's explanation. "Never had anyone ask for it," say most local car sales reps. Nissan's Maxima and Murano do come with DAB buttons on the dash but no receivers, meaning a trip to a car radio shop for your unit. That trip will cost you. Figure $700-plus for the bargain basement variety. And you'd be one-of-a-kind: Ottawa's car radio shops also report zero demand for DAB receivers, even though some of next year's models will include such goodies as a built-in hard drive for recording broadcasts selected in advance. Then again, even if you had a receiver, your listening choices, at least in Ottawa, would be limited. Fifteen area radio stations received DAB licenses from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) last fall, but so far only CBC is broadcasting digitally (nationally, there are about 65 DAB stations, most of them in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver). Blame costs, federal regulations and technological warfare, says Mark Maheu, vice-president and general manager of CHUM Radio, which operates CFRA, BOB-FM, Majic 100 and The Team 1200 in Ottawa. CHUM stations have been broadcasting digitally in Toronto for years, but startup costs are huge, says Mr. Maheu. "For our four Ottawa stations, it's just under a million bucks. And then you've got ongoing costs because we need to rent tower space or roof space because it's not one single antenna. It's similar to a cell phone network. You're going to need transmitters in certain areas to cover certain pockets." What's more, CRTC regulations dictate that digital broadcasts be simulcast on either FM or AM. That minimizes a DAB station's ability to target niche audiences for ethnic or other specialty programming because most mainstream listeners would hit the dial the minute they heard such limited-interest broadcasts. A Toronto station was recently granted a DAB-only licence, but it remains the exception. The spectre of satellite radio is also scaring off DAB investment, says Mr. Maheu. In the U.S., radio listeners can, for about 12 bucks a month and the cost of a receiver, subscribe to either the XM or Sirius satellite services. That brings in well over 100 specialty, commercial-free channels, everything from comedy to Christian talk shows to old-style R&B. To date, no Canadian radio stations have been granted satellite licences and Canadian law forbids us from tuning in to the U.S. satellite networks, but the threat of a competing technology is one more impediment to broadcasters embracing DAB, says Mr. Maheu. So what does the future -- one that could include integrated DAB/ cellphone/handheld computer systems -- hold for DAB-hungry Canadian motorists? At GM, says Mr. James, "We are going to watch the rollout of digital broadcasting across Canada. If we start seeing demand, we'll take another look at offering it on vehicles." Meanwhile, noting the chicken-and-egg quality of his answer, Mr. Maheu says, "The car is the key. That's how FM radio took off. When it became a relatively reasonably expensed option in cars, people started ordering it. The same thing will happen with DAB and over the course of half a generation, maybe 10 years, the majority of the cars on the road will be DAB-equipped." © Copyright 2003 The Ottawa Citizen (via Harry van Vugt, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, DXLD) ** CANADA. CRTC decision, full text of decision at: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2003/db2003-399.htm Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2003-399 Ottawa, 14 August 2003 Radio Chalom Montréal, Quebec Application 2002-0246-6 Public Hearing in Montréal, Quebec 3 February 2003 Commercial AM (ethnic and religious radio) station in Montréal The Commission hereby denies the application by Radio Chalom for a broadcasting licence to carry on a commercial AM (ethnic and religious radio) station in Montréal at 1650 kHz. The proposed station was primarily to serve Montréal¹s Jewish community, and would have replaced the service that the applicant currently provides through the subsidiary communications multiplex operation (SCMO) facilities of CIRA-FM Montréal (via Harry van Vugt, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, DXLD) ** CANADA [and non]. GUY BANVILLE, CHRONIQUEUR SUR RADIOACTU.CA Communiqué de presse --- Pour diffusion immédiate Montréal, le 15 août 2003 A partir du 18 août prochain, Guy Banville proposera une chronique hebdomadaire sur RadioActu http://www.radioactu.ca le premier site francophone d'information sur la radio. Fort de ses 30 années de carrière au Canada et en France, Guy Banville livrera au travers de cette chronique son regard parfois impertinent et sa réflexion sur le monde de la radio, ses évolutions, ses défauts, ses qualités. Il mettra à profit son expérience professionnelle et son sens aigu de l'observation dans cette chronique intitulée "Radio Ville". Cette chronique sera publiée sur RadioActu France et RadioActu Canada et sera un trait d'union entre les cultures radiophoniques de ces deux pays, tout en ouvrant un espace de réflexion et de dialogue entre professionnels de la radio canadiens et français. Selon Daniel Robichaud responsable de Radioactu.ca et Directeur des nouveaux médias pour Corus la venue de Guy Banville "amènera davantage de réflexions sur le merveilleux monde de la radio qui est en grande transition actuellement au Québec. Le site Radioactu.ca offrait beaucoup d'informations mais encore peu d'opinions l'arrivée de monsieur Banville devrait combler se vide." Pour Nicolas Chagny, PDG de MédiasActu SA, société éditrice de RadioActu, l'arrivée de Guy Banville "marque davantage le positionnement incontournable de RadioActu dans le monde de la radio. Le parcours professionnel exceptionnel de Guy Banville à la fois en France et au Canada et son activité de consultant radio viendront enrichir et renforcer la ligne éditoriale qui a fait le succès de RadioActu depuis bientôt 6 ans". Nicolas Chagny s'est également dit très heureux d'accueillir Guy Banville au sein de RadioActu. "Je suis ravi de pouvoir m'exprimer sur RadioActu qui pour moi représente le meilleur site Web destiné aux gens de la radio" a expliqué Guy Banville. "Je suis fortement motivé parce son équipe m'encourage à communiquer ce que j'entends à la radio mais aussi ce que j'y vois ! Regarder la radio, c'est essayer de la comprendre..." CONTACT PRESSE : Daniel Robichaud dan@radioactu.ca PRESS KIT : Photo Guy Banville & Nicolas Chagny : http://mediasactu.fr/presse/banvillechagny.jpg Autres logos et photos : http://presskit.mediasactu.fr/ --- A propos de Guy Banville Guy Banville fait ses débuts en 1974 à CKAC73 Montréal, la plus importante radio généraliste au Québec. Après avoir co-fondé une entreprise de production audio-visuelle avec Pierre Robert Audiomultivision ancêtre de Pram (Surprise sur prise) il retourne à la radio en 1982 sur CKMF 94 Montréal. En 1990, Télémédia, le plus important radiodiffuseur au Québec lui confie la direction des programmes de CITE FM et des 6 radios de son réseau. Créateur du mot et du concept ROCK-DÉTENTE Guy Banville innove un nouveau format basé sur les attentes du groupe-cible agé entre 25 et 49 ans. Recruté par Europe 2, il arrive à Paris en mai 1993 à titre de directeur des programmes et des communications. Guy Banville innove avec son équipe de nombreux concepts tels la série des concerts acoustiques, le train de Noel, les duos virtuels, Eurosonique. En juillet 1997 Europe obtient son record historique à 5,9 avec la matinale d'Arthur comme première émission 25-34 ans en France, toutes radios confondues. En 1998, Europe atteint 6,1 d'audience cumulée. Résultat que la radio mettra 4 ans à retrouver (avril 2002) après son départ. Guy Banville décide de retourner au Canada pour retrouver Télémédia Radio à titre de Vice-président créativité et développement au bureau chef. À l'été 2001, Guy Banville choisit de devenir consultant radio et fonde Banville Média Inc. Grâce à son expérience bi-culturelle, il est devenu une ressource externe pour diverses radios tant à Montréal qu'à Paris. Il est par ailleurs directeur artistique de la City Radio à Paris (réseau France Bleu) depuis octobre 2002. http://www.banvillemedia.com A propos de MédiasActu SA Créée en juin 2000, MédiasActu SA est spécialisée dans la création de contenu et est l'éditeur de RadioActu.com et MusicActu.com. RadioActu.com, site B2B, est aujourd'hui le premier service on-line indépendant d'information sur les radios françaises, canadiennes, suisses et belges et propose quotidiennement un fil d'actualité sur les radios ainsi que de nombreux services professionnels dont le Guide Pro. MusicActu.com, site B2C, est spécialisé dans l'actualité musicale. Outre son activité d'éditeur de sites Internet, MédiasActu est également une agence de contenu : marque blanche, contenu sur- mesure, rewriting, externalisation de rédaction, dans tous les domaines (médias, culture, sport, information générale, communication d'entreprise). MédiasActu compte notamment parmi ses clients SFR, Tv- Radio.com/Comfm, Bouygues Télécom, France Télécom, Mediaplazza, ASCO- TP. Membre du GESTE (Groupement des éditeurs de services en ligne), MédiasActu est une société du groupe Les Argonautes. http://www.mediasactu.fr/ (via Bill Westenhaver, QC, DXLD) Glenn, I don't know if you've ever seen this RadioActu Canada newsletter. I believe they're based in France, but it seems that you can find radio info from both francophone Europe and Québec, though I've never devoted much time to exploring the site. 73 (Bill Westenhaver, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. CHINA CONDEMNS FALUN GONG INTERFERENCE IN TV SATELLITE SIGNALS | Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Beijing, 15 August: China Friday [15 August] condemned the Falun Gong cult for hijacking again the satellite signals of government-run Sino Satellite, which violated the basic principles of relevant civilian communications. The TV satellite, belonging to the Sino-Satellite Communications Co Ltd, was taken over by illegal TV signals transmitted by Falun Gong cult followers twice, once at 9.05 p.m. Tuesday and once at 8.23 p.m. Wednesday [local times 12 and 13 August], according to the Ministry of Information Industry. The illegal signals hindered the Chinese audience from watching routine programmes of China Central Television, China Education TV Station and 10 provincial TV stations. "Falun Gong's law-breaking activity is information terrorism and banditry in the high-tech era," said a company executive. "It infringes on the rights and interests of our company, and its reputation as well. We retain the right to investigate the legal responsibility of the cult." A senior official of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television said the TV hijacking once again indicates the cult's goal to cause damage to the country and the people. Those who back up and connive with the banned cult should be held responsible for the illegal act and will eventually eat their own bitter fruits, the official said. The public who were disrupted from receiving the country's radio and television programmes also angrily condemned the Falun Gong cult's evil act. They urged the cult be severely punished to safeguard the interests of the people. This week's hijackings were not the first time Falun Gong cult activists had broadcast illegal TV signals to cut into transmission using Sino Satellite. The satellite was taken over on 21 September last year, during the Middle Autumn Festival when people should have been enjoying entertainment programmes on TV with their families. Their attacks in late June last year also disrupted people in many remote villages in China from being able to watch the World Cup finals. Sino Satellite, launched in 1998, serves dozens of clients including those of prime importance to the daily lives of Chinese, such as the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, the Chinese Offshore Petrol Corporation, the National Meteorological Bureau and China Unicom. Through this satellite, TV programmes are able to reach rural residents in remote villages in most landlocked areas in the country, and China Education TV Station broadcasts education programmes to students nationwide. Source: Xinhua news agency, Beijing, in English 0932 gmt 15 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** FRANCE. Three full months have passed with no interesting identifiable signal, at [25+ MHz] frequencies normally covered in this column, reaching my antenna at times when I`d been listening. Throughout that period, there were only three days when I didn`t make serious efforts to hear things. It seems that the transatlantic path for 11 metre signals pegged out, on schedule, in April. If we`re lucky, this propagation shut-down wil only last for the duration of the northern summer. We`ll have to wait until fall to discover whether the sunspot count will be high enough to sustain a further winter of long distance reception on 26 MHz via the F-layer. Oddly, all the April entries in my logsheet, five of them, are for signals from France. The RFI transmission on 25.820 MHz accounts for four of these but only the most recent one is mentioned: 25.820 AM RFI Issoudun, France, 19 Apr at 1240 UT For at least two years, the regional tourist office in the town of La Rochelle, on the west coast of France, has been using a number of low power transmitters, in the eleven metre band, to provide info about local attractions. I got to hear snippets of the one on 25.928 MHz on three occasions between February and April. Programme content was a historical audio docu-drama on how various wars affected economic development along the Charante River. Such intellectual tourists, the French: 25.928 nFM, Dépt de Tourisme, La Rochelle, France, 7 April at 1555, in French, repeating recording for tourists, poor signal (Alan Roberts, St. Lambert, QC, Aug CIDX Messenger via DXLD) ** INDIA. INDIAN NEWSREADER SCALES TV TOWER IN PROTEST OVER LOW PAY Luke Harding in New Delhi, Thursday August 14 2003, The Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/india/story/0,12559,1019259,00.html Disgruntled office workers have often taken drastic action to demand better pay. They have gone on strike, staged walkouts or organised pickets. But yesterday Bhaskar Vohra, an angry newsreader for India's state-run radio channel All India Radio, went one better when he scaled a 100 metre television tower in central New Delhi and threatened to set himself on fire. Hundreds of people gathered in the Indian capital to watch Mr Vohra, who reads the news in Assamese. "I am not a terrorist, I am a translator-cum-newsreader," the 24-year-old, who was armed with only a backpack, said in a statement hurled down from the tower. "If my demands are not met by August 15 I will burn the national flag and immolate myself." Police spent most of the morning talking to the newsreader on his mobile phone. They eventually persuaded him to scramble back down after three-and-a-half hours. Yesterday a defiant Mr Vohra told the Guardian that he had taken the "drastic step" of climbing the tower to try to draw attention to the abysmal pay of freelance Indian newsreaders, who earn as little as 225 rupees (£3.10) for each shift. He said he had spent a year and a half trying to meet India's information and broadcasting minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad, so he could press the issue, but had failed to get an appointment and officials had fobbed him off. "That's why I had to take this drastic step this morning," he explained. "I didn't hurt myself but I'm tired. I feel exhausted. It was quite high up there." Mr Vohra said that freelance newsreaders often had to wait four to five months to get paid, could only work 12 shifts a month and scarcely made ends meet. They wanted a pay rise of 500 rupees a shift, he said. Astonishingly, after climbing down from the tower, the newsreader was swept off to India's information and broadcasting ministry where he met the minister. Mr Prasad apparently told him he would do what he could, and would raise his grievance with All India Radio's director general. "I told the minister the quality of newsreading in this country has gone down because of low pay," Mr Vohra said. Last night detectives said it was too early to say whether Mr Vohra, a student at Delhi University, would be charged with any crime. "This is a vital installation. He should not have gone up there," said the deputy commissioner of police, Manoj Kumar Lal. "We will be interrogating him to find out why he did it. It's a strange case." Thousands of police are on duty across the capital, with security tight ahead of celebrations of India's independence day today. Copyright Guardian Newspapers Limited (via Bill Westenhaver, Jill Dybka, DXLD) AIR EMPLOYEE THREATENS TO JUMP FROM TOWER, PERSUADED TO CLIMB DOWN Onkar Singh in New Delhi/PTI | August 14, 2003 11:52 IST Last Updated: August 14, 2003 14:06 IST Police on Thursday noon managed to persuade an aggrieved All India Radio employee, who had threatened to jump off a tower in the Akashwani Bhavan premises in Delhi, to climb down. He has been taken to the Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital for a medical checkup, DCP Manoj Lal told rediff.com. Lal said that an employee of a television channel, who is a friend of Borah, played a crucial role in ending the episode. Earlier in the morning, the busy Parliament Street became even busier when Bhaskar Borah (22), an AIR newsreader and a casual employee, threatened to jump to his death if his demands were not met. Borah is the general secretary of the Association of Casual Newsreaders and Translators. He threw some pamphlets from the tower, which listed his demands. They included a meeting with the Information and Broadcasting minister and the Prasar Bharti CEO. His other demands are increase in the payment to newsreaders of regional languages from Rs 250/shift to Rs 500/shift, regularisation of all casual employees and providing I-cards to newsreaders. He also complained about payments being delayed up to 10 months. Traffic on the busy street was thrown out of gear and a posse of policemen began regulating the movement of vehicles. A huge snorkel has been pressed into service has been kept on standby. Employees from the nearby offices, including that of the Reserve Bank of India and the Planning Commission, came out and were watching the proceedings. (Rediff.com via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. XM & SIRIUS SATELLITE UPDATE XM had close to 700,000 subscribers as of July while Sirius recently passed the 100,000 mark (per Radio World). However, the solar cells aboard the XM satellites have been degrading at an accelerated pace due to a manufacturing defect, and this will cause XM to spend significant capital to construct and launch replacement satellites in the not too distant future. While the URL below discusses the launch of just one XM replacement satellite, it is our understanding that both XM birds (nicknamed "Rock" and "Roll") are affected by the sub-standard solar cell problem, so the report may understate the gravity of the situation. http://www.rwonline.com/dailynews/one.php?id=3724 (via Fred Vobbe, NRC FMTV via DXLD) XM ADDS ANOTHER $25 MILLION TO $475 MILLION FUNDING PACKAGE St. Louis - Aug 11, 2003 http://www.spacedaily.com/news/xm-radio-03c.html Boeing will build and deliver a fourth Boeing 702 satellite for XM Satellite Radio, Inc., the Washington, D.C.-based provider of the nation's leading satellite radio service. The satellite, designated XM-4, will be delivered in late 2005 for future launch to XM's orbital slot at 115 degrees west longitude in support of XM's on-going service requirements. "This order demonstrates a valued customer's continued confidence in the Boeing 702 product line," said Dave Ryan, vice president and general manager of Boeing Satellite Systems. "XM initiated commercial service with two Boeing 702 satellites plus a ground spare in 2001, and we are grateful for this new opportunity to support their continued success. This award also makes clear that Boeing is fully committed to providing reliable technology and superior long-term service to its customers in the commercial and government marketplaces." As in the first three XM spacecraft, Alcatel Espace of Toulouse, France will provide the S-band Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS) payload for XM-4. XM-4 will also feature a number of upgrades including a bi-propellant back up to its Xenon Ion Propulsion System (XIPS). Equipped with advanced triple junction solar cells, the satellite is designed to generate 18 kilowatts of power at start of service and 15.5 kilowatts at the end of its 15-year design life. XM is America's #1 satellite radio service. With over 692,000 subscribers as of June 30th, XM is on pace to have more than one million subscribers later this year. XM is available on a wide variety of GM, Honda, Toyota, Infiniti, Nissan and Audi models. GM recently announced that it has manufactured more than 500,000 XM-equipped vehicles and that it will exceed the 1 million mark by March 31, 2004. XM radios, including the critically acclaimed Delphi XM SKYFi radio are available at Best Buy, Circuit City, Wal-Mart and other major retailers nationwide (via Mike Terry, UK, DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. XM-EH? XM Satellite Radio is working with a major Canadian broadcast group, with the goal of providing service to the great North Woods. Their satellite footprint already covers much of the Canadian population…the great majority of which lives within 200 miles of U.S. territory. Meanwhile, comes this from ``The Washington Post``: ``XM gave investors a jolt when it revealed that its insurers rejected its $400 million claim on the two orbiting satellites its service depends on. The satellites, launched in 2001, were supposed to work for about 17 years, but defects related to their solar panels mean they will only be useful until 2008. Moreover, the malfunctions are forcing the company to take on $320 million in expenses early because XM must now launch its spare satellite next year and pay for a fourth, spare satellite in 2005. The company says it has enough money to launch the third satellite, but not enough to pay for a new spare unless the insurance settlement comes through or it can find alternative financing. The insurance dispute comes when XM is still vulnerable as a start-up. The company`s revenues have grown quickly in the past year, but it is still losing money as it attempts to lure new customers with cheeky advertising and $9.99 monthly prices. XM reported it lost $164.3 million ($1.38 per share) in the quarter ended June 30, compared with a loss of $122.4 million ($1.38) a year earlier. XM lost money despite a jump in revenue, due almost entirely to an increase in the number of subscribers. Revenue climbed to $18.3 million, from $3.8 million a year ago. The company added 210,000 customers during the quarter, bringing its subscriber count to nearly 700,000. But depreciation expenses related to the falling value of its satellites ballooned to $39.8 million from $24.5 million a year ago.`` – Just thought you`d wanna know, but don`t tell the Romulans about the Insurance thing! (Greg Hardison, Broadcast Band Update Aug 15 via DXLD) more under USA ** ISRAEL. I am 95% sure that I heard Israel Radio announce that from this coming Sunday, Aug 17, DST would end and English broadcasts would shift one UT hour later (Chris Hambly, Vic., Aug 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Maybe; the Israelis are always litigating over this matter, and some years the change has been made already in August, but http://www.timeanddate.com/time/dst2003b.html shows the change date is Oct 2, or Oct 3 on the unofficial site http://www.israelradio.org/summer03.htm (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also POWERLINE COMMUNCATIONS ** OKLAHOMA. Re KMKZ-1640 Enid: The FCC's records show their first CP was for a tower slightly taller than a quarter wavelength (107.4 degrees electrical height). The newer CP for the new site shows two towers exactly a quarter wavelength tall (90 degrees electrical height). Were they initially going to diplex off somebody else's tower (maybe their station that KMKZ will replace; if it's still on the air)? (Dennis Gibson, CA, IRCA via DXLD) Lobes? You mean as in directional? I thought all X-banders were non- directional, or supposed to be (Paul Swearingen, Topeka, ibid.) 1660-NJ and 1670-So. CA are both directional. (Patrick Martin, Seaside OR, KAVT Reception Manager, ibid.) Yes, they were originally going to diplex off one of the Three Towers of KCRC-1390 on the north side of Enid. Glad they thought better of that. They have no plans to turn off 1390. And yes, Paul, it will be one of the few direxional X-banders. Hmmm, now how about stereo? Mr Champlin hopes IBOC will work out now... (Glenn Hauser, Enid, IRCA via DXLD) ** ST. PIERRE & MIQUELON. R. Atlantique, 102.1 MHz, returned my original reception report with written notation in French, ``This report is correct. What do you mean by QSL dard?`` (Gauvin, NB, Verie Interesting, Aug CIDX Messenger via DXLD) Yes, the term ``QSL-card`` probably should not be referred to when writing local AM or FM stations, at least not without some explanation. Most people working at these stations do not see too many reception rpeorts and would not be familiar with the Q-code (Mickey Delmage, ed., ibid.) ** TURKEY. If pirate radio sounds too risky but you`d like to get on the air, David Crystal from Israel has written us a great solution. The Voice of Turkey has a show called Turkey Live which airs every Tuesday from 1845 to 1920 on 9785. The concept is that they give out their number after the news at 1830 and when you call in you give your name and number and they call you back at their expense. Then you can talk about anything you like for 30 minutes. This is a great opportunity to ``play radio`` and it`s legal. David says he frequently calls and takes over the airwaves when he sees no one else has. He says it`s a great way to speak to the world over a 500 kW transmitter without censorship for free. We should pass this info on to our poor brothers and sisters in Brattleboro and the Netherlands (Steve Karlock, Captain`s Log, Aug CIDX Messenger via DXLD) ** U K. BBC Downfall, Continued ``the problem here goes beyond the errors of judgment made by one reporter and the unwillingness of his higher-ups to acknowledge responsibility. It speaks to a culture of bias that has crept into the news reporting of what was once a very fine media organization.`` Wall Street Journal REVIEW & OUTLOOK THE BBC`S SEXED-UP REPORT --- NO BIAS, PLEASE. WE`RE BRITISH. Thursday, August 14, 2003 The worst thing that can be said of a serious news organization is that it is cavalier about reporting the truth as it understands it. Gain a reputation for political bias in reports billed as objective and you can be sure to lose the trust -- and patronage -- of a significant part of your audience. So only a media giant whose shareholders are under lock and key could be as sanguine as the British Broadcasting Corporation`s senior management has been after this week`s embarrassing revelations. The BBC, which is funded by a compulsory $180-a-year tax on every British household with a television, has effectively gone to war with the British government over its report that Prime Minister Tony Blair`s top spokesman and adviser ``sexed up`` a dossier on Iraq`s weapons of mass destruction. The May 29 report by Andrew Gilligan aired on the agenda-setting BBC Radio 4 ``Today`` program. It was then picked up by other reports and repeated in newspapers and broadcasts around the world. David Kelly, a senior adviser to the Defense Ministry, was the source for both Mr. Gilligan and a separate story filed by BBC ``Newsnight`` reporter Susan Watts. Ms. Watts`s report on the dossier never charged Downing Street and Mr. Blair`s chief press spokesman Alastair Campbell with deliberate tampering-- and particularly with inserting a sensational but unreliable claim that Saddam could launch a WMD attack in 45 minutes. During the inquiry yesterday into the suicide of Dr. Kelly, Ms. Watts blew Mr. Gilligan`s tendentious report out of the water. Ms. Watts released a tape of her last conversation with Dr. Kelly, who makes clear that he is not in a position to assert that Mr. Campbell inserted anything into the intelligence report. Ms. Watts said of her conversations with Dr. Kelly, ``He didn`t say to me that the dossier was transformed in the last week and he certainly didn`t say that the 45-minute claim was inserted either by Alastair Campbell or by anyone else in government. In fact, he denied specifically that Alastair Campbell was involved in the conversation on May 30...he was very clear to me that the claim was in the original intelligence.`` It`s one thing for a news report to fall short. The normal course of events is for that failing to be acknowledged and corrected. But not only has the BBC refused to do so, it appears to have tried to bury the error. A July 6 minute from a meeting of the BBC Board of Governors lamented that ``careful language had not been applied by Andrew Gilligan throughout.`` But otherwise the BBC has displayed no regrets. Ms. Watts testified yesterday that the BBC seemed primarily interested in corroborating Mr. Gilligan`s account rather than in the merits of her own reports: ``I felt under some considerable pressure to reveal my source. I also felt the purpose of that was to help corroborate the Andrew Gilligan allegations and not for any proper news purpose.`` And, ``I was most concerned that there was an attempt to mold [her reports] so that they were corroborative which I felt was misguided and false.`` As our European editorial page deputy editor Mike Gonzalez wrote last week, the problem here goes beyond the errors of judgment made by one reporter and the unwillingness of his higher-ups to acknowledge responsibility. It speaks to a culture of bias that has crept into the news reporting of what was once a very fine media organization. Copyright © 2003 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Craig, WPE1HNS, Meredith, NH USA Drake R8B/Alpha Delta DX Sloper, Sony SW-77, Sony ICF-2010, 2 x Phillips/Magnavox D2935, Uniden CR-2021 Knight Kit Star Roamer (permanently tuned to Turkey on 9460) GE Superadio II/Select-A-Tenna, Delphi Ski-Fi XM/3`` Antennae Tuning since 1963 (``King Pineapple,`` rec.radio.shortwave August 15 via John Norfolk, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Roy Neal, K6DUE, SK (Aug 15, 2003) -- Retired NBC News space correspondent, producer and executive Roy Neal, K6DUE, died August 15 in High Point, North Carolina. He was 82. Neal underwent major heart surgery August 12 and was reported to be recovering. Recognized as a leading news expert in spaceflight and science, Neal -- born Roy N. Hinkel -- covered all of the Mercury missions for NBC and later reported the Gemini and Apollo missions and the space shuttle flights. Capitalizing on his space news experience, Neal became involved with the Space Amateur Radio EXperiment Working group. SAREX -- now Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) -- is a joint project of ARRL, AMSAT and NASA that put Amateur Radio aboard space shuttles and developed the first permanent ham station in space aboard the ISS. Neal chaired the SAREX/ARISS Working Group and moderated ARISS international team gatherings and, quite often, school group contact teleconferences. Earlier this year, he was inducted into the CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame for his role in persuading NASA officials to allow Amateur Radio operation from space in the 1980s. Neal also was a regular visitor and sometime presenter at Hamvention. He hosted the 1987 ARRL video production, New World Of Amateur Radio, an overview of ham radio in space. A Pennsylvania native, Neal's broadcasting career began at WIBG radio in Philadelphia. He served as a combat infantry officer during World War II and later became a program manager for the Armed Forces Radio Network in Europe. After the war, he was a television pioneer at WPTZ-TV in Philadelphia. He subsequently set up NBC's West Coast news bureau. An ARRL member and active amateur operator all his adult life, Neal enjoyed DXing and frequented all HF bands. He also enjoyed VHF. Survivors include his wife Pat and sons David and Mark. Arrangements are pending (ARRL August 15 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** U S A. HAMS A BRIGHT SPOT DURING POWER BLACKOUT NEWINGTON, CT, Aug 15, 2003 -- When a blip on the electricity distribution grid August 14 took out power to at least a half dozen states in the eastern US, many Amateur Radio operators were ready and able to provide whatever assistance they could. Hardest hit were metropolitan areas like New York City, Detroit and Cleveland. In New York, residents and commuters found themselves stranded in electricity-dependent elevators and subway or rail cars while visitors ended up stuck at airports, which were forced to shut down. With the cellular telephone system overloaded or out altogether, the incident turned into a test of Amateur Radio`s capabilities to operate without commercial power. ``It was a good drill,`` said New York City-Long Island Section Emergency Coordinator Tom Carrubba, KA2D. But, he adds, it was a cautionary tale too. ``The lesson is that everybody gets a little complacent,`` he said. ``Have emergency power backup and make sure it`s working!`` Some repeaters in the blacked-out Greater New York City area--including the primary 147.000 ``TAC 2`` machine--were down, but several others remained on the air with emergency power. By and large, Carrubba said, the system worked according to plan, and ARES members did what they were trained to do. ``It`s going to show the worth of Amateur Radio,`` he said of the blackout response. ``There were people on the air immediately.`` Diane Ortiz, K2DO, the Public Information Coordinator for NYC-Long Island was one of them. When power went down in her Suffolk County community, she started up an informal net on the Long Island Mobile Amateur Radio Club`s 146.85 repeater. Over the next 20 hours or so, the net passed approximately 500 pieces of what Ortiz described as largely ``health-and-welfare traffic.`` A lot of it was on behalf of individuals stuck in the city and needing to contact family members. ``People are getting on and helping,`` she said. In addition to handling messages, amateurs also relayed useful information, such as which stores or filling stations were open and operating. Many radio and TV stations went dark as a result of the power failure, and hams were able to help fill the information void, Ortiz said. In the Big Apple itself, ARES New York City-Long Island District Emergency Coordinator Charles Hargrove, N2NOV, remained at the city`s Red Cross Headquarters in Manhattan, where power was restored around 5 AM. ``There are some power fluctuations going on, and that is the main concern right now--that power may go off again,`` Hargrove told ARRL. ARES support of Red Cross operations, which began yesterday, continues. ARES teams are providing communication for the Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) set up at main transportation centers in Manhattan--Grand Central Station, Penn Station and at the Port Authority Terminal. ARES members also accompanied ERVs called into action to follow New York Fire Department personnel on more than two dozen fire calls. ``After a long night of operations, some ARES members went home to get some rest around 6 AM,`` Hargrove said. RACES organizations activated in most Greater New York City area counties after a state of emergency was declared. Some ARES teams -- including a few across the Hudson River in New Jersey -- activated or remained on standby to help if called upon. In New Jersey, a net set up on a back-up repeater established communication with the Red Cross lead chapter`s N2ARC in Princeton -- staffed by members of Mercer County ARES/RACES -- and other New Jersey ARC chapters. The state of emergency included five counties in northern new Jersey, said SEC Steve Ostrove, K2SO. He spent about four hours at the EOC in Elizabeth after the blackout began. ``The Elizabeth Police were impressed with the information I was able to provide,`` he said. The net stood down at about 10 PM after telephone communication among the Red Cross chapters had been reestablished and power began to be restored. In upstate New York, Fred Stevens, K2FRD, says the situation reminded him of the 1964 power blackout in the eastern US. ``This is an emergency communicator`s wildest fantasy: a major power outage in which we can demonstrate our preparedness,`` he said. In his county, Chenango, ARES has been activated and the local EOC is staffed by Amateur Radio operators and the Chenango Amateur Radio Emergency Service net is up and running with stations on battery power and standing by. ``We are ready for whatever might happen,`` Stevens said. Comments posted on the HamsEF reflector by Ken Davis, KB2KFV, who`s president of the Rensselaer, New York, County ARES/RACES Club reflected that attitude. ``It seems that the amateurs were better prepared than the government sector,`` he said. ``Amateurs in this area were up and on the air before there was any response from local government.`` Davis said Rensselaer County EC and Chief RACES Officer Jim Noble, K2ZP, activated ARES and mustered a net on the Troy Radio Club RACES repeater, requesting stations to standby and monitor the frequency for updates. Michigan and Ohio Michigan Section Manager Dale Williams, WA8EFK, reports scattered ARES activations in his state. Williams, who lives in Dundee south of Detroit, was without power this morning and relying on his emergency generator. ``It could be another 48 hours before power is restored,`` he said. Some ARES teams in Michigan were providing assistance to emergency operations centers and to the Red Cross, because the relief agency`s telephone system relies on commercial power. Nets have been brought up on both HF and VHF frequencies. In Ohio, Section Emergency Coordinator Larry Rain, WD8IHP, reports that all ARES organizations in northern Ohio were activated after the power grid went down. Still going strong are ARES teams in Cleveland and Akron -- both still without power. ``ARES is handling communication support for Ohio Emergency Management in the affected cities and communities,`` Rain said. Power has been restored in Toledo, however. Rain reports a power surge that occurred when the electricity came back on disrupted the Richland County Hospital`s telephone system. ``Amateur Radio was there to provide back-up communication until 4:30 this morning,`` he said. Ohio VHF and UHF nets and the Ohio SSB net on HF have been handling blackout-related traffic. Nancy Hall, KC4IYD -- who lives 20 miles west of Cleveland -- said she`s glad of two things: That she had taken the ARRL Emergency Communications Level I class, and that she and her husband have an emergency generator. ``We used it to run the fridge for about two hours and then used it to run the 2-meter rig and HF rig to listen to the ARES nets,`` she said. She said she just received a follow-up survey on the emergency communications class that asked if she had used any of the information she learned. ``I can now say, `yes,``` said Hall, who noted that she`s now signed up for the Level II class. ``I will again highly recommend them to anyone who wants to learn more about emergency communication.`` She and her husband also made use of their BayGen windup radio to listen to local broadcasts. ``We also own a hand-crank flashlight,`` she added. She said the family put aside drinking water early in the blackout -- which turned out to be a good thing, because their community`s emergency generator was only good for about two hours to run the water supply`s pumps. ``I have to say that being a ham and knowing about emergency preparedness did make life easier for me and my family,`` Hall said. New England New England states were far less affected by the blackout since most operate on an altogether different power grid than the one that failed. New England area ARES/RACES operators were in standby mode after the blackout rippled through the system to the south and west. Only Connecticut and sections of Western Massachusetts reported significant outages, and ARES nets activated in both states. ARRL Eastern Massachusetts PIC Jim Duarte, N1IV, reports the ARES/RACES response in the Bay State was ``quick and organized, showing that our recent drills and training sessions have proved beneficial.`` Western Massachusetts SM Bill Voedisch, W1UD, reports the Leominster EOC was activated on a standby basis. Although he is equipped with a diesel-powered generator to supply his house and ham shack, his part of Massachusetts suffered no power losses. Parts of Berkshire County in extreme western Massachusetts suffered from the blackout, although power was restored fairly promptly there. Bill Sexton, N1IN/AAR1FP, an Army MARS member, said his emergency power capability permitted him to run his station and maintain e-mail contact. ``We had the Northeast SHARES (National Communications System HF Shared Resources Program) up and running cross-country on a Condition Two readiness alert,`` Sexton said. He reports that when he called in on the SHARES channel, a MARS station in Nebraska responded to say he was ready to handle any relays. ``The experience proved once gain the great strength of ham radio in an emergency,`` Sexton said. ``It is self-starting, and it is everywhere.`` Copyright © 2003, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved (via John Norfolk, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. HAM RADIO VERSUS CELL PHONES Dear cell phone warriors, as evidenced by the unfortunate circumstances afflicting NY, Detroit, Cleveland, Erie, etc, one can now see why HAM radio is a necessity. As these areas have lost power, the cell phone networks have failed. Some of you that post to this group have suggested that Amateur Radio is a thing of the past, with world wide communication available to anyone in the terms of cell phones. This is why Amateur radio is a must, that the operators should be praised for their continuing engagement in a hobby that has great potential for the benefit of our society. Disaster communications is a specialty of HAMs, maybe not in this circumstance (maybe so), but throughout the history of Amateur radio this certainly has been true. Hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, anything sufficiently destructive to damage or destroy common modes of communications, such as that used by the cell phone networks, and even the established communication systems used by the police, fire, etc. Our police communication system in Pittsburgh is commonly knocked out by lightning. HAMS have the versatility to create impromptu communication systems second to none. No one else has the tremendous supply and distribution of radio systems. I urge people to pursue the hobby of Amateur radio, to become proficient in it, and to be respectful of it. Besides, it's fun. Regards to all those in afflicted areas, though you might not be able to read this at this time. Never say never. Nothing is absolute. (``The Dawn Soliloquy,`` rec. radio.shortwave August 14 via John Norfolk, DXLD) Subject: Re: NY and Ontario power failure rnewell@vcn.bc.ca wrote in message ``good time to do some dxing while the interference level is low...`` Here's a report on how radio kept broadcasting during the 1965 blackout: http://members.aol.com/jeff570/blkout65.html This is from Jeff Miller's fascinating History of American Broadcasting page: http://members.aol.com/jeff560/jeff.html Frank Dresser (rec.radio.shortwave August 14 via John Norfolk, DXLD) More under CANADA! ** U S A. IN THURSDAY'S CRISIS, RADIO WAS KING AGAIN Friday, August 15, 2003 BY JOHN SMYNTEK FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER http://www.freep.com/news/latestnews/blackout/pm4123_20030815.htm Radio, the first mass broadcast medium, reassumed its dominance Thursday when power failed in the Detroit metro area. Within minutes of the power failure shortly after 4 p.m., the area's two major radio news providers, all-news WWJ-AM (950) and news/talk WJR-AM (760), abandoned most regular programming and quickly became the best means of finding out what happened. Television, dominant during most other news breaks, was largely crippled by its own power problems and the inability of many people affected to see TV. Most of the region's cable and dish systems were out, and battery or generator-powered TVs were far outnumbered by battery and car radios. TVs that worked had to use over-the-air signals that reportedly were snowy or hard to watch. According to officials at both WWJ and WJR, their emergency equipment and procedures worked as designed. However, several area FM stations were unable to operate. WDIV-TV (Channel 4) news director Deborah Collura said it allowed several Clear Channel-owned FM music stations to simulcast its news coverage, making its reportage available on radio. At WWJ, vice president and general manager Rich Homberg said the station went into noncommercial mode and broadcast phone reports from its street reporters and traffic copter all afternoon. "When it was apparent that no terrorism was involved,'' Homberg said, "it was kind of like coverage of a major snowstorm. It's been mostly service, service, service.'' Even people who aren't normally frontline reporters like traffic reporter Terry T. Brown helped out with reports from a downtown Coney Island, the Checker Bar and the MGM Grand casino. Homberg and WJR operations chief Steve Stewart praised local government and public safety officials for their accessibility and calm under fire. "They were in pretty good shape,'' said Homberg, "and there was very little sense of panic.'' At WJR, veteran news and sportscaster Frank Beckmann, working for the vacationing Mitch Albom, anchored WJR's coverage. Stewart said some commercials were run later in the evening, in part to provide on-air staff with a break. Homberg declined to estimate the cost of going commercial-free. "It's the cost of doing business, of being of service,'' he said. Both Channel 4 and WJBK-TV (Channel 2) officials scrambled to get seldom-used power units functioning in the hot weather. WJBK assistant news director Gavin Maliska said the station had to move outside with Murray Feldman's anchor reports when an inside power unit failed. It used equipment on a satellite truck until the internal generator was back online. A partial check of the dial indicated WVMV-FM (98.7), WYCD-FM, (99.5), WRIF-FM (101.1), WOMC-FM (104.3) and WKQI-FM (95.5) managed to continue broadcasting during the blackout (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** U S A. BLACKOUT --- JUST A THOUGHT: This has nothing to do with Broadcasting --- but, am I the only one who thinks this past week`s Great Computer Worm may have had something to do with Thursday`s Great East Coast Power Outage of 2003? On a more relevant angle, ``Radio and Records`` reveals that WFAN/660 was knocked off the air in the Big Apple, as were WINS/1010 (all News…ouch!), and FMers WBLS/107.5, WPAT- 93.1 and WNEW/102.7. Apparently, Radio Disney outlet WQEW/1560 was off the air longer than any other NYC station…which may say something positive about Blackouts. (`QEW`s transmitter site sits by itself in Queens; all other AMs are across the Hudson in Jersey, except for the shared site of WCBS & WFAN, on City Island.) Meanwhile, the Clear Channel NYers got together for a simulcast of audio from WNBC-TV; other stations were knocked off the air in the Hudson River Valley, and two biggies in Cleveland were bit by the bug, WGAR/99.5 and heritage Rocker WMMS/100.7. The CBC was affected in Canada, as well, with several networks having to hook together for various simulcasts. Might be a good week for auxiliary generator salespeople in the Northeast, no?? JUSTICE FOR RIGHTEOUS TALKERS: Congrats to Michael Benner for landing a daytime gig, Friday afternoons at 1 PM on KPFK/90.7. I had the privilege of working with Michael during his short-term KABC Friday Night show, for a few months back around 1985 or so. Liberal Michael and Conservative/Pragmatist Ray Briem were by far the two best hosts, in terms of dealing with opposing views. The problem is, not too many folks had the brains or other essential body parts to go head-to-head with Michael; instead he prompted several small minds to threaten sponsors, and to commit similar distasteful acts. These days, Talkradio is much more subjective…usually to the Right. Michael`s views are vital to a balanced public discourse on the air. Pacifica Foundation would be wise to A) schedule his program one hour earlier, to catch the L.A.-area lunchers, and B) syndicate his show to the other four Pacifica markets. Pacifica needs to abandon its own internal politics long enough to seize this, their best opportunity for actual growth in many years. L.A.`s own Michael Jackson is up for honors in Chicago on November 8, as he is inducted into the Radio Hall Of Fame. He joins a distinguished list, including another great talk-show pilot, Jim Bohannon, a rare voice of reason who started as Larry King`s weekend fill-in on the old Mutual network in the late `70s. Other honorees include ex-KMPC owner Gene Autry, Infinity top-cat Mel Karmazin, and 33-year WGN Farm Director Orien Samuelson, who was syndicated for many years as host of the ``National Farm Report``. This all takes place on November 8, to be covered in a live broadcast with host Larry King. The event is being produced and syndicated by Westwood One, and is slated to air on both major Chicago big-gun signals, Tribune`s WGN/720 and Disney`s WLS/890. I wonder who cut THAT deal? (No word on where, or if, we`ll hear this on the Left Coast, but at last check, WGN was streaming at http://wgnradio.com FYI, the latest Chi-town book shows perennial leader WGN on top, with a 6.7 earned through its full service/news-talk format. Westwood One/Infinity stalwart WBBM/780 (all-News) languishes with a 5.1, under the ``leadership`` of Program Director Drew (``Screw``) Hayes; and such programming could only help WLS, bringing up the rear of the big- AM-News/Talk pack with a 4.7. Infinity`s Hayes is also in charge of the other big-traditional Chicago signal, WSCR (formerly WMAQ)/670. I`m awaiting the delivery of an electron-microscope here at the Publishing Center, to examine `SCR`s Arbitron figures. Anyway, congrats to Michael – and also to Rollye James, formerly overnights on the old KMPC/710 and a future Hall Of Fame member (hopefully). Rollye has spent the past couple of years doing Midnight- 2 AM at Infinity`s WPHT/1210 in Philadelphia, and has won many fans and followers via the huge 1210 signal which bathes the East Coast and Midwest. More are on the way, as Rollye`s very different program is slated for nationwide syndication by Jones Satellite Networks. Rollye`s not just one of the best females on the air, but one of the best living-breathing talkers period, in my humble opinion…and certainly not without a history of controversy. (You may recall, she earned a visit from the Secret Service in 1996, after implying on the air that the Clintons should be shot. No charges were filed from her comments, aired on KLBJ/590 in Austin…yes, THAT ``LBJ``. She was fired, and later won a cash award due to disparaging comments made about her by a honcho at LBJ Broadcasting. Rollye has known few dull moments.) While we`re in the `hood, a tally conducted by Austin-based Benchmark reveals 61% of Talkradio listeners surveyed prefer local hosts, to syndicated fare such as Limbaugh, Schlessinger, Imus and Stern. As well as the Biz is run these days, I`m sure this will lead to a new plethora of Syndicated programming --- rest assured, though, many of those same surveyees made it clear that Talkradio was, in their views, Entertainment, NOT News! COULDN`T HELP IT: Maybe it`s my own warped perceptions, but I had to chuckle at this, from the http://dailyfreeman.com describing a lightning-hit at Christian radio station WFGB in Kingston, NY. ``Spokeswoman Connie VanKleeck said there were no injuries when the Christian radio network`s facility on Tuytenbridge Road studio was hit 6 p.m. Sunday. ``We`re saying we`ll be off two to three days, but it could be more,`` she said. ``We had smoke coming out of the control board,`` VanKleeck said. ``There was a change of shifts at the time. No one was hurt, but all the computer and broadcast electronics were just fried.`` While telephone service was restored quickly, officials said the status of other equipment was still being assessed and updates about operations will be posted on the network Web site at http://www.soundoflife.org as repairs to the studio are made. ``Our engineer is estimating there was probably more than $30,000 (in damage), but we`re not sure,`` VanKleeck said. The station began broadcasting in 1986, with a combination of local and national programming, and has grown to include relaying its signal on 12 frequencies covering parts of six states. VanKleeck said there is a slight sense of irony in having an act of God knock a religious broadcasting network off the air. ``We live in a world that is not perfect,`` she said. ``Bad things happen to all kinds of people, including (at) Christian radio stations.`` JUST ANOTHER THOUGHT: ``The New York Post`` reveals that the Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn is renting out parochial-school roof space to Cellular Telephone service providers, and some of little Johnny`s parental units are prepped to raise those roofs, in protest. Seems the Diocese is having cash-flow problems (criminal lawyers ARE expensive these days, after all!), and Those Concerned With Our Collective Well Being are a`feared of electromagnetic emissions and subsequent mutations from these cell-towers. The scientific jury is still out on such matters; my own opinion leans toward the controversy being much ado over nothing. Whether I`m right or wrong, I do see a growing number of L.A.-area Apartment houses, with those very same cell-phone sticks all over them, akin to cheap suits. It may or may not be ``safe`` to attend classes under the Cellular umbrella…what about LIVING under one?? Has the 15-plus year old Cellular Lobby put the investigative kibbosh on the EPA?? Is anyone at Underwriters` Labs listening?? Until the next, Peace and Prosperity (Greg Hardison, Broadcast Band Update Aug 15 via DXLD) more under INTERNATIONAL VACUUM ** U S A. GEOGRAPHIC COORDINATE ERROR COSTS BROADCASTER $3,000 The FCC has discovered that the actual location of the WUFF AM&FM tower in Georgia differed from the authorized coordinates by over 1/3 mile. The tower owner was initially fined $4,000 for the oversight, but the forfeiture was reduced to $3,000 on reconsideration, based on the stations' otherwise excellent record of rule compliance. http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-03-2616A1.doc $10,000 FINE AGAINST THE REV. YVON LOUIS AFFIRMED This FCC case involves a series of unauthorized FM broadcasts from Calvary Tabernacle in Brooklyn, New York. Over the course of several months, the Rev. Yvon Louis reportedly transmitted on 93.7 MHz, then switched to 88.1 MHz after getting caught, then used 90.1 MHz after getting caught again, then reverted to 88.1 MHz. Amazing. http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-03-2589A1.doc (via Fred Vobbe, NRC FMTV via DXLD) ** U S A. Dear Glenn: The following press release reports on the latest - and possibly the last - step in the Rambus v. Infineon saga, one of the most closely-watched high tech court cases in years, with over a billion dollars in royalties at stake. Either the Supreme Court takes the case, or Infineon -- and everyone else who sets standards, builds to standards, or uses technology -- comes out a loser. (Priscilla McMullen, Director of Marketing, Lucash, Gesmer & Updegrove, gh at Monitoring Times via DXLD) BOSTON LAW FIRM, INDUSTRY GROUPS FILE BRIEF WITH SUPREME COURT IN CASE THAT COULD UNDERCUT TECHNOLOGY AND OTHER INDUSTRIES Brief is filed in Rambus v. Infineon on behalf of Standard Setting Organizations representing over 8,600 member entities BOSTON, August 13, 2003 - Boston-based law firm Lucash, Gesmer & Updegrove LLP today announced that it had filed a "friend of the court" brief with the United States Supreme Court in Rambus v. Infineon, one of the most closely watched cases in the technology industry. Ten major standard setting bodies, as well as several leading financial industry corporations and a standard setting joint venture, are parties to the brief. The combined membership of the standard setting bodies exceeds 8,600, including most major U.S. technology companies, as well as many government agencies, universities, and other entities. The brief was filed on behalf of the parties on a "pro bono" -- or fee-free -- basis by Lucash, Gesmer & Updegrove. "Rambus v. Infineon goes to the very heart of the integrity of the standard setting process," said Andrew Updegrove, a partner at Lucash, Gesmer & Updegrove and the author of the brief. "As we are a national leader in forming and representing the organizations which set standards, we felt that it was our duty to acquaint the Supreme Court with the importance of the issues involved. This is hardly the right time for the courts to be undercutting processes that are crucial to American technology, Homeland Security and national competitiveness." The case is so significant that additional briefs were filed by the Attorneys General of 15 States and Puerto Rico, by the standard setting body whose process was involved, and by five semiconductor companies. The case history of Rambus v. Infineon has been a roller coaster, with first one side, and then the other, gaining the advantage. Moreover, estimates of the industry-wide royalties at stake run as high as a billion dollars. But the impact of the case goes far beyond just the memory industry. If the Supreme Court does not take the case, the process that sets the more than 100,000 standards that affect nearly every aspect of daily life in this country will be undermined. As noted in the brief: Voluntary standards, especially technology standards, are vital to the national interest, affecting almost all areas of modern life, safety and commerce. The Federal government is dependent on such standards: Congress has mandated the use of voluntary consensus standards by the Federal agencies whenever possible. The failure by the courts to protect the standard setting process would undercut the American economy and impair our international competitiveness. Lucash, Gesmer & Updegrove LLP, a Boston-based technology law firm, gathered the impressive group of participants within the 30-day period allowed by court rules. The decision whether to take the case may be made by the Supreme Court as early as October of this year. ABOUT RAMBUS V. INFINEON The underlying facts are as follows: Rambus Inc., which develops semiconductor memory technology, participated in the standard setting process of the Joint Electron Devices Engineering Council (JEDEC) in the early 90's. During the design process, Rambus did not disclose that it held patents and patent applications on designs included in the standards. When companies, including Infineon, implemented those standards, Rambus sued for patent infringement. Infineon counterclaimed, citing fraud, and a trial court found Rambus guilty. To the astonishment of almost all, the fraud verdict was overturned by a Federal District Appellate Court in January of this year. In the meantime, the Federal Trade Commission had brought claims against Rambus as well. A trial based upon those claims is currently taking place before an administrative law judge. In July, Infineon took the last defensive step available to it, and petitioned the Supreme Court to intervene. ABOUT LUCASH, GESMER & UPDEGROVE LLP Lucash, Gesmer & Updegrove, a Boston, Massachusetts-based technology law firm, is the leading US law firm representing standard setting consortia. It has helped form and represents some of the largest and most influential standard setting organizations in the world. Andrew Updegrove, who leads the consortium practice group, has written and spoken extensively on the topics of standard setting, intellectual property rights and consortium formation, and has testified on those subjects before joint hearings of the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission. The firm created and hosts http://www.consortiuminfo.org, the most detailed and comprehensive site on the Internet on the topics of standard setting and consortia, and publishes a monthly eJournal on the same topics: the Consortium Standards Bulletin http://www.consortiuminfo.org/bulletins/ To view the brief as filed, see: http://www.consortiuminfo.org/news/Rambus_Amicus_Brief.pdf For more information about the Rambus v. Infineon case, see: Rambus - Hard Cases Make Bad Laws http://www.consortiuminfo.org/bulletins/feb03.php - editorial What Does Rambus Mean to You? http://www.consortiuminfo.org/bulletins/feb03.php - featured For more information about Lucash, Gesmer & Updegrove and its consortium clients, see: http://www.lgu.com/practice_areas/consortium.shtml (via DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. FREE RADIO WEEKLY #396 for 2003-AUG-16 ===================================================================== -MAIL DROPS- *Basel: Box 510, CH-4010 Basel, SWITZERLAND *Belfast: Box 1, Belfast, NY 14711 *BRS: Box 109, Blue Ridge Summit, PA 17214 *Elkhorn: Box 69, Elkhorn, NE 68022 *Herten: PO Box 2702, 6049ZG Herten, The Netherlands *Hoogeveen: PO Box 663, 7900AR Hoogeveen, The Netherlands *Huntsville: Box 11522, Huntsville, AL 35814 *Merlin: Box 293, Merlin, Ontario NOP 1W0, CANADA *Providence: Box 28413, Providence, RI 02908 *Wuppertal: Box 220342, D-42373, Wuppertal, GERMANY *Ytterby: C/o SRS News, Ostra Porten 29, S-442 54 Ytterby, SWEDEN ===================================================================== -E-MAIL ADDRESSES FOR STATIONS- *Big Thunder Radio: bigthunderradio@hotmail.com *Blind Faith Radio: blindfaithradio@yahoo.com *Buckwheat Radio: buckwheatradio@hotmail.com *Captain Ron SW: captainronswr@yahoo.com *Ground Zero Radio: gzrsw@yahoo.com *Ironman Radio: ironmanradio@hotmail.com *Jolly Roger Radio Int'l: JR_Radio@hotmail.com *KIPM: kipm_outerlimits@hotmail.com *KMUD: vlfradio@triax.com *KRMI Radio Michigan Int'l: KRMI6955@yahoo.com *Laser Hot Hits: hothits@radiolink.net *Radio Alfa-Lima: info@alfalima.net *Radio Borderhunter: borderhunter@hotmail.com *Radio Omroep Zuid Roz.am@iae.nl *Ragnar Radio: ragnarradio@yahoo.com *Seattle Free Radio: seattle4166@yahoo.com *Shadow Radio: the_shadow6950@hotmail.com *Sunshine Radio: sunshineradios@hotmail.com *United Patriot Militia BINGO: yahwehradio6925@yahoo.com *Undercover Radio: undercoverradio@mail.com *Voodoo Radio: vudu11@hotmail.com *Voice of the Angry Bastard: pigmeat_voab@yahoo.com *Voice of Capt. Ron: captainronswr@yahoo.com, captainron6955@hotmail.com *WHYP: whyp6925@yahoo.com *WMOE: wmoe6955@yahoo.com *WPAT: brewmaster66@hotmail.com *WPN World Parody Network: wpn_sw@yahoo.com *Z100: bigz100fm@yahoo.com ===================================================================== (via DXLD) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ COMMENTARY ++++++++++ RADIO STATIONS, SUPERMARKETS [gh`s title] I had put a ``hold-mail`` for two weeks [vacation]. When I collected the post on arrival, it was just like Christmas. Magazines (Monitoring Times and Messenger, of course), books, catalogues, and goodies from SW stations in various parts of the globe. Not only QSLs, but interesting ``gifts``. Just one of the perks of DXing! I`ve been in contact with some fellow DXers over the years and it`s interesting to find out what people have collected. I`d like readers to share stories about what they`ve received from stations since they took up their interest. Some of the print materials and souvenirs are pretty neat; one guy from New Zealand told me that after be became a monitor for Deutsche Welle, he received a ``weather station`` (I`m not sure what that includes; I assume a barometer and thermostat [sic]). After I took up the monitoring job myself, DW sent a few goodies my way, including a briefcase, portable CD player, a copy of WRTH 2003 and DW bath towels (I guess they think I needed new ones!) When I came back from holidays, the letter carrier handed over a big pile of mail which included a cassette tape of Uzbek music courtesy of Radio Tashkent (who had sent me a tourism guide earlier to Uzbekistan); QSLs and a newspaper form Radio Havana, a two-colour pen from Radio Taipei as well as a CBS facecloth (like DW, perhaps the Taiwan station thinks I`m in need of a bath?), and a QSL and postcards (the veri signer said I needed Lisbon sun, though given the brutally hot weather here I don`t think we needed it) from Radio Portugal. Perhaps one of the nicest gifts I received one time was from the Voice of Russia, a tape of their ``Folk Box`` program, which dealt with Russian songs and customs celebrating the birth of a baby. What was really touching was the introduction to the programme, which said this was for their ``listener in Canada, Sue Hickey, who was expecting her first child.`` Now when Brigid gets older, I`ll be able to play the tape for her and tell her how much that people overseas were thinking about her before she was born. At any rate, though, while the perks are great, the important thing is to keep in touch with SW stations around the world --- with financial cuts they really need to prove they have strong and loyal listeners (Sue Hickey, Grand Falls-Windsor, NF, CIDX Forum, Aug Messenger via DXLD) POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Mr. G., have a look at this... PowerLine Communication Home Network Technology eLibrary - Powerline Networking - Power Line PLC Powerline Network http://www.plugtek.com/index.shtml Israel is about to begin BPL test trials, offering the experimental service free of charge. Maybe the massive power outage will persuade the utility industry to concentrate on PPL (POWER over powerlines) instead of meddling in unrelated ventures such as internet service. 73. (Bill Smith, W5USM, TX, Aug 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ 25 MHz openings: see FRANCE above THE K7RA SOLAR UPDATE SEATTLE, WA, Aug 15, 2003 -- The average daily sunspot numbers for the week was about the same this week as last, and daily solar flux was only slightly higher. Solar flux is expected to peak over the next few days -- such as it is in this declining phase of the solar cycle. Expect solar flux values around 135 for Saturday, August 16. Solar flux is expected to gradually decline to below 100 around August 24. Geomagnetic indicators should be unsettled to active Friday, August 15, but should quiet down over the next week. Predicted planetary A index for August 15-18 is 20, 15, 10 and 10. Currently there is just one sunspot group facing Earth, and it seems to be growing fast as it moves into optimum position for Earth- directed radiation. This presents a wild card for conditions over the next couple of days, since it could be the source of increasing solar wind. Some editions of last week`s bulletin contained a claim that in 57,617 BC Mars was only 34.62 miles from Earth, which of course was not the case. This calls for a visit to a news item on the Bad Astronomy Web site. Phil Plait of Sonoma State University in California runs the Bad Astronomy site to help dissuade and debunk some misconceptions that creep into films, television, popular culture and even science textbooks. [See] http://www.badastronomy.com/bad/news/index.html In an August 13 item he talks about the excitement over Mars being close to earth, and points out that it will be only about 1 percent closer than it was in 1971. Bruce Irving of Eagle, Idaho, was K7ISM many years ago, and he wrote this week asking about some ghosting he saw on his television set after 0200 UTC on Sunday, August 10. He wasn`t able to ID the station, but noted that the image of a musical group performing wasn`t on any of his other local channels in the Boise area. He asked if this could be skip from a channel 2 station outside his area. I believe his hunch is correct. He noted that channel 2 is just about the same frequency as the 6-meter ham band, and--being the lowest- frequency TV channel--it is the one most likely to experience long distance propagation. In this case, it was probably some summertime E-layer propagation. For more information on propagation and an explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin see the Propagation page on the ARRL Web site [at] http://www2.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html Sunspot numbers for August 7 through 13 were 121, 111, 107, 112, 118, 114 and 112, with a mean of 113.6. The 10.7-cm flux was 137, 132.9, 130, 131.1, 129.2, 123.3 and 130.8, with a mean of 130.6. Estimated planetary A indices were 15, 32, 15, 12, 11, 25 and 17, with a mean of 18.1. Amateur solar observer Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington, provides this weekly report on solar conditions and propagation. This report also is available via W1AW every Friday and an abbreviated version also appears in The ARRL Letter. Readers may contact the author via k7ra@arrl.net Copyright © 2003, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved (via John Norfolk, DXLD) ### |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-147, August 15, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser, ghauser@hotmail.com Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3h.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn CONTINENT OF MEDIA 03-05 Nominal schedule on RFPI, 7445: Thu 2000, Fri 0200, 0830, 1430, Sat 2130, Sun 0330, 0930, 1530 NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1195: RFPI: Sat 0130, 0800, 1400, 1730, 2330, Sun 0530, 1130, 1830, Mon 0030, 0630, 1230, Tue 1900, Wed 0100, 0730, 1330 on 7445 [nominal times subject to delay or pre-emption] WRN: Rest of world Sat 0800, Europe only Sun 0430, N America Sun 1400 WWCR: Sat 1030, Sun 0230 5070, 0630 3210, Wed 0930 9475 WRMI: Sat & Sun 1800+ on 15725 WINB: Sun 0031 on 12160 WJIE: Sun 1630 on 7490, 13595 (maybe) WBCQ: Mon 0415 on 7415 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1195.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1195.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1195h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1195h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1195.html [these links in last issue led to 1194 instead of 1195; sorry] ** AFGHANISTAN [non]. 15615, Radio Amani heard on 15615 1628-1730 August 15th. Tones 1628, played wrong Russian or East European language programme for 30 seconds just after 1630, 1631 dramatic music and Radio Amani identification by lady in echo chamber. talks by man in Pashto or Dari with occasional bridges of local music. Fair strength with moderate fading on clear channel though splash from 15620. Audio disappeared suddenly 1707, reappeared at lower level 1715. Off mid sentence 1730. Is Fridays only per Bernd Trutenau in DXLD 3-145 (Mike Barraclough, Letchworth, UK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AFGHANISTAN. NEW PRIVATE RADIO STARTS BROADCASTING IN AFGHANISTAN | Text of report in English by Afghan newspaper The Kabul Times on 10 August Afghanistan's first radio station to broadcast live 24 hours a day went on air in the capital, Kabul, this week. Radio Khilid Kabul (RKK) 88.5 FM [name as published] is one of the first private-sector radio stations in the country to be granted a government broadcasting license. "Radio Khilid will be highlighting Afghan culture, giving it back to the Afghan people as it has almost been forgotten. For 30 years Afghans have been living in other countries, and Afghan culture has not been transmitted to their children," Shahir Zahin, the director- general of an Afghan NGO, Development Humanitarian Assistance for Afghanistan (DHSA), told IRIN [as published] from Kabul on Wednesday. RKK's conception and realization is the result of a partnership between DHSA and the international media NGO, Internews. The country's airwaves have been monopolized by government-run stations for many years. Following the fall of the Taleban, however, new stations have sprung up, with the coalition forces taking the lead in establishing two of them. RKK is funded by the US Agency for International Development, and the objective of the venture is to encourage and foster the development of the independent media in Afghanistan. The new radio station, which was inspired by the success of a national magazine, Khilid [Kelid], is currently playing music only, but will also be broadcasting cultural information and chat shows, as well as news bulletins on the hour, with effect from Afghanistan's National Day on 18 August. Zahin said RKK would not only entertain but also help unite the Afghan people during this important period of national reconstruction. The station has taken a community participation approach by inviting citizens to contribute to programming by sending in ideas. The target audience is expected to be middle-class 25-to 45 year-olds. Internews envisages RKK to be the basis for a public service, but to remain a privately owned radio network spread across Afghanistan. The station will serve as a medium on-the-air training facility for journalists from other radio stations around the country. Internews is providing experienced international radio journalists as trainers for the venture, as well as studio and transmitter equipment. The project faced some difficulties at the beginning of the collaboration, which are now being overcome. "Training is the major problem, people going into modern radio who either have old radio or no radio experience," John West, the Internews country director, Afghanistan, told IRIN from Kabul. He added that the envisaged national network across Afghanistan would also help to highlight humanitarian issues. Source: The Kabul Times, Kabul, in English 10 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** ARGENTINA [non]. DÍA DE LA RADIODIFUSIÓN EN ARGENTINA Estimados Amigos: Con motivo de cumplirse el próximo 27 de agosto el 83 Aniversario de la Radiodifusión en Argentina, el programa "Antena de la Amistad" de KBS Radio Corea Internacional emitirá mis informes N 137 y N 138 los días sábados 16 y 30 de agosto de 2003 respectivamente. En los mismos se incluyen registros sonoros históricos del pionero Enrique Telémaco Susini y de su señora esposa Alicia Arderius viuda de Susini como así también la grabación del último minuto que transmitió LR2 Radio Argentina en 1110 Khz aquel 31 de diciembre de 1997 cuando el gobierno argentino la dejó morir. Es una oportunidad para retener y guardar apenas una parte de la historia grande de la radiodifusión mundial. No olviden de expresar sus comentarios, preguntas y mayores informaciones al respecto directamente a la sección española de Radio Corea Internacional: spanish@kbs.co.kr , también por carta al Apartado 150-790 - Seoul, Republic of Korea o bien en Sudamérica a la Casilla de Correo 950, S 2000 WAJ - Rosario, Argentina. El siguiente es el esquema actual de KBS Radio Corea Internacional (UT, frecuencias y áreas de destino): 1000-1100 15210 Khz p/Europa; 9580 Khz y *11715 Khz (*vía Sackville- Canadá) p/América del Sur 2000-2100 15575 Khz p/Europa y 0100-0200 11810 Khz p/América del Sur 0700-0800 13670 Khz p/Europa (El programa se transmite a los 10' de comenzada cada emisión, después de las noticias.) En el aire por Internet entrando a http://rki.kbs.co.kr en los siguientes horarios UT y canales: 2000-2100 - CH1 2100-2200 - CH2 0100-0200 - CH1 1300-1400 - CH2 También en audio por demanda entrando en http://rki.kbs.co.kr (click en Select Language/Spanish luego Antena-Buzón y elegir las fechas aludidas). El programa se carga uno o dos días después de su emisión. Están disponibles los siete (7) últimos programas emitidos. Agradeceré tengan la bondad de difundir este mensaje a través de los medios a vuestra disposición. Saludos cordiales! (Rubén Guillermo Margenet margenet@arnet.com.ar Aug 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "ABORIGINAL RESOURCE AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES INC (ARDS)" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ARDS is an Aboriginal controlled non-profit organisation has begun transmission on August 1 of a Short Wave Radio Service for Community Development. The service will enable the Yolngu (Aboriginal) people of north-east Arnhem Land to receive informational programs broadcast in their own language and has the potential to reach up to 7,000 Yolngu living in the five major communities and ninety homeland centres across the region. Mr Richard Trudgen (Business Manager of ARDS) stated: "ARDS is extremely pleased to be launching this much needed service. This educational service heralds an exciting new time for Yolngu people who will now be able to access all sorts of information on Health, Economics, Law and much much more." The Radio Service will use a concept developed in Africa called "Radio Browsing". This is where listeners can ring the studio to ask for information they want to hear over the radio. Radio staff research the information via the web and/or other sources and develop a program to put to air. It also allows listeners to be directly involved in the development of programs. A Yolngu person within the region and a radio announcer/interpreter can have a discussion, with a doctor in Darwin about diabetes using a three-way telephone connection. This discussion would all be recorded and then later broadcast via the Radio Service. Radio Browsing allows the people to stay in their own homes and access all sorts of information, all in their own language. The Rev Dr Djiniyini Gondarra (political leader of the Golumala clan) who has been involved in developing programs for broadcast stated: "I am very pleased and excited to be involved with this radio service. There are just so many things that Yolngu people are having problems understanding and this is a great way to get information in a quick and easy way." ARDS has secured some support from government, non-government and philanthropic organisations to develop various programs. This includes sponsorship to develop information on Renal Failure, Diabetes, Hepatitis C, HIV, Petrol Sniffing and Law and Order. They will be looking for on going support and jobs to keep this service operating. For further details contact Mr Richard Trudgen 08 8987 3910 or visit http://www.ards.com.au TRANSMITTERS The transmitters are ex-Civil Aviation, using 5050. They were manufactured by Commonwealth Electronics and are AM20 models. They can operate at 1 kW but operate continuously at 400W. The location is Humpty Doo S12.34.05, E131.04.35. Antennas are two fibreglass helical whips with a front to back ratio of -50dB and a beam of 110 degrees centred on 100 degrees true from Humpty Doo. LICENCING This is a "Broadcasting Licence Category HF Domestic Service" with the callsign VKD963. The date of effect is March 3, 2003 and expiry is March 3 2004. Special conditions apply, where the licensee may be required to cease operating the station, or operate the station under revised conditions, if the Australian Broadcasting Authority or the Australian Communications Authority receives an objection to the station's operation as a result of the international notification of the station. The intended area of coverage is "local". ARDS is also licensed for medium-frequency broadcasting, using off-band channels under the category of "Narrowband Broadcasting Station", in the Northern Territory, with 400 W: 1611 kHz VKD883 Milingimbi 1611 kHz VKD884 Groote Eyland 1620 kHz VKD885 Galiwin Ku (Elcho Island) 1629 kHz VKD886 Gapuwiyak The satellite link is allocated on 6.35794 GHZ, as a Fixed Earth Station, Nhulunby. HF SERVICE It should be noted that the HF service is for local broadcasting only, with the primary radiation pattern in an easterly direction from Darwin, generally covering the eastern part of the Northern Territory, Arnhem Land, and into NW Queensland. Side lobe radiation extends to NE Western Australia, and northern South Australia. Low level back-lobe radiation extends northerly into Timor and Eastern Indonesia. Antenna configuration has been designed to provide satisfactory coverage during daylight hours out to about 2000 km from Darwin. At night, coverage will expand. DXer reports from places well outside the primary service area complain about night-time co-channel interference from transmitters in China, Tanzania, and the USA. Such reports are of academic interest only, not affecting reception in the main service area. Similarly, It is doubtful if ARDS, with low power of 400W, will cause harmful interference to those transmitters. Reports are welcome at dale@ards.com.au or by mail to ARDS, Box 1671, Nhulunbuy, NT 0881, Australia. Studio Address: 19 Pera Circuit, Nhulunbuy NT 0880, Australia. BACKGROUNDER: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT RADIO SERVICE BRIEFING PAPER This ARDS paper will be of interest, which looks at the development of the organisation's media network, to meet the information access, self-learning and adult education needs of the Yolngu people of north-east Arnhem Land. - WHAT THE SERVICE IS ABOUT It is said that a nation's people are its greatest asset. For people who work in government departments, and all those who work in education and training, attempting to unlock the wealth of capacity within a nation's people is a continual quest. For those of us involved in community development and community education the task is the same: how to unlock the untapped energy, ability, knowledge and creative potential that is locked up both within individuals and within the community in which we work. The Community Development Radio Service will aid this need by offering education, information and cultural reinforcement for the Yolngu people of north-east Arnhem Land. - KEYS TO HUMAN CAPACITY BUILDING When it comes to human capacity building and creating social capital, there are two essential keys: purpose and communication. Loss of purpose emerges when people become confused and do not have enough information about the world around them to take control of their own lives and develop their own future. Without good communication, clear purpose is but a faint and distant hope. Without clear purpose, human endeavour stops. Human capacity building cannot happen without good communication. Good communication happens when information is provided in a way that allows it to be understood. This can only happen in the people's own language, which is the medium they use to communicate, think and construct knowledge. - EDUCATION THROUGH A MEDIA SERVICE Since ARDS was incorporated in 1974, we have been involved in active community education within Arnhem Land. It has become clear to ARDS personnel that despite this education being very effective on a one-to-one basis or in small groups, it has not expanded across the region from the original groups involved. The lack of reinforcement of new information imparted has also become a major problem. The people have little opportunity to revisit or update the information they first gained. Furthermore, the amount of information that people want and need access to is too enormous to transfer through the face-to-face educational method over an area one-third the size of the state of Victoria. This has led to many hundreds of hours of discussion with clan and community leaders as to how this problem could be overcome. As a result of these discussions, ARDS has started developing "off-site electronic classroom" material and has produced subject-specific video and audio tapes in an attempt to create some accessible media. But to deliver the large amounts of information to the people where they live, what is needed is a dynamic, comprehensive media service across the whole of the north-east Arnhem Land region - in the people's language. - HOW CAN THE LARGE AMOUNT OF REQUESTED INFORMATION BE DELIVERED? After consultation, research, observation and testing of various media over a number of years, but more intensively in the last twelve months, some clear conclusions have become apparent. If we look at all the media and telecommunication methods - print media, telephone, the Internet, computer conferencing, television, immanent digital radio and multi-media transfer, video conferencing and AM, FM and HF radio, some interesting points emerge: No comprehensive media service exists in the people's own language for the north-east Arnhem Land region Almost all existing services, except the telephone, are not meeting the expected communication needs of the people New information technologies will also fail to deliver due to the extensive timeframe needed to develop comprehensive material in the people's language. An Effective Media Service Radio is the only telecommunications medium available that will deliver large amounts of information and knowledge, time- and cost-effectively, to the people of the region, in their language, in the next five to ten years. It is user-friendly and technically lean. Radios are readily available to the people - cheap to buy and easy to operate. They are also very portable for a mobile community. - CHEAPEST CONTENT DEVELOPMENT The other major advantage of radio is that it is extremely cost- and time-effective in area of content development. This means material can be created quickly and then put to air immediately. Almost all other media require many hours of scripting, translating, checking and correcting, whereas large amounts of radio content can be done in live-to-air dialoguing, thus employing live talkback and/or discussions between BRACS (Broadcasting for Remote Aboriginal Communities Scheme) operators and the proposed Nhulunbuy studio. For emergencies and quick updates of information, radio has no real competitors even in today's IT world - especially in the unique Arnhem Land situation. The Radio Service of ARDS intends to: maintain a continuous on-air service using computer-based scheduling and automation software work with the Yolngu BRACS operators so that they can develop their own content material record, organise and archive traditional song-cycles and the people's intellectual language develop effective educational and culturally-supportive broadcast material use an Earth Station to deliver the radio broadcast signal to a satellite purchase space on a commercial satellite with a transmission footprint covering all of Australia set up receiving sites, incorporating Translator Units, at some of the major communities, a few homeland centre villages, and also one in Darwin to give radio coverage across the region operate these Receiving Translator Units, with digital forward control, to receive the broadcast signal from the satellite and then retransmit it to the local region as either an AM or FM, and from Darwin as a HF signal. This will allow Yolngu Matha speaking people to receive this service on normal radio-cassette units and in most vehicles (no matter where they live or work) across their whole living region. - A SERVICE THAT UNLOCKS SOCIAL CAPITAL This service will give the Yolngu elders first-time access to modern, dynamic media to teach culturally affirmative knowledge to their own people. It will also allow ARDS to take well-developed content material, which covers many subjects from health to economics, from a one-to-one teaching ratio to a one to many thousands teaching ratio. A Community Development Radio Service in the people's language will create good communication by opening a new world of information and knowledge. In turn it will give purpose to the Yolngu people as they build their human capacity to a level where their social capital is unlocked and they are truly able to control their own lives and future. - DOSSIER A dossier on the Community Development Radio Service, which is the Report of a Feasibility Study funded by the Miwatj ATSIC Regional Council, is available from ARDS. The dossier fully explains the Community Development Radio Service. It tells of the need for such a service, compares the existing media, explains how the Community Development Radio Service will complement existing services, describes the content material that the service will provide, as well as explaining additional complementary services. The dossier also sets out the social impact and benefits of the service, as well as describing the technical details of the project. This includes a full description of the service and full costings. Please contact Dale Chesson or Richard Trudgen on 08 8987 3910 if you are interested in obtaining a copy of the dossier. - ABOUT ARDS ARDS is an Aboriginal organisation incorporated under the Northern Territory Associations Act, and the community development arm of the Northern Regional Council of Congress (NRCC). The NRCC is the Aboriginal and Islander Presbytery of the Northern Synod of the Uniting Church in Australia. The Executive of ARDS comprises Aboriginal representatives from the following regions; East Arnhem Land, West Arnhem Land, Mowanjum - Western Australia, Darwin, and the Pitjantjatjara areas of South Australia/Northern Territory. This body sets policy and directs the work of ARDS. NRCC meets twice a year as a full Council with representatives coming from approximately 25 Aboriginal communities and homeland centres, and at this time the goals and plans of ARDS are discussed. ARDS Executive meet separately as required throughout the year. Since its incorporation in 1973, ARDS has worked at the 'cutting edge' of community development. This work demands a commitment to learning and operating in the language of the people. It also demands that non-Aboriginal staff have been immersed in, and can see the world-views of the people. For it is only when these two critical aspects i.e. language and world-view, have been taken into consideration, that education can bring about liberation. The policy of ARDS is to work in two basic areas. 1. ARDS practices community education as a major part of its development strategy. This community education must engage the intellect of the people, it must be practised in such a way that the process is one where the people involved 'discover', through critical questioning, truth and new realities. This community education is problem solving education, around areas of Health, Economics and Legal matters. Some of the problems within the health sphere include; patient intervention, HIV/AIDS, scabies, chronic diseases and others. Microscopes, microbiology and immune system education (literacy) is a major component of the health education. Health has become a major focus of ARDS education because of the critically high death rate of the people of North East Arnhem Land (five times the National average - 1991). Economic and Legal literacy also play a major role, as the people of the region begin to participate in a real way in their own development, rather than just survive, with two often conflicting systems of law and economics. 2. The second area is to provide cultural awareness workshops and information so that non-Aboriginal people who come to the region can be better equipped to work alongside Aboriginal people. This will allow Aboriginal people to be empowered with information and training, so that they can run their own communities. For the people to control their own development, ARDS believes that cultural awareness and communication skills are essential tools for all non-Aboriginal people to acquire and maintain if they are to be useful in the peoples development. Not everyone will acquire these skills to a high degree, but some specialists are needed to be skilled in these areas, in some considerable depth. ARDS also believes that all people that come from outside a particular minority cultural group need a good appreciation of where the minority group are, with regard to world-view and past experiences. This applies to people at all levels, whether they are political representatives, or senior public servants directing policy and its implementation, or persons who work with Aboriginal people at a 'grass roots' level. The Executive of ARDS requires that its staff conduct workshops for these relevant sectors of the community so that a greater degree of understanding can exist. Only when the world-view and history of any cultural minority is seen clearly by the dominant culture can any real development and effective communication take place. This then is the work in which ARDS is engaged. The prime focus for this work has been the North East Arnhem Land region of the Northern Territory, however it is the vision of the Executive that this will expand to cover all areas from which the membership is drawn. Additional to these prime focuses ARDS provides services to urban and rural Aboriginal people through the Language, Education and Resource Centre, located in Darwin, and for elderly Aboriginal people through Darriba Nurri, an aged and disabled persons care program located in the northern suburbs of Darwin. The ARDS Executive is committed to standing with the people in their struggle. We can only become involved though at their request and the involvement is, as educators, to search for truth with the people - to enable them to become true subjects of their own destiny rather than mere objects in society. (EDXP WBM Aug 14 used by permission http://edxp.org via DXLD) ** BELGIUM. On the Aug 10 RVi Radio World, Frans Vossen acknowledges the inaccurate schedules recently quoted for Koreas, and then goes on to give some times and frequencies for China Radio International, from the latest issue of CRI`s very own Messenger, August issue, just arrived on his desk (with the implication that this info must therefore be correct). 2000-2100 on 11790 and 15110 2100-2200 on 11790, 15110 2200-2300 on 9880 Sorry, Frans, but as I have had to point out before, Messenger info is often incomplete and out of date by the time it arrives! Perhaps the slick magazine has a long lead time, combined with CRI`s usual lethargy in updating and correcting its own published schedule info. There have been various changes during the summer in CRI`s English schedule, which we have reported as they reach us in DXLD. In this case the Messenger appears to have been correct as far as it went but: In Eibi`s comprehensive schedule updated Aug 12 we extract the same three transmissions from http://139.18.51.71/~pge78crf/bc-a03.txt --- 2000 2057 CHN China Radio Internat. E Eu 1557$/LTU 9440b 11790u 15110B 2100 2157 CHN China Radio Internat. E Eu 1440/LUX 5965 9840 11790u 15110B 2200-2257 CHN China Radio Internat. E Eu 9880/Rus-Taldom B and b = Beijing (two different sites), u = Urumchi Besides additional SW frequencies, it might have been worth mentioning that CRI is relayed on MW from the adjacent country, Luxembourg, not to mention Lithuania. This show also has vintage audio clips of KMTH-920 Midway Island about 4 minutes into the file, another of RNZI`s Bell Bird; 1XX on 1240 and 1XI on 1590. Catch them while the file lasts until Sunday or Monday: http://www.vrt.be/wm/rvi/rw_HI.asx or http://www.vrt.be/wm/rvi/rw-LO.asx (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. Hi Glenn, Re the item NACIONAL DO BRASIL PARA A ÁFRICA in DXLD 3-146: Since Aug. 2nd I have been hearing Rádio Nacional do Brasil on 9665 at very good strength, most days, on air at tune in 0600. It appears to have an 'off-day' at least once per week. Sign off time is variable around 0700+. I have regularly tuned 11780 and 6180 at these same times but have not heard either. Radio Sawa is using 6180 via Woofferton at 180 deg until 0700. However, what appeared to be Brazil was heard on 11780 and on 6180 - this co-channel with Finland`s Sunday only service - at 0705 on Aug. 10th, but 9665 had closed. Neither have been heard since then, but 9665 continues, with an off day noted Tuesday this week - Thursday last week. 73s, (Noel Green, England, Aug 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) So you think the Af service is actually on 9665? ** CAMBODIA [non]. CAMBODIA/FRANCE: PARIS WEB SITE REPORTING ON CAMBODIA Khmer Intelligence (KI) is an English-language web site based in Paris that reports on developments in Cambodia. The web site, http://www.khmerintelligence.org does not identify its sponsor, noting only it represents a "non-government organization" seeking "to help Khmer and foreign observers better follow and understand the situation in Cambodia". Items posted on the web site reflect detailed knowledge of Cambodian media and are generally critical of the ruling Cambodian People's Party [CPP] and Prime Minister Hun Sen. The postings tend to support the political stance of the Cambodian opposition party of Sam Rainsy [SRP], and to a lesser extent, the royalist FUNCINPEC [National United Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful and Cooperative Cambodia]. The web site claims that, "for security reasons, KI must preserve anonymity for its informants" and many items are not sourced. When sources are cited, they come from a range of publications from both inside and outside Cambodia including the Cambodian-language newspapers Reaksmei Kampuchea and Kaoh Santepheap, the English- language biweekly Phnom Penh Post and The Cambodia Daily. Foreign sources cited include Thailand's English-language newspapers, The Nation and the Bangkok Post. Broadcast items from the US-based Voice of America and Radio Free Asia are also cited in some of the items. KI ranks the information it posts, "according to five levels of reliability: Semi-official (1), Very reliable (2), Reliable (3), Insistent rumour (4), Rumour (5)". The overwhelming majority of items carried by KI are ranked 1 to 3 in terms of reliability. Observations on KI's reliability rankings - particularly when a specific media source is cited - accurately reflect the themes and content of reports appearing in either Cambodian or foreign media sources. On occasion, unsourced items given reliability ratings of either 1 or 2 by KI will later appear in other media reporting. The Khmer Intelligence web site began operations in August 2002 and appears to be steadily increasing its audience. On 2 January 2003, KI reported that a total of 15,284 people had visited the web site during its first five months in operation. On 1 March, KI posted an item claiming that the number of its readers had increased to a total of 32,449 with the addition of "10,850 visitors to the site in February 2003 alone". It does not carry links to any other web site. The web site is updated at rather irregular intervals, but is at times updated daily. However, between 22 May and 5 August, no new items were posted. A "Whois" internet search failed to reveal the name of KI's registrant, revealing only the following email address, telephone number and Paris postal address for the web site: Ka Samngat [Khmer Intelligence] khmerintelligence@dns.seanic.net +330140030996 29 Avenue Simon Bolivar Paris, France 75019 Source: BBC Monitoring research 15 Aug 03 (via DXLD) ** CANADA. XM Satellite: see INTERNATIONAL VACUUM ** CHINA. CRI schedule: see BELGIUM ** CHINA [non]. CLANDESTINE from USA to CHINA: World Falun Dafa Radio will drop its 9625 transmission (via CIS) at the end of September, but remain on KWHR (Hian, CRW) KWHR gives the schedule as follows: 9930 1500-1600 Sat/Sun, 1600-1700 Mon-Fri (Cumbre DX via Johnson via DXLD) No, the 1630-1700 show daily is Heavenly Life (Mandarin) LeSEA Productions per http://www.whr.org/index.cfm?fa=schedule&Search=Angel3 (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) FALUN GONG FOLLOWERS SEND "ILLEGAL SIGNALS" ON CHINESE TV | Text of report in English by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Beijing, 15 August: Sino Satellite, a Chinese TV satellite, was taken over by illegal TV signals transmitted by Falun Gong cult followers at 9.05 p.m. Tuesday and at 8.23 p.m. Wednesday [local times 12 and 13 August], the Ministry of Information Industry said Friday. The state monitoring centre on wireless communications under the ministry said illegal signals sent by Falun Gong cult activists had hindered the Chinese audience from watching routine programmes of China Central Television (CCTV), China Education TV Station (CETV) and ten provincial TV stations. The TV hijacking was also confirmed by the Ministry of Education and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television. The banned cult attacked the satellite for several times between June and November last year. Source: Xinhua news agency, Beijing, in English 0806 gmt 15 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) CHINESE SINO SATELLITE SPOKESMAN CONDEMNS FALUN GONG JAMMING ACTION | Text of report by official Chinese news agency Xinhua (New China News Agency) Asia-Pacific service Beijing, 15 August: This reporter learned from the State Radio Monitoring Centre of the Information Industry Ministry that at 2105 local time [1305 gmt] on 12 August and 2023 local time [1223 gmt] on 13 August, Sino Satellite was hijacked by illegal signals sent by the "Falun Gong" cult again. The transmissions of many channels - China Education TV Station, China Central Television, and ten other provincial TV stations were respectively seriously jammed. The viewers could not watch long-distance education programmes and other TV programmes. This information has been further confirmed by the Education Ministry and the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television. This is another crime committed by the "Falun Gong" cult. It is not only against the basic principles of civilian communications, but also interrupting routine radio and TV broadcasts, and violating the rights and interests of the masses. A responsible person at the Sino Satellite Communications Company pointed out: The way that the "Falun Gong" cult openly trampled on the state law and the basic principles of civilian communications, and maliciously attacked civilian communications satellites many times is a challenge to the social order and modern civilization. It is information terrorism and banditry in the age of high technology. It also seriously invaded the rights of the satellite company and damaged the reputation of the satellite company. The Sino Satellite Communications Company will retain rights to investigate the legal responsibility of the "Falun Gong" cult. A responsible person at the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television said: The acts in which the "Falun Gong" cult disregarded social ethics and interrupted regular TV broadcasting several times have once again revealed the "Falugong" cult's nature in causing grave harm to the country and the people. The hidden forces supporting and indulging the cult will have unshirkable responsibility for the illegal acts of "Falun Gong." They will eventually bring trouble to themselves and eat their own bitter fruit. The interrupted TV viewers feel furious about the "Falun Gong" cult's act of wantonly trampling on public opinion. They think that while the whole society is paying attention to the country's socialist modernization, the acts of the "Falun Gong" - repeatedly hijacking the satellite, depriving the rights of the masses to watch regular TV programmes, and disturbing the steady lives of the masses - have made them an enemy of the people and society. It is necessary to severely punish the cult to safeguard the interests of the people. Sino Satellite, launched into space by the "Long March [Changzheng or CZ] 3B" carrier rocket in 1998, has served the "Cuncuntong" radio and TV project [designed to bring radio and TV programmes to every village] of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television; the transmissions of China Education TV Station's programmes; and dozens of other users, including China National Offshore Oil Corporation, China Unicom Corporation, and China Netcom Corporation. From June 2002 to November 2002, the "Falun Gong" cult sent illegal signals to attack Sino Satellite many times from the Taipei area of Taiwan province. Source: Xinhua news agency, Beijing, in Chinese 0852 gmt 15 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** DENMARK. World Music Radio (WMR) is an independent, non-political and non-religious radio station with a cheerful mix of the best in current chart hits and the best hits from the past. Music crosses all frontiers --- and WMR is a truly international radiostation programmed to bring people together and share the same experiences and thus to make international understanding just a little better. WMR first went on the air in 1967 from the Netherlands, from where broadcasting took place until August 1973. Later programs from WMR have been carried through the facilities of R Andorra (in 1976 and 1980), R Milano International (1982-1983) and R Dublin (1983-1989). In 1997 WMR came back on the air from May 31 to Aug 24 from a new HQ in Denmark and from powerful transmitters in South Africa giving a truly worldwide coverage but with Africa as the main target area. WMR World Music Radio is planning to resume operation late 2003. Test transmissions are due in August 2003 on 15810 and a frequency in the 6 MHz range yet to be announced (Stig Hartvig Nielsen on http://www.wmr.dk via DSWCI DX Window Aug 13 via DXLD) ** FRANCE [non]. [Or if you insist, non non]. LETTRES D`APPEL Les lettres d'appel (utilisées pour les radios et télévisions aux USA : Wxxx et Kxxx, au Canada Cxxx, au Mexique : Xxxx, etc), ne sont pas utilisées en Europe alors que chaque pays dispose pourtant d'une lettre réservée : F pour la France, G pour la Grande-Bretagne, etc. Pourtant, certaines stations disposent de lettres d'appel sans pour autant les utiliser à l'antenne : RFO St Pierre et Miquelon correspond aux lettres FZY, RFO Nouvelle Calédonie correspond à FJP, etc. Evidemment, ça a plus de gueule d'annoncer à l'antenne "RFO St Pierre & Miquelon" que "FZY"... Les radios amateurs utilisent ces lettres (en fait, une combinaison de lettres et chiffres) : s'agit-il des mêmes lettres ou bien d'une autre chose? Les lettres d'appels utilisées pour les radios (FZY, FJP, FJA, FFP, FFD) ne le sont-elles que pour les stations UHF/VHF météo? Auteur: Alca Date: 13-08-03 11:38 (Racio Actu forum http://share.wtc.mediasactu.org/phorum/read.php?f=12&i=572&t=572 via DXLD) ** GUYANA. GOVERNMENT PROMISES WIDESPREAD PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON BROADCAST BILL | Text of report by Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) news agency on 15 August Georgetown, Guyana: The Guyana government plans to hold widespread public consultations on the proposed Broadcast Bill, according to Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon. Speaking at the end of the weekly post-cabinet news conference on Thursday [14 August], he told reporters that the plan for public consultation on the Draft Broadcast Bill had been completed. Dr Luncheon said that the government would be soliciting written comments, questions and requests from Guyanese on the content of the bill. The head of the Presidential Secretariat said it was also the intention of the government to provide enough time to garner a response from Guyanese interested in responding to the proposed broadcasting legislation. He said that the views received would be collated and then taken to the planned series of county workshops, which will be facilitated by resource persons drawn from the Office of the Prime Minister. "The administration is anticipating that after the completion of the county workshops and the comparison and putting together of the draft bill and suggestions, a final draft will be perfected. That final draft will be the document that is tabled in parliament for its consideration," the Guyana Information Agency (Gina) said. Some media establishments and the main opposition People's National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) party have criticized the proposed legislation, saying it has the potential of being abused. Source: Caribbean Media Corporation news agency, Bridgetown, in English 1335 gmt 15 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** INDIA. NEWSREADER CLIMBS DOWN TV TOWER AFTER PROTEST http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20030814/od_nm/newsreader_dc NEW DELHI (Reuters) - A newsreader with India's state-run radio, who threatened to immolate himself on top of a television tower on Thursday in a protest for better wages, climbed down after officials promised to give him a hearing. Hundreds of people gathered at the base of the 300-foot tower in the heart of New Delhi cheered as Bhaskar Vohra descended and was taken away by police. "We told him he will be given a patient hearing," Deputy Commissioner of Police Manoj Kumar Lall said after several calls to Vohra on his cellphone. Vohra earlier hurled down a two-page handbill saying casual newsreaders at All India Radio were treated shabbily. "I am not a terrorist, I am a translator cum newsreader," he said. "If my demands are not met by August 15, I will burn the national flag and immolate myself," said Vohra who had a backpack slung over his shoulder. Thousands of policemen and commandos are deployed across New Delhi on the eve of independence day celebrations. Here`s a kicker story! 73- (Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** INDONESIA. SHADOWY ISLAMIC GROUP BLAMED FOR MANY INDONESIA BLASTS Mention of Jemaah Islamiah radio station in this report: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/JAK277660.htm (via A. Sennitt, Holland, Aug 5, 2003 for CRW via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. I did see AP article that mentions that Sirius is now giving away a tuner when you sign up for their yearly plan. Go to Sirius' webpage... http://www.sirius.com/ (Ulis Fleming, MD, swprograms via DXLD) If I read the web site correctly, one still has to pay for something called a head unit, plus an antenna, plus installation. Not exactly a free radio by my view (Joe Buch, DE, ibid.) Sirius has provided free equipment, (including the Kenwood receiver, a head unit, home and car docking stations), and 3 months service free for those in the press or broadcast industry. Installation is on your own. I know someone who got this deal, but unfortunately I don't qualify. BTW: Subscribers can listen to the music streams on their PC. Entertainment streams, (which means partner produced channels like WRN), are not available on the Sirius audio server. (Steve Coletti, ibid.) No, but it does reduce the cost considerably. For example, if you just want to have Sirius by having it work with your existing head unit (through a vacant frequency on the FM band or via the tape deck), your investment is only about $170. The Kenwood plug and play unit, for example, is $99 for the player and $69 for either a home kit or the car kit each of which has all the necessary hardware (including the antenna) for their respective use. XM, to be honest, has the better arrangement in this regard with its sleek Delphi units that can be used virtually anywhere. However, I think Sirius's programming is superior by virtue of its non-comm commitment on the 60 music channels and its far superior roster of talk and info channels that, among other offerings, includes WRN, the BBC News stream, 2 NPR channels and a PRI channel. The start-up costs for a subscriber to either XM or Sirius are virtually identical. The monthly subscription costs are 9.99 for XM and 12.95 for Sirius, but even this differentiation can be reduced with a full year commitment to Sirius (one month free). Also, included with any subscription to Sirius is free access to its music channels over the Internet (John Figliozzi, NY, ibid.) I purchased the new Kenwood "Here2Anywhere" plug and play unit back in June from Circuit City after reading a posting from Joe Buch. THANKS, JOE!!! After a sesquimonth of use I highly recommend this unit and the SIRIUS service. For less than the price of my cheapest shortwave radio, I have one "Here2Anywhere" unit, two home/office docking units and one car docking system. The docking systems include an antenna, power supply for the home docking kits, a 12 volt plug & cassette adapter with the car docking unit. and audio cables with both kits. I start in the morning by plugging the unit into the car dock and listen to Radio Australia & Radio Netherlands. I get to the office and plug it into the docking station and listen to Radio Prague, Radio Sweden, Deutsche Welle (Glenn Hauser's WOR on Saturdays [sic]), RVI, Radio Australia, Voice of Russia. Lunch, Radio Slovakia, Radio Polonia, Channel Africa, RTE Ireland etc. etc., put back in car, drive home to RCI, dock it at home and if the shortwave isn't propagating I turn off the RX340 and listen to WRN or the BBC news Stream. The audio quality is phenomenal! Now when someone comes into my office they don't ask "What's all that noise?" now they say WOW and actually listen to whatever is on. One client actually prolonged our meeting so he could finish listening to "Radio Polonia". He's now a Sirius Subscriber. On the ride home last night I listened to Sheldon Harvey's segment on RCI's mailbag show and he sounded like he was in the car. I realize that anyone can listen to WRN via the internet but I got real tired of "buffering" and I think I'd be considered a hypocrite if my employees caught me streaming from the internet after I've banned it here in the office. Our T1 line would seem like a dial-up when everyone was listening to something via the internet. I know of a few companies here in New England that have made personal use of the internet (browsing, streaming, news groups) a reason for dismissal. So anyways for an investment of $287.00 (Receiver $95 & 3 docking stations $64 x3) and the monthly fee of $12.95 (I chose the yearly fee of $134) I am a very happy camper. Starting this Friday you can buy a "lifetime of the radio" subscription for $395. So if you want to gamble that your radio will live for over 3 years it's a good deal. I would consider that if I had one of the expensive in dash units but with the plug and plays won't. I had to exchange my first unit after 2 weeks because the display went blank. The second unit has worked flawlessly but they do run very warm. When I first looked at the Kenwood "Here2 Anywhere" I wondered why the top of the radio had a metal plate while the rest of the radio was plastic. Now I know ... it's a heat sink. (Jim Strader, MA, one of the ODD ONES, ibid.) I have done limited listening of both systems, I'll admit to having handled both the XM and the Sirius receivers at a friend`s house. The XM is very compact but by that nature it can be harder to operate in a moving vehicle unless you have small nimble fingers. The Sirius Kenwood has a larger and brighter blue fluorescent display and can be placed further from the vehicle operator, which is good since, except for changing channels, it seems to be impossible to operate other functions in a moving vehicle. As I said before, you can listen to the actual Sirius music streams on the net for 20 minutes, continuously if you are a subscriber, (or if you know people there you get an extended courtesy, as I am). XM on the other hand has only limited pre-recorded samples of the channels with an introductory clip to promote the format. Yes, Sirius is the better service for what we like, but I hate to say I don't think it will outlast XM. XM is cheating and has been since it decided to add ground based repeaters in urban areas. By defacto it has become a national DAB service. When DAB was approved something like 15 years ago in the adjacent band, no one in the USA wanted to use it, and no one does. Having those repeaters makes it a local service and so XM can get into areas that Sirius can't, where the maximum potential listeners are. The friend who has the Sirius set has to put it in the company truck to listen, it just dies at his house for long periods. The XM receiver works fine at the house by pointing the antenna unit nowhere towards the southern sky (Steve Coletti, NY, ibid.) Hmmm. Your friend's experience is a bit different from mine. I have an indash unit that I bought back in January, but was sent a plug and play unit with the home and car options in anticipation of a review that I am doing for a magazine. I have used the plug and play unit in both my wife's car and a company car and used the home option at - well -- home! The accompanying literature recommends that the antenna in the car be placed outside on the roof (it has a magnetic base) and that the antenna in the house be placed in a west facing window or outside (it is weatherproof). (The antenna placement recommendation in the home will change depending on your geographic location. In the northeast quadrant it is west-facing window; in the Pacific Northwest it will be an east facing window... etc.) In the car, I've just thrown the antenna of the plug and play unit on the top of the dash. No problem (other than the usual and common to both services dropouts in longer tunnels and underpasses when the antenna loses contact with the satellite.) In the house, I just place the antenna of the plug and play unit next to the stereo in the middle of the house facing up to the roof. I will say that on occasion I have to move the antenna to another location in the room, but I have never had it in a west facing window. (Of course, apartment dwellers and those with steel roofs will have a much greater challenge in this regard.) With my car indash unit, the antenna is placed on the rear deck under the rear window inside the car. Again, no problem other than the common one mentioned earlier. I guess my point is that it may take a little experimentation and flexibility with antenna placements to get serviceable reception, but the Sirius technology even at this point is somewhat forgiving. On another note, I too have noticed the heat generated by the Sirius chipsets. In the car unit, there is actually a small fan inside the unit to dissipate the heat. The top surface of the plug and play unit can get almost uncomfortably hot to the touch, but the heatsink appears to work fine. I also have wondered if this will have an effect on the useful life of these products. Historically, Sirius has had more difficulties with its Agere-provided chipsets, both in terms of heat and miniaturization, than XM. This is why it was later to market in the first place with the service and has been later to market with its plug and play unit. I understand it does not plan to have a boombox alternative (as XM and Delphi provide) but instead at around the holidays has plans to introduce a "high end" home stereo unit. Using the plug and play unit and having gotten great performance with my current stereo, I fail to see how the latter can be seen as much more of an improvement, but then again I am no marketing expert (John Figliozzi, swprograms via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. XM TO LAUNCH SATELLITE RADIO SERVICE IN CANADA http://www.todaystrucking.com/displayarticle.cfm?ID=2604 WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 13, 2003) -- The words should ring bell-clear to truckers tired of fading radio signals, banal talk-show banter, and way to much Avril Lavigne: a group led by Toronto entrepreneur John Bitove, Jr., plans to launch a Canadian joint venture with XM Satellite Radio Holdings of Washington, D.C. The new company, called Canadian Satellite Radio, will file an application for a broadcast licence to the Canadian Radio-Telecommunications Commission this fall, Today's Trucking has learned. A regulatory hearing from the CRTC could happen as soon as early next year. If the licence is approved, XM would begin taking Canadian subscribers next spring, said XM Radio spokesman Chance Patterson. Currently, XM is only licensed to provide service to the United States. Canadians who subscribe to satellite radio service from XM or its rival, Sirius, are doing so illegally. "Coming to Canada is a natural opportunity to expand our subscriber base," Patterson said. While XM will face questions from the CRTC about its ability to provide Canadian content, the company would require little in the way of new infrastructure: its satellite signal already reaches into the most heavily travelled and populated areas of Canada, along the border. Currently, XM boasts almost 700,000 subscribers, many of whom receive the service automatically when they buy a General Motors car. Most others pay $9.99 US a month. What they receive is 100 channels of distinctive programming -- 70 music stations, 30 talk, much of it presented with little or no advertising. One 24-hour channel, "Open Road," caters to truckers, with late-night stalwarts like Dale Sommers ("The Truckin' Bozo"), Midnight Cowboy Bill Mack, and Dave Nemo. The sound is CD-quality and the signal is unwavering most places you go, from one end of the United States to the other. The problem for XM and Sirius is that the satellites, the programming, and studio real estate cost money. Combined, XM and Sirius are heavily leveraged, having spent more than $2 billion US since their start nearly five years ago. Much of the money was raised from ebullient investors during the madcap 1990s. Patterson said acceptance will continue to grow as the hardware for satellite radio becomes more readily available and affordable. The units are common in truck stops, some retailing for as little as $120 US (Today's Trucking via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH. KCBS heard on ex Voice of National Salvation frequencies of 4450 and 4557 at 1240, both // 2850. 4450 and 4557 were jammed. I checked 3480, 4120, 4400, and 6010. Nothing was heard on these channels, but don't read too much into that as Wyoming is a long way away from Korea (Hans Johnson, WY, Aug 15, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** KOREAS. Desperation tactics --- When North Korea declared its intention to silence the previously covert Voice of National Salvation radio broadcasts against South Korea late last month, the international press was quick to call the station a "Cold War relic" and paint the announcement as a positive development in North-South relations. Almost immediately, calls rang out to pressure Seoul into closing its own clandestine broadcasting efforts while American and European pundits began beating the drums of appeasement and international containment. But, as Nick Grace of Clandestine Radio watch points out, the truth behind this development is somewhat different. [illustrated, further links] http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/features/html/korea030815.html (Media Network newsletter Aug 15 via DXLD) KOREA SOUTH: see ARGENTINA ** MALTA. VOICE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN LAUNCHES INTERNET-ONLY RADIO STATION Maltese International broadcaster Voice of the Mediterranean (VOM) has launched a new service called VOMi. Complementing VOM's long- established shortwave service, VOMi is Malta's first Internet-only based radio station. VOMi broadcasts 24 hours a day, including a two- hour live talk and music programme from Monday to Friday hosted by Colin Fitz, who is also coordinating the project. The Internet schedule includes programmes specifically created for VOMi, such as "Cultural Menu" and "Women of Malta" both produced and hosted by Ruth Frendo, and a Maltese folk music programme produced by George Mifsud Chircop. Other familiar Maltese broadcasters such as John Suda, Elsa Romei, Margaret Agius, Godwin Scerri, Narcy Calamatta, as well as members of the expatriate community living in Malta will be head regularly on the new station. Many critically acclaimed programmes from VOM's vast shortwave archive will receive a second airing on VOMi. VOM Managing Director Richard Muscat said: "With the move to the specifically designed studios and production facilities of the new B'Kara premises, the Voice of the Mediterranean is in a position to introduce this new service. This medium, a first for Malta, will be able to transmit live programmes to our ever increasing numbers of listeners around the world. Their feedback so far has been overwhelming. The service will offer live interaction for them." VOM's Web site http://www.vomradio.com nominated for numerous web design awards and visited by over five million international users, has been relaunched for the fourth time with a new design. VOM says the site has been redesigned to offer a better navigation system as many new pages are added every day, and various new services will be offered through the site. The Web site receives an average of 28,000 hits a day, not including the hundreds of on-demand audio files that are downloaded daily. As from September the VOM newsletter will be published on the Web site. The new newsletter will be much more interactive than the current one, and will include videos and audio features. VOM also plans to have a live studio Webcam (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 13 August 2003 via WORLD OF RADIO 1195, DXLD) Per website this apparently started in early July (gh) ** MEXICO. EMERGING TECHNOLOGY: YOU CAN RUN BUT YOU CAN'T HIDE - MEXICO AND RFID Shades of George Orwell's novel 1984. According to a story in the Washington Post, Mexico is considering the radio frequency ID chip as an answer to crime and as a tool to help the medical profession keep track of health histories. Up to 10,000 radio frequency ID tags may be implanted in Mexico's citizens in the coming year. The RFID "Verichip" can be tracked for a distance of 5 to 8 kilometers, but Mexican officials are looking toward an implant that can be tracked by satellite, and a Global Positioning System implant that could aid in locating kidnap victims. The full story is on-line at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6440-2003Jul17.html (CGC via Amateur Radio Newsline Aug 15 via John Norfolk, DXLD) Hey, that could also help track illegal immigrants to the US! (gh) ** MOLDOVA. MOLDOVA'S SEPARATIST LEADER LAUNCHES WEB SITE | Text of report by Moldovan news agency Infotag Chisinau, 15 August: Dniester [Moldovan separatist region] president Igor Smirnov's web site has been launched in [Dniester capital] Tiraspol. The so-called presidential web site will also function as a state portal and contribute to the creation of a comprehensive representation of the region. The site will represent all ministries and district state administrations and feature up-to-date information about their activity. [The web site will become operational on 20 August at http://www.president-pmr.org the Dniester government news agency Olvia-press web site, Tiraspol, in Russian, said on 15 August 2003.] Source: Infotag news agency, Chisinau, in Russian 1532 gmt 15 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** MONGOLIA. The website of The Voice of Mongolia http://mongol.net/vom is under comprehensive reconstruction. The language on the schedule page http://mongol.net/vom/schedule.htm was changed from English to Mongolian; a Mongolian font is needed to display it properly. The name of this page was changed to "Mongolian National Radio" and a large menu for HS-related transmissions has been added (all in Mongolian), but the links are not yet operational. A planned page called "Tekhnikiin alba" ("Technical service") looks promising. Already since some time, audio files of current FS broadcasts are available on the website (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Aug 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NETHERLANDS [and non]. Hello from Hilversum, As from August 25th, all tape machines will be removed from our transmission suite. From that moment it will not be possible to broadcast any more programmes from tape. So it's the end of an era at Radio Netherlands as we go fully digital at the "sharp end". Of course, we still have tape machines around the building to play back archive material, but that now has to be copied to CD or stored in our digital system before it can be broadcast to you. Speaking of things digital, this weekend sees the annual conference of the European DX Council in Germany. The accent will be very much on DRM, and Radio Netherlands is making special DRM transmissions over the next three days: We will be on air on 15+16+17 August from Bonaire with DRM on 17785 kHz between 2000-2100 UT. Programme: RNW English DRM settings: Mode B, 16QAM, CR=0.62, 14480 bps Antenna: AHRS 4/4/1 (B5) Azimuth: 50 degrees; Slew: -15 degrees Target area: SW Europe P(DRM)=10 kW Between 2030-2100 UT you can also tune in to the same English programme in AM on 1512 kHz from Wolvertem, Belgium beamed to W. Europe. German listeners' club ADDX has hired airtime from T-Systems in Jülich, and will broadcast a summary of the conference on Sunday 17th August from 1900-1929 UTC on 3965 kHz in analogue mode, and at 1930- 1959 UT on 3965 kHz in DRM mode. Media Network wishes our friends at ADDX and all the conference participants an enjoyable and productive weekend (Andy Sennitt, Media Network, Radio Netherlands, Aug 15 newsletter via DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA. The Oklahoma Democratic Party had an exclusive deal with Griffin, owner of KOTV-6 and KWTV-9 (and one of the few non- conglomerate native-Oklahoma TV companies left; for many years Griffin owned KTUL-8 in Tulsa instead, but it was inconvenient to have an ABC in one market, CBS in another; now they are both CBS) for television coverage of, after some no-shows, the 6-candidate Democratic presidential forum this week in Stillwater, and on radio, only KOSU has rights to broadcast it, but not until the day after the TV stations finally air it next week, as explained in last issue. KOSU reports on how this was mis-managed, with objections from KOCO-5, which would have broadcast it live if they had been asked, and from KOMA, which did not even send a reporter when they found out what the deal was. A number of other media who went to the forum were surprised to find they could only talk to the candidates afterwards. KOSU`s current news feature is about this; it *probably* will remain up until a new one replaces it Monday Aug 18, but not archived, at http://kosu.org/sound/news.asx (Glenn Hauser, Enid, DX LISTENING DIGEST) {Griffin also makes jam frequently advertised on its stations} ** PERU. Radio Los Andes, Huamachuco, ahora en 5030.0 (véase DXLD 3146), ocupaba antes la frecuencia de 5030.5. El último registro en mi log (levantado en Bogotá) es del 26 de mayo de 1997. La reactivación ocurrió el 10 de mayo, o pocos días antes. (¿EPP?) Entonces había estado fuera del aire durante 4 años, concretamente desde el día 8 de febrero de 1993. Por aquel entonces, al igual que ahora, utilizaba el lema "la radio total". Esperemos que esta nueva reactivación dure un poquito más que la anterior (Henrik Klemetz, Suecia, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. WARNING FROM RADIOCOMMUNICATIONS AGENCY REGARDING DJ COMPETITIONS The Agency has learnt that a licensed broadcasting station is running a competition to recruit DJ's from pirate radio stations. The economic value of the UK radio industry is worth £20 billion at 2000 prices. The Agency is responsible for ensuring that this vital national asset is not threatened by misuse of the radio spectrum. The greatest threat comes from unlicensed broadcasters who operate with total disregard for authorised radio users. Recruitment of staff from pirate radio stations may require pirate broadcasters to provide information that is effectively evidence of their committing a criminal offence of unlicensed broadcasting. The penalties for that criminal offence are: An unlimited fine and/or two years in prison, plus anyone convicted of an offence is barred from working on a legal station for 5 years. The Agency expects that anyone in possession of such evidence will hand it over to them for further investigation. Failing that it can be seized under the Agency's legal powers under section 15 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 and section 79 of the Telecommunications Act 1984. What is Pirate Radio? Pirate broadcasts are made by broadcasters that do not have a licence issued under Section 1 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949. Independent broadcasters must also have a broadcasting licence issued by the Radio Authority. Why is pirate radio a problem? Pirate radio is seen by some people as a bit of harmless fun and the actions of the Agency in taking enforcement action against stations heavy handed and unnecessary. The truth is that participation in pirate radio is a criminal and anti-social activity and station operations are a menace to legal broadcasters and the public alike. Pirate broadcasters: Cause interference to the broadcasts of legal radio stations depriving them of audience and the public of the ability to listen to the station of their choice. Steal frequencies and space on the radio spectrum and their use of poor transmitting equipment makes interference an inevitable consequence of their activities. Unauthorised use of premises as transmitter sites leads to criminal damage and theft - a burden carried by the owners or residents of the premises used. Pay no business, council, VAT or income taxes and therefore take from, rather than contribute to, the communities they claim to serve. They disrupt the vital communications of the safety of life services, particularly air traffic control. How does a typical pirate operate? A typical pirate station will identify what they think is a clear slot in the FM broadcasting band (87.5 - 108 MHz) irrespective of radio spectrum planning considerations designed to avoid interference and they will establish a transmitter site on high ground or the roof of a council tower block. Use of the latter site normally involves smashing locks to gain access to the roof and tapping into the power supply in a lift motor and stealing electricity. A transmitter similar to that in Figure 1 (shown being cut free) will then be concealed in the lift motor room or ventilation shaft. Figure 1 Quite often the transmitter is fed by a signal from the pirate's studio which may be several miles away (see Figure 2) via a microwave radio link (see Figure 3). An antenna on the roof (Figure 4) radiates the signal from the main transmitter. Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 What is the Radiocommunications Agency's role? The Agency addresses the pirate problem proactively, listening to the broadcasts of pirate stations from its monitoring station to gain information about pirates, such as the telephone numbers used in station operation. Service providers may cut them off if they are being used for illegal activity. Other information gained from this monitoring, such as about advertisers, is used to support enforcement action. The complaints of licensed broadcasters and members of the public about interference are recorded and passed to the Agency's local staff for action. Figure 5 below shows the number of operations carried out against pirates over the last five years. Figure 5 Anyone involved with pirate broadcasting, even if they allow their premises to be used, or if they advertise on a station commits an offence. The maximum penalties, at Crown Court, are unlimited fine and two years in prison. How do I report pirate activity? Pirate activity can be reported by telephone, fax or letter to any one of our local offices or "Pirates", Enforcement Policy Unit, Radiocommunications Agency, Wyndham House, 189 Marsh Wall, London E14 9SX. Email reports can be sent to pirates@ra.gsi.gov.uk The chart shown below (Figure 6) shows the outcome of the Agency's prosecutions up to 2002. How do I get into radio without becoming a pirate? The Radio Authority, a separate organisation to the Agency, set up as a result of the Broadcasting Act 1990 to license and regulate all independent radio services, can explain the legal route to establishing a radio station. Their website http://www.radioauthority.org.uk can provide further information. Alternatively they can be contacted by telephone, fax or letter at: The Radio Authority, Holbrook House, 14 Great Queen Street, LONDON, WC2B 5DG --- Telephone 020 7430 2724 --- Fax 020 7405 7062 http://www.radio.gov.uk/ (Radiocommunications Agency press release Aug 14 (photos on website) via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** U S A. READY TO KISS THEIR TRANSISTORS [sic] By DAVID HINCKLEY, DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER For a few hours, radio ruled. As their beloved TV sets flickered and died at 4:11 yesterday afternoon, nervous New Yorkers turned to old-fashioned battery-powered radios to find out why their lazy August afternoon had become an evening of apprehension, confusion and long walks. In a scene straight out of the 1930s, dozens of people crowded around a Verizon truck on Astor Place, urging the driver to turn up the volume. When the night became pitch-black, several people sat near a pool on E. 10th St., listening to Mayor Bloomberg's voice coming out of a blue Ford Escort. "The radio is a lifeline," said Amy Taylor, 44. Radio stations, meanwhile, faced challenges of their own - like trying to stay on the air. More than half the city's stations were knocked off, for anywhere from a few minutes to hours, and many were forced to broadcast through backup facilities with shaky sound and reduced power. Early casualties included all-news WINS (1010 AM), traditionally the city's go-to station in times of crisis, which lost about half an hour. WINS' all-news sister WCBS-AM (880) hesitated slightly at the beginning of the outage but by 4:26 was on the story full-time. It was soon joined by news-talk stations WABC (770 AM) and WOR (710 AM). Most music stations did not switch to all-news programing, though several afternoon hosts such as WRKS' Jeff Foxx inserted news breaks and took listeners' phone reports. One unlikely news cluster was Clear Channel's five music stations - WHTZ, WAXQ, WLTW, WWPR and WKTU - all of which were knocked out at 4:11. As they came back on the air with backup equipment, each began by carrying a simulcast of Channel 4's news coverage. At several points, all five were carrying Channel 4 before they gradually returned to music as it became clear there was no sinister dimension to the story. One of the hardest scrambles came at WNYC (93.9 FM, 820 AM), which lost power at 4:11. It activated an emergency generator, but that failed at 4:58, forcing the station to broadcast via phone lines through the evening from a borrowed studio at Sirius Satellite Radio. Program director Bob Buchman of WAXQ (104.3 FM) said he was broadcasting with a hand-held microphone and a single CD player. Originally published on August 15, 2003 (via Bil Westenhaver, DXLD) PEOPLE WITH RADIOS SUDDENLY FIND AN EAGER AUDIENCE August 15, 2003 By MIKE McINTIRE Good days often find Mark Barney quietly perched on a green fire hydrant outside his 42nd Street apartment, a battery-operated radio pressed to his ear. Untold thousands of New Yorkers have passed him by, perhaps only vaguely attuned to the tinny reports of Knicks and Mets games emanating from his palm-size Panasonic. But yesterday, the thin bleat of Mr. Barney's trusty radio stopped them in their tracks. "People have been coming up to me for hours, wanting to know what's going on," said Mr. Barney, 44, who is blind. . . http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/15/nyregion/15RADI.html?ex=1061971111&ei=1&en=7b38a7e912a5dac5 (via Mike Cooper, Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) But did they mention any individual stations? Of course not! 73- (Bill Westenhaver, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WILL PHILOSOPHY SCHOLARS BECOME RADIO'S NEXT 'CLICK AND CLACK'? --- 'Philosophy Talk' tackles the big questions (not engine trouble) BY JOHN SANFORD http://news-service.stanford.edu/news/2003/august6/philtalk-86.html Whereas Click and Clack, the onomatopoeically styled hosts of National Public Radio's "Car Talk," are mostly interested in solving callers' automotive conundrums, philosophy professors Kenneth Taylor and John Perry are out to tackle bigger questions. What is justice? Can machines be programmed to think? Is free will an illusion? Or in the case of the upcoming pilot of their radio show, "Philosophy Talk," is lying always bad? Philosophy professors Kenneth Taylor and John Perry's "Philosophy Talk" program will air Aug. 20 at 1 p.m. on KALW (91.7 FM). They hope it will be picked up by other radio stations. Photo: Peter Fox The program is set to air from 1 to 2 p.m. PDT Aug. 20 on KALW (91.7 FM) San Francisco. As they work to raise money for more broadcasts -- at least $200,000 is needed to produce 40 installments, according to Perry -- they're hoping "Philosophy Talk" will be picked up by other public radio stations. "Nothing breeds success like success," Taylor said. So far, the program has received backing from the Office of the Provost and Office of Public Affairs, as well as support from the Humanities Center and the American Philosophical Association. Over cups of coffee one recent morning at the Humanities Center, Perry, the Henry Waldgrave Stuart Professor of Philosophy, and Taylor, an associate professor who joined the Philosophy Department in 1995, sat down to talk about their inspiration and goals for the radio program. Both said they are fed up with what they describe as the mindless, manipulative chatter on programs such as "The O'Reilly Factor" on Fox News or "Hardball with Chris Matthews" on MSNBC, which, although perhaps rich in facts and opinion, are weak on reflection and analysis, Perry said. "When they get to the philosophical issues, they'll punt," he said. Perry and Taylor said they want to explore the fundamental beliefs that generally go unexamined during media discussions of current events and public issues. And the target audience? "People who are neurotically obsessed with minutiae," Perry quipped. "I'd like to say thoughtful, reflective people who really want to be engaged," Taylor said. "That's what I meant," Perry said. "This is Stanford's response to Fox." "Our tag line is 'Philosophy Talk -- a program that questions everything except your intelligence,'" Taylor said. Several years ago, Perry came up with the idea for the radio program, which he conceived of as a "Car Talk" about philosophy. "Like most of my ideas, it just rattled around in my head," he explained. "Then I told Ken, and he took it seriously, which was quite a shock." The duo have assembled a list of possible themes and topics -- among others, What is happiness? Is there a soul? When is it acceptable or even rational to hate? What is beauty? Is gender equality a political fiction or a moral ideal? -- that would make great fodder for late- night, dorm-room bull sessions, the kind which always produce more questions than answers. Indeed, Perry and Taylor are hoping to attract a large student audience, and they plan to court college-licensed public radio stations across the country. "We don't claim to be experts on everything, we just claim to be expert clear thinkers and arguers, and we'll do our homework on the topics," Taylor said. Radio program managers for Oregon Public Broadcasting were impressed with the "Philosophy Talk" demo recordings (on the subjects of artificial intelligence and terrorism) and will tune in to the Aug. 20 pilot, Taylor said. "They want to know if we can be as good live," he explained. Each installment of the program will feature interviews with experts and call-in questions, including a segment called "Conundrum," during which the two philosophers try to solve a caller's ethical or metaphysical dilemma, or some dilemma to that effect. (In one of the demos, they respond to a caller's moral uncertainty about giving money to a panhandler.) For the pilot, which is devoted to the subject of lying, Taylor and Perry will interview Paul Ekman, a psychology professor at the University of California-San Francisco who researches the physiological expression of emotion and deception, and Tamar Schapiro, an assistant professor of philosophy at Stanford and expert on Kantian ethical theory. "People usually think lying is a bad thing," Perry said. "The question is, would you want a president who never lied?" Taylor said. "The question is, would you want a president who ever told the truth?" Perry said. Laughter ensued, then Perry continued: "I mean, [President] Carter claimed never to lie, and most people don't think he was a very good president. I think he did lie sometimes and was a pretty good president." "He was a pretty honest politician," Taylor said. "Of course, if lying means deliberately telling what you know or believe to be false, it's not clear that George Bush is a liar. Or that Reagan lied," Perry said. For more information about the program or to make a contribution, contact Perry at 723-1619 or john@csli.stanford.edu; or Taylor at 723- 1840 or taylor@csli.stanford.edu (Stanford Report, August 6, 2003 via Current via WORLD OF RADIO 1195, DXLD) ** U S A. BULLWINKLE, ROCKY AND FRIENDS FLY TO DVD TO THE DELIGHT OF JUNE FORAY --- Wednesday, 08/13/03 Return of Bullwinkle the Moose By KEN BECK, Staff Writer http://www.tennessean.com/entertainment/news/archives/03/08/37564317.shtml?Element_ID=37564317 Rocky: Bullwinkle, do you know what an A Bomb is? Bullwinkle: Sure, a bomb is what some people call our show! Rocky: I don't think that's very funny! Bullwinkle: Neither do they, apparently. - from The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle June Foray . . . if you don't know her name, you know her voice. You've heard it all over television for more than 40 years. Those who know their cartoons know Foray as the queen of voice performers. And baby boomers know her most deliciously as the boyish voice behind Rocky the flying squirrel, the good-natured pal of the dimwitted Bullwinkle J. Moose. At 85, she's as excited as any cartoon character she ever spoke for, and for good reason. Hokey-Smoke! Just released is the new Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends four-DVD set ($40 retail), which features the complete first season (26 shows), a 16-page booklet, vintage Rocky and Bullwinkle TV spots and other squirrel and moose delights. The classic cartoon series about a silly moose and a rodent in aviator goggles is famous for its rapid-fire humor and tons of silly puns. ''Everywhere I go, a man will come up to me and say, 'Hey, Rock, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat,' and I will say, 'Yeah, but that trick never works.' ''I think it was the combination of - well, the animation wasn't that great, but the design of the characters was wonderful, and the writing and the voices,'' said Foray last week during a phone interview. ''It was a happy marriage of everything. I think it will last for ages and ages.'' The voice actress' ''Rocky road'' took her from Springfield, Mass., to Frostbite Falls, Minn. (Rocky and Bullwinkle's hometown), when her family moved to California. A radio pro by age 15, Foray signed with Mel Blanc and Stan Freberg to make comedy records for Capitol. That led to Disney's animated classic Cinderella in 1950. ''I did Lucifer the cat. He didn't have any dialogue. He was an evil cat, just growling like crazy. But, my lord, I was working for Disney, and that's what started my animation career,'' said the woman behind hundreds of voices. Eight years later came the offer to do Rocky. ''One day my agent called and said, 'There's man named Jay Ward who wants to take you to lunch.' In Hollywood, a free lunch is a free lunch. He had an idea for a series. Jay was with Bill Scott, who was head writer. They had an idea about a moose and squirrel. It was kind of cockeyed, I thought, but after one martini, I thought, 'What a great idea.' We did the pilot a couple of weeks later, and for a whole year I didn't hear anything about a series. ''A year later, my agent called and said, 'Remember the guy who had an idea about a moose and a squirrel? They're ready to go,' '' recalled Foray. Her mind and her mouth went to work. ''Jay said he wanted Rocky to sound like a plain little boy but with a very knowledgeable sound. So I did an all-American squirrel Boy Scout. ''When I asked him about Natasha, Jay told me (during the height of the Cold War), 'We don't want any problems with Russia, so do a continental accent.' So I did that with a little bit of Russian thrown in.'' Foray was flabbergasted by the quality of the cartoon scripts. ''The jokes were so sophisticatedly written, and there was no condescension to children at all. They had three-syllable words. Kids loved it because of the voices and the looks of the characters. I'm sure when they matured and got a little bit older, they thought, 'How brilliantly, mordantly witty.' ''We'd go into the studio at 5:30 or 6 p.m. and do five Bullwinkles in one night or five Fractured Fairytales or five Dudley Do-Rights. It was like having a party every night that we worked. It was fun. We told the jokes only one time. If we had to repeat one of the episodes, it was because we laughed too much.'' She says of writer-actor Bill Scott: ''I thought his Bullwinkle voice was wonderful. Red Skelton thought he was impersonating him and was quite angry. He was going to sue, and Jay said, 'Sue me, I need the money.' '' Skelton didn't sue. Foray, who was once 5-foot-1, is now 4-foot-10 (''I've lost 3 inches, but I still have the big mouth''). But she stands tall in the world of voice actors. From 1972 to 1979, she was president of International Animated Film Society and helped create ''the Annies.'' ''In 1971, before I was president, I went to the current president and said, 'You know, they have Oscars, Grammys and Golden Globes. Certainly, we should have some awards to do with animation because it's such a part of everyone's life.' '' The Annies were born. Foray finds it hard to select her favorite character. ''There's a little bit of me in everything, but I think what most people like are Rocky and Natasha. I get fan mail from all over the world . . . India, Germany, Poland . . . from people who understand all the jokes, it's incredible,'' said the only surviving voice of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends. Tuning in --- The Boomerang Channel will air 24-hour Rocky & Bullwinkle marathons on Fridays in September © Copyright 2002 The Tennessean (via Tom Roche, DXLD) ** U S A. FOX FIGHTS BACK -- Fox News Network is suing humor writer Al Franken for trademark infringement over the phrase "fair and balanced" on the cover of his upcoming book, saying it has been "a signature slogan" of the network since 1996. According to court papers made available on August 11, Fox is seeking a temporary or permanent injunction against Franken and publisher Penguin Group to stop them using the phrase in connection with the book to be published next month. The network, part of the News Corp group, also asked Manhattan Supreme Court for compensatory and punitive damages. The title of liberal satirist Franken's new book is "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them." At the bottom of the planned cover is the tag line, "A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right." (Reuters) I would have thought a more accurate slogan for Fox would be "Anything But Fair and Balanced". They make no effort to be objective and are unabashedly right wing (George Wood, Sweden, SCDX/MediaScan Aug 13 via DXLD) ** U S A. AMATEURS IN MARS CHECK OUT ALE ALE -- automatic link establishment, a relatively new weapon against fading and interference on HF -- got its first substantial tryout by amateur operators participating alongside regular military units in an annual Army Military Radio Affiliate System (MARS) nationwide exercise. Throughout June, 667 MARS members in 43 states, Puerto Rico and Europe participated in ``Grecian Firebolt-03.`` The exercise focused on a wide range of communications problems and solutions associated with Homeland Defense. The MARS members joined US Army active and reserve communicators as well as federal, state and local emergency management agencies in responding to simulated terrorist activity. ALE harnesses computer technology and special transceiver gear to search a wide swath of spectrum to seek the best path between points in a net. Its chief mission was collecting information on local emergencies for transmission by radio to security planners in the national capital. To facilitate that flow, a portable MARS facility was set up at Fort Meade, Maryland, in the unit of John Scoggin, N3SKO/AAT3BF,Army MARS director for Delaware and a member of the special staff of Army MARS Chief Robert Sutton, N7UZY/AAA9A. Eastern Area Coordinator Robert Hollister, N7INK/AAA9E, pronounced the ALE tryout ``moderately successful.`` Direct communication was established with Fort Dix, New Jersey, Fort Detrick, Maryland, National Communications System headquarters in Virginia, the US Department of State and a Federal Emergency Management Agency mobile unit, but poor propagation precluded a wider reach. Those contacts ``demonstrated ALE has a role in MARS,`` Hollister said. He added that ALE probably would be limited to high-traffic routes over longer distances or for connection to ALE-equipped Army units. The VHF digital link between Fort Meade and the Eastern MARS Gateway station at Fort Detrick in western Maryland was considerably more active, handling more than 540 messages including simulated emergency traffic fed into the Army MARS system by participating Air Force and Navy-Marine Corps MARS members. From MARS headquarters at Fort Huachuca, New Mexico [sic - it`s in Arizona], Western Area Coordinator James Banks, James Banks, KK7RV/AAA9W, pulled off the biggest surprise of the exercise. The area`s script called for phased state-by-state activation. On the June 12 he signaled a simulated region-wide emergency and ordered immediate activation. The purpose, Banks said later, was to demonstrate that an emergency could happen without notice at any time, and MARS members must be prepared and respond quickly. Banks said the exercise demonstrated that in an actual emergency, MARS could and would respond. --Bill Sexton, N1IN (ARRL August 13 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** U S A. ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, will participate in the second N2LEN 9/11 Commemorative Net on September 11. Haynie said he will talk about the role of Amateur Radio in homeland security and urge each amateur to develop skills in emergency communications and to be prepared. The net will involve linking repeaters across the US and around the world via the Internet. Haynie addressed a first- anniversary hookup last year to thank all amateurs who volunteered in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks. The linkup relied on EchoLink and eQSO Internet software connections as well as repeaters and simplex links around the world. Len Signoretti, N2LEN, says improvements over the past year have made communication even easier and more reliable, and he hopes the second- anniversary net will be an even greater success. The net will rely on one main net control operator and several subnet control operators to assist with checkin volume. The main EchoLink net servers will open at 6 AM EDT on September 11, and the directed net will start at 7 PM EDT. All EchoLink, IRLP and eQSO servers are invited to join. For more information, contact Signoretti [at] n2len@aol.com or visit his newsgroup [at] http://groups.yahoo.com/groups/EchoLink (ARRL August 13 via John Norfolk, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. Re 3-146: Radio María emite desde Barranqulla en 1580 e irradia también un armónico en 3160 según reportó Adán González en el 3146. El acento costeño tiene cierto parecido con el acento borincano (Henrik Klemetz, Suecia, Aug 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. UNITED KINGDOM. The new satellite station Al Asr http://www.alasr-radio.com is seemingly based in the UK, the website is registered to: Anglo Media Systems, 605 Crown House, North Circular Road, Park Royal, London NW10 7PN. There are dozens of similar stations broadcasting on satellite to Europe, North Africa and Middle East; with the arrival of the digital techniques in recent years, the lease of satellite channels has become affordable even for projects with a small budget. All stations are required to be in possession of a (satellite broadcasting) licence issued by the responsible broadcasting regulatory authority in the country from where they are uplinked (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Aug 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) We still await details of their upcoming SW operation (gh) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RECEIVER NEWS +++++++++++++ XM and SIRIUS receivers: see INTERNATIONAL VACUUM above MANUAL SOURCES Two of the most dependable and high quality manual sources I have come across the past five years are: Peter Markavage, WA2CWA: manualman@juno.com Pete has original and some reproductions of many different manuals. Fair prices, good quality and honest. Al Bernard, NI4Q: ni4q@juno.com Al has reproductions that are equal to, and in many cases superior to, the original manual. Great guy, good prices, totally honest and prompt. There are other sources, of course, but these two guys have impressed me time and time again over the years. DBF (Duane B. Fischer, swl at qth.net via DXLD) How about http://hamradiomanuals.com (Spencer G. Sholly, Killeen, TX, ibid.) TREES AS TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING ANTENNAS!!! http://www.rexresearch.com/squier/squier.htm 73, (Thomas F. Giella, FL, hard-core-dx via DXLD) Old discussion and patent dating from 1919y COMMENTARY ++++++++++ THE NEXT GENERATION OF SWLs??? I had three children. Two were interested enough in the challenge to get their ham radio licenses. They found ham radio kind of boring and never really got on the air much. One was born in Canada and maintained an interest in things Canadian because he had dual citizenship in the Canadian Government's eyes. I gave him a Hallicrafters S-38C I bought at a flea market for $20 when he was about 12 years old. During high school he used it to listen to Rock and Roll as he did his homework. In college he used it to listen to RCI to learn something of Canadian current affairs and history knowing that someday he might choose to live in Canada. When he went into the US Navy, I gave him an analog portable he could use on the ship. He used it to listen to BBC news when sailing in the Caribbean so he did not have to rely on the headline news the Navy fed the ship each day. I think some lessons can be learned from this experience: 1. The earlier you can stimulate interest, the better. Although I was building radios at age 11, and had my ham license at age 14, I never had much interest in shortwave programming until I discovered Radio Moscow. Kids need to be raised to be naturally curious about ideas, the way things work, and the bigger world outside their own sphere of experience. 2. Kids need a reason to listen. They must have a hook that makes them want to tune in. My son wanted to know more about a country of which he was a citizen but left at the age of one and had only been back to in order to attend an ice hockey camp at age 12. In my own case as a kid, I remember being told in my Catholic high school religion class that the pope had ruled that anyone who read Communist literature would be automatically ex-communicated. This was at a time in the 1950's when an Italian election had a number of Communists running for office and there was great fear that the godless Communists would give the Vatican a hard time if they came to power. That sparked my interest in Radio Moscow and I listened regularly thereafter. 3. Teenagers are inherently rebels. My own experience suggests that if you tell your kids they cannot under any circumstances listen to shortwave radio, they will find a way to listen. Tell them they will be exposed to unhealthy ideas ranging from criticism of our government, to racial hatred, to religious wackos. Of course none of this addresses the choice many have today to explore the world of ideas via the internet. Any ideas that are available on shortwave radio today are also available in spades on the internet. I think the difference is the serendipity effect that John Figliozzi has mentioned here before. Every time you twist the dial you never know what will be heard on that next frequency. On the internet you have to know ahead of time what you are looking for, if only to enter key words into the search engine. So if a kid is curious, the adventure of exploring the unknown world out there is much more apt to draw a young person to the radio. It all begins in the early years by nurturing the natural human instinct to explore the unknown. ~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-., (Joe Buch, swprograms via DXLD) -*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^ POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ THE BPL PROBLEM: IEE MEMBERS ASKED TO COMMENT ON BPL Great Britain's Institution of Electrical Engineers is asking its members for their views on Broadband over Powerline transmission systems. This, in the run-up to the formulation of European Standards that will control the spurious radio emissions from combined power and data networks. Broadband over Powerline -- called Power Line Transmission overseas -- is seen as a serious threat to amateur radio. Comments must be made to the Institution by the 2nd of September. (GB2RS) THE BPL PROBLEM: BPL - THE MOVIE Meantime in the United States, The ARRL has produced a short movie that documents justy how bad the problem of Broadband over Powerlines can be. Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, is here with the rest of the story. "BPL is the most crucial issue facing Amateur Radio and the one that has the most devastating potential." The words of ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP. And Haynie is not far from wrong. Take a listen. BPL audio from Japan. No, that's not BPL here in the United States. That's the same recording we aired two years ago when Broadband over Powerline tests were being conducted in Japan. And we suspect that it, or evidence like it, was responsible for the decision by telecommunications regulators in Japan to turn thumbs down on permitting their nations power grid operators the extra income that comes from being Internet access providers. This is the way BPL sounds in the United States: ARRL BPL Audio That recording was made in July by Ed Hare, W1RFI, of the ARRL Lab during his 1350 mile drive to visit BPL trial communities in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York. Hare took measurements over significant parts of the High Frequency spectrum. He also took initial readings at low-VHF frequencies. What he found was noise. Lots of it blanking out signals that in some cases were S9 or better. ARRL BPL audio When he got back, Ed and his colleagues at the Lab set to work analyzing their data. They also prepared a 6 minute movie that graphically shows the literal horror of BPL to Amateur Radio communications and by inference, to all radio services operating in the 2 through 80 MHz spectrum. If you have any doubts that this is one of the biggest challenges yet to the survival of ham radio, simply take your web browser to the ARRL website and click on the link to the on-line movie. Then watch and listen for yourself. To again quote ARRL President Jim Haynie, in terms of interference potential on HF and low-VHF frequencies, nothing is on the same scale as BPL. For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF. Jim. Again, to view the League's mini documentary on BPL take your web browser over to http://www.arrl.org (ARRL, ARNewsline(tm) via John Norfolk, DXLD) SHORTWAVE MUSIC +++++++++++++++ THAT FINAL ITEM: THE HAM RADIO MUSIC OF CQ SERENADE And finally this week, the story of a song. A song about our favorite hobby and service, Amateur Radio. Here's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW: The name of the song is CQ Serenade and we found it sometime back while trolling the world wide web. After downloading it, our curiosity got the best of us so we decided to find out more. Our search finally lead us to Jean-Guy Renaud, VE2AIK, who supplied us with a lot of information. According to VE2AIK, CQ Serenade was composed sometime between 1965 and 1970 by Maurice Durieux, VE2QS. Durieux was orchestra conductor employed by Radio Canada who had emigrated from France. Assisting Durieux in the creation of the song was F9KT. CQ Serenade was first recorded with French lyrics by Raymond Girerd [sic]. An English language version written by VE2QS and by Georges Brewer, then VE2BR, of Montreal. It was later covered by songstress Joyce Hahn. Both versions were available on 45 RPM long playing records under the rather apropos QSO Records label. Today, those discs are probably true collectors items and all but impossible to find. But don't despair. Thanks to the magic of MP3 audio and the Word-Wide-Web, CQ Serenade is still around to hear and enjoy. For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I'm Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, in Los Angeles. You can download the MP3 version of C-Q Serenade by taking your web browser to the rather complex URL of http://www3.sympatico.ca/ddufault/cq-serenade/cq-serenade.htm (Thanks to VE2AIK for the information contained in this special report) (Amateur Radio Newsline Aug 15 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ### |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-146, August 14, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser, ghauser@hotmail.com Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3h.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn CONTINENT OF MEDIA 03-05 Nominal schedule on RFPI, 7445: Thu 2000, Fri 0200, 0830, 1430, Sat 2130, Sun 0330, 0930, 1530 NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1195: RFPI: Fri 1930, Sat 0130, 0800, 1400, 1730, 2330, Sun 0530, 1130, 1830, Mon 0030, 0630, 1230, Tue 1900, Wed 0100, 0730, 1330 on 7445 [nominal times subject to delay or pre-emption] WRN: Rest of world Sat 0800, Europe only Sun 0430, N America Sun 1400 WWCR: Sat 1030, Sun 0230 5070, 0630 3210, Wed 0930 9475 WRMI: Sat & Sun 1800+ on 15725 WINB: Sun 0031 on 12160 WJIE: Sun 1630 on 7490, 13595 (maybe) WBCQ: Mon 0415 on 7415 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1194.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1194.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1194h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1194h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1194.html WORLD OF RADIO WATCH There has been no change to the schedule but we have been hit recently by a number of power cuts meaning we get behind in the schedule. This month's COM was broadcast on Saturday and WOR should come out when scheduled. Thanks, Glenn and I am sorry about the erratic nature of the broadcasting recently; we have been plagued by electric storms and have had all sorts of power cuts recently. We are having one right now so we will be off the air and delayed again for several hours today too (Naomi Fowler, RFPI, Aug 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, the file URLs are for download only, and are not playable. An easier one is:- http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/NetworkRadioInternational/files to find World of radio and other DX Programs. 73 (Tim Gaynor, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Well, with my cable modem the download only takes a few seconds and then mp3 files normally start playing on the default Real player. The latest WOR did that but for only a few seconds, then crashed and would not restart (gh) UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIAL On Tue, 12 Aug 2003 23:39:44 -0700, you plagarized: US MW STATIONS - FCC TOWER HEIGHT RULES . . . I am the author of the above item. I submitted it to Glenn Hauser to use in his DX Listening Digest internet newsletter and only to him. It was published today in DXLD 3-145. You obviously lifted the entire item and republished it on rec.radio.shortwave without credit or attribution to either myself or DX Listening Digest. Your domain suggests you are a student or faculty member of the University of Washington. I think you need a lesson in ethics and copyright law. Strong message to follow (Joe Buch to mikehack@u.washington.edu via DXLD) SOLICITED TESTIMONIAL Hello Glen[n], I am a long time listener to SWL and have heard your program off and on for several years. You asked for reception info so here goes. Equipment: Sangean 505P receiver/3 random wire antennas one oriented N-S, one E-W both inside the apartment, and one end loaded inverted L outside on the balcony. The best reception by far is the Sunday UT show on WWCR 5070 at 0230 UT. The WINB show on 12160 is up for grabs, fair to poor. Any show on RFPI 7445 after 0100 UT is usually also good if there are no weather or solar problems. The local afternoon shows on 15039 at 1900 or 1930 UT were moderate to poor overall. Haven't found the replacement frequency yet. The Thu afternoon local show on WWCR 15825 at 2030 fades in and out but is usually readable, again if no weather or solar problems. The first show of the week on WBCQ is not readable until winter time on 7415 and is occasionably readable on 17495, both at 2200 UT Wed. Hope this helps, (Steve Cross, Del City, OK 73115, Aug 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALGERIA. Re As-Salam: Their Arabic website also mentions that they will be using shortwave, but the schedule is to be listed in still under construction. (Johnson WY Cumbre DX) Radio Assalam is known to satellite listerners since the end of June when the station started on Hotbird 6 as part of the Globecast package, it actually replaced Radio Caroline. It has been mentioned on many Algeria-related websites over the last sesquimonth. 73s, (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, ibid.) ** AUSTRALIA. This `shoestring service` gets ARDS on air whilst they wait for the Australian Broadcasting Authority to approve broadcasts on the MW frequencies on: 1611 VKD884 Groote Eylandt and VKD883 Milingimbi, and 1629 Gapuwiyak, all in the Northern Territory (NT). They are also seeking a MW licence for Darwin. 5050 also gives them good geographical coverage in the target area. There are 7000 Yolgnu people, who suffer much economic, social and cultural deprivation. Most live in 5 major communities and 90 homeland centers, including 1000 in the Darwin metro area. They make up 3.5% of the NT population. The ARDS studios are at Nhulunbuy (Gove) and the program is sent via satellite to the transmitter site near Darwin, for which they pay a rental of A$700 a week (Mark Nicholls, NZ, DSWCI DX Window Aug 13 via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. Cuts force ABC to slash jobs, programs BY ADAM MACLEAN Denied funding by the federal Coalition government to adequately sustain the national broadcaster for the next three years, Australian Broadcasting Corporation management on August 5 announced funding cuts of $26.1 million to programs and services.. . http://www.greenleft.org.au/current/549p3.htm (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. 4930.08, R. San Miguel, 0937-09 [sic] 14 Aug, Nice promo/ID at tune-in by M and W mixed with music as "R. San Miguel, 11?? en amplitud modulada... onda corta, San Miguel... Riberalta, Bolivia...", and also mention of música and popular. Then 2 minute talk by live studio M announcer with mention of popular and provincia, campesino. 0941 romantic almost tango-like vocal song. 0945 live M announcer again with mention of provincia and ID. 0953 went into lively live LA song. Fair and readable (Dave Valko, Dunlo PA, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. NACIONAL DO BRASIL PARA A ÁFRICA Quem ouviu a Voz do Brasil, edição de 11 de agosto, acompanhou boa novidade do Brasil no mundo do rádio, tal qual fez o Caio Fernandes Lopes, de Itajubá (MG): a Rádio Nacional do Brasil está emitindo, em ondas curtas, desde 1º de agosto, para os países de língua portuguesa da África. O primeiro programa levou ao ar uma mensagem do presidente Luís Ignácio Lula da Silva: "meus companheiros, irmãos e irmãs do continente africano! Tenho grande alegria de me dirigir a vocês pelas ondas curtas da Rádio Nacional do Brasil, uma iniciativa da Radiobrás ...". O presidente também destacou a democracia no continente africano e finalizou: "o caminho entre a África e o Brasil já foi o da escravidão! Que essa rota seja, agora, utilizada para proporcionar prosperidade e felicidade para o povo brasileiro e africano!" A Voz do Brasil, entretanto, não mencionou nem o horário nem a freqüência em que os programas da Rádio Nacional vão ao ar. Alguém habilitado a descobrir mais detalhes? (Célio Romais, Porto Alegre (RS) & Caio Fernandes Lopes, Itajubá (MG), radioescutas via WORLD OF RADIO 1195, DXLD) Célio, Caio e demais amigos, Se alguém souber da frequência, tentarei na primeira oportunidade. Na verdade nunca fui fã desta emissora no passado, porém o antigo sinal da Rádio Nacional do Brasil é um dos meus preferidos, mas infelizmente nunca o gravei. Com certeza é uma ótima notícia. 73 (Ivan Dias, Sorocaba/SP, ibid.) Parabens Caio e Célio ! Conversei com a gerente da Radiobras, que também é AFICCIONADA por rádio, e ela me forneceu os detalhes das transmissoes para a AFRICA. Transmissoes diárias - Hora de Brasília 02:00 - 05:00 [UT 0500-0800] 16:00 - 18:00 [UT 1900-2100] 11780 Khz/25 m, 6180 Khz/49 m (Potência de 250 KW) Conversei longamente com a Sra. Tais, que me forneceu bastantes detalhes sobre as transmissoes e os planos de reativação da R Nacional em OC. Resumindo, o governo reconhece a importancia das ondas curtas e inclusive, está em projeto recuperar a potencia total do transmissor principal, que gera 600 KWatts de potencia. Hoje, devido a algumas limitações está operando muito abaixo do seu limite. Parabens mais uma vez ao pessoal do DXCB pelas informações, e também, porque não dizer, ao nosso Executivo, que dá sinais de reconhecer a importancia do rádio. A R Nacional também deseja receber informes de recepção como forma de avaliar as condiçoes de recepção e alcançe geográfico. Isto sim, é o que podemos denominar de assunto relevante na Lista ! :-) 73s (Sarmento F. Campos, Rio de Janeiro - Brasil, radioescutas, WORLD OF RADIO 1195, DXLD) Sarmento, Saudações. Muitíssimo obrigado pelas informações de horários. Apenas uma coisa me deixa em dúvida: se não me engano, estas freqüências são da Rádio Nacional da Amazônia (desculpem se eu estiver errado). Caso seja assim, qual endereço deveríamos utilizar para envio de informes? 73 (Ivan Dias - Sorocaba/SP, ibid.) Radiobrás transmite para a África A Radiobrás começou a transmitir, diariamente desde o dia 1º de agosto, em ondas curtas, para o continente africano, programações produzidas pelas Rádios Nacional AM e FM do Rio de Janeiro e Nacional da Amazônia. As transmissões são feitas entre 2h e 5h e 16h e 18h (horário de Brasília) para todo o continente africano. Com excessão do Giro Afro (boletim diário com notícias dos países de língua portuguesa), os programas Repórter Nacional (jornalístico), Mistura Fina (musical), Falando Francamente (entrevistas de caráter informativo e educacional) e o Revista Brasil, de Walter Lima, já são transmitidos aqui no Brasil pelas emissoras afiliadas à Radiobrás. Nos sábados, a programação conta com o Memória Musical, no qual Bia Reis entrevista grandes nomes da MPB. Já aos domingos, a novidade fica por conta do Choro Livre (chorinho), o 96 Brasileira (MPB) e o tradicional futebol (Por Tobias Jung, do sítio http://www.radioagencia.com.br via Célio Romais) ** BRAZIL. Oi Rogildo, Realmente as duas cidades foram ouvidas nesta freqüência [3235]. Primeiro o OM Célio Romais nos alertou sobre o retorno da Clube de Marília, e alguns dias depois em conversa telefonica com o Célio ele me alertou que ouvira a R. Guarujá Paulista nos 3235 kHz. Tambem a captei durante a transmissão de Paraná x Santos. Acabei de telefonar p a emissora e o diretor da R. Guarujá deverá entrar em contato comigo até amanhã. Assim q tiver mais novidades repassarei p a lista. Um abraço (Caio Fernandes Lopes, Brasil, Aug 11, radioescutas via DXLD) Rogildo e amigos, Sim, em 3235 estão Radio Clube de Marilia e R. Guarujá-Paulista de Santos. O sinal da Guarujá por aqui é muito forte, mesmo durante o dia, e enquanto está está no ar não se ouve Marilia . Nesta última noite, às 0231 UT só com a portadora da Guarujá e a emissão de sinais eletrónicos; por baixo estava a Clube de Marília. Muito estranho duas emissoras próximas ocupando a mesma freqüência. A Guarujá anúncia também 5045 kHz mas não está transmitindo (pelo menos por enquanto). Um abraço (Samuel Cássio, August 12, ibid.) Samuel e Caio, Obrigado pela informação. Esta noite escutei nesta frequencia uma, acho que era a Guarujá, não ouvi a ID, mas estava mandando abraços para Cubatão. Quando todos falam do desaparecimento da onda curta, acontece isto, duas brigando pela mesma freqüência e tão perto físicamente. 73 (Rogildo Aragão, Bolívia, ibid.) Não sei se serei aceito com a minha opinião. Quanto à freqüência de 3235 khz, consta no plano básico de canais de OT - site da anatel, sòmente Marília em S. Paulo. 5045 kHz, Presidente Prudente, com Azimute de 50.00 graus, está a Rádio Difusora... Só entrar no site da Anatel, clicar em radiodifusão e procurar plano básico. Boa Noite (Edvaldo Pereira, Uberlândia - MG, ibid.) Guarujá Paulista ou Clube, de Marília (SP), está emitindo em 3235 kHz, em 90 metros? Caio Fernandes Lopes, de Itajubá (MG), que é natural de Santos (SP), de onde emite a Guarujá, foi à luta, em busca de detalhes! Entrou em contato, via telefone, com a direção da Guarujá e --- bingo! A Rádio Guarujá Paulista adquiríu o transmissor da Rádio Clube, de Marília (SP). Os programas são enviados até Marília (SP), pela Internet. O diretor da Guarujá, Orivaldo Rampazzo, adiantou também que, na próxima semana, a emissora será captada pela freqüência de 5045 kHz, que era da Rádio Difusora, de Presidente Prudente (SP). O sinal sairá de Presidente. Por fim, uma engenheira foi contratada para trabalhar a viabilidade técnica da futura freqüência na faixa de 31 metros, que já foi pedida junto à ANATEL. Rampazzo disse ao Caio que enfrentou resistências na família, que considera um "verdadeiro elefante branco" a aposta nas ondas curtas. Entretanto, tem convicção de que "se por um lado não tem retorno financeiro, a onda curta engrandece a emissora". Acrescenta que "defende a ocupação do dial por emissoras nacionais, que é algo importante do ponto de vista cultural". E o dexismo? Bom, Orivaldo Rampazzo disse que é "um coruja". Segundo o Caio, "ele realmente sabe o dial dos 90 e 60 metros de cor e salteado!" De quebra, convidou o Caio para visitar a emissora e prosseguir o intercâmbio com o DX Clube do Brasil. E depois de tão boas notícias, o Caio não poderia deixar de pedir o endereço da emissora, onde os informes de sintonia dos ouvintes serão recebidos. É o seguinte: Rádio Guarujá Paulista, A/C Orivaldo Rampazzo, Rua Montenegro, 196, CEP: 11410-040, Guarujá (SP). Parabéns, Caio Fernandes Lopes, em mais um trabalho voluntário em prol do dexismo! DX Clube do Brasil, tradição em dexismo! (Célio Romais, August 12, ibid., WORLD OF RADIO 1195, DXLD) Oi Samuel, O que dever ter ocorrido é que o transmissor está sendo "alimentado" com o sinal da R. Clube de Marília e às vezes via internet com os sinais da R. Guarujá. Está tudo muito improvisado por enquanto, OK? Quem está fazendo o serviço técnico lá em Marília é uma pessoa conhecida da família proprietária da Guarujá. Espero ter esclarecido. Forte 73 (Caio Fernandes Lopes, Itajubá-MG, ibid.) ** BURKINA FASO. Al estar fuera del aire la estadounidense [vía Costa Rica] de 5030 kHz, ahora podemos disfrutar de la apertura de emisiones de Radio Burkina, en la misma frecuencia, a partir de las 0500 UT. Muy buena señal el 12-08 (desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, Adán González, Aug 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CAMBODIA [non]. Backtracking a bit, this explains the recent discussion of VOA Cambodian broadcasts being prolonged: VOA BROADCASTS PROVIDE OPEN FORUM AS PART OF ELECTION COVERAGE IN CAMBODIA Washington, D.C., July 23, 2003 – As part of election coverage in Cambodia, VOA has initiated the unprecedented program, Political Platform, giving leaders of each of Cambodia's 22 parties an opportunity to tell voters about their parties' views. Now with an additional 30 minutes of daily broadcasts–an expansion from 90 minutes to 2 hours daily–the VOA Khmer Service is broadcasting extensive coverage leading up to the July 27 Cambodian elections including the open forum, live call-in shows, in-country reports, and interviews with newsmakers. In addition, Hello VOA provides Khmer listeners the opportunity to ask leading political figures questions about the election process, the role of election monitors, and party platforms. Recent guests have included Prince Norodom Sirivuth, Secretary General of the Royalist Party; Mr. Oum Yitieng, Senior Adviser to Prime Minister Hun Sen; and a spokesman for the Sam Rainsy Party. Opposition leader Sam Rainsy was the guest on today's Hello VOA. "The right to choose one's representatives is a fundamental cornerstone of democracy," said Rebecca McMenamin, Acting Director of VOA's East Asia Division. "With 123 seats up for election and representatives of 22 political parties seeking votes, we feel it is vital for VOA to provide an open forum for discussion before voters go to the polls on July 27." VOA has a network of eight reporters operating inside Cambodia, covering the election campaign and the activities of international election observers. VOA Khmer reporter Reasey Poch arrived in Cambodia today and will focus his attention on two major provinces—Kompong Cham and Battambang. VOA Khmer programming is available on 1575 AM, shortwave, and the Internet http://www.voanews.com/khmer/ Listeners can tune in from 5:00 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. and from 8:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Cambodian time (VOA press via DXLD) 1330-1500, 2200-2230 UT ** CANADA. Am hearing CFRX from Toronto now at 1630z. I know there was some questions as to whether they were still on or not (John Wilke WB9UAI Milwaukee, WI Aug 12, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** CANADA. A quick web check reveals that CBC Toronto and Ottawa each have distinct local programming going on about the massive power outage this evening. T.O. is running current affairs programming hosted by Rick MacInnes Rae and Bernie Macnamee. In Ottawa, they are running a phone-in (and maybe call out?) program. Cheers, (Ricky Leong, QC, 0323 UT Aug 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST) More Blackout monitoring: see USA [and non] ** CANADA. Italian politics and Canadian radio, TV: see ITALY [non] ** CANADA. Amigos DXistas y SWLs, Para quienes no hubiesen podido escuchar la entrevista a Dario Monferini y Roberto Pavanello en RCI. Se puede acceder a ella a traves del audio de la pagina web de Radio canada Internacional. Alli esta el programa del domingo, y otros dias. http://www.rcinet.ca/Scripts/default.asp?s1=Programmes&s2=ProgrammeLangue&s3=24 (Horacio A. Nigro, Montevideo - Uruguay, Conexión Digital via DXLD) Specifically, http://www.rcinet.ca/realaudio/es/daily/daily-10082003.ram But I listened to the entire 20-minute program and it does NOT include Dario & Roberto; they are still talking about the joint program with R. Nederland. So it`s not clear whether the interview is held till next week, or as someone else suggested, a second half of the show was on SW but not in the archive? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CONGO DR. 24/07 0051 6030 kHz, station with Latin American songs. 45444. Could it be Radio Martí? (open_dx - Dmitry Puzanov, Kustanay, Kazakhstan) Must be Radio Okapi, DR Congo (former Zaïre). Station often broadcasts pieces of Latin music, alongside with African songs. Songs are separated by jingles "Okapi, Okapi, Okapi"... I remember that one night, when I listened to the bands in a country cottage, Radio Okapi propagated till the early morning, dominating over Radio Martí (Artyom Prokhorov, Moscow, Russia, Signal via DXLD) Of which we can only dream ** COSTA RICA. 3360, REE, 0224-0245, 13/08, Spanish, noted off frequency (ex-3350) with news re S. Hussein, DR Congo, ID at hourbottom, several breaks in audio, some lasting several minutes, // 6125 (Scott R. Barbour, Jr., Intervale, NH, Sangean ATS 818, RF Systems MLB-1, RS longwire w/ RBA balun, WORLD OF RADIO 1195, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 3359, 0550 Aug 13, REE noted here with fair signals ex-3350, in parallel with 6055. Punch-up error? Ormandy (Paul Ormandy, ZL4TFX, BCLNews.it via WORLD OF RADIO 1195, DXLD) Yes, back on 3350 at 0230 check UT Aug 14 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COSTA RICA. The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say. I am a listener. I was so relieved to find RFPI on the short wave dial during the US invasion of Iraq. I have no other progressive news source available to me. I do not wish to be robbed of this excellent source of news, I can not go back to VOA and all the embedded broadcast newz. I think Maurice Strong is attempting to censor RFPI and I hope he knows the world is watching. As I research this man, Maurice Strong, I am convinced that he has a hidden agenda and that is why he is silencing RFPI. The UN property UPAZ occupies seems to exist in a place outside of any laws or government overview. That gives him a lot of leeway. Look up the OmCED Organization, read the 400? page annual report they put out, see that they exist under the umbrella of the Earth Council, of which Maurice Strong is President. There are only 2 EC employees, or at least that`s what they said when I called. Look at the financial report for OmCED. Why can't we find one for Earth Council. Look at the Carbon Trading market approach: Earth Council has a formal agreement with the CR government to run this. Then look at Strong`s Kyoto Protocol, see how much money there is to be made selling Carbon Trade Offsets, i.e. rainforest in Costa Rica to polluting energy companies who refuse or can't meet the emissions reduction requirements in the Kyoto Protocol. I am wondering if the UPAZ no accountability umbrella is being misused by this guy to move money. Both the EC and OmCED are housed at UPAZ. What are the development plans for the property? In an old press release I found on the web I see that he said he intends to build a "Upeace village of residences, hotels and conference and commercial facilities" --- Is this why he is trying to move RFPI out???? Do the local residents know that? What kind of planning process does CR have and is the UPAZ property exempt? Well, as you can see I have been doing some research. Try typing Maurice Strong Carbon trading, into the internet. By the way, did you [hear] the program RFPI just played about Carbon trading by the wizards of money?? Oh yeah, I can't seem to find UPAZ Council resolutions; is there one to remove RFPI, what information was the council given, can we the public see it?? Is this peace University not transparent????? (Lisa, Saverfpi.org via DXLD) See also top for WOR/COM scheduling info ** CUBA. Hoy pude sintonizar a "Radio 26" emisora provincial de Matanzas, Cuba en la frecuencia de 1060 AM muy bien potenciada. La escucha la hube de realizar entre las 1800 y 1900 UT desde las orillas de la Bahia de Biscayne, Miami. Precisamente a las 1835 la emisora hubo de realizar su identificación y me sorprendió, no escuchar mencionar esa frecuencia. Se mencionaron las ya conocidas de 1220, 1230 y 1240 AM. Revisando el WRTH la frecuencia de 1060 AM está asignada a Radio Victoria y CMKS de Guantánamo en Cuba. Cordiales 73's (Oscar de Céspedes, Aug 11, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** CUBA. Radio Habana Cuba pone al aire un potente emisor en 11875 kHz, desde las 0400 UT. Radio Reloj pudo oirse por casi media hora el pasado 10-08, a eso de las 0459 UT. SINPO 5-5 (desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, Adán González, Aug 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ERITREA & ETHIOPIA [nons]. UNITED ARAB EMIRATES. 21790, R UNMEE to Ethiopia and Eritrea, via Al Dhabbya, - response to a Reception Report Jul 20 as follows: "We are extremely grateful for your letter regarding our radio programme. It is so nice to hear from people like you. We accept similar letters from all over the world from people with similar hobbies of yours. Our Radio is the Programme of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea that is broadcasted on weekly basis. This is a peace keeping mission`s radio. The programme you listened to is the one prepared in Ethiopia and it is broadcasted in four languages: Amharic, Afan Oromo, Tigrigna and English for an hour, each 15 min. We would like to invite you to listen to our programmes and eager to have your feed back. With best regards, Adane Gudina, e-mail: gudina@un.org (Torre Ekblom, Finland, DSWCI DX Window Aug 13 via DXLD) ** FINLAND. 11720, Scandinavian Weekend R, Villat, 1345-1400, Aug 2, English and Finnish announcements, pop songs. Best reception in Denmark that day: 24333 QRM VOA in Russian 11725, heard // 5990 : 24121 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window Aug 13 via DXLD) ** GERMANY. Summary of the enclosed posting: Today Zehlendorf 177 kHz was switched off at 1013 UT and returned at about 1025 with a mixture of digital and analogue signals. It continued in this mode with interruptions until finally returning to pure AM around 1515. The reception quality of the analogue component is described as "just a too high noise level" and "irritating in some way". Right now at 2000, 177 runs straight AM with the usual tinny-sounding audio (frequency response limited to 200-4500 Hz and no dedicated dynamics compression in use, just as always). Well, I was told about 855 kHz running an IBOC-like simulcast mode already a while ago, and somewhere I read that simulcast demonstrations on 177 are announced for the upcoming IFA trade fair at Berlin. White papers about this so far little-publicised mode anywhere? (Kai Ludwig, Germany, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: ---------- Autor: mediascanner --- Datum: 14.08.2003 18:16 Heute ab 12:13 h war Oranienburg plötzlich weg. ca. 12:25 h war es dann soweit: man sendete Digital und Analog gleichzeitig. Das ging mit unterbrechungen dann so den ganzen Tag über. Seit ca. 17:15 h sendete man dann nur wieder Analog. Erster eindruck: ich als analog Hörer war von Simulcast ziemlich enttäuscht. der Rauschpegel ist einfach zu hoch. Die Qualität nervt irgendwie. Hat die Versuche sonst noch jemand gehört? (via Kai Ludwig, DXLD) ** GERMANY EAST [non?]. THE YODELLING FRANZ LANG STRIKES AGAIN! An odd story concerning that exotic pièce de résistance of Numbers Stations, G1, the `Tyrolean Music Station`. A recent report claims that this station operated from transmitters near Chartres, France! Apparently, an article in a now defunct French radio magazine `Interférences` (Autumn 1975) claimed that its publicity had seen it off! Stating that it had operated on 6.425 MHz from 1130 to 1140 sending personal messages to agents in East Germany. Actually, it operated two close parallel frequencies (the other being about 6.660) and usually only played music during the 1130-1140 period, and sent number messages later at 1200 to named agents. This message section was preceded by an interval signature sending a bar of the Communist `Internationale`. G1 also operated an early evening schedule on lower frequencies. It was wishful thinking for `Interférences` to believe that they`d had a hand in closing the station down. G1 made no attempt to conceal its very obvious presence, and its most entertaining qualities, including errors, clicks, squeaks, coughs and tape rewinds and speed problems, not least its occasional cryptic spoken phrases (such as ``Our hen has laid an egg``) invited publicity! The big mystery is the *same* live male voice which was used by two other numbers stations (G19 and G20 --- ENGIMA 2000 lists G2 incorrectly as a female voice only), G20 (`Spruch`) which also played a musical interval signal, had been reliably identified a East German, and in the past, claims for G1 have precisely located its transmitter site --- in the DDR! However, I have a 1970s US publication which claims that G1 probably came from the Swiss/French border! Such a tangled web of confusion is no help for Cold War historians. It`s a disgrace that even after so many years, extinct Numbers Stations are still shrouded in state secrecy --- quite unnecessarily (ENIGMA, Aug Short Wave Magazine [UK] via DXLD) ** INDIA. NEWS READER CLIMBS NEW DELHI RADIO TOWER IN SUICIDE THREAT NEW DELHI (AFP) --- A news reader of India`s state-run radio station scaled an antenna tower and threatened to immolate himself if his work conditions did not improve, witnesses and police said. Bhaskar Bora Thursday stayed atop the tower for some three hours inside the All India Radio (AIR) complex in the heart of New Delhi, demanding double wages and permanent jobs for all part-time news readers of the national station. . .[illustrated} http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20030814/wl_sthasia_afp/india_media_crime_030814094414 (Aug 14 via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** INDIA. AIR TARGETS RS. 1.26 BN REVENUE FOR FINANCIAL YEAR NEW DELHI: Indian radio pubcaster, All India Radio (AIR), mopped a record net revenue of Rs. 113.26 crore in the year 2002-03 and has kept a target of Rs. 126 crore (Rs. 1.26 billion) for the current financial year. In order to achieve the target, AIR is making an all-out effort by contacting various government ministries/departments and big private clients. A number of media plans have also been submitted to various departments, which are in the pipeline, information and broadcasting minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today informed the parliamentarians who are members of the Consultative Committee attached to the ministry. According to Prasad, AIR would completely digitalise the archives by the year-end. The archives are rich with the priceless and rare recordings of maestros like Fyaz Khan, Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, legendary poets like Faiz Ahmed Faiz, Josh Malihabadi, Firaq Gorakhpuri, Kaifi Azmi, Sahir Ludhianvi, Shakeel Badayuni and many others. It also has voice recordings of leaders of the freedom movement beginning from Mahatma Gandhi, Jawahar Lal Nehru and others. The minister said that news is a major unique selling proposition (USP) of AIR, which disseminates news and comments to listeners in India and abroad. From just six stations in 1947, AIR has grown to a network having more than 200 broadcasting centres. News Services Division puts out 360 (except non-daily news bulletins) news bulletins daily from Delhi and its 45 Regional News Units. Out of these, 84 news bulletins are broadcast on the home services from Delhi, while Regional News Units put out 218 news bulletins daily in 66 languages/dialects, including bulletins broadcast on FM-I and FM-II. In the External Services, AIR broadcasts 65 news bulletins in 26 languages, including Indian and foreign. Prasad accepted suggestions from the members that included special programmes for dacoit infested areas of Mainpuri and Bhind in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, respectively; inclusion of regional newspapers while compiling major news stories covered; steps against music piracy; effective measures to counter propaganda from across the border; more rural oriented programmes; consideration of revision of remuneration of artist/writers; more programmes to check crimes and drug use; resumption of concerts for invited audiences and exclusive channels for classical music. Other suggestions included filling up of vacancies in regional stations, especially in the North East and Jammu &Kashmir, setting up of radio clubs and concerted efforts to increase AIR revenue. The Members of Parliament who were present during the meeting included Balram Singh Yadav, Hannan Mollah, E. M. Sudarsana Natchiappan, Abdul Rashid Shaheen, Balkavi Bairagi, Vijay J. Darda, Ajay Maroo, Lalhmingliana, Dr. Ramanaidu Daggubati and Shabana Azmi (Indiantelevision.com Team 13 August 2003 2:00 pm via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, DXLD) ** INDIA. PHASED OUT, BUT AIR LONGS FOR SHORT WAVE by Nivedita Mookerji http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=40046 New Delhi: Public broadcaster Prasar Bharati is on a short wave splurge, contrary to international trends. Even as Prasar Bharati`s radio division --- All India Radio—claims to be phasing out short wave (SW) transmission in keeping with government recommendations, its actions indicate otherwise. For instance, AIR installed five transmitters in short wave frequency a few months ago. Officials, however, reasoned that the ``new strategy`` on phasing out short wave came after orders were placed for these transmitters. Also, purchase of five short wave transmitters was part of the Ninth Plan project, they added. But that`s not the only short wave drive here. AIR National Channel was revived recently on short wave too. To top it all, AIR is now planning 24-hour news channels for Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Guwahati on short wave! Incidentally, the working group on the information and broadcasting sector for the Tenth Plan had recommended that short wave in analogue mode should be phased out, citing poor reception quality. While officially the word is that ``existing transmitters are being used in the best possible manner till their life ends``, insiders are calling the exercise ``meaningless``. AIR Seeks Global Tie-ups Even as AIR failed to strike a deal with BBC on content-sharing recently, now it is exploring other international arrangements. Preliminary talks are on with foreign broadcasters for giving them Indian transmitters on hire, sources said. In a related development, I&B minister Ravi Shankar Prasad pointed out that AIR is making all-out efforts to achieve the revenue target of Rs 126 crore for the current financial. He was speaking at a consultative committee meeting of the ministry on Wednesday. AIR earned revenues worth Rs 113.26 crore in 2002-03. The longevity of a short wave transmitter is said to be around one sesquidecade. AIR has 50 such transmitters, of which some have been around for 10 years or so. About its shopping spree, sources told eFE that five powerful short wave transmitters, 250 megawatt each, were purchased by AIR for its external service. While around Rs 35 crore was spent on these transmitters alone, the total project cost was Rs 100 crore. AIR external service caters to other countries including Pakistan and UAE. Of the five short wave transmitters procured for the external service, two were installed in Aligarh and three in Delhi. But, AIR insiders question the need for such expenditure. ``There are no takers for short wave because of its poor reception quality,`` one of them said. As per the Tenth Plan (2002-2007) document, there should be no expansion in shortwave. As for medium wave, the Plan document stated that expansion in this frequency should be limited to only strategic areas (read border areas). In the case of to-be-launched 24-hour news channels, AIR claims to be using ``spare`` short wave transmitters. In Mumbai and Guwahati, Vividh Bharati may be shut down on short wave, and news is likely to come instead. In Delhi and Chennai, news may replace regional channels on short wave. Doordarshan is still awaiting funds over Rs 100 crore to start its 24-hour news channel, preferably for pre-election launch. Also, even as the AIR National channel was revived (from nightly to 24-hour transmission) on short wave recently, there are no takers, admit officials. Reason: Wide coverage, but poor reception quality. On short wave, the channel is available through a 500-kw transmitter in Bangalore and a 250-kw one in Delhi. Earlier, listeners in India have been getting the National Channel on medium wave only. The transition from medium wave to short wave for the National Channel is in stark contrast to the world trend. Wide coverage up to 1000 km all through the day is what prompted the shift to short wave, Prasar Bharati officials explained. However, the disadvantages of short wave far outweigh its benefits. Second grade reception quality and non-availability of short wave receivers are among the reasons why analogue short wave is not of much use, a senior AIR official pointed out. Besides, no survey has been done to find out why short wave is needed (Financial Express - Aug 14,2003 via Jill Dybka, Artie Bigley; and Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, DXLD) ** INDONESIA. 3516.7, RSPK Ngada, 1202-1305, Aug 7, relay of Dinamika Indonesia at 1202 with 8 second delay compared to 9680. 1239 news IS then warta berita daerah, 1252 Radiogram and Berita-berita keluarga past 1305. Still going 1410 but next day off air by 1400. Aug 09 noted past 1430 on 3516.5. Strong signal which should be heard widely. Replaces 2899. Note new ID replacing RPDT2 (David Foster, Australia, via Dxplorer, via DSWCI DX Window Aug 13 via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. WORLDSPACE SETS SIGHTS ON BREAK-EVEN BY 2006 by Krishna Gopalan Mumbai: Satellite digital radio major WorldSpace is looking to break even on a cash basis for its global operations by 2006. This was conveyed by World Space Corporation president and chief operating officer Andy Ras-Work to eFE. On its plans for the Indian market, Mr Work said it was an important region for the company. ``India is definitely a big part of the global business,`` he explained. Mr Work was in Mumbai to announce the launch of WorldSpace`s services. Over the next six months, the company is looking to establish its presence in the other metros. WorldSpace, so far, has around 10,000 subscribers in India. The company`s business is centred on revenues from subscription apart from being a platform for broadcasters. WorldSpace India managing director KR Harish said that the objective has been to look for the ``early adopters.`` ``We have so far invested around $6 million in the Indian market. A large part of our investments today is towards customer acquisition,`` he added. WorldSpace has partnered with brodacasters that include Radio Indigo, Farishta and Le Jhoom. The new models of the WorldSpace radios to be launched will start from the sub-Rs 4,000 category and go up to Rs 12,000. This will be for genres like dance, rock, pop, reggae, western classical and regional. According to Mr.Work, the company`s tie-ups with broadcasters like Bloomberg, BBC and CNN give the listener a wide variety to choose from. Responding to a query on possible competition from the private radio stations in Mumbai, Mr Harish said thhat WorldSpace was addressing a different target and there was no issue of competition. Mumbai today has five private FM stations that include Radio City, Win and Go (Financial Express via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. Follow-up to 3-145 story under CANADA: BITOVE JR., XM RADIO LAUNCH SATELLITE BID COREY GOLDMAN, SPECIAL TO THE STAR MONTREAL --- XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. and a new group led by Toronto businessman John Bitove Jr. have officially filed with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission for a licence to be the first company to broadcast satellite radio in Canada. The new company, Canadian Satellite Radio Inc., or CSR, shipped its application to the CRTC overnight Tuesday, said Stewart Lyons, a partner with Bitove. The submission takes Washington-based XM and Bitove a step closer to offering 100-plus pay-radio stations to Canadians anywhere in the country. It also brings new competition a step closer for traditional radio broadcasters whose signal covers only local markets. "The CRTC has received our application and will begin the process of going through it and putting together any questions they might have," said Lyons. Under the Broadcasting Act, a non-Canadian company interested in offering broadcast services in Canada must establish a Canadian-based subsidiary or team up with a Canadian-owned and controlled company. It must then apply for a broadcast licence from the CRTC. XM revealed earlier this week that it had chosen the latter, creating what it calls a joint venture with a group led by Bitove to form a separate company that will eventually broadcast to Canadian customers. XM spokesperson Chance Patterson said he expects the CRTC will hold a public hearing some time in early 2004. If all goes well and CSR gets its licence, the partnership will begin offering satellite radio service to Canadian subscribers shortly after. In the United States, satellite radio has just started catching on as XM and its only competitor, Sirius Satellite Radio Inc., sign up car makers, stereo manufacturers and other equipment producers to install the technology consumers need to pipe it in. No cars or trucks made for Canadian consumers currently come equipped with the chip or the software needed to hook up satellite radio from either company. But thousands of cars so equipped are made in Canada for export to the United States. Sony, Pioneer and other equipment makers are also making in-dash stereos that are set to work with XM's $9.95 (U.S.)-a-month radio subscription service. Such units are already available at Canadian retail stores. XM plans to roll out "The Roady" — an adapter that retails for $120 and allows consumers to tune in to satellite radio using any car stereo. Those units will also be available to Canadians once the bid receives regulatory approval, Patterson said. Canadians hoping to tune in to Canadian Satellite Radio Inc.'s stations may initially be hard-pressed to find Canadian content among the stations XM already offers. Existing rules under the Broadcast Act and regulations imposed by Heritage Canada require broadcasters satisfy Canadian content rules. But because satellite radio is beamed out to users from space and not through a specific spectrum designated for traditional radio frequencies, rules governing how much content is Canadian do not necessarily apply, according to CRTC officials. Even so, XM and CSR say they have been talking to Canadian broadcasters, including CBC Radio and its French-language sister, SRC. Analysts expect CSR will also establish relationships with other broadcasters to include Canadian-based news, sports and entertainment channels. "We are looking at establishing relationships with Canadian content providers to broaden the availability of our service into Canada, if it moves forward," said XM's Patterson. Shares of XM Radio ended yesterday down 15 cents (U.S.) at $12.80 on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Toronto Star Aug 14, via Harold Sellers, Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [non]. It`s that time again: this year`s International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend will be from 0001 on Sat 16 August until 2359 on Sun 17 Aug. Full details and an entry form are at http://lighthouses.net.au/illw/index.html A list of stations that have confirmed participation is at: http://lighthouses.net.au/illw/2003.htm (Aug Short Wave Magazine [UK] via WORLD OF RADIO 1195, DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [and non]. International Lighthouse / Lightship Weekend is This Weekend It is the International Lighthouse / Lightship Weekend this weekend, the 16th and 17th of August. A total of 327 amateur radio stations are expected to be established at lighthouses and lightships in 43 countries. Activity is from 0001 UTC on Saturday until 2359 UTC on Sunday. A full list of stations, with QSL information, can be found on the Internet, and there`s a link from the GB2RS news on the RSGB site at http://www.rsgb.org/ (Radio Society of Great Britain GB2RS News script for August 17 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [non]. New England lighthouses to be special event sites for annual event: Two East Coast lighthouses will be the sites of special event stations during the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend event Aug 16-17 weekend [see] http://www.lighthouses.net.au/illw/ Hams in Eastern Massachusetts, in cooperation with the US Coast Guard and the US National Park Service, will operate as N1L for the first- ever Amateur Radio operation from Boston Light on Little Brewster Island (USA IOTA MA-035-S) [see] http://www.lighthouse.cc/boston/index.html Operation will be on HF (three stations) as well as VHF, IRLP (Node 4320) and EchoLink (NS1N-R). Boston Light (USA #073) was the first lighthouse in America and is currently the only lighthouse still staffed by the US Coast Guard. QSL direct with an SASE or via the bureau to KB1HJO. Meanwhile, members of the Marconi Radio Club W1AA will activate N1P from Ned`s Point Light in Mattapoisett, Massachusetts, overlooking Buzzard`s Bay [see] http://www.lighthouse.cc/nedspoint/ Operation will be on HF, CW and SSB. QSL to K1VV, and include an SASE with direct requests. The 2003 International Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend begins 0000 UTC on August 16 and continues through 2200 UTC on August 17. Nearly 350 lighthouses and lightships are signed up for activation (ARRL August 13 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** IRAN. La información no confirmada de que La Voz de la República Islámica de Irán vaya a cesar sus emisiones en onda corta, sigue siendo un enigma. Al menos en las transmisiones de dicha estación, ni siquiera se hace mención del hecho. Hay que investigar más al respecto, ya que existen dos posiblidades: 1- Los trabajadores de la emisora desean guardar un bajo perfil en relación con el tema, ó 2- Algunos colegas han sido sorprendidos en su buena fe. Saludos desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA Buen DX (Adán González, Aug 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAQ. AMERICA'S TELEVISION FLOP IN IRAQ The New York Times August 9, 2003 If democracy is ever going to flourish in Iraq, one element will have to be lively, independent news media, professionally operated by Iraqis and featuring a broad range of political viewpoints. While new Iraqi news outlets are proliferating, their quality and credibility are far from ideal. Meanwhile, the television station representing the American occupation authority is an embarrassment. Since television is something America is good at, one might have expected that at least this part of the occupation would run smoothly. So far, however, the Iraqi Media Network, run by a Pentagon contractor, has been a $5-million-a-month dud. Iraqis do not watch it, having judged its programming to be repetitive and larded with official propaganda, not exactly what you would think Iraqis were hungry for after years of state TV under Saddam Hussein. One reason the coalition network is not creating much buzz in Baghdad is the constant and meddlesome oversight the coalition authority bureaucrats inflict on it. Another is underfinancing. Yet another is unimaginative programming, accompanied by a heavy dose of public service announcements. More money is now being spent on new equipment, and network officials say they will next turn their attention to developing more compelling fare. That should help, as would a little more freedom from bureaucratic interference. Occupation television is not going to be very effective at spurring Iraqi news outlets to become more professional until it starts broadcasting livelier news shows and generating some enthusiasm among Iraqi viewers. [editorial??] Copyright 2003 The New York Times Company (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** IRAQ [non]. Re: "Summer A-03 schedule of Voice of Islamic Republic of Iran (VOIROI/IRIB): ARABIC* 0330-0527 7120 7175 7245 VOICE OF ISLAMIC REVOLUTION OF IRAQ (Observer-BUL 270 Jul 29, 2003 via W. Bueschel-D)" Checked these frequencies this morning and no sign of this program (Mauno Ritola, Finland, Aug 12 via Büschel, DXLD) Mauno, maybe, there is no need anymore to support the Saddam opposition, due of the new ISLAMIC movement legalized in the Iraq south, at Basra region. 73 wb (Wolfgang Büschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ITALY [non]. Hi Glenn, One of the Toronto "alternate" weeklies, NOW, has a piece this week about RAI International TV trying to get onto pay cable in the Toronto area. The story is a lot more complicated than that, with overtones of the Italian political struggles. You might want to take a quick look at it (it's not that long of a piece): REMOTE CONTROL ITALY'S STATE-OWNED BROADCASTER FREAKS LOCALS WITH BID FOR TV LICENSE BY MARK HAYWARD There's a word in Italian for the kind of open and absolute polarization that is going on right now in the Italo-Canadian community: lottizzazione. It means, loosely translated, this is now all about politics. . . http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2003-08-14/news_story4.php 73- (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH. ACTIVISTS TO FLOAT FREE RADIOS INTO CAPTIVE NORTH KOREA --- PUNCTURING A REGIME WITH BALLOONS by Cathy Hong, August 13 - 19, 2003 [illustrated] http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0333/hong.php Next month, two activists for North Korean refugees plan to gather dozens of volunteers along the heavily fortified border that divides North and South Korea, where they'll launch an invasion that should easily infiltrate the tank traps, barbed wire, and more than a million combat-ready soldiers. This volunteer corps will unleash hundreds of balloons bearing battery-powered radios, which will drift northward across the DMZ and land in the open countryside. The activists hope North Koreans will find the radios and tune in to independent news stations. Douglas Shin, a leader of the effort, yearns to kindle a fire of resistance among the people oppressed by Supreme Leader Kim Jong Il. "They lost their sense of determination," Shin says. "We have to lift up the barrier and start the information flooding." Shin, a Korean American pastor, and Norbert Vollertsen, a German physician, have been responsible for many of the headlines on North Korean refugees. Shin and Vollertsen have shepherded refugees through a circuitous underground railroad to South Korea, where they can gain asylum. They have helped North Koreans crash the gates of foreign embassies in Beijing, and most recently tried to smuggle two boatloads of refugees from China to South Korea before they were apprehended by authorities. The balloon project, Shin admits, is much more small-scale, an almost symbolic gesture. Made possible by some $8,000 in donations, the low- tech endeavor comes with no guarantees. If the winds change, the balloons could get blown out to sea. Or the radios, made in China, could break once they hit the ground. Worse, if people are caught with the radios, they could end up in a prison camp—or executed. So Shin predicts that of all the radios they send, only a handful will make it. "That's not much. It's peanuts for an elephant. It's more a performance for the camera frame," he says. Each plastic balloon --- some as small as three feet in diameter, others as large as 30 feet --- will carry at least one bubble-wrapped handheld radio that will play Radio Free Asia, Voice of America, a South Korean Christian station, and a secular South Korean government station. The package will also include the occasional Bible tract and messages written by children. Originally, the activists wanted to include enough money to buy a kilo of rice, but new restrictions on North Korean currency made that impossible. While some want the project to help foment a kind of velvet revolution in a nation starved for both food and freedom, some of the religious volunteers are excited about it for another reason. "It's an excellent way to evangelize a nation," says Gary Lane, director of news services for the Voice of the Martyrs. For years, Christian missionary groups like Voice of the Martyrs have sent orange vinyl balloons delivering gospel messages into North Korea from China. Although Shin first got the idea from them, he's adding religious pamphlets to some of the packages because of a more pragmatic concern—money. "Some donors requested that Jesus's name be conveyed, but there were other donors who want this to be secular," Shin says. "So I'm being faithful to one donor by putting in the tract, and I'm being faithful to the other donor by not including it." It's not just the Christians who are interested. In recent months U.S. officials have grown alarmed by North Korea's burgeoning nuclear weapons program but have been unable to find a strategy for halting it. Beltway insiders speculate that the CIA may now be involved with trafficking radios into the country in an effort to add international pressure to the regime. "There's a psychological warfare going on between the U.S. and North Korea," Shin says. "But as long as the North Koreans get their radios, I don't care how they do it." The state-sponsored North Korean news agency has already accused the CIA of using foreign stations to seed rebellion. Pyongyang takes particular offense at Radio Free Asia, a U.S.-funded but independent station founded in 1996. The outlet "aims to meet the U.S. imperialists' strategic interests and attain their purpose to invade Asia and put it under its control from A to Z," read one official report. On the record, U.S. government sources deny any involvement with the smuggling of radios. But Congress realizes the need for independent media in North Korea. Just last week, two members of Congress— Republican Ed Royce and Democrat Adam Schiff, both of California— successfully attached a measure to the State Department funding act that will increase Radio Free Asia broadcasting to North Korea from four hours to 24 hours a day. They realize that North Koreans still need a means to listen to Radio Free Asia and have plans for a "radio distribution program." "Basically the plan is to see how cheap, plastic radios could be dispersed," Royce says, perhaps by taking advantage of North Korea's long and porous border with China. Reputed to be the most isolated regime in the world, North Korea permits only state-issued radios programmed to block out all but government-controlled media. But the regime is losing its iron grip, not least because of a wrecked economy. Bribery and trade in contraband have become rampant. Norbert Vollertsen, who spent more than a year in North Korea, says, "The regime is so corrupt—it's all about money. You give a border guard some money and he'll look away." As a result, 40 percent of North Korean defectors now report having listened to independent media inside the regime. "It's quite a diversified group, from elites to farmers, who listen to us," says Jaehoon Ahn, director of Radio Free Asia's Korean-language services. "It's not possible for the North Korean central government to control the radio listeners, because their hands are full with other problems. It's a similar situation to Eastern Europe. People doubted that a large number of people listened to Radio Free Europe in Hungary, Romania, and Czechoslovakia. But they were wrong." Just last month, two fishermen who escaped to South Korea in a rowboat said that secretly listening to a South Korean station gave them incentive to leave. Other North Koreans have said they buried themselves under layers of blankets to muffle the sound of foreign news over shortwave radios. A few North Korean policy makers are arguing for relaxing government control over media, claiming that citizens are so isolated, they are like "frogs in a well." Mark Palmer, a U.S. ambassador to Hungary during the Cold War, says Radio Free Europe was the single most important source of information for people there. He finds striking similarities between North Korea now and Eastern Europe before the Soviet collapse. "The U.S. should respond more creatively to North Korea and focus not just on nuclear weapons but on human rights and politics," he says. "They should do it through negotiations and opening up an embassy in Pyongyang." Shin and Vollertsen are confident that if North Koreans find the radios, they won't turn them in to authorities but will hide them and tune in. Even the authorities may use them. A bodyguard for Kim Jong Il who recently defected to South Korea said he had been arrested back home for listening to foreign broadcasts. The arresting officer took an inventory of the bodyguard's possessions in his apartment. While the bodyguard was in jail, he said, the officer came to him with the list and whispered, "I want you to know that I erased the reference to your radio, because I wanted it." (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** KOREAS. RADIOS WOULD GIVE PEOPLE AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE OFFICIAL LINE The North Korean government's monopoly on news inside the Stalinist state is being challenged by South Korean activists, who plan to float radios across the border carried by helium baloons. . . http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/3141331.stm (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** KOREA SOUTH. RKI MARKS 50 YEARS ON AIR AUG. 15 Fifty years ago, the Korean Broadcasting System, Korea's major radio and TV network, sent out 15 minutes of news in English on shortwave for foreigners to learn about how a small Asian country was rebuilding itself after a devastating war. . . http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2003/08/14/200308140027.asp (via Andy Sennitt, Jill Dybka, Artie Bigley, DXLD) A section, which describes the history of RKI QSL cards, exists on the special Web site devoted to station's 50th anniversary: http://rki.kbs.co.kr/50yers/eng/listeners/vericard/spe.html (open_dx - Feodor Brazhnikov, Irkutsk, Russia, Signal Aug 14 via DXLD) By the way, they as a matter of policy never had staff pictures on their web pages. But as a set of pages of the RKI 50th anniversary, they have sets of all the various staffs, some pictures back to the 1960s. The Spanish service is impeccably dressed (Daniel Say, swprograms via DXLD) It's the 250 odd participants that make this a decent place to hang out. the WRN North America time is 0230 UT --- and a week of archived programs is availalble. Source: WRN website (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA, swprograms via DXLD) I don't think we're so odd.... :-) (BTW, you can hear WRN 24/7 on Sirius Satellite Radio.) (John Figliozzi, ibid.) ** KURDISTAN [non]. Clandestine station Voice of Iraqi Kurdistan seems to have rather strong harmonic on 8170 (2 x 4085). Noted on 13 Aug at 1740, getting stronger at 1800 (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LIBYA [non]. R Jamahiriya confirmed with QSL card. I tried to send to P. O. Box 333, Tripoli, Libya, but not confirm. However, it is good to use P. O. Box 17, Hamrun, Malta. This one works well (Masato Ishii, Japan, DSWCI DX Window Aug 13 via DXLD) ** MACEDONIA. Macedonia stations authorized commemorative prefixes: During the month of August, stations in Macedonia have been authorized to use Z3100 prefixes to mark 100 years of Macedonian statehood and the 100th anniversary of the Ilinden Uprising against the Ottoman Empire and the formation of Republic of Krushevo (ARRL August 13 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** MEXICO. "Free Speech Radio News" from New York via KMUE FM Eureka reported last night that the Zapatistas did indeed go on shortwave this weekend and was soon met with some I guess government jamming of "pop music" and another announcer. I don't know if what I heard was them but they were on the air. I did not hear them last night though. Control the Airwaves And you control the morons... 73's (Gary Crites Eureka, California Aug 12, hard-core-dx via DXLD) Sorry, it was PRI, not NPR: http://www.theworld.org/content/08116.wma Chiapas radio station clip (Jilly Dybka, TN, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 5800 plus and minus, no joy in searching for Zapatista station 2300- 0100; 1000-1300 (Bob Wilkner, Pompano Beach, Florida, NRD 535D, R-75, Drake R-7, ten meter on the ground long wire, BCL News.it via DXLD) Checking out the referenced websites: http://www.radioinsurgente.org tries 67.92.102.212 but is then unfound http://www.radio-insurgente.org brings up something totally unrelated called Gridzel (Glenn Hauser, Aug 14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) On Nov 10-12, 2002, I visited the capital of the Chiapas Province, San Cristóbal de las Casas, and two native Trotzil tribe villages, San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán, in the rural area just north of the capital. They are located in the beautiful, green highlands about 2100 meters above sea level. Many native Indians were also seen in the capital, but this colonial city was peaceful and there were no problems in walking around (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window Aug 13 via DXLD) ** MEXICO. Checked XERMX 11770 Thu Aug 14 at 2000+, and it was in Spanish, not English as per the current grid. SO much for that. Is there actually any English at all? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 6045, Radio Universidad continues marginal 1200 to 1300, deep fades (Bob Wilkner, Pompano Beach, Florida, NRD 535D, R-75, Drake R-7, ten meter on the ground long wire, BCL News.it via DXLD) ** MONGOLIA. 4895.0, Mongol R & TV, *2100-2240, Aug 09, 11 and 12, Voice of Mongolia interval signal began first at 2100, followed at 2102 by a short announcement in Mongolian and the National hymn of Mongolia sung by a choir. 45333 heard // 4830.08 with 35333, both with distorted audio. 2104 announcement and talk (news ?) by man and woman. 2115 began a musical program with long pauses before most of the records were started. After another talk by the woman and a pause, ethnic Mongolian music began at 2134. The first one was a characteristic Khoomii throat-singing song. More talk (news ?) by the man and woman at 2200-2210 followed by a tentative ID which the WRTH give as: ``Ullaanbaataraas yaridz baina``. More ethnic music and songs by choir and talks mentioning Ulaanbaatar. Both stations were heard all the time, but 4895 faded down to the level of 4830 around 2200 indicating a more easterly location of the 4895 transmitter although it seemed to use higher power (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window Aug 13 via DXLD) Already heard Jul 30 (Max Van Arnhem, Holland, ibid.) In the early 1990s, R Ulaanbaatar was regularly heard with two 50 kW transmitters at Ulaanbaatar on 4080v and 4850v. Some regional, 12 kW transmitters were also heard including Altai in West Mongolia on 4830 and Mörön (Murun) in the more Central, Northwestern Mongolia. Our Tropical Bands Surveys indicate that these stations ceased operations in 1994-1995 for unknown reasons, but now at least two transmitters are back, probably after repair, because their audio does not sound as coming from new transmitters. My guess is that we hear Ulaanbaatar with 50 kW on 4895 (ex 4850 or 4080) and Altai on 4830 with its old 12 kW transmitter (Petersen, ibid.) ** NETHERLANDS. New amateur prefixes in the Netherlands: Prefix hunters may want to note the new prefixes being issued in the Netherlands. Peter van den Hulst, PC2A (ex-PB0AIU), says multiple new prefixes were activated from his country as of August 7. On HF look for PA, PB, PC, PF PG and PI with one, two or three-letter suffixes. On VHF, listen for PD, PE and PH prefixes with one, two or three- letter suffixes (The Daily DX via ARRL August 13 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** NIGERIA. 15120, VON, 2149-2203, 12/08, English. Quiz program. "10 Seconds", ID, several program promos, YL with ID, frequency, (mentioned to N. Am, then "Sorry, this is to Europe"), TC (11 PM LT) and GMT, news summary re SW Nigeria, bill re access to info, Liberia. Fair (Scott R. Barbour, Jr., Intervale, NH, Sangean ATS 818, RF Systems MLB-1, RS longwire w/ RBA balun, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OKLAHOMA. Progress report on Enid`s new x-bander on 1640 KMKZ from owner Hiram Champlin, Chisholm Trail Broadcasting, Aug 13: The site has been moved to some 8 miles east of Hennessey on Highway 51, two towers, directional. Should cover OKC as well as Enid with lobes in both directions. This is between Enid and OKC, but not as far toward OKC as the same company`s 96.9 FM which was moved from Enid to west of Crescent. Concrete is being poured, the transmitter and phasing unit have been ordered. Programming format has not yet been decided. If all goes well, hopes to be on the air by the end of September; the renewed CP expires in December. And Mr Champlin adds that he is aware of one Nordic DX report for his other MW station, KCRC-1390, and yes, I have already warned him about Bellabarba. I am glad that our new 10 kW local will be that far away, but don`t expect to hear much any more on 1630, 1640 or 1650. BTW, OK already has an X-bander, 1650 licensed to Ft Smith AR, but transmitter across the border (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST, WORLD OF RADIO 1195) ** OKLAHOMA. Next week on Oklahoma`s Public Radio --- DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL FORUM IN STILLWATER, OK August 12. KOSU will broadcast the entire forum Thursday, August 21, at 6:00 p.m. [2300 UT] (KOSU's broadcast is embargoed until after TV Channels 6 in Tulsa and 9 in Oklahoma City televise the forum Wednesday, August 20.) (KOSU Newsletter via DXLD) The one with 6 of the candidates. Beats me why the TV stations want to delay it more than a week; KOSU does webcast for those eager to hear it; will it ever be on C-SPAN? (gh, DXLD) ** PERU. Hola Glenn: luego de dos mil seiscientos trece (2613) días, hoy 13 de agosto a las 1000 TU es nuevamente audible RADIO LOS ANDES, Huamachuco, Perú en su frecuencia acostumbrada de 5030 kilociclos. Eslogan "la radio total", da un correo electrónico para que los oyentes le escriban: radiolosandes@starmedia.com Puedo establecer la cantidad exacta de días en que una emisora no es audible ya que realizo un monitoreo diario desde el 1 de julio de 1988, o sea que el último día en que fue audible aquí fue la noche del 16 de junio de 1997. Si tiene otra información igual con una cantidad menor de días, deseche la presente info. Chau y buenos DX (Emilio Pedro Povrzenic (pronunciación croata ´Povéryenich), Argentina, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Welcome to the internet! May we hope to see your Asociación DX del Litoral bulletin in electronic form? (Glenn to EPP, DXLD) 5030, R. Los Andes?? (reactivated??), 0957-1028 14 Aug, Beautiful OA campo harp mx with Womanly vocals. 1002 fast talking live M announcer with mentions of Peru, and probable ID "....radio. En Huamachuco, Perú el ??, Radio Los Andes...". Then went into another Campo harp and vocal song. M at 1009 with ID sounding like "...R. Los Andes ?? Perú". TC 3 minutes slow. Brief canned announcement, then live M again and clear ment of Huamachuco. 1011 live band music, 1012 live M again with TC, talk, and into more harp music with group chorus. 1015 M with song announcement and mention of Cajamarca, TC again, ment of "En Huamachuco...", more talk. More music, talk at 1021 with mention of "...Huamachuco, la voz ?? Perú... pueblo del país... frontera del país. ?? Huamachuco..." Then canned ad or some such with M in dialog and farm animal SFX and audience noise. 1023 live M announcer took phone call briefly. Pretty nice signal but had to go to USB to avoid 5025 splash QRM. Since there's no threat of thunderstorms, I'll check it out again tomorrow morning (Dave Valko, Dunlo PA, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** POLAND [and non]. Recent years have seen an unprecedented mobilization of a hard-core, antiliberal, increasingly frustrated Catholic fundamentalist minority. The growth of this movement is exemplified by the success of a media empire established in the early 1990s by an obscure priest, Tadeusz Rydzyk. His flagship enterprise, Radio Maryja, is today one of the most popular broadcast operations in Poland, and his Lux Veritatis Foundation was licensed in February 2003 to establish a national TV network. In recent years, the Polish Catholic episcopate, aware that the church is rapidly squandering its moral authority, has tried to adopt a more moderate stance and to distance itself from Rydzyk`s obscurantist, nationalist, and antidemocratic message. . . http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/story.php?storyID=13796 (via Jill Dybka, DXLD) ** PORTUGAL. RDP spurious signals on 19 mb --- Dear Mrs. Teresa Abreu, Dear RDP-PT -- RDP Radiodifusão Portuguesa, SA, tonight I came across *TWO* unwanted very strong *SPURIOUS* signals from RDP Lisbon site, both signals more than 3 kHz wide, symmetrically on approx. 15358.5 and 15691.5 kHz. The nominal basic RDP frequency is 15525 kHz. The spurs were noted at a level of S=9 +30 dB and more. That's on Thursday Aug 14th, at the 1600-1800 UT portion. kind regards (Wolfgang Bueschel DF5SX, Stuttgart, Alemanha, to RDP via DXLD) ** ROMANIA. Prochainement, la société roumaine de radiodiffusion offrira aux militaires roumains stationnés en Irak la possibilité de discuter avec leurs familles, dans le cadre d'une émission hebdomadaire d`une demi-heure en direct sur Radio Roumanie Internationale. Cette émission sera diffusée le mercredi, jour où une autre émission similaire est mise en onde pour les 500 militaires roumains présents en Afghanistan (Radio Roumanie Internationale - 11 août 2003; les informations sont issues de http://perso.wanadoo.fr/jm.aubier via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. MOSCOW: Move over Marconi, radio was a Russian invention. As were television, the aeroplane, anaesthetic and a host of other things that are more commonly attributed to Western scientists. That's at least what Russian reference books and museums tell us and what millions of people learned under the old Soviet education system, which tended to overlook work by foreigners in a given field. . . http://www.hipakistan.com/en/detail.php?newsId=en35411&F_catID=&f_type=sourc e (via Jill Dybka, DXLD) ** SOLOMON ISLANDS. SOLOMON WARLORD SURRENDERS TO PEACEKEEPERS By PETER O'CONNOR, Associated Press Writer {illustrated] Aug 13, 5:03 AM EDT http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SOLOMON_ISLANDS_UNREST?SITE=IADES&SECTION=HOME CANBERRA, Australia (AP) -- Warlord Harold Keke has surrendered to Australian-led peacekeepers trying to end a civil war in the Solomon Islands, Australian officials said Wednesday. Keke's arrest is a victory for the international force, which is trying to end lawlessness that has paralyzed and nearly bankrupted the South Pacific nation in the aftermath of a coup in 2000. "This is a major success for the mission in the Solomon Islands," Australian Justice Minister Chris Ellison told the Senate. "The most notorious militant leader in that region is now behind bars." Keke was detained on an outstanding robbery warrant and would face a murder investigation, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer told Parliament. Last week in talks with a senior Australian diplomat, Keke allegedly admitted that six local missionaries kidnapped by his forces this year had been killed. Officials say Keke's forces have razed about 15 villages, killed people, and taken hostages for four years. Keke is allegedly responsible for the deaths of up to 50 people this year, and last year boasted of killing a government minister. "The Guadalcanal militant leader Harold Keke surrendered ... on the Weather Coast of the island of Guadalcanal earlier today," Downer told Australia's Parliament. "A full investigation of crimes including murder allegedly committed by Harold Keke and his group can now proceed." Keke's surrender could encourage other militants to hand in their weapons before a three-week gun amnesty ends on Aug. 21, Downer said. After the coup in 2000, a peace deal was brokered and elections restored democracy. Keke had refused to sign the pact. The country's government last month invited the foreign force to restore law and order. The Australian-led force of 2,000 troops and 300 police arrived in late July. Downer said Keke was on his way to the Solomon Islands' capital, Honiara, on the Australian navy ship HMAS Manoora. Keke would be kept in protective custody by the intervention force and receive all the rights accorded under Solomon Islands law, Downer said. His arrest was made on an outstanding warrant for robbery. "For the first time in a long time the Weather Coast can return to peace and stability free from the fear of executions and the village burnings," New Zealand Foreign Minister Phil Goff said. "It is of huge symbolic importance that the rule of law can be restored and Keke and his lieutenants face appropriate charges." Goff was speaking in Auckland, New Zealand, where Pacific leaders were gathering for a regional summit expected to have developments in the Solomon Islands high on its agenda when it opens Thursday. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Allan Kemakeza was on a plane heading for New Zealand when news broke of Keke's capture and was not immediately available for comment. A chain of 992 mountainous islands and coral atolls, the Solomon Islands have a population of 465,000 and lie 1,400 miles northeast of Sydney, Australia. Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved (via Des Moines Register via Bill Smith, DXLD) ** SUDAN [non]. At 1718 Aug 12, I picked up 17660. I caught the tail end of a male newsreader delivering a story on floods in English. It was clear as a bell! He finished and the station ID was "Sudan Radio Service" and they said they would go to Arabic (this was about 1720). A different male voice came on. The signal was fading and it got much noisier. I turned back at 1730 to hear a female voice announce "You are listening to the Sudan Radio Service" in English. The signal then got much weaker and there was lots of noise (Gloria Lalumia, Las Cruces NM, hard-core-dx via WORLD OF RADIO 1195, DXLD) Picked up Sudan again this morning on 17630 at 1600. At 1614 the signal went completely dead. I waited for almost one and a half minutes was about to give up when back on they came! British Transmitters? They're having some problems so if you don't hear them at first, wait! They switch to 17660 (not 17600) at 1700. Rather nice to hear! Great music! (Gary Crites, Eureka CA, Aug 13, hard-core-dx via DXLD) In order not to confuse people who haven't been following the story, please do not use phrases like "picked up Sudan" when this is not what you mean. This is a station broadcasting *to* Sudan, not from it (Andy Sennitt, ibid.) I checked Aug 14 at 1710-1720 on 17660, but there was no English except for IDs between other languages (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SWEDEN. RADIO SWEDEN -- Coming up on Radio Sweden: Thursday: GreenScan visits the Stockholm Water Symposium Friday: Our weekly review Saturday: Spectrum Sunday: "Rythym [sic] is a dancer" at an exhibition in Stockholm, and music from Sarek, in another chance to hear the latest edition of "Sounds Nordic" (SCDX MediaScan Aug 13 via DXLD) ** TANNU TUVA. RUSSIA. There was news about Radio Mayak and Tuvinskoye Radio on 6100 kHz some time ago. But now it's obviously off-air again. I cannot hear anything from Kyzyl on this channel during several latest weeks (open_dx - Feodor Brazhnikov, Irkutsk, Russia, Signal Aug 14 via DXLD) ** U K. DISSIDENT UZBEK POET MOCKS BBC RADIO'S UZBEK SERVICE A dissident Uzbek poet, Yusuf Juma, has written an ironic piece on the broadcasts of BBC World Service radio's Uzbek Service. Juma is one of the founders of the banned Ozod ovoz organization, whose delcared aim is to work for freedom of speech. The following is the text as posted on banned Uzbek Ozod ovoz web site on 13 August: The daily programme of BBC radio's Uzbek service in the 21st century. 1st half hour of the programmes: 1. News from Afghanistan; 2. News from Tajikistan; 3. News from Afghanistan; 4. News from Tajikistan; 5. News from Afghanistan; 6. News from Tajikistan; 7. News from Afghanistan; 8. News from Tajikistan; 9. News from Afghanistan; 10. News from Tajikistan; 11. News from Afghanistan; 12. News from Tajikistan; 13. News from Afghanistan; 14. News from Tajikistan; BBC radio continuity announcements: This is the BBC radio from London! Our programme continues! 2nd half hour of the programmes: 1. News from Afghanistan which has come in in the last five minutes; 2. News from Tajikistan which has come in in the last five minutes; 3. News from Afghanistan which has come in in the last five minutes; 4. News from Tajikistan which has come in in the last five minutes; 5. News from Afghanistan which has come in in the last five minutes; 6. News from Tajikistan which has come in in the last five minutes; 7. News from Afghanistan which has come in in the last five minutes; 8. News from Tajikistan which has come in in the last five minutes; 9. News from Afghanistan which has come in in the last five minutes; 10. News from Tajikistan which has come in in the last five minutes; 11. News from Afghanistan which has come in in the last five minutes; 12. News from Tajikistan which has come in in the last five minutes; 13. News from Afghanistan which has come in in the last five minutes; 14. News from Tajikistan which has come in in the last five minutes; BBC radio's final announcements: This was BBC radio from London. Good bye! Source: Ozod Ovoz, Tashkent, in Uzbek 0001 gmt 13 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** U K. 17640, SITE?, VT Merlin, Perseid tests, 0158-0207, 13/08, English, test loop with music and announcement "You are listening to a test transmission of VT Merlin Communications, the leading provider of International Broadcasting Services; for more info contact.." then web address I was unable to copy. Rough copy, very noisy with fading, unusable by 0207 (Scott R. Barbour, Jr., Intervale, NH, Sangean ATS 818, RF Systems MLB-1, RS longwire w/ RBA balun, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Re unID 2340 in 3-144: Glenn, checked that frequency of 2340 again early this morning and at 0820 UT heard ID as WPAD 1560 in Paducah, Kentucky, into adult standards. Could this be transmitter problems? (Ron Trotto, Waggoner IL, Aug 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Ron, looks like you have a rare sesqui-harmonic (1.5 times 1560), probably because their transmitter originally generates 780 which is supposed only to be doubled for radiation but also got radiated at triple. 73, (Glenn to Ron, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WWCR 5070 - 32222 0203 - DX Party Line. 0231 - World of Radio (Flávio A. B. Archangelo, Jundiaí - SP, radioescutas via DXLD) I wonder what else is around 5070 to cause an I of 2? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WBCQ se ha movido a 5105 kHz. Así lo he podido comprobar este 13-08, a las 0037 UT (desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, Adán González, Aug 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. NEW AMERICAN-STYLE TV SHOW IS BEAMED TO TEHRAN IN PERSIAN August 14, 2003 By THE NEW YORK TIMES http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/14/international/middleeast/14VOIC.html?ex=1061869740&ei=1&en=4fe54a92634b492b WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 --- At first glance, the broadcast that emanates each afternoon from a small studio in the Voice of America headquarters near the National Mall looks like a typical American news program. A sophisticated anchor recounts the major events of the day. Satellite images from across the globe accompany her commentary, giving the broadcast a polished look. The program, however, is broadcast in Persian, and domestic news refers to events in Iran. The show is "News and Views," the third television or radio program started by the United States for an Iranian audience since President Bush labeled the country part of an "axis of evil" in his 2002 State of the Union address. Last September, the Voice of America began broadcasting "Next Chapter," an MTV-influenced weekly television show that illustrates the lifestyles of hip, young Iranian-Americans. Three months later, the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty jointly started Radio Farda ("tomorrow" in Persian), a round-the-clock broadcast of news and music. "News and Views" began on July 6 - three days before the anniversary of pro-democracy demonstrations in Iran in 1999. In response, the Iranian government has jammed radio and television satellite signals, making it difficult for people in Iran to receive the programs consistently. Kenneth Y. Tomlinson, chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, which oversees the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, says Iran is waging a "systematic campaign" to keep the truth from its people. Since 1996 the Voice of America's Persian Service has broadcast "Round Table With You," a weekly call-in television show. The radio and television programs added in the past year have sought to engage the Iranian people further, especially the under-30 group that makes up 70 percent of the country's population. Ahmad Baharloo, executive producer of "News and Views," said the program was "descriptive, not prescriptive." It is also markedly different from privately financed broadcasts from the United States. Typically broadcast from Los Angeles, home to a large Iranian-American population, many of the privately sponsored programs are stridently opposed to the Tehran government. Mr. Tomlinson denied that the American government was financing propaganda. He said, "We are not on the air urging people to do regime change or to rise up against the mullahs," referring to Iran's religious clerics who wield great influence in the government. The success of "News and Views" has been difficult to gauge, but Mr. Tomlinson said there had been an "extraordinary outpouring of e-mails" in support of it (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. BLACKOUT: There is a major power outage beginning about 2010 UT extending from Hartford Connecticut on the East end, New York City in the south end, Lansing Michigan to the west and north to at least Ottawa. Quebec is OK so far. A scan of the bands reveals the following: WFAN 660 NYC off the air. WOR 710 on. NYC studio near Times Square is operating on emergency power but the building is dark. WABC 770 on. WCBS 880 is on. WHLI 1100 in Hempstead LI is on. WALK 1370 in Patchoque LI is on. A check of CFRX 6070 Toronto shows it to be off. CBC North Quebec is carrying English CBC Radio One on 9625. They say all of Ontario is out except for a small area near the Manitoba border. ~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-., (Joe Buch, DE, 2150 UT Aug 14, swprograms via DXLD) -*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^ RCI is doing live coverage of the blackout on 6140 kHz at 2205 UT. RCI is suffering outages on 6140 kHz. Off from 2208 to 2209 UT. Now off again at 2211. The problem seems to have propagated to Sackville or farther east (Buch, ibid.) The New York majors are on with emergency power. Boston is apparently not affected. The NW corner of PA is reportedly out (Erie area ); parts of Connecticut, NH, & NJ; Northern Ohio, Southern Michigan and much of Southern Ontario. This would mean Detroit, Windsor, Cleveland, Buffalo, Syracuse, Albany, Toronto, Ottawa, Hartford are out in addition to NYC. Aside from NYC, I've not heard anything about any local TV or FM stations, however one would expect that the major network flagship stations and major independents in the larger cities mentioned have some level of emergency power, particularly aftwer 9/11. I am over 100 crow-miles from the nearest affected area, and have no serious DX opportunities opened up on FM or TV; and, being daylight still, none on AM either (Russ Edmunds, Blue Bell, PA, 2201 UT Aug 14, NRC-AM via DXLD) Add Toledo, Monroe MI, and I've yet to confirm Port Huron MI/Sarnia ON. FWIW, CKLW-800 seems to be doing a good job of coverage. Great public service (Fred Vobbe, OH, 2209 UT Aug 14, ibid.) As of 1800 EDST I checked the band and noted that WFAN, WNYC and WQEW were off. Probably others but I didn't check yet. [Later:] For those shopping 1560, as of 1925 EDST WQEW is still off (Ben Dangerfield, Wallingford, PA, ibid.) Funny (ironic funny) that I should write about WFAN's "Last" silent period - with the blackout across parts of NE US they are off today though WCBS (same tower) is on the air (Paul Mount, NJ, 2317 UT Aug 14, ibid.) They are back. At first duplicating WCBS, but scheduled to carry the Yankees game instead of WCBS so the latter can stay with the news. Here in MA we are not hearing Disney on 1560 or WLIB 1190. We heard WINS after 5PM. Three years ago they had a studio setup for Y2K at their Lyndhurst transmitter site which they never had to use. I wonder if that is what they are using tonight (Allan Dunn, Holbrook, MA, 0123 UT Aug 15, ibid.) From Scott Fybush, of Fybush Media (who is without power in Rochester NY) --- WXXI-1370 in Rochester NY will be on all night at 5 kW, nondirectional. Good DX opportunity for all. Stations off the air in Rochester include 990-WLGZ, 1040-WYSL, 1280-WHTK, and 1460-WHIC. Most of Rochester TV and FM are off as well (Fred Vobbe, 0127 UT Aug 15, ibid.) Yes, WQEW-1560 is definitely off -- WTNS was strong earlier and now there is weak Spanish, presumed WRHC. Also Cleveland 1220 is on but much weaker than usual, perhaps auxiliary transmitter/power source? (David Yocis, 0200 UT Aug 15, ibid.) The only major NY channel which appears to still be silent ( 1560 ) is nothing but noise here - background (which is very high due to excessive rainfall the past 2 weeks) and TVI (Russ Edmunds, Blue Bell, PA, 0204 UT Aug 15, ibid.) Please note that some U.S. stations in these areas may be off the air, or could be operating on day transmission facilities at night. The F.C.C. allows under "emergency operations" for U.S. AM broadcasters to use their daytime facilities, usually higher power or better coverage, at night (Fred Vobbe, Lima OH, Cumbre DX via DXLD) I checked some webcasts around 2300 UT; WQXR was still running, WBAI, WPKN inaccessible; CBC Radio Two Toronto was simulcasting Radio One special coverage without a hitch; CBC Halifax was apparently on normal programming (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) see also CANADA ** U S A. The station won't say exactly what off-air comment got NEW YORK TIMES Classical WQXR/NEW YORK personality GREGG WHITESIDE fired, but that's what happened, and WHITESIDE told the NEW YORK POST that "they've destroyed an innocent man ... I gave my life to that place. This wasn't a job for me -- it was a way of life." WHITESIDE says that the remark in question was not on the air and was made to colleague SAM HALL and that someone overheard the remark in the newsroom. "I was speaking privately to a dear friend and it was not something that was on the air," WHITESIDE told the POST, adding that he is "in a state of utter depression and I'm devastated by this ... to be fired with no severance? Are you kidding me?" (From allaccess.com via Brock Whaley DXLD Aug. 14, 2003) ** U S A. Here's more on the WRKO host suspended for his severely anti-Palestinian remarks. 73- Bill Westenhaver The Phoenix article, MEDIA, can be found by clicking on the link below. http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/news_features/this_just_in/documents/03090269.asp (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. Re harmonic of 1310 on 2620: De las repetidoras de RNV, debe ser la de 10 kW, es decir, la del oriente del país. Por lo general esas emisoras (al igual que Porteñas 640), llegan muy bien a este lugar. La de Guri es sólo para cubrir unos cuantos poblados de la represa situada en Guayana. Gracias por la información, (Adán González, Catia La Mar, Venezuela, Aug 13, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. La estación de 1580 kHz ha resultado ser Radio María. Se repite en los 3160.02 kHz, bastante audible luego de las 0400 UT. Ahora estoy dudando de que sea puertorriqueña, a pesar de que el acento de algunos locutores apunte hacia la Isla del Encanto. Podría ser de Ecuador, de Colombia o de Perú. Digo yo. ¿Quién podría aportar información al respecto? (desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, Adán González, Aug 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) {COLOMBIA} UNIDENTIFIED [non]. Re 6215: Hi Bill, Glenn is right --- it's WMR via Caroline. My only off-shore pirate verie! Cheers, (Paul Ormandy ZL4TFX, New Zealand, via DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 11435: Emisora de números en alemán: mientras buscaba algún rastro de vida de Radio Cochiguaz, el 10-08, a las 1957 UT, capté la voz de una mujer que daba números en alemán. Una y otra vez los repetía y cambiaba el orden de los mismos. Fue en los 11435 kHz, en modo AM. Ya fuera del aire a las 2027 UT. SINPO 3-2. Mientras tanto, Radio Conchiguaz y Radio América pasan a formar parte de los ARCHIVOS X del diexismo: todos han escuchado hablar de ellas, pero nadie ---prácticamente --- las ha escuchado (desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, Adán González, Aug 13, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED [non]. Hearing unknown station in SS currently on 14010.0 khz. Weak, but taping it. Almost sounds Cuban, like Reloj. Harmonic? 1800z, Aug. 12. [Later:] I posted it on rec.radio.shortwave, and it was also heard in Michigan, but not in Virginia. You can hear the audio clip here: http://members.aol.com/j999w/DX Sounds like a spur of Radio Martí from somewhere. The ident is weak, but fairly certain (John WB9UAI, Milwaukee, WI R71a, vert., hard-core-dx via DXLD) GREENVILLE: 13820 khz - 13630 Khz. Formula: 13820 - 13630 = 190. 13820 + 190 = 14010 (bclsiciliaclub@inwind.it, ibid.) So what kind of ERP are we talking?? (jw wb9uai, ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED. Hi Glen, here's what I got for you concerning Al Asr radio station [presumably from http://www.alasr-radio.com site] First of all, they have a note saying that they are transmitting on the Hotbird satellite frequency 11.938 GHz polarization Horizontal. This is a test transmission; the kick off will be on 1/9/03. Here's what they have on their site: Introduction: in the era of the revolutionary communications and high- tech and with the current media jam in this part of the world (they mean the Arab world) with all these satellite channels, radio stations, newspapers, and mags with all their different points of view and different cultures back ground, with the current international changes and and its reflection on the Arab world, we need a comprehensive media alternative that would enrich the way of thinking, talking to the conscious. An alternative that deals with the challenges and problems and comes up with solutions with an accurate prospective away from the others` interference with independency of the point of view and the freedom of speech. Identifying the station: Al Asr radio is an Independent news and cultural source, aims to spread the enrichment of the public awareness by introducing a special program with Ideas and contents that suits the Arabic minds and touches the interests of our society with all its aspects within its culture and historical specialty in a comprehensive style. That will be fulfilled by having political and economical news, news commentaries, talk shows, political analysis and more. We will try to balance between pleasure and interest in a balanced way with a high standard of performance that goes neck to neck with the latest in this field. The aim of our station is: 1) helping in rooting the culture in our Arabic and Muslim community and the civilized belonging to our Arabic and Muslim community. 2) drawing the attention of the community to the important cases and fixing the current issues. 3) having a debate between different point of views of our scientists in the Islamic world. 4) securing the comprehensive atmosphere of the freedom of speech with the rules and ethics. 5) analyzing the current issues and shedding a light on the obstacles that prevent the progress of community from a cultural point of view. 6) producing special programs sticking to accuracy, with the sense of independence. Sounds like a cool Idea. I heard them on the HOTBIRD satellite, almost repeating the same ideas and reading some verses of the holy Qur`an. BTW there's a Sura in the Holly Quran called ``Al Asr`` which means diffrent things in the Arabic language --- like era, and it's as well the name of the third prayer that we Muslims have after the noon prayers. They played that recitation of Al Asr Sura, with a few seconds of some of their programs, there was a meeting in English, another debate between two professors, etc., with the sound of the waves in the back ground. No Female voices IDing the station...!! And I didn't hear any music as well. Will keep an ear on the station and keep you posted. With all my best wishes. yours (Tarek Zeidan, Cairo, Egypt http://www.tarekzeidan.tk Aug 14, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DRM +++ Radio Canada International has shifted the frequency for its DRM package, which includes Radio Sweden. The new frequency is 9800 kHz, instead of 9795 kHz. Radio Sweden can be heard at 22:30 hrs UTC, which is 6:30 PM Eastern Daylight Time, beamed to the East Coast of North America. The entire schedule is: 20:00 - 20:30 UT Vatican Radio 20:30 - 21:00 UT Radio Nederland 21:00 - 22:00 UT Radio Canada International 22:00 - 22:30 UT Deutsche Welle 22:30 - 23:00 UT Radio Sweden 23:00 - 00:00 UT BBC World Service RCI tells us there are surprisingly many DRM listeners, considering consumer receivers will not be in the stores until the end of next year (Anders Backlin, Radio Sweden, (SCDX MediaScan Aug 13 via DXLD) PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ AMFM2GO tm Eliminates the random and frustrating search for enjoyable radio while traveling. No more finding stations that quickly fade out or are not your favorite format. The information provided gives you MAPS for orientation, cities with radio stations, both AM and FM, the frequency to tune into, their power in kilowatts (kW) as a general guide to broadcasting distance, and the stations primary program format. This allows you to easily tune-in to stations with formats you'll enjoy along your travels. http://www.amfm2go.com/ (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ PLC IS FIXED IN "E-JAPAN 2003" PLAN The result of the public opinion on PLC in ``e-Japan 2003`` plan Against 548; Japan Shortwave Club, Japan Amateur Radio League, Science Council of Japan, Nagoya University, Tohoku University, International Union of Geophysics and Geodesy etc. In favor 3; Kansai Electric Power Company, Matsushita Electric Works, Council of high-speed PLC promotion etc. Japanese Government fixed the plan on August 8. The sentence about PLC is remained as the original plan. The PLC part in ``e-Japan 2003`` plan is translated as follows: Inner-house high-speed PLC (Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications) To verify whether there are practical problems about the affect on radio communications and broadcasting, examinations on the conditions of lines and equipment are to be done in 2003. Based on the above examinations, the government will take measures for the experimentations on the techniques of reducing leakage radiation, in a way that does not affect the existing radio communications. If the government convinced there is no practical problem, through the result of experimentations, research & development, planning for application will be considered. There will be no direct affect on shortwave listening at the moment. But there is still anxiety that shortwave circumstance may be destructed in the future (Takahito Akabayashi, Tokyo, Japan, via BC-DX Aug 13 via DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 13 AUGUST - 08 SEPTEMBER Solar activity is expected to range from very low to moderate levels during the period. Activity for most of the period is expected to be at very low to low levels. Region 424 has the potential for isolated M-class activity early in the period and if Region 431 continues to develop it may produce isolated M-class activity. No greater than 10 MeV proton events at geosynchronous orbit are expected during the period. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to reach high levels on 13 –15 August, 25 August – 01 September, and again on 05 – 07 September. The geomagnetic field is expected to range from quiet to major storm levels during the period. Coronal hole effects are expected to continue on 13 August with isolated major storm levels possible. A large coronal hole high speed stream is due to return to a geoeffective position and is expected to produce minor storm levels on 22 – 29 August. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2003 Aug 12 2211 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Environment Center # Product description and SEC contact on the Web # http://www.sec.noaa.gov/wwire.html # # 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table # Issued 2003 Aug 12 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2003 Aug 13 125 35 6 2003 Aug 14 120 20 4 2003 Aug 15 115 12 3 2003 Aug 16 110 20 4 2003 Aug 17 115 15 3 2003 Aug 18 115 10 3 2003 Aug 19 115 12 3 2003 Aug 20 120 12 3 2003 Aug 21 110 15 3 2003 Aug 22 100 20 4 2003 Aug 23 100 20 4 2003 Aug 24 95 20 4 2003 Aug 25 95 30 5 2003 Aug 26 95 30 5 2003 Aug 27 100 30 5 2003 Aug 28 110 30 5 2003 Aug 29 115 20 4 2003 Aug 30 120 15 3 2003 Aug 31 125 10 3 2003 Sep 01 130 15 3 2003 Sep 02 130 25 5 2003 Sep 03 135 35 6 2003 Sep 04 135 25 5 2003 Sep 05 130 15 3 2003 Sep 06 130 15 3 2003 Sep 07 130 15 3 2003 Sep 08 125 25 5 (http://www.sec.noaa.gov/radio via WORLD OF RADIO 1195, DXLD) ### ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-145, August 12, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser, ghauser@hotmail.com Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3h.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn CONTINENT OF MEDIA 03-05 is available from August 9: (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/com0305.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/com0305.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/com0305.html [now] Also via DXing.com: (Download) http://www.dxing.com/com/com0305.rm (Stream) http://www.dxing.com/com/com0305.ram Nominal schedule on RFPI, 7445: Thu 2000, Sat 2130 plus repeats 6, 12+ and 18+ hours later NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1194: RFPI: Wed 0800+, 1400+ on 7445 [confirmed at 0200 UT Wed instead of 0100] WWCR: Wed 0930 9475 [see USA] WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1194.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1194.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1194h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1194h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1194.html SOLICITED TESTIMONIAL I heard WOR 1193 on RFPI August 6 at 0038. Thanks for your kind support of RFPI in its battle with the University for Peace. I was saddened by the demise of RÖI in May, even though my German language understanding is poor. I share your hope that we do not lose RFPI as well. Best wishes (Allan J. Mui, Seminole OK, Aug 6) ** AFGHANISTAN [non]. APA RADIO TRANSMISSION --- Please tune in to APA Radio Amani from 21:30 to 22:30 pm Kabul local time. APA radio will discuss issues such as peace, democracy building, human rights and security along with cultural and traditional topics. Please tune in to the transmissions at 15615 MHkz on short wave (APA mailing list, 9 August 2003 via Bernd Trutenau, DXLD) APA is the (US-based) Afghanistan Peace Association http://www.afghanistanpeace.com The programs are on 15615 kHz, Fridays 1630-1730 UT; both Dari and Pashto segments can be expected (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Aug 12, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALGERIA [non]. NEW AL-SALAM RADIO TAKES ANTI-GOVERNMENT LINE An Arabic-language radio station calling itself Al-Salam (Peace) Radio (Arabic: idha'at al-salam) was observed at 1615 gmt on 11 August on a Hotbird satellite at 13 degrees east. The radio was heard in progress broadcasting a phone-in discussion on Algeria's problems and political situation. Programming is critical of the Algerian government. The radio carried news at 1800 gmt, including reports on the Middle East situation, Iraq and Algerian and Arab developments. The radio also played religious Islamic songs in French and Arabic. The transponder frequency is 12.597 GHz vertical polarization, digital; symbol rate: 27500; FEC: 3/4. The station has an internet site, http://www.assalam.info The site announces the following: "With God's help, Al-Salam Radio has started its transmission on the Hotbird satellite at 13 degrees east. It can be received on a digital receiver. See the "How to listen" section for technical parameters. "Monday, 11 August 2003. `Events and discussion'. Our guest is Shaykh Abdallah Jaballah, president of the Reform Movement, live from Algeria at 2030 Algiers and London time. You can talk to us on the PalTalk [PalTalk is a private company providing Internet-based text, voice and video conferencing, chat rooms and file transfer] chat programme: 'Social issues' - Radio Assalam; or via telephone No 00447005802460. "The channel's detailed programme will shortly be published on this site." The radio is also observed on the internet site but not in parallel with the satellite. It announces: "Idha'at al-Salam greets you and meets you every day on the Hotbird digital satellite." A talk in Algerian dialect is heard. The site also gives the following contact details: ASSALAM PO Box 4059 5604 EB Eindhoven Netherlands Phone (Edition) +44 7005 802 897 "Fax +44 870 130 11 84 E-Mail info@assalam.info The site has a French section which carries the above announcement, and an English section, which is still under construction. Source: BBC Monitoring research 11-12 Aug 03 (via DXLD) ** ANGUILLA. Caribbean Beacon (a.k.a. University Network, a.k.a. Dr. Gene Scott, a.k.a. ``Moonface``, 24\7), is still unheard on its daytime frequency 11775, tho sometimes on the nighttime 6090. They must be having trouble in the frequency-changing equipment, stuck on the lower frequency, which is of no use in the daytime. Researching the schedule changeover times, I was astounded to find in the WRTH 2003, page 474, 0600 and 1800 UT! As with the Tibet debacle, sometimes it is necessary to apply common sense. This, too, must be in local time of UT -4, not UT, and indeed PWBR 2003 shows the times as 1000 and 2200. We were sitting on 6090 before and after 2200 Aug 12, could not hear it coming on at that hour, if it really did; did not check again until 2447, when it was inbooming (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. Glenn --- From the ABC Backyard site for the Top End, where the lead story was a minor controversy in the Darwin Beer Can Regatta off Mindil Beach (the winners were fined for not wearing lifejackets). Humpty Doo, by the way, is a northern suburb of Darwin, AUSTRALIA. Item re: new ARDS service, the ABC local news Web site: NEW RADIO INFORMATION SERVICE LAUNCHED IN NT - Thursday, 7 August 2003 An Aboriginal-run organisation says a new short-wave radio service for people living in north-east Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory will allow them to easily access important information. The service started this week, giving the 7,000 Yolgnu people living in the region the chance to gain information on issues, such as health, in their own language. Richard Trudgen from Aboriginal Resource and Development Services says listeners can also ring the studio and ask for information they want to be broadcast. Mr Trudgen says it is an easy and quick way to get information across (via Chuck Albertson, Seattle, WA) ** AUSTRIA: Although "Report from Austria" isn't currently carried by any of the WRN networks, the 15-minute weekday program is still available on demand from the WRN web site, updated Mon-Fri 1215 UT, see http://www.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=95 Best, (Kevin Kelly, Aug 11, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. Karel Honzik`s 3-143 of R. Bandeirantes off-frequency set off a discussion among Brazilians, some of them taking offense at it: Realmente, em 31m há um deslocamento sensível, e já faz um bom tempo (Sarmento F Campos, Rio de Janeiro - Brasil, radioescutas via DXLD) Prezado Sarmento e demais amigos. Falar em 9645,00 ou em 9645,86 chega a ser tão importante assim? Estamos tratando de um desvio de menos que 0,01 %, o que para nossos ouvidos pode até fazer uma mísera diferença na recepção, mas sabemos que em qualquer área técnica do mundo (inclusive nos Estados Unidos e na Rep. Checa) existem desvios de tolerancia em tantas áreas técnicas que por vezes chega a 1 ou 2 %, dependendo do caso. Será que não seria o caso das transmissões mesmo com este 'desvio' estarem dentro das tolerancias possiveis, e estarmos perdendo tempo com um tema desta natureza? Infelizmente não disponho de informações oficiais, mas acho que os órgãos 'fiscalizadores' brasileiros e internacionais controlam as tolerancias possiveis no âmbito da radiodifusão. Se medissemos tantas outras centenas de emissões encontrariamos talvez desvios muito maiores. Para concluir, se estivermos realmente preocupados com o que estes menos que 0,01 % nos trazem, será que com este desvio também não estamos tendo chance de ouvir melhor o que se encontra nos reais 9645, ou no desvio inverso --> 9644.5, por exemplo? Um forte 73, (Rudolf Grimm, São Bernardo, SP, radioescutas via DXLD) Amigos, relendo a nota que enviei há pouco, deixo claro que quando refiro-me a tolerâncias técnicas de 1 a 2 % falo de áreas técnicas gerais conhecidas (projetos de construção, esforços físicos, velocidades, medições, etc.). Na questão da Radio Bandeirantes, ou de outra emissora qualquer, julgo ser um tema que mereça destaque se verificassemos um desvio acima de 2 a 3 kHz (Lembram da Radio Relógio 4905 que era ouvida por um bom tempo em 4920??? Ai sim, quem reclamasse teria total razão). Mas, realmente, se estamos dentro da margem de 1 kHz, é o que de fato ocorre com a maioria das emissoras de ondas curtas de qualquer parte do mundo. Não há a manutenção da exatidão com dois zeros depois da vírgula. É impossivel. Esqueçamos. Não creio que este tema da Bandeirantes seja tão importante assim que mereça um destaque internacional. Mesmo que tenha sido escrita com motivos comuns, esta informação parece-me mais ser um tema onde se procura mostrar falhas no que alguns outros paises chamam de terceiro mundo. Também não somos mais terceiro mundo. Há muito tempo. Quem não conhece o Brasil, não tem condições de falar sobre o Brasil. Mas quero estar seguro que esta nota tenha sido uma mera informação técnica apresentada no dial de um receptor, que também pode estar descalibrado. Vai saber!!!! Um abraço e boas escutas (Rudolf Grimm, São Bernardo, ibid.) Olá Rudolf, Um ponto relevante aliás, que deixei de mencionar : Há algum tempo alguém na lista (nao me recordo quem) havia levantado a questão de que haveria um desvio de quase 1 kHz na transmissão em 31m da Bandeirantes. E realmente, havia um bom deslocamento. O Icom R75 que utilizo, apresenta resolução de 1 Hertz, e após 1 hora de operação a precisão declarada é de +-10 Hertz, e quando sintonizo a WWV tanto em 10 MHz como em 15 como referencia, normalmente a diferença é mínima entre a transmissão que é presumivelmente precisa, e o display do R75. O interessante, é que tive a oportunidade de conversar com o diretor técnico da Bandeirantes nas minhas férias recentes, e entre outros assuntos, levantei esta questão. Além de toda a atenção e simpatia dispensada, ele forneceu alguns detalhes técnicos a respeito dos transmissores, sistemas irradiantes e etc, e informou que iria analisar estes deslocamentos. E de fato, me parece que a diferença está bem menor agora. Aliás, o mais interessante ainda, é citar que apesar das transmissões em ondas curtas atualmente "não serem económicamente viáveis", é ainda um fator estratégico para a Bandeirantes a correta operação e manutenção dos transmissores, em função da orientação da alta direção da empresa. E de fato, é o que pude observar, excelente atenção aos ouvintes e esmero na manutenção dos sistemas. Era isso que faltava na msg, que ficou realmente "sem pé nem cabeça", ok ? Abraços (Sarmento F Campos, Rio de Janeiro - Brasil http://radioescuta.aminharadio.com ibid.) Rudolf, Todas as suas colocações a este respeito estão certas. Nenhum dos canais mencionados na nota indicam desvio de canal maior que 500 Hertz, o limite aceito para caracterizar falha de calibragem na aferição de frequência. É simples. Cada 1 kHz, equivalem a 1000 Hertz, portanto, o que o receptor lê como 1000,00 kHz, nada mais é do que a indicação da Rádio record no seu canal natural, aqui em SP, por exemplo. Se o sinal estah nos 1000 kHz, seus picos não devem ultrapassar 1000 kHz + 500 Hertz para cima, ou para baixo. É este o fator que se usa mundialmente para definir "canal". Tudo o que estiver fora isso, estah dentro das normas regualres de transmissão. No caso da Bandeirantes, 6,089.97 kHz por exemplo, é característico de erro de 30 Hertz abaixo do centro do canal, pois 970 Hertz + 30 Hertz = 1 kHz, portanto, teríamos os 6,090 kHz. A colocação sobre o receptor usado para este tipo de aferição é correta porque o receptor tem que possuir leitura de 1 Hertz para poder medir passo a passo cada canal de transmissão, que mesmo nas ondas curtas já usam 5 kHz de afastamento entre cada emissora justamente para evitar conflito de canais. Que eu tenha visto, só receptores como JRC 301, ou o TenTec 340 e similares possuem esta aferição de frequência, lendo estas emissoras como 6,090.000 kHz. E mais, este tipo de informação não complementa em nada o dexismo, pois mesmo a WWV emitindo em 15 MHz por diversas vezes emitiu em 14996 ou 15003 kHz, ninguém se tocou disso porque não influenciou em nada. Sinais de que realmente o primeiro mundo insiste em encher lingiça com os países em desenvolvimento, ou está faltando noticias no mundo do radio. Heheh. Abraço, (Denis Zoqbi, ibid.) Si se me permite la opinión, yo particularmente no pienso que la observación hecha por el checo Karel Honzik y posteriormente publicada por Glenn Hauser haya sido hecha con ningún otro motivo distinto que el de facilitar al oyente la identificación de la emisora. Es ya muy usual ver la indicación de la frecuencia con décimos, lo cual en en caso de la onda media resulta supremamente útil, pues en Europa es ahora muy raro ver a alguien que utilice la modalidad de AM a la hora de buscar DX. La técnica que se usa es la técnica que se venido llamando ECSS (Exalted carrier selectable sideband). Es una técnica incorporada en muchos receptores comunes de hoy en dia, el Sony ICF2001D, 2010, 7600GR etc. así como en los principales receptores de mesa. En Inglaterra también hay alguno que otro que estudia las ondas portadoras aun no perceptibles al oído, sacando representaciones gráficas de las emisoras que se oyen por ejemplo en los alrededores de las frecuencias de 1470 o 1390 que son tan interesantes para los DXistas europeos. Pero para volver al campo más familiar de la onda corta, siempre es útil para los DXistas que 'uma dica' indicase el décimo, si es por encima o por debajo de la frecuencia. Así en el caso de 6115 se podía, años atrás, con mucha fialibildad, establecerse si era Radio Unión o La Voz del Llano que uno escuchaba, y en 6105 si era Radio Panamericana, Radio Filadelfia, Radio Canção Nova o alguna otra. En la banda de los 60 y 90 metros el tema de indicar la frecuencia en uno o dos décimas también se ha vuelto imperativo en muchos casos. Si la emisora es de América del Norte o de América del Sur no tiene importancia alguna. Puedo contarles a quienes así lo deseen, como la indicación de 'un deslocamento' de frecuencia ha sido bien útil a la hora de reportar la emisora y conseguir su QSL. También puedo contar casos cuando la indicación de una frecuencia corrida ha sido recibida con sorpresa y dudas. Cuando me inicié al DX, décadas atrás, no había el tipo de receptores que usamos ahora, y entonces las emisoras que se encontraban un poco fuera del canal solían indicarse con una A o una z detras de la frecuencia, así 6115A en el caso de La Voz de Llano. Claro, con este método, no se sabía si estaba por debajo o por encima del canal, pero eso entonces no importaba tanto. Cordial saludo, (Henrik Klemetz, Sweden, ibid.) Pessoal, Quando enviei a msg sobre um trecho reproduzido pelo Glenn, não foi para fazer apologia a dxistas estrangeiros e nem abordar tema irrelavante. Como a minha redação foi omissa pode gerar polémica, e isso não me parece produtivo, e eu em particular não gostaria de realimentar esta questão. Eu só queria destacar o esmero técnico e atenção da Bandeirantes. Só isso. 73s a todos (Sarmento F. Campos, ibid.) ** CANADA. CKBD, Vancouver BC, 600, has returned to broadcasting in AM stereo (Northwest Broadcasters via Domestic DX Digest, NRC DX News Aug 11 via DXLD) C-QUAM presumably ** CANADA [and non]. One of CANADA's largest broadcasters is taking an interest in the radio scene across the border. Standard Radio, which owns Toronto's CFRB, Montreal's CJAD, CJFM and CHOM and Ottawa's CKQB, among others, bought a 25% interest (the maximum allowable to a foreign owner) in Martz Communications last week, giving it a piece of a broadcaster that's been giving it headaches in Montreal. Tim Martz has long specialized in border broadcasting, buying and selling stations everywhere from Calais, Maine to northern Minnesota with an eye towards sending his signals across the border into Canada. At the moment, his station group includes nine stations in northern New York: top 40 WYUL (94.7 Chateaugay), oldies WICY (1490 Malone), country WVNV (96.5 Malone), top 40 "Yes FM" WYSX (98.7 Ogdensburg)/WYSI (96.7 Canton), AC WVLF (96.1 Norwood), oldies WMSA (1340 Massena), rock WRCD (101.5 Canton) and country WNCQ-FM (102.9 Morristown) - and of those, the one that's the biggest concern to Standard is WYUL, which puts a signal into much of Montreal, yet is unbound by the Canadian regulations on hit music content, language (unlike the Montreal stations, it can give traffic reports in French and English) and Canadian music content. With Standard's money in the picture, will WYUL ease up on its attacks on Standard's CJFM ("Mix 96"), including the taunting Web site URL of http://www.nixthemix.com? Or will Standard put its hit-music energy into the cross-border signal and refocus CJFM in another direction? It should be interesting to watch...especially for Standard's Montreal competitors (Scot Fybush, NE Radio Watch Aug 11 via DXLD) ** CANADA [non]. SOUTH OF THE BORDER, DOWN MALONE WAY By JAMES ADAMS, Saturday, August 9, 2003 - Page R3 From the Globe and Mail, Excerpt of article; for rest of the story: http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20030809/DIARY09/TPColumnists/ Oh those pesky Americans! For roughly the last year rock radio station WYUL 94.7 FM in beautiful Malone, N.Y., has been beaming its 50,000- watt signal into western Montreal 24 hours a day, and driven some of that city's stations crazy as a result. This is because 94.7 Hits FM, as a U.S.-based operation, doesn't fall under the purview of the CRTC; as a result, it's able to sign up Quebec advertisers, do bi-lingual traffic reports and events notices, and run long stretches of commercial-free, non-Canadian music without kowtowing to the regulations that govern the Montreal-based outlets. Of course, it's nothing new for signals from U.S. stations close to the border to slop over into Canada. But sometimes the slop-over is more intentional than accidental, as is the case with WTOR 770 AM, a multicultural/multiracial outlet in Youngstown near Niagara Falls, N.Y., that seems aimed primarily at the southern Asian population of southwestern Ontario. More often than not, while these stations steal audience share and dollars, they're largely distractions to city-based Canadian stations with "full-market signals" powered by 100,000 or 300,000 watts. But WYUL, which bills itself as "Montreal and the Seaway Valley's 20-in-a-Row Hit Music Channel," seems to be doing more serious damage, if one believes the bleats uttered recently by Montreal stations Energie 94.3 FM and CKOI 96.9 FM [both in French only? -- gh]. However, there's nothing much that can be done: The CRTC can't regulate an American station while the U.S. Federal Communications Commission says it can't mess with WYUL's content unless it does something obscene, hate-filled or sacrilegious, or completely ignores the territory it's serving. Drew Scott, WYUL's station manager, likes to call himself "the little guy on the block." He knows some Montreal stations "aren't real happy with what I'm doing but, hey, it's all about winning." He chuckled about his chutzpah in changing the station's former call letters YESS- FM to its current formula to piggyback onto the YUL identification code of Montreal's Dorval airport. Now he's working on upgrading the signals of two other Martz stations, WVLF and WRCD, both FM broadcasters in Massena, N.Y., taking them up to 50,000 watts from their current 15,000-25,000-watt spread and taking on the Ottawa market. "It's gonna be so much fun." (Via Harry van Vugt, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, DXLD) ** CANADA. BITOVE JR. BIDS TO RIDE A NEW WAVE IN RADIO --- Deal will launch satellite broadcasts here Canadian content could be an issue M. COREY GOLDMAN SPECIAL TO THE STAR Toronto Star http://www.thestar.com Aug. 11, 2003. 06:53 AM MONTREAL -- Former Toronto Raptors owner and Olympic bid leader John Bitove Jr. is getting into the satellite radio business with plans to launch a Canadian joint venture with U.S.-based XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., @Biz has learned. XM will announce this week that it is teaming with a group led by Bitove to bring a version of its U.S.-based satellite radio service to Canadian consumers, according to Stewart Lyons, one of the partners working with Bitove. The new company, called Canadian Satellite Radio Inc. (CSR) is completing its application for a broadcast license to the Canadian Radio-Telecommunications Commission, which it plans to file this fall. Existing Canadian broadcasters have for some time been adding digital beams that offer clearer signals for their local programming. However, as yet few consumers have the receiving equipment needed to make those signals work. Satellite radio, broadcast from space on a subscription basis to another kind of digital receiver, would have the effect of creating a new parallel line of radio stations that can be received beyond the range of traditional broadcasters. As already operating in the United States, satellite radio content consists of a mix of new and familiar media. Some content is rebroadcast from sources such as ABC News, National Public Radio and BBC World Service. But other programming is original, targeting fans of jazz or rock music or other specialized categories. "It is a very significant development that satellite radio is coming to Canada," said CRTC spokesperson Denis Carmel. "Consumers will be getting a greater choice of what they want to listen to, which will have an impact on the entire broadcasting market." Bitove is one of Canada's largest restaurateurs, with operations that include Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell. He was instrumental in bringing the National Basketball Association to Canada and led Toronto's latest bid to host the summer Olympics. Satellite radio's appeal is that it can be beamed across the country with CD-like quality, along with data like song titles and artists' names. Traditional radio spectrum can only stretch so far and can't carry additional information. In the United States, satellite radio has struggled, but is starting to catch on as XM and its only competitor, Sirius Satellite Radio Inc., sign up car makers, stereo manufacturers and other equipment producers to produce and install the technology consumers need to receive the radio signals. XM and its Canadian partner expect a regulatory hearing from the CRTC early next year, and plan to begin offering services to Canadian subscribers shortly after. Additional details are expected to be made public this week when XM files its usual quarterly financial update, called a 10-Q, to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Under the Broadcasting Act, a non-Canadian company interested in offering radio broadcast services in Canada must either establish a Canadian-based subsidiary or partner with a Canadian-owned and controlled company — 80 per cent owned at the operating level and more than two-thirds at the holding level. XM chose the latter, forging an alliance with Bitove's CSR, which will have controlling interest. "Since we already have a satellite footprint that extends deep into Canada, this provides a great opportunity to expand our business," said XM spokesperson Chance Patterson. "As we move though the process with the CRTC they'll give us guidance as to the conditions of the license and other details." Other rules under the Broadcasting Act as well as regulations imposed by Heritage Canada dictate that a broadcaster must satisfy Canadian content rules that require a certain percentage of programming to be "made in Canada." However in CSM's case how such rules will apply is less clear, since the CRTC does not yet have official guidelines for content broadcast via satellite. "It doesn't really fit their guidelines for this particular kind of service," CSR's Lyons said. "When it comes to content, there are guidelines in place for a lot of other existing formats, but we are really breaking new ground here." XM offers some 100 channels ranging from hip-hop to opera to bluegrass — channels that will likely also be available to Canadians. At the same time, CSR is working on forging relationships with existing Canadian broadcasters, which means the satellite system may end up, as in the United States, carrying already-familiar programming. The company has been in talks with CBC Radio and its French-language sister SRC. Despite being awash in red ink, analysts note that XM has a lot going for it in terms building its subscriber base and forging relationships with the likes of General Motors, Hughes Electronics, Honda and radio station owner ClearChannel Communications. Adding Canada to the listening mix will only help boost sales, they say. "XM has already proven that people will pay for radio," said Steve Mather, an analyst with brokerage Sanders Morris Harris in Los Angeles. "It's not unheard of to pay for stuff that you used to get for free, particularly if you're getting something better." XM has about $346 million in cash in its coffers, much of which will be needed to maintain its two satellites, launch a third next year and pay other costs. While financial terms of XM's joint venture with Bitove weren't disclosed, XM's Patterson said the costs would be relatively low since XM already has satellites in orbit that beam signals well beyond the U.S. border. It also already has a studio in Washington D.C. that can program and send content to Canadian subscribers, and its third satellite will be able to handle additional Canadian channels that could be available to subscribers in the United States too. Sirius has stated that it is also interested in offering its service in Canada, though hasn't yet moved forward with any plans, according to company spokesman Thomas Meyer. One concern with XM's foray into Canada is local programming, which some fear will fall by the wayside if local stations can't compete with coast-to-coast satellite radio in hundreds of formats. "People have been interested in this for a number of years, and many people have approached us and spoken to us about establishing a presence in Canada," said Fernand Leger, director of spectrum policy with Industry Canada. "I don't think it is something they would have pursued if they did not think there was an opportunity there." But it is still a question whether Canadians will fork out the dough for satellite radio when they can get radio entertainment and information, including high-quality commercial-free CBC , through conventional AM, FM and digital receivers when finally widespread. Mather didn't think that satellite radio will make ordinary radio stations and their localized programming irrelevant. "People will still listen to Bob and Cathy in the morning in their local market; that is not going away," he said. "There will be AM, there will be FM and there will be satellite as a third subscriber- based option, just like pay-per-view is available on cable channels now." (via Kim Elliott, DXLD) ** CHINA. Dear Mr. Say, It's nice to hear from you again. The English Service of CRI launched two hours program to South Pacific and part of Africa from Aug. 5. But unfortunately, the two hours' programs are not available to your area. But maybe you can hear it through frequencies broadcast to the South Pacific. Sincerely Yours, (Yinglian, (Pen-name for) the English Service, CRI via Dan Say, BC, Aug 12, DXLD) ** COSTA RICA. 11TH AUGUST MEETING BETWEEN RFPI AND THE UNIVERSITY FOR PEACE: As you may know, RFPI and the University for Peace met for talks today on the 11th August. It has been agreed that the two organizations will enter into conversations for the next 76 days, ending on 31st October. Neither side will release a public communication until agreement is reached or the agreed conversation period ends. We truly appreciate your crucial and ongoing support and continuing faith in RFPI from listeners around the world. We are still here today because of you!!! We will bring you more information as soon as we are able to do so (RFPI website Aug 12 via DXLD) The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say. Sounds like Maurice Strong has censored RFPI. What really happened? Will you be able to stay in the building we built? Who is this guy to be able to come in and take over the university for peace and silence my favorite radio station, take the news away from me (Lisa, Save RFPI board Aug 12 via DXLD) I'm not getting it either. Since when is secrecy a vital ingredient in conflict resolution? Seems like whenever someone in a position of power wants time and silence in this kind of situation, they're waiting for the public to lose interest so they can stomp on the other party. I don't like the smell of this arrangement and I sure hope James & Co. know what they are doing (Charlie Wilkins, Save RFPI board Aug 12 via DXLD) Billy here. Haven`t figured out your sign in system so I will just carry on. I have been a listener for years and am visiting my dad in San José. I drove out to the station today and the chain is still on the gate. I then drove up to the so called University for Peace and they also had a locked gate, but they had a guard who told me I could not pass. This is strange as last time I was in Costa Rica (five years) I just drove right in and parked. What a beautiful place that is. Great surroundings and wonderful art all over. Too bad the public can't get in anymore. Made me wonder what they have inside I was not supposed to see or do. Anyway, then I drove back to the radio station. They were indeed still broadcasting as I heard them on my portable shortwave on 7445, but the gate was still locked. I was thinking of hopping the fence but the guard on the hill had already told me I could not pass and it was beginning to rain. Maybe tomorrow I will try driving out again. Might be time to bring them food if they are indeed homesteading the building. I have heard talk that U Paz wants to build a whole hotel and condo complex on theire grounds. They say it is so when the new rich and elite come to visit, they have a first class place to stay. I wonder if they will let me visit when that time comes (Anon., Aug 12, Save RFPI board via DXLD) Yes, I have heard the same thing about the plans to build a plush complex on the University for Peace grounds for Maurice Strong's favored elite, may be a tax haven as it's on international ground. May be that's another reason they want to get rid of the radio station, they don't have a lot more room to develop the land unless they move them (Another Anon., ibid.) ** INTERNTIONAL VACUUM. See ALGERIA; CANADA ** ISRAEL. After only a few weeks the `Roadmap to Peace` in the Middle East appears to have become a road to nowhere. Violence continues on a daily basis with both sides engaging in offensive operations. The Israeli Defence Force has a sophisticated armoury available to it and the Palestinian side mostly relies on suicide bombers or alternately on small unit operations that generally are fatal to those who are foolish enough to engage in them. The IDF certainly is a powerful and highly motivated machine. Despite al this sophistication many of their communications are in the clear. They have recently been heard in the UK on the following frequencies: 30000 32150 32200 32950 33300 33350 33400 33650 34050 34200 34750 35250 40750 41900 Transmissions are NBFM and although usually conducted in Hebrew, occasionally English is heard. It`s worth a listen as the situation in the region can only be described as `hotting up` (Dave Roberts, Scanning Scene, Aug Short Wave Magazine [UK] via DXLD) ** ITALY. ITALIAN FM LINKS Hi Glenn, about 50-60 MHz Italian FM Links, they are not real legal but they are still working, also because on this frequency there are only two TV channels used bay RAI 1st programme and some private TV with a lot of free frequencies not use by others like civil or air services. So nobody protests and nobody cares. If the transmitters work well they have no spurious signals. Then they work with not so high powers (sometimes also with RDS, I found some PI codes). I hope this can help you to understand this strange Italian broadcasting custom. Ciao (Giampiero Bernardini, Avvenire, Milano, Italy, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH. RADIO THREAT TO N KOREA'S GRIP ON NEWS From: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3141331.stm The North Korean government's monopoly on news inside the Stalinist state is being challenged by South Korean activists, who plan to float radios across the border carried by helium balloons. South Korean aid groups said they could launch 600 radios from near the Korean border as part of a campaign to highlight the North's human rights record. But listening to foreign broadcasts is illegal in North Korea, putting anyone who finds a balloon-delivered radio at risk of going to jail. The activists hope that giving people more access to foreign news will undermine the claims of Kim Jong-il's government and encourage more defectors. They also want to pressure the international community to include human rights issues during upcoming talks about North Korea's nuclear ambitions. Talks are expected to take place later this month or early in September including the United States, Japan, Russia, China and North and South Korea. The balloon campaign was unveiled by Norbert Vollersten, a German doctor expelled by North Korea in 2001 for criticising human rights abuses. Mr Vollersten, whose publicity-conscious campaigning has been criticised by some, said the move was aimed at opening up the North "by the power of information". The activists said they planned to fly more than 20 balloons, each six metres high and carrying about 30 small radios, into North Korea within the next two weeks, from either China or South Korea (BBC News Aug 11 via Ulis R. Fleming, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH. SOUTH KOREA TO HEAR NORTH'S RADIO "WITHOUT FILTRATION" FOR ANNIVERSARY | Text of report in English by North Korean news agency KCNA; all times local Pyongyang, 12 August: The Pyongyang mission of the National Democratic Front of South Korea (NDFSK) will begin relaying the Korean central radio to South Korea from 15 August, the country's liberation day according to the new measure taken by the central committee of the NDFSK. Jo Il-min, chief of the Pyongyang mission of the NDFSK, clarified this at a press conference given today before mediapersons at home and abroad. There he informed them of the fact that the CC [central committee], the NDFSK has assigned the NDFSK mission in Pyongyang the task of directly relaying the Korean central radio to the South Koreans from all walks of life to meet their desire. The relay time per day is 12 hours in all, i.e., six hours from 7.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. And another six hours from 5.00 p.m. to 11.00 p.m. Now the South Koreans' reverence and worship of leader Kim Jong-il as well as their attention to North Korea making dynamic progress under his leadership are growing stronger in the 15 June era that was arranged and is advancing thanks to the distinguished greatness of Kim Jong-il and his songun [military-first] policy. The measure is, therefore, an extremely positive one taken to meet the requirements of the situation, he said. He recalled that the most efficient way to help South Koreans grasp the greatness of Kim Jong-il and reality of the North and get broader, more detailed and ready news of North Korea is to let them listen to the radio of the North without filtration. Source: KCNA news agency, Pyongyang, in English 1111 gmt 12 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) WTFK??? Surely Pyongyang broadcasts could always be heard in the South. Or does `without filtration` mean no jamming? I don`t think they were jammed, in contrast to the defunct clandestines (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. ZAPATISTAS FIRE-UP THEIR TRANSMITTER? Last night I picked up a station at 0317 UT on 5800. The reception was poor with lots of tropical noise but I could make out what sounded like a woman in Spanish repeating what sounded like the frequency numbers in SS "...ocho cero cero..." and some kind of other ongoing message. This continued until about 0340 then went dead. Zapatistas? Control the Airwaves And you control the morons... 73's (Gary Crites, Eureka, California, 8-11-03, hard-core-dx via DXLD) They played some of the broadcast on NPR today -- they were playing some American blues music (Jilly Dybka, TN, Aug 11, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Guess you mean during a newscast? Nothing found in Aug 11 Morning Edition or ATC archives (gh, DXLD) ** RUSSIA. VOICE OF RUSSIA KHABAROVSK BRANCH TO BE CLOSED According to the letter from the Japanese language stuffs of VOR Khabarovsk branch, the branch will be closed in the near future. All the staffs are against the close and seek support from the listeners. They hope listeners should send messages against the close to VOR Moscow by E-mail vostok@vor.ru fax (+7-095-230-2828), or telephone (+7-095-950-6722). VOR Khabarovsk branch has been producing the programs mainly on Russian Far East since 1946 in Japanese, Chinese, and Korean. According to another source, the decision is from headquarters in Moscow due to the financial and political reason. The close date is expected in October. (Takahito Akabayashi, Tokyo, Japan, via BC-DX Aug 12 via DXLD) - - - RADIO VOICE OF RUSSIA Address : 25, Piatnitskaya Str., Moscow, Russia, 115326 fax: (095) 230-28-28 phone: 7 (095) 950-63-31 Web-site: http://www.vor.ru E-mail letters@vor.ru Chinese (Peking dialect) (from Khabarovsk) 1000-1100 15470, 12000(1), 9470(2), 5940, 5905, 1251, 801, 585 Japanese (from Khabarovsk) 1200-1300 9555, 7315, 5905, 720, 630 Korean (from Khabarovsk) 1000-1100 13640, 12055, 11935, 7305, 648 Irkutsk 5905 1000-1400 100 7315 1500-1800 250 9555 1200-1400 250 9800 1200-1800 100 11935 1000-1400 250 (12000*) 21790 0500-0700 250 Chita 9745 1200-1900 500 11870 1530-1900 500 12055 1200-1300 500 12055 1400-1500 500 Vladivostok 5940 1000-1300 100 7315 1200-1400 250 7340 1200-1300 500 7390 1200-1400 250 7390 1400-1600 500 17660 0100-0500 500 Khabarovsk 7490 1000-1100 080 9480 1200-1400 100 12000 1000-1400 100 (9470*) Komsomolsk-na-Amure 7305 1000-1300 250 17565 0100-0500 250 (15455*) 17635 0500-0900 250 Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy 12000 0100-0500 200 12055 1000-1100 200 13640 1000-1100 100 17595 0100-0300 250 17620 0100-0300 100 (21755*) 17650 0200-0500 250 17690 0100-0500 100 * From 07/09/2003 (Nikolay Rudnev, Belgorodskaya obl., RUS DX May 18 via Wolfgang Bueschel, DXLD) ** SUDAN [non]. V. of Sudan [sic - did they really ID that way?? --gh] 17630: 12 August at 1610, YL with news in unID language. At end she referred to edp.org 1614, time for today`s news in English. Machako Agreement. At 1617 in Sudan (as referred from the English program) with same news (Machako Agreement). Red Cross, EU. 1620 with news in Arab. ID in all languages with Sudan Radio Service and frequent talks in unID language; ID in all languages as previous (carousel). 1633 a song program, 1637 ID, carousel, tribal a cappella play; 1643 traditional play. Also tested on 17660 with signal level S9+ 20, nearly same SINPO. In their first English reference, there was an address srs@edc.org They are asking for any programming help to the station. Some signal problems have been encountered at 1622 and then nearly stable signal; S9+30, SINPO 45544 on R75/16m (Zacharias Liangas, Greece, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. Merlin - Special transmission -- Perseids Sondersendungen zu den Perseiden --- Gefunden unter [found under] http://solarsystem.estec.esa.nl/METEORS/radiometeor/Perseids_2003.html Perseids 2003 NEW (posted 5th Aug, 2003): new transmission schedule! Frequency: 17640 kHz, Transmission from UK (same as previous tests) Tuesday 12 AUG: 0300-0400 UT (1 hour) Tuesday 12 AUG: 2000-2400 UT (4 hours) Wednesday 13 AUG: 0000-0500 UT (5 hours) Thursday 14 AUG: 0300-0400 UT (1 hour) From 12th to 14th August 2003, a team of ESA scientists will listen to the sound of Perseids meteor shower as sweeping across the night sky. The annual Perseids meteor shower is expected to reach its peak at 03:30 UT on 13th August. The group from ESA's Research and Scientific Support Department at ESTEC in the Netherlands will be glued to a radio receiver and their computer screens. "For our experiment during night time, we have come to an arrangement with Merlin Communication, the service provider for the BBC, to continue their transmissions at 17.64 MHz." said J-Pierre Lebreton. "They will switch on one of their transmitters the scheduled nights. We will then use the short-lived meteor ionisation trails as mirrors to reflect the radio signals. In this way, we hope to be able to listen to the meteor echoes." The radio transmission schedule has been optimised for the expected peaks. One frequency will be listened, the 17640, and will carry a BBC programme. The schedule to tune in is: 12th Aug 17640 kHz, 0300-0400 UT Peak: 12th-13th Aug 17640 KHz 2000-0500 UTC 14th Aug 17640 KHz 0300-0400 UTC Note that end of transmission may fall on the next day. Total of 11 hours (via Andreas Erbe via Wolfgang Büschel, Aug 11, DXLD) 17640, Merlin Communications, 2150-2200 Aug 12, Special Meteor Test; loop tape of soft instrumental music and ID announcements by M in English about once a minute as "You are listening to a test transmission by V.T. Merlin Communications, a leading provider of international broadcast services. If you would like to find out more about us, please visit http://www.vtplc.com/merlin ". Decent signal with quick strength variations, but not fast enough to be meteors!!! (Dave Valko, PA, Aug 12, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** U K. 'Marketplace' on NPR had this interesting item on Tuesday night about the BBC. Audio of the segment can be downloaded from their website at http://www.marketplace.org/shows/2003/08/12_mpp.html 'The BBC, one of the world's oldest broadcasting organizations, is state-owned and publicly funded. But the BBC's image and main source of revenue belie the corporation's tough commercial instincts. Annual revenue from the worldwide export of its documentaries, dramas and other shows has just topped one billion dollars -- and the BBC is casting a predatory eye on the richest hunting ground of all: the U.S. TV market. The "BBC America" cable channel is now in 35 million American homes and is the BBC's biggest stateside marketing weapon. Its dramas, and its show formats and concepts, are being sold to other channels. But this is making a lot of Britons uncomfortable because it's a publicly funded enterprise. Regardless, the BBC is winning over fans in the U.S. Reporter: Stephen Beard' (via Matt Francis, DC, DXLD) ** U K [non]. BBC WORLD TV NEWS GETS INTO U.S. VIA LONG ISLAND STATION By James T. Madore, Newsday Many Americans wanting a different perspective on the war with Iraq found it on public television, thanks to WLIW/21. The New York station distributes BBC World News in the United States, and hundreds of thousands tuned in as bombs fell on Baghdad, Iraq. More than 200 public TV stations are carrying the live BBC news shows via WLIW, which also found underwriters to pay for the costs of the service. Each weekday night on average, the program reaches 897,000 households, according to Nielsen Media Research. The 30-minute shows, called bulletins by the British Broadcasting Corp., also have a smaller audience through BBC America, a digital cable and satellite TV channel distributed by Discovery Networks Inc. "We provide international news from a non-U.S. perspective, and that's of massive interest to a group of Americans," said Jeff Hazell, who is the director of sales and distribution at BBC World. "We've got a lot of good recognition and positive press for the way we covered the war in Iraq," he added. The BBC approached WLIW in 1998 about airing the newscasts; the station was carrying International Television News at the time. "WLIW was a bit of a trendsetter, because it was the only one carrying an international news program," Hazell said from London. Public TV stations have the option of airing up to three BBC World News reports per day, but most choose the one anchored by Mishal Husain, which coincides with the nightly newscasts of ABC, CBS and NBC. "People are incredibly passionate about the show," said Daren Winckel, director of annual giving at WGBY in Springfield, Mass. "It does really well in this market." (via Harry van Vugt, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. While PWBR does not show it being on at this UT, I consistently hear the VOA Asian service co-channel on 15190 kHz and interfering with the BBC's poor lone Americas SW morning frequency. I find the fact that the VOA thus impinges upon us North American listeners particularly offensive; there are many other frequencies they could use for this service in that target area that wouldn't screw up our only option for the BBC on SW at that time. When this first happened after the BBC went thru the widely-publicized cutback of NA SW service, and I realized that the VOA was producing this interference to the only remaining frequency, I wrote Kim Elliott directly, hoping that he could use his position within the VOA to influence them to change this frequency usage just enough to remove that interference. Nothing happened; I don't know if he tried or not. I really wish that the major broadcasters would try to avoid each others' frequencies instead of relying upon different target areas to achieve coordination and reduced interference; we all know that propagation varies so much that any signal, no matter to where it is directed, can be received anywhere else at times and is thus likely to cause interference if on the same frequency as someone else's broadcast. If SW usage is decreasing the way some are reporting, surely there are now enough open frequencies to support this approach. It's especially important to avoid interfering with a broadcast that has no alternate frequencies but is on one channel only. The VOA's frequency managers should be particularly aware of such interference to broadcasts directed to or relied upon by US listeners! We pay their salaries, after all (Will Martin, MO, Aug 11, swprograms via DXLD) Keep in mind how the mechanics of interference are managed: You need to complain to the station you're trying to listen to, not the station that's doing the interfering. The logic breaks down in this case, since you're not the "target" for the BBC on 15190 anyway. It seems the way things are done in shortwave broadcasting is that the station *being interfered with* is the one that takes action --- either by contacting the interfering station or by changing their frequency. To be honest, one should go to the target area and do a spectrum analysis as well as a propagation analysis to figure out which frequency would be best. It might be that 15190 is relatively open -- from the perspective of South Asia, and from the perspective of the transmitting location being used by the BBC -- and that's why it was chosen (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA USA, ibid.) The system is flawed. There are many other examples of VOA/IBB services interfering with broadcasts audible in or even directed to North America. IBB ought to take a pro-active stance and put high priority on keeping its frequencies away from `ours`, especially when there are few or no alternatives (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. THE US GOVERNMENT`S INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING BUREAU SELECTS BANTU TO ENABLE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AND INSTANT COLLABORATION --- Bantu Enterprise Instant Messaging to Help Global Engineers Ensure 24x7 Reliability of Government-Funded Broadcasts http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=56263 WASHINGTON, DC -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 08/11/2003 -- Bantu Inc., the premier provider of secure enterprise instant messaging (EIM) solutions, announced today that the International Broadcasting Bureau (IBB), which provides the engineering support for U.S. government- funded non-military international broadcast services, is rolling out Bantu EIM to its worldwide group of broadcast engineers. The Bantu Platform's secure IM, Alerts and Presence capabilities will enable IBB engineers to instantly collaborate on emergency developments and resolve issues that could compromise broadcast reliability. Because people around the world depend on IBB for 'round-the-clock news, IBB needs to ensure its programs are continually available. A comprehensive IM system can help make this possible by enabling IBB broadcast engineers to immediately communicate about critical events, while providing the security, reliability and easy access needed for 24x7 collaboration. The Bantu Platform gives IBB engineers an emergency path for collaboration from any personal computer. IBB chose to deploy Bantu as an application service hosted and provided by Bantu. This subscription service is a highly secure, reliable and low-overhead deployment option that appeals to government agencies that want the benefits of EIM without having to apply resources to managing it. IBB broadcasts, including Voice of America, Worldnet Television and Film Service, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio Free Asia, Radio and Television Marti, Radio Sawa and Radio Farda, are translated into 53 languages and relayed around the world. To help ensure broadcasts reach all intended audiences, engineers responsible for ensuring transmission of the programs will use Bantu Alert (instant notifications) and Presence (see who is online by viewing names or job functions) to immediately become aware of and respond to problems, thereby enabling the highest levels of broadcast reliability. For example, an engineer at a Middle East relay station that isn`t receiving a key broadcast may click on the Master Control/Washington, D.C. contact, who is responsible for transmitting broadcasts from their origination point to all relay stations around the world. The Master Control engineer can then initiate a private, secure conference room with all people necessary to quickly troubleshoot the problem. Bantu's web-based architecture enables users to access the EIM and participate in collaborative sessions any time, anywhere -- a critical benefit for IBB. Equally important in emergency situations where people make rapid decisions, engineers can refer back to their conference room transcripts saved through Bantu's message logging capabilities, to confirm action items and responsibilities. ``Bantu EIM provides tremendous operational benefits to organizations like IBB, which must resolve system issues as fast as possible,`` said Larry Schlang, president and CEO of Bantu. ``By providing maximum security and reliability, the Bantu Platform ensures IBB broadcast engineers can always access the real-time collaboration tools needed to maintain the high service levels upon which IBB audiences depend.`` IBB joins Bantu`s growing list of U.S. government customers including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Department of Commerce and Federal Emergency Management Agency. About Bantu, Inc.: Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Bantu is a pioneer in Enterprise Instant Messaging and leading provider of EIM solutions to the government and commercial markets. The Bantu IM, Presence & Alerting Platform enhances real-time communication and collaboration, resulting in greater productivity and operational effectiveness. Bantu is highly secure and scalable, platform-independent, interoperable, and easily integrates into any application or service. Bantu's customers and partners include the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Sprint, Strong Financial, The George Washington University, Johns Hopkins University, Lockheed Martin, SAIC, Booz Allen Hamilton, Citrix and Blackboard. http://www.bantu.com (via Kim Elliott, DXLD) Silly me: when I saw the headline I first thought it had something to do with a major African language family ** U S A. Dear Glenn, I have only one thing to pass along to you this week, but it's a good one! The FCC gave us permission to move from 5.100 MHz to 5.105 MHz effective immediately. Tom Barna has already made the adjustments, and tonight we should be "diddly diddly" utility free. (We shall see). I know that many people had complained about the interference [around 5097], and that (hopefully) this should fix things. Reception reports can be sent to wbcq@gwi.net I hope that things are well with you, (and as always), thanks very much for your support of WBCQ. Take care, (Michael Ketter, WBCQ, Aug 12, DX LISTENING DIGEST) OK here at 0437 UT check Aug 13 (gh, Enid, DXLD) ** U S A. Once again it becomes obvious that WWCR`s schedules through P-mail are more up-to-date than on the website http://www.wwcr.com There, the transmitter schedules are dated June 6, but as of August 1 in hard copy we see the new `step-up` frequency of 9485, for transmitter three, at 1200-1300 UT only, between 5070 before it and 12160 after it. Some weeks ago, we reported WWCR planned to insert this for propagational reasons, but also that 9475 would be unsuitable at this hour due to Radio Australia. This concerns only the following programs, the first of which was the likely complainant with the old arrangement: M-F: The Free American Sat: News, Golden Age of Radio Sun: News, Rock the Universe The online text version of WWCR`s program schedule as of Aug 12 is still dated 1 July, and *still* has incorrect UT, at 6 hours difference from CT, which is the case only in winter when DST is not in effect. The PDF version on the web, is also old, from 1 July, at http://www.wwcr.com/wwcr_program/wwcr_pgmguide_pdf.pdf and does have correct time conversions, but not the latest changes such as 9485, and the deletion of Spectrum, and the columns are split in the wrong place, so single entries of some WWCR-3 listings of CDT and title are on one page, and sponsor/host and UT on another! PDF version is color-coded with changes showing in red, which in the hard copy appear as slightly lighter gray print than the rest, if you look closely. The WWCR Specialty Programs page has supposedly been updated to 31 July or 1 August and actually has correct 5 hour difference between UT and CDT, but we see a number of contradictions, incomplete or outdated listings, compared to the printed August schedule, so we go with the latter in manually extracting some of those programs: World of Radio: Thu 2030 15825, Sat 1030 5070, Sun 0230 5070, Sun 0630 3210, Wed 0930 9475 (30 min) Mundo Radial: Tue 2130, Wed 2100, Fri 2115 15825 (15 min) Ask WWCR: Fri 2030 15825, Sat 0845 5070, Sat 1300 15825, Sat 2345 9475, Sun 1015 15825, Sun 1730 12160, Wed 0815 3210, Wed (1, 4, 5) 1715 15825, Fri 0945 9475 (15 min) DX Partyline: Sat 1430 12160, Sun 0200 5070, Tue 0930 9475, Wed 0830 3210, Thu 2000 15825 [on at least one occasion, this was the first, not final airing] (30 min) Cyberline: Sun 0305, 0405 5070; Mon 0205, 0305, 0405 3210 (55 min) Rock the Universe: Sat 1105 5070, Sun 0805 3210, Sun 1205 9485 (55 min) This Week in Americana [folk music]: Sun 0605 5070 (55 min) Into the Blue: Sun 0705 5070 (55 min) Sing For Joy: Sun 1400 12160, Wed 0300 3210 (30 min) Latin Catholic Mass: Sun 1600 15825 (30 min) Ken`s Country Classics: Sun 0030 9475 (30 min) Old Record Shop: Mon 0930 9475 (30 min) World Wide Country Radio: M-F 1000 15825, 1300 15825, 1600 15825, 1700 12160, Sat 1500 12160, Sun 0800 5070, Sun 2000 12160, Mon 0100 3210 (60 min) America`s Greatest Heroes: Tue 0305 3210, Sun 1505 12160 (55 min) Golden Age of Radio: Fri & Sat 0405, Sat 1205 9485 (55 min) A View from Europe: Sat 1110 15825, Sun 1010 5070, Sun 1710 12160 (5 min) Presidential Radio Address, Democratic Response: Sat 1900 15825 (15 min) Travel Channel Radio: Sun 2200 12160 (60 min) (WWCR via Glenn Hauser, Aug 12, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [and non]. Don`t you believe Gerry Dexter in the Aug Bandscan America, Short Wave Magazine, that Fundamental Broadcasting Network, WBOH and WTJC ``is also behind the V. of Liberty in Lebanon --- which has been testing on 11.515 --- and should be fully active by now. The organisation is also readying a short wave facility in the Marshall Islands and another one in Uganda.`` !! In fact, V. of Liberty is (was) in Liberia, not Lebanon, is a project of High Adventure/KVOH now combined with WJIE, as are the Uganda and Marshall projects, nothing to do with FBN. How did he get everything so mixed up? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [and non]. SAM Callsign Changes In recent months I have become aware of a change in the callsigns used by various US Air Force VIP flights. Up until the start of this year (at least) the flights were using the `SAM` callsign with their aircraft tail-number as part of the callsign. In the past few months the numeric part of the callsign has changed to be a sequential four- digit number. These appear to have started at about `5600` and have been increasing steadily since then. The visit of President Bush to Europe and the Middle East in early June saw flights in the `SAM 6000` range. One advantage of this change (for the Air Force, that is) is that it is now much harder to work out what kind of aircraft is operating any given flight. With the previous system it was a relatively easy task to compare the numeric part of the callsign (which was the tail-number of the aircraft) with a list of aircraft tail-numbers (easily available via the Internet or in various books and magazines), and you could easily determine the exact aircraft type. The new series of callsigns is much more secure, as you cannot easily tell which aircraft is operating a particular flight. However, all is not lost, especially if you hear the flights talking with HF civil aeronautical agencies. The flight will often give their selcall code to the ATC agency, and from this it is possible to work out the aircraft type. Most of the publicly available lists of SAM aircraft also include their selcall codes. Does anyone know exactly when this callsign change occurred, or does anyone know why it happened? (Graham Tanner, SSB utilities, Aug Short Wave Magazine [UK] via DXLD) ** U S A. RIFT REMAINS BETWEEN PUBLIC RADIO STATION OWNERS, VOLUNTEERS --- Listeners withhold pledges to protest changes at WYSO By Jim DeBrosse http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/0810wyso.html YELLOW SPRINGS | It`s been more than a year since WYSO-FM, the Miami Valley's most listened-to public radio station, dropped most of its on-air volunteers and much of its local music programming in favor of national network fare — a move that station managers said was needed to grow the Yellow Springs station and ensure its survival. But after touching off '60s-style demonstrations and a donation boycott by some listeners and volunteers who oppose what they call "cookie-cutter broadcasting," the changes at WYSO have reaped mixed results. Audience numbers are up — with 8,000 new weekly listeners, according to Arbitron ratings released last week — but so are expenses and the station's deficit, expected to hit $100,000 in the fiscal year that ended June 30. Because of the squeeze, station managers say, WYSO has left unfilled its local news director position, vacated last November, and has curtailed community outreach, such as sponsoring concerts and bike rallies. "So what's the radio station's connection to the Miami Valley community?" said Dave Barber, a longtime station volunteer and former jazz DJ who was among those who lost their shows. "That's the core issue for many of us." The often passionate debate about the direction and future of WYSO appears to be at a stalemate. Station managers, backed by WYSO's Antioch University owners, say there's no turning back to volunteer- based shows that were unpredictable and often unpolished. Meanwhile, members of Keep WYSO Local, the listener group opposed to the changes, say they have raised $45,000 in pledges that won't go to the station until their voices are heard. The demands are almost as varied as the group's membership. Some want a return of jazz offerings. Others want the Women in Music program, canceled after 25 years, back on the air. Still others want the station again to be a training ground for Antioch students, a function it has not served for years. Steve Schwerner, a retired Antioch professor and a longtime jazz host at WYSO until his show was eliminated, said the station no longer knows what its core audience is. "WYSO was a precious thing. People would come from out of town and listen and say, 'Hey, what's this?` -- Schwerner said. "Now you can travel across the country and hear everything that's on WYSO -- with the exception of Vick Mickunas' Book Nook." Regional implications What may seem to outsiders like one more Yellow Springs counter- culture feud has implications for the entire region, many believe. WYSO (91.3) has come a long way from the tiny student-run station of the 1960s. With a 37,000-megawatt signal and a budget of $935,000, it's now the leading public radio station in the Miami Valley, with an audience of 57,000 tuning in each week. Beyond that, WYSO traditionally has lent the Dayton area the kind of hip, alternative cachet that consultants say helps recruit younger, sophisticated professionals for driving the Information Age economy. Station managers say that's the audience they want to reach — well- educated, relatively affluent and influential, and likely to listen to National Public Radio as they drive to and from work. The gospel in public radio these days, delivered by consultants and supported by market data, is that stations must lure more listeners for longer periods of time to create the kind of loyalty that opens wallets and leads to donations. That's particularly important at WYSO, which unlike most public stations receives no funding from its university owners. About half of WYSO's budget is dependent upon listener contributions — a fickle source of support, indeed. Across the industry, only about one in 10 public radio listeners feels devoted enough to a local station to send a check. Studies show that listeners "are less and less forgiving of programming that doesn't sound as good or as polished as anything put out by regional producers," said WYSO station manager Steve Spencer. If they don't hear that predictable quality, he said, "they hit another button." Spencer said WYSO's strategy is to hook listeners with national fare and keep them tuned in for local programming. The trick, though, is maintaining the station's creative edge on a budget squeezed by cuts in state support and corporate underwriting, both of which were down $127,000 this past fiscal year, Antioch officials said. "If even 15 percent of our listeners gave us money, we would be swimming in it," Spencer said. As WYSO's managers predicted, more people are tuning in to hear the consistent, quality programming provided by NPR and Public Radio International. Not only has WYSO's listenership grown, average membership pledges this spring were up as well, from $97 to $104. Less encouraging is that the average weekly time spent listening to the station dropped from 7.4 hours to 4.6, according to last spring's Arbitron ratings. Station managers weren't sure why, but Watts suggested it was a fluke based on listeners tuning in for Iraqi war news but not staying for music programs. Critics counter that one reason could be that WYSO replaced much of its evening local fare with the syndicated World Cafe show, which features a mix of interviews and adult alternative music. Station managers say their feedback indicates listener loyalty has deepened. During the last pledge drive, "it's amazing how many listeners told us they like not just a particular program, but the whole (station) package," said said Glenn Watts, Antioch's vice chancellor and chief financial officer of WYSO. Besides cutbacks in state and corporate support, the cost of airing expensive national programs (Car Talk alone costs $10,000) and paying for services once done free by volunteers are two reasons WYSO is facing a $100,000 deficit this year. That's more than 12 times the $7,000 debt the station incurred the year before when volunteers hosted an eclectic mix of musical offerings. Managers at other public radio stations in southwest Ohio say they expect their budgets to break even this year. For fiscal year 2003-04, Spencer's budget is counting on a 26 percent increase in listener contributions and underwriting from businesses, a leap of $233,000, without additional staffing to raise the money. The proposed budget includes $220,000 for national programming. Station managers won't say how much they now pay for fund-raising services — such as mailings, phone answering, donor tracking — much of which used to be done by volunteers. As a way to cut costs and boost giving, station managers say they are looking into sharing technical resources and underwriting efforts with WDPR-FM, the classical-music public station in Dayton. But Keep WYSO Local members think the best way to build listener loyalty and financial support is to involve the community, focus on covering local issues and make the station a meaningful alternative to the mainstream. That message is echoed across the country by community radio stations who say they are doing just fine without the help of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting or National Public Radio. Carol Pierson, president of the National Federation of Community Broadcasters and an Antioch graduate, said the group's 160 member stations are faring well in a tight economy "by being a focal point for community issues and concerns. Just because programming is of a local nature doesn't mean it has to be poor quality. You have to put the necessary resources behind it." Valuable resource lost WYSO lost a valuable local resource in November with the departure of news director Aileen LeBlanc, who was twice named Ohio's best public radio reporter and was a frequent contributor to NPR. LeBlanc cited both career reasons and her inability to get along with Spencer as reasons for leaving. Spencer has filled the gap in local coverage with WYSO Weekend, a two- hour mix of national, state and local news hosted and produced by morning-show announcer Ryan Warner. The program includes 40 minutes of local material and was cited by the public radio industry magazine Current as an example of "creativity on a shoestring." Still, some listeners say they miss LeBlanc's in-depth and on-scene local coverage. "There are some on-air personalities we miss right now," Watts said. LeBlanc "did some wonderful work for us." Watts said he wants to start rebuilding bridges to the station's volunteer base and to move beyond the stalemate. But the biggest obstacle may be Spencer, whose brusque management style and apparent uneasiness with volunteers has been noted even by his supporters. "I don't think the rift can ever be resolved until Steve Spencer is gone," said Char Miller, a former member of WYSO's resource board. Miller quit in March because station managers wouldn't share budget figures with the 11-member advisory panel. Two other board members left for similar reasons. Station managers point out that Antioch's board of trustees, not the resource board, are the true legal owners and financial overseers of the station. Miller said she received a letter from staff members at WYSO in July 2002 complaining about "Steve losing his temper and screaming at people and shouting." She brought the letter to the attention of Watts, who told her that he wouldn't investigate unless staffers came to him directly with their complaints. Spencer has gotten anger management and general management training at the request of his Antioch superiors, Miller said. Spencer "just doesn't know how to work with the community and use them as resources," Miller said. "There was already a huge a volunteer base. But instead of using them, he turned them away." Spencer defended his management of the station. "How can anyone say I'm standing in the way of this station's progress?" Spencer said. "There have only been three years in WYSO's 43-year history that it ended the year in the black — and they were all after I came here as general manager" in 1998. Watts confirmed that the station ran surpluses the first three years of Spencer's tenure. In 1997, WYSO was on a list of 30 stations at risk of losing funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which was about to introduce performance standards for member stations that included fund-raising ability and listener loyalty. Both were in short supply at WYSO at the time consultant Tom Livingston visited the station in February 1997. The station was facing a $176,000 payment on a bank loan to help finance a recent broadcast-power increase. Fund raising was down and listener loyalty was low, just 24 percent. Livingston's advice? The station needed a more professional sound. Tom Thomas, a consultant with the Strategy Resource Group, a Maryland- based alliance of public radio stations, said stations like WYSO aren't abandoning their local commitment but rather sharpening their quality by mixing national, state and local programming. "Today, public radio reaches twice as many people as it did 10 years ago," he said, adding that while commercial radio audiences have steadily slipped, public radio now reaches nearly 30 million Americans weekly. Thomas insists that the proliferation of nationally syndicated programs in public radio has not led to the homogenization now rampant in the commercial industry, where giant companies such as Clear Channel Communications and Radio One own multiple stations in most markets. "There's a difference between sharing and homogenization," he said. "If it's not being duplicated by another station, then it's not homogenization." Keep WYSO local, however, points out that many of the national offerings from WYSO are also broadcast on other public radio stations in the Miami Valley, including WMUB in Oxford and WGUC in Cincinnati. Tom McCourt, a Fordham University communications professor and author of Conflicting Communication Interests in America, said national consultants tell station managers what they want to hear. "It's a lot easier to make decisions when you're using syndicated programs," he said. "You don't have to deal with volunteers or staff, and the program scheduling is almost automatic." McCourt said public radio's current obsession with audience numbers is defeating its purpose. "Public radio is supposed to be something other than commercial radio. It's supposed to be serving an overlooked audience." Spencer's background At the time of Livingston's visit to WYSO in 1997, the station was five months into a search for a new general manager after the previous manager, Norm Beeker, had been forced to quit for making some unpopular programming changes, including the elimination of the leftist Pacifica News. Spencer, a New York native, was chosen from 35 applicants. Watts touted him as someone who had turned around a troubled community radio station in Columbia, Mo. — KOPN. Former board members and volunteers at KOPN have since begged to differ, claiming Spencer left the station $100,000 in debt and bereft of its volunteers. Debbie Johnson, a volunteer programmer at KOPN at the time, said the station was "pretty much hopping with volunteers" before Spencer's arrival as general manager in 1996. Several months after, "you could go up there and there would be virtually no one except Steve and the woman running the office," she said. Spencer embarked on a course of paid staff and expensive national programming that "little more than a year later, left us more than $100,000 in the hole," said Mark Haim, a board member at the time. "He's a good operations guy — he's good at keeping your radio signal on the air. But as far as some of his community relations skills, that seems to be his downfall." Former KOPN board member Paul Sturtz said the station is now back on its feet. "We actually have money in the bank and a great volunteer spirit again," he said. "We're very proud of what we've done." Spencer declined comment on his time at KOPN. Watts said there's no way that WYSO will return to its old format, but that he would like to reach out to the volunteers and make use of their talents. Instead of an hours-long jazz program, for instance, it might take the form of five-minute spots on the history of jazz or important jazz musicians, he said. One former WYSO volunteer said the rift would be simple to fix. "Put the Women in Music show back on Sunday, put the blues show back on Monday, add a night of jazz and be done with it. It would be easy. But everybody's heels are so dug in right now it will never happen." Something or someone needs to give or the Miami Valley stands to lose one of its primary attractions for thinking people who want an alternative to commercial radio fare, said Fred Bartenstein, a Yellow Springs-based planning consultant and the new host of WYSO's weekend bluegrass show. "It's like a game of chicken — each side wants its own view of the world to prevail," Bartenstein said. "But the basic story is the survival of WYSO." (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** U S A. WMHT-FM *89.1 Schenectady NY defends its decision to save classical music programming by firing four long-time staff announcers. Some station supporters have gone so far as to ask for refunds of their donations. Those let go were union members Laurence Boylan, Mary Fairchild, Eric Willette and Larry Nuckolls. This leaves the only live, local program in the hands of management employee Bill Wynans -- - who`s on at 6 to 10 am. However, if donations improve, ``we would revisit this decision [to let the four announces go]. I hope our listeners will have faith in us,`` said Deborah Onslow, station general manager. And it is going ahead with plans to buy an office building in the Rensselaer Technology Park for $1.66 million. Those plans were first announced about four years ago, and have no bearing on the staff cuts. Money for the purchase came form funds set aside, but the move could cost $20 million with renovations and new equipment needed. Onslow said the planning, renovation and expansion could be done in a sesquiyear, allowing the stations to be in by late 2004 or early 2005y (Aug FMedia! via DXLD) ** U S A. KOPB-FM *91.5 Portland OR and other stations of Oregon Public Broadcasting --- the union representing one third of its employees picketed the studios. OPB wanted the union to accept wage freezes and cuts. Instead, 40 picketers were protesting an attempt ``to make union employees bear a disproportionate share`` of the agency`s budget shortfall. An arbitrator had ruled OPB violated its agreement with the union when it laid off 10 employees, then rehired seven of them, but as temporary employees without benefits. Earlier, OPB learned that it would not receive a previously-announced $3.45 million from the state for 2003-05 because of the state`s budget shortfall. Then it announced it won`t be able to provide 24 hours a day emergency broadcast service, hinting that broadcast hours would be cut (Bruce F. Elving, Aug FMedia! via DXLD) ** U S A. Here`s the FCC`s schedule for the next step in the FM translator process, and the petition to deny stage (courtesy M Street). The singletons (unopposed FM translator applications) that made the list have until August 29 to file Form 349, which should make for a busy summer for some consulting engineers. Once each application has been deemed grantable by the FCC staff engineers and is published, there`s a window of just 15 days for petitions to deny, and we expect to see quite a few of those, especially from broadcasters discovering translator applications nestled on second-adjacent frequencies within their own 60 dBu contours. Yes, that`s legal --- but the translator`s 100 dBu contour has to fall over an ``unpopulated`` area, and there`s already plenty of debate in engineering circles about just what that term should mean. For example, how about highways and shopping centres, where nobody lives but plenty of people pass through? Those Form 349 applications can include minor changes from the facilities specified in the initial `` short form`` applications --- changing frequencies (up or down the dial three channels, or up or down 10.6 or 10.8 MHz), changing primary stations. And speaking of the $600 fee: it doesn`t apply to noncommercial translator applications. But whether or not an application is commercial is determined by the primary station specified in the initial ``short form`` expression of interest. Bogus translator applications about to trigger a class action lawsuit? That`s what one observer said might happen. The FCC ``shouldn`t reward those who file bogus applications`` which cause current station licensees to shell out thousands of dollars in legal and engineering expenses to fight an FM translator that might be too close on the dial to a regular station (Bruce F. Elving, Aug FMedia! via DXLD) ** U S A. KBFR CAUGHT IN RADIO SKIRMISH --- Though FCC pulled the plug on low-power radio, local station still on air By Ryan Morgan, Camera Staff Writer, August 10, 2003 http://www.bouldernews.com/bdc/city_news/article/0,1713,BDC_2422_2172285,00.html Monk didn't want to be a pirate. But when Congress nixed his radio license, he ran up the black flag. Monk runs 95.3 FM KBFR, an illegal, low-power radio station that broadcasts music, talk and political debate across Boulder. Monk, who would not give his real name, said that in an ideal world, KBFR would be perfectly legal, a local alternative to the increasingly homogenous offerings on the rest of the dial. Its DJs play diverse music without annoying commercials. The station gives local musicians air time and gives nonprofessionals a chance to get behind the microphone, he said. "We're taking back a valuable public resource," he said. But KBFR — Boulder Free Radio — is unlicensed. So Monk has to evade the Federal Communications Commission while offering his public resource. Monk's broadcasting ambitions began in 2000, when the FCC made new rules creating low-power FM radio stations, which broadcast at fewer than 200 watts and have a range of less than 10 miles. Monk ordered $5,000 worth of broadcasting equipment and got ready to get on the air. "Like every other human male on the planet, I thought, 'Whoo! I'll be a DJ,'" Monk said. But right after his equipment arrived, the National Association of Broadcasters and National Public Radio launched a campaign against low-power FM, claiming it would clog the spectrum with interference. Congress scuttled the new signals. "I had already ordered the equipment, so I had a choice," Monk said. "I could put it up on eBay and eat (his loss). Or I could say, 'Screw it,' and put up an antennae." He put up the antennae, and now spends 10 to 20 hours a week keeping the station on the air. Monk and his team of two dozen have kept a step ahead of the feds by constantly moving. Several Boulder residents offer KBFR electricity and an antennae, which the crew hooks up to from a broadcasting van that changes locations several times a week. FCC officials did not return calls seeking comment. Monk is also adamant about maintaining anonymity. He is careful not to reveal any clues about his identity, and he gave this interview in what he called an empty "safe house" in central Boulder. "The only reason we're still around is because we're paranoid," he said. KBFR broadcasts every day, although there are occasional silent periods when the station is being relocated or the station's engineer — a man Monk would identify only as "Sparky" — tries to fix technical problems. Monk said the broadcasts have widespread listenership across Boulder. The best indicators, he said, are that the station's request line (an untraceable pre-paid cell phone), gets calls every hour, and e-mails sometimes number dozens in a day. Monk, who appears to be in his late 40s and has short, graying hair, offers a somewhat mixed message about KBFR's mission. On one hand is the outlaw aspect — hiding from the feds and breaking FCC rules. There's off-color material that includes words the FCC doesn't want to hear spoken on the air. "We're quite obscene when we want to be," Monk said, noting that they try to limit the most profane material to nighttime broadcasts. And the station offers a platform for people far outside the political mainstream — mostly the hard left, but some voices on the right. "We have some hard-core Libertarians," Monk said. "We had to come up with a new rule: no guns in the van." That's one of three rules. "No guns, no drugs and no one under 18 in the van," Monk said. He paused, then elaborated: "Alcohol does not count as a drug." But Monk said despite being an "underground," "pirate" station, he works hard to be a good radio citizen. He said the station's channel is very clean — meaning it doesn't "bleed" across the spectrum and interfere with other stations. "We try to be very careful not to step on anyone around us," he said. Some day soon, Monk may have a chance to consider becoming a legal member of the broadcasting community. After much prodding by low-power FM advocates, the FCC last month released a study conducted by the Mitre Corporation confirming what people like Monk have been saying for years — that carefully tuned low-power FM stations don't interfere with the bigger broadcasters on the dial. That raises the possibility that the FCC might once again make stations like KBFR legal. Monk said that's a bridge he and the rest of KBFR will cross when, and if, they come to it. "I would probably put it to the group," he said, and ask the rest of KBFR's staff to take a vote. While the FCC's blessing was once appealing, Monk has grown comfortable with his pirate persona — and the complete freedom he and his unpaid staff have behind the microphone. "I just don't know," he said. If the station became legal, he said, "we would lose the ability to be as diverse as we are now." (Boulder Daily Camera Aug 20 via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. In Brooklyn [NY], the Rev. Yvon Louis is in trouble with the FCC after agents made repeated visits to his Calvary Tabernacle on Nostrand Ave. to check on pirate stations that operated from there on 88.1, 90.1 and 93.7 MHz, in some cases with more than 3,000 times the legal unlicensed power. Rev. Louis tells the FCC that none of the transmitters they saw on their visits were operable - but the FCC says he owes them $10,000 for repeated, willful violations. With thanks to Joseph Gallant: after literally decades of Rochester network affiliates on Ottawa cable, Rogers is switching its Ottawa system to network feeds from Detroit when its channel shuffles take place September 9. Rochester's WHEC, in particular, has long mentioned Ottawa weather in its local newscasts, and it's not unusual to see Ottawa phone numbers in the occasional local commercial here, either. NERW wonders if the microwave system that has delivered Rochester signals to Ottawa from a receive site on the north side of Lake Ontario was getting too expensive to maintain. Ottawa will still get PBS from Watertown's WPBS, at least...) (Scott Fybush, NE Radio Watch Aug 11 via DXLD) ** U S A. RADIO HALL OF FAME NAMES CLASS OF 2003 http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030811/cgm040_1.html CHICAGO, Aug. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Singing cowboy Gene Autry, network talk show host Jim Bohannon, Los Angeles talk radio icon Michael Jackson, legendary broadcast executive Mel Karmazin and veteran farm broadcaster Orion Samuelson of WGN/Chicago make up the Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2003, announced today by Bruce DuMont, Radio Hall of Fame President The induction ceremony will be nationally broadcast live at 9:00 PM (CT) on Saturday, November 8th, from the Radio Hall of Fame in the landmark Chicago Cultural Center. The one-hour special will be hosted by Radio Hall of Fame inductee Larry King of CNN and the Westwood One Radio Network, which will produce the broadcast. Following is additional information on this year's inductees: Gene Autry (deceased). Originally a yodeling cowboy on KVOO/Tulsa in 1930, Autry moved to the WLS National Barn Dance in the early '30s and reached radio stardom in 1940 as the host of Melody Ranch on CBS Radio and eventually show biz icon status. Jim Bohannon, veteran Westwood One talk show host, whose strong interviewing skills have made him a favorite of radio listeners for more than 20 years. He also hosts America in the Morning. Michael Jackson, the highly-respected Los Angeles talk show host for more than 30 years, formerly heard on KABC and KRLA, is known for his articulate and incisive commentary and strong interviewing skills. Mel Karmazin, the President and Chief Operating Officer of Viacom, Inc. Karmazin built his reputation as the dynamic leader of Infinity Broadcasting and has demonstrated a boundless belief in the future of the medium. Orion Samuelson, WGN/Chicago's "voice of agriculture" since 1960. Samuelson is one of the country's most prolific broadcasters, whose coverage and concern for the American farm community is unparalleled. Individual tickets to the November 8th black-tie induction gala are available for $500.00 each; and tables are available for $5,000.00, $10,000.00 and $15,000.00. Tickets may be purchased by calling 800/860-9559. Inductees were selected through a national balloting process that included participation by radio executives, broadcast historians and members of The Radio Hall of Fame from coast to coast. Ballots were tabulated and certified by the firm of Altschuler, Melvoin and Glasser LLP/American Express Tax and Business Services. Travel and promotional considerations are being provided by American Airlines, the official airline of The Radio Hall of Fame. The Radio Hall of Fame at the Chicago Cultural Center (Michigan Avenue at Washington Street) recognizes and showcases contemporary talent from today's diverse programming formats, as well as the pioneers who shaped the medium during its infancy. The Radio Hall of Fame web site is http://radiohof.org (via Jill Dybka, DXLD) ** U S A. Re: Mr. Howard's question on tower height Glenn, Here are the URLs for 47CFR73.190 Figures 7 and 8 which depict the minimum heights allowed for omni-directional medium wave antennas in the US, pursuant to the requirements of 47CFR73.189. http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/decdoc/scanned/73190fig7/2.gif http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/decdoc/scanned/73190fig8/2.gif The minimum antenna height rules (which also include rules for the minimum RMS horizontal plane efficiency of medium wave directional antennas) are designed as a tradeoff between practicality and spectrum re-use maximization. The class A station rule is designed to minimize the "fade zone" area of skywave/groundwave interference in areas with reasonably good conductivity. A similar rule was contained in the old NARBA agreement, but there is no such rule in the current RJ-81 Region II Agreement, and I believe that Canada therefore no longer enforces a minimum efficiency requirement. The 47CFR73.189 rule requires a minimum efficiency of 362 mV/m/km/kW for class A stations, 282 mV/m/km/kw for class B, class D, and Alaskan Class A stations, and 241 mV/m/km/kw for class C stations. (Alaska class A stations have the lower requirement because in general the ground conductivity is lower in Alaska than elsewhere, so taller towers don't necessarily optimize the fade zone region.) Use of the graphs noted above allows these requirements to be easily translated into heights at each frequency. There is also an FCC utility which will calculate the horizontal plane efficiency for a given tower height and ground system configuration, within limits: http://www.fcc.gov/mb/audio/bickel/figure8.html (Benj. F. Dawson III, PE, Hatfield & Dawson Consulting Engineers, LLC 9500 Greenwood Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98103 USA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) US MW STATIONS - FCC TOWER HEIGHT RULES In DXLD 3-144 Richard Howard inquired why so called clear channel stations often used longer antennas than the 1/4 wavelength antennas used by most smaller stations. Does the FCC mandate tower height limits? The FCC does not mandate MW tower height. They do mandate that new stations protect the coverage area of existing stations up to a limit. At one time clear channel radio stations were just that. Mexico, Canada and the USA were all assigned certain MW frequencies which were their own private playground. My 1936 White's Radio Log shows WMAQ 670, WLW 700, WGN 720, WJR 750, WHAS 820, WLS/WENR 870, KDKA 980, WBZ/WBZA 990, WHAM 1150, and WCAU 1170, as the sole stations in the continental USA on these frequencies. These stations served rural markets after sunset and so they were given special protection from interference. As radio progressed, the need for such wide ranging stations became less important so the protection range was gradually lowered to 1500 miles and then to 750 miles for these stations. Stations were limited to 50 kW (except WLW in 1936 ran 500 kW). In order to put out the best signal possible, these stations used longer antennas. At 5/8 wavelength the ground wave is maximized. Above this length, the pattern begins to show significant lobes at high angles which waste power heating the ionosphere. An antenna called the "Franklin" was invented to work around this problem but they were difficult to feed so not many were used. As the protected range of these clear channel stations was reduced, other stations were squeezed into the clear channels as long as they protected the "clear channel" station's reduced protected coverage area. So these new stations were limited on ERP in order to not interfere with existing users of a frequency. The trade-off between antenna gain along the ground and transmitter power was an engineering decision of the broadcaster as long as the FCC was able to be convinced that existing stations were protected. So the original clear channel stations often have antennas up to 5/8 wavelength in height. Those that came later usually opted for shorter towers and more transmitter power to achieve the allowable signal strength at the edge of the prior user's coverage area. There are exceptions. Night time coverage areas are greater than daytime coverage areas which led to the introduction of daytime-only stations. For example in 1936 WJJD Chicago went off at sunset to protect KSL Salt Lake City. A few years later directional antennas were perfected and engineers could now design patterns with nulls in the direction of stations being protected thereby allowing more ERP in other directions. The same philosophy was applied to non clear-channel stations. Existing users of a frequency were protected out to the FCC specified signal strength contour of existing stations. One more trade-off I have not mentioned. As the tower gets longer, the length of the radial field should be increased to minimize losses. The cost of the longer antenna must also include the cost of the surrounding real estate to accommodate the longer radials and also to satisfy zoning regulations that usually require that if a tower collapses, it falls on your land and not some adjacent farmer's cow barn. These considerations drove the engineering decision in the direction of shorter towers as population density and liability insurance rates increased. By the way, on the back of my 1936 White's Radio Log there is an advertisement for the National Radio Institute's correspondence course on radio repair. In bold headline type there is an interesting statement, "I thought radio was a plaything but now my eyes are opened, and I'm making over $40 a week." The same ad ran on the back cover of my 1933 edition except then the guy pictured was making over $75 per week. Such was life in the deflationary economy of the 1930's depression. ~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-., (Joe Buch, DE, Aug 12, DX LISTENING DIGEST) -*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^ ** U S A. Re 3-143: Glenn, re item about monitoring the spectrum of KFI 640, you might be interested in an article on the subject which is called Mediumwave Spectrum Scanning located at http://www.dxing.info/articles/ This covers the subject of transmitter spectral signatures. Rgds (Steve Whitt, DX LISTENING DIGEST) NRC discussion of this continued in a very long thread; don`t know when/if I will get all the redundant quotations sorted out and fixed up for DXLD (gh, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. Hi Glenn: I need some help with identifying a QSL in my collection. Please see http://mywpages.comcast.net/billqsl/pirate/w_mission_radio.html If you can help me, please let me know. Do you know who might know? (Bill Harms, MD, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Bill, I expect European DXers would be more likely to recognize that. However, I happen to have a dusty 1990 copy of Passport handy on the book shelf, the frequency pages changing color like litmus, and find this: 6215 INTERNATIONAL WATERS World Mission R. via Radio Caroline, 24h in English, German, Spanish to Europe, alt. freq. to 6280.2. I`d say that is a likely prospect as you suggest! 73, (Glenn to Bill, via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 7639 USB: Interesting signal received in early June around this frequency by monitors in the USA and Wales. It consisted of two males engaging in a conversation that led all who heard it to believe that they were listening to some baddies discussing some sort of crime which was thought to be involving the illegal drugs trade. There were, I am told, several references to `deliveries` and the guys were swearing a lot. The guy from Wales told me that their cussin` even rivalled that of the Scottish east coast fishermen. If that is the case, then these blokes must have spent many years perfecting their technique. Apparently they sounded like the baddies on a TV show called `The Sopranos`. I have never seen this programme and thought that this meant that they had high pitched voices. This is not the case. I believe that the frequency I have quoted is correct, but I`m not totally sure as my main computer has suffered a Three Mile Island style meltdown and I`m using a chisel and slate to write this (Dave Roberts, Scanning Scene, Aug Short Wave Magazine [UK] via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. Re Al Asr Radio: I checked that site you mentioned, and there is no sign at all of what is it all about --- just words about the challenges of a new media with the freedom of speech right! They don't announce that they are following any political party or religious group. But I must give it a try first and listen to them. They transmit on the hot Bird satellite 13 E frequency 11938 Horizontal with the Russian RTVI channels. You can check that out on http://www.lyngsat.com/hotbird.shtml Will try to tune in and let you know --- TBC :) (Tarek Zeidan, Cairo, Egypt, Aug 12, DX LISTENING DIGEST) NTBCW ALGERIA [non] ### ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-144, August 11, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser, ghauser@hotmail.com Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3h.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn CONTINENT OF MEDIA 03-05 is available from August 9: (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/com0305.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/com0305.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/com0305.html [soon] Also via DXing.com: (Download) http://www.dxing.com/com/com0305.rm (Stream) http://www.dxing.com/com/com0305.ram Nominal schedule on RFPI, 7445: Thu 2000, Sat 2130 plus repeats 6, 12+ and 18+ hours later NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1194: RFPI: Tue 1900, Wed 0100, 0730, 1330 on 7445 [nominal times subject to pre-emption or delay] WWCR: Wed 0930 9475 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1194.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1194.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1194h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1194h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1194.html WORLD OF RADIO WATCH: IBC Radio via WRMI 15725 (and webcast) after 1800 UT Sun Aug 10 had a show about ghost-chasing, rather than WOR, tho WOR still appears on the website schedule at 1800 Sat and Sun. Changes to WOR and COM on SIUE Web Radio Glenn, For this week only (the week of 8/11); World of Radio will be aired in place of Continent of Media on Wednesday (8/13) at 1830 UT. WOR will not be airing on Monday (8/11) at its usual time because the local engineer for the show is still under the weather. The regular schedule will resume for one more week on August 18 on SIUE's Web Radio. Beginning August 25, 2003 (this is tentative and subject to change before the semester begins at SIUE on the aforementioned date), World Of Radio will air on Monday at 10:00 p.m. local time (UT Tuesday 0300) and Friday at 10:30 p.m. local time (UT Saturday 0330), while Continent of Media will air on Friday at 10:00 p.m. local time (UT Saturday 0300). The UT will be one hour later following the return to Standard Time in October. During the break between the Fall Semester 2003 and Spring Semester 2004, WOR and COM will air in rotation on Web Radio's automation setup. We'll also have a new General Manager on board; Rick Crossin will take over for Lisa Herman, who graduated this weekend. 73 and good DX, (E.B. Stevenson, PSA Director, SIUE Web Radio, Aug 11, DX LISTENING DIGEST) WORLD OF RADIO 1194 in mp3: Hello, This email message is a notification to let you know that a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the NetworkRadioInternational group. File : /Glenn Hauser-World of radio 1194.mp3 Description : World of radio 16K You can access this file at the URL http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NetworkRadioInternational/files/Glenn%20Hauser-World%20of%20radio%201194.mp3 [where the URL broke, there was a \ between r and l of World; pasting it back together, it won`t play either way for me --- ``this may not be an MPEG file``. DXing with Cumbre also supposedly there --- gh] To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/NetworkRadioInternational Regards, (Tim Gaynor, Qsld., ShortWaveRadio yahoogroup Aug 9 via DXLD) SOLICITED TESTIMONIALS Glenn, I listen to WOR on WWCR. That usually gives me the best reception. The best frequency for me is 5070, and the most reliable and convenient time for that frequency is 0230 Sun. Thank you for providing the most interesting and informative media program still on the air! My location is central Virginia (Alan Knapp, Aug 11) Dear Glenn, I've been meaning to do this for a couple of weeks, but I kept forgetting, so, here goes. I am going to use Central Time, because, of course, it varies with regard to UT as the time changes, but my listening habits do not change. Theoretical favorite is Wednesday, 5:00 pm, WBCQ, 7415. This is the one I would like to hear because it is the first airing, and, relatively convenient. However, much of the time, especially during the summer, reception at that hour is poor or non-existent, so I don't bother. Wish you could convince them to put WOR on a little later. [have you tried \\ 17495-CUSB? gh] Most often used: Saturday, 9:30 PM, WWCR, 5070. It's traditional and reliable. Reception is good. It fits into my Saturday night, which I call "radio night" because of all the things I like to listen to: Prairie Home Companion, Big Steve Cole, Marion's Attic, DXPL and WOR. If I miss one of these airings, I start looking at my schedule. WINB on 12160 was a good alternative, but, often it seems not to be there, or not to be coming in. RFPI is sometimes chosen, though it can be hard to keep track of their schedule. The new airing on WBCQ, late Sunday night, on 7415 is a good back-up. 15825 is unusable here, because, at 100 miles from Nashville, we are within the skip zone, and good reception on that frequency is rare. I really like the idea of having lots of airings of WOR to choose from (Tim Hendel, Huntsville AL, Aug 11) ** ANGUILLA. Noted 6090 back on the air with DGS around 0530 UT Aug 10, but still no 11775 at some daytime checks. So it`s irregular (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARGENTINA. 5400.00, La 101, Buenos Aires. Aug 6 2003 - 1030 UT. Had this station as an unID, probably Argentina with IDs: "Canal 26" and "Power 101". I am now also on the "Conexión Digital"`s excellent mailing list and mailed a question to Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina who at once replied and explained the situation. It is local media in Buenos Aires going out via FM and TV "Canal 26" and he presumes 5400 kHz is a link. Must have been unusual conditions this morning as the station was received with good strength. I have never heard a signal on this frequency before. Read the mail from Arnold Slaen`s mail below: (Gracias Arnaldo!) Arnaldo Slaen wrote: "Hola Björn y amigos de la Lista: Efectivamente Björn, se trata de una emisora argentina. Más precisamente de "la 101", emisora de FM de la ciudad de Buenos Aires que pertenece a un multimedio local, integrado también por el Canal 26 de TV que opera por aire y por cable. Ignoro la política QSL de esta emisora pero no es fácil conseguir que una emisora de aquí verifique. Cualquier duda o consulta, a tus órdenes". [Björn explained that he doesn`t collect QSLs since his original collexion was lost] (later in a second mail) "A tus órdenes para lo que necesites Björn! Te agrego que los 5400 kHz han sido reactivados en los últimos tiempos. Nicolás Eramo encontrá a "la 101" por vez primera en la QRG. Esta emisora transmitía desde hace un tiempo desde el microcentro de la ciudad pero ahora estaría ubicada en el conurbano bonaerense, es decir, en las afueras de Buenos Aires, a una veintena de km del centro. 73's & 55's Arnaldo" (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, SW Bulletin Aug 10, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARGENTINA. 2380, 3.8 0040, Radio Nacional with tangos. Probably 2 x 1190 and Radio Nacional in Tucumán. O=2 CB (Christer Brunstrom, Sweden, SW Bulletin, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARGENTINA. 2830 [sic --- surely a typo for 2380], Radio Nacional San Miguel Tucumán, 0155 UT. 2º armónico de 1190; muy fuerte señal. 2540, Radio Provincia Buenos Aires, La Plata, 0005 UT. 2º armonico de 1270 kHz; señal regular y fading. 5650, Radio Nacional Buenos Aires, 2110 UT, transmisión de fútbol "Chicago River"; señal mala (Alfredo Locatelli, Uruguay, Conexión Digital Aug 9 via DXLD) ** ARGENTINA. El domingo 10 de agosto, Día de la Fuerza Aérea Argentina, a partir de las 0005 hs LU (0305 UT), en 3680 kHz aproximadamente, estará activa nuevamente la Base Vicecomodoro Maranbio --- LU4ZS. El Radio Club Argentino colaborara en esta operación tomando pequeñas listas de estaciones para LU4ZS. Agradeceremos realizar un intercambio de información mínima, señal distintiva y reporte RS. Desde ya el inicio de esta operación estará sujeta a condiciones de propagación y tareas propias del operador de la base. Las QSL Vía LU4AA. (Info LU) Alfredo Locatelli, desde Durazno, Uruguay, informa que en 6313 Khz, en usb, escuchó transmisión de carreras de caballos (turf), resultados, premios, con bastante espacio entre una transmisión y otra. Daba la apariencia de ser un enlace con estudio. Por el tipo de moneda indicado es de suponer que se trata de un hipódromo argentino. Domingos sobre las 1835 UT (Conexión Digital Aug 9 via DXLD) ** ARGENTINA. Marcelo Cornachioni reporta que Rádio Bolivia, AM 1640 encerrou suas transmissões (Arnaldo Slaen, Conexion Digital, 08/08/2003 via @tividade DX via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. 5049.95, ARDS? 1130-1220 8/10. Maybe the one here with weak audio, announcer(s) talking but unable to determine language. Supposedly running 400 watts (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Drake R-8, 100-foot RW, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Logged a carrier there this morning about 2130, but too weak to do anything with (Richard Jary, Adelaide SA, Aug 10, ARDXC via DXLD) Apparently no QRM from the major user of 5050, WWRB. I see on their website http://www.wwrb.org that 5050, ``Global 3`` has a `winter schedule in EST` of `6 pm to 2 am`, tho in the daily `program schedule` it shows as `7 pm to 2 am`, which means closing at 0600 UT if EST really means EDT, or 0700 UT if EST really means EST! So it`s off by 1630 NT time or maybe 1530. I should think WWRB might be fading in by 1630 in southern winter, but of course Arnhem Land is in the tropics not so subject to seasonal variations on the receiving end. If WWRB opens 5050 at 2300 UT, that would be 0830 NT time, and again there could be some overlap by long path tho well after sunrise. HOWEVER, WWRB also says 5050 is available for block programming from 2 am to 7:55 am, which means until 1155 or 1255 UT, and if that happens it could be a major problem for ARDS in the local evenings. Who knows which antenna is used or would be used? One is at 270 degrees, while Arnhem Land is about 290 degrees from WWRB, in its secondary coverage area. Looks like for now they have more problems with a Chinese station (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) As this goes to print I have a receiver on 5050 at 2236 GMT. There is something going on, sounds like a transmitter on but no voice with it, quite strong. I will leave a receiver set at this frequency for 24 hours and see what comes up. Being situated on the Tropic-of- Capricorn, I should stand a good chance of receiving good reception (Tony Smith, Rockhampton, Aug 25 CQ Shortwave News via DXLD) 5050, ARDS e-verie in a day for my javaradio log. v/s Dale Chesson (Hans Johnson, WY, Aug 11, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Johno here; got a vague QSL but the 400 watts as thought in an email to the big Paul O. Sounds very much an amateur transmitter: ``Many Thanks for the report, John. As you have my email address you must have been to our website. If you were listening to Aboriginal music and heard Aboriginal voices the I am pretty sure that you were listening to our Community Development Radio Service. There are a couple of services in China on 5050 but Chinese and Yolngu Matha from Arnhem Land are very different languages! Our technical advisor is a ham operator so I will ask him about QSL cards. Keep in touch. Dale (via John Wright, Sydney, Australia, ripple via DXLD) Glenn, Further to the recent reports of 5050 kHz, the assertion from John Wright in your last DXLD that the transmitter is an amateur transceiver with a linear is quite incorrect! Please note the following email from station manager, Dale Chesson, giving details of the setup there: "Thanks very much for your report and details. You definitely were listening to our service. We are aware of the Chinese station/s. Another listener from Melbourne filled us in on their details. Not much we can do about it, unfortunately for us. Our transmitters are ex-Civil Aviation. They were manufactured by Commonwealth Electronics and are AM20 models. They can operate at 1 kW but operate continuously at 400W - our current power. Location is Humpty Doo S 12 34 05 E 131 04 35. Antennae are two fibreglass helical whips with a front to back ratio of -5odB and a beam of 110 degrees centred on 100 degrees true from Humpty Doo. To get an idea of our programming and why we stated with HF prior to an MF rollout then check out www.ards.com.au/cdrsframe.htm Thanks for the report. I would appreciate any S readings you are able to offer so we can track our signal. We also aim to increase transmitter power in Sept sometime." Glenn, of particular interest are the antennas used and the promise of future power increase. Best regards (Rob Wagner, VK3BVW, Aug 11, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. NTC RADIO NETWORK TO COMMENCE BROADCAST IN DUBBO ON AUGUST 5TH --- PRESS RELEASE The NTC Radio Network has received Development Approval for the erection of a radio tower in the Central West township of Dubbo in New South Wales. Says Gary Evans General Manager of NTC (News, Talk and Country), the development approval process has taken nearly one year now and when you take into account EMR (Electro Magnetic Radiation) issues which must be addressed along with planning issues for huge radio towers it hasn't been an easy road. NTC Spent nearly eighteen months recently battling Bathurst City Council after Council granted it a license on its own land to erect a radio tower only to refuse the associated Development Application after complaints from Ron Camplin of 2BS citing that sixteen staff would have to be retrenched as a result. Evans says if anything we've pushed 2BS to raise their standard of programming for the City. We are also unaware of any staff from 2BS being retrenched yet as a result of our service, which is, being received very well in the Bathurst and Oberon areas. With regards to Dubbo, says Evans, this is a major hub in the New South Wales Central West and we have regarded this hub as being fundamental to our already large coverage area which now includes Tamworth, Bathurst, Armidale and Sydney. Evans says a number of Development Applications have now been lodged with other Councils in Queensland and New South Wales and with major infrastructure now in place NTC is in a position to build towers as soon as these Development Applications are approved. Radio 16 NTC "the best mix in the country" broadcasts using the frequencies on the top of the AM Band of 1611 kHz, and 1620 kHz and 1629 kHz across these areas. The NTC Network specializes in a broad sounding commercial Country Music format with Country lifestyle programming including News and Talk targeted mainly to regional Australians. With the inclusion of Dubbo in the planned 48-station network it will already make NTC the biggest Country Music Network in Australia. For more information call Gary Evans on 0418676200 or (02) 9635 1638. (via Tim Gaynor, Qsld., DXLD) 400 Watts omnidirectional on 1629 kHz (Gaynor, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 3310, Radio Mosoj Chaski, partial data English letter from Paul G. Pittman, administrator, in 6 mo. for a compact disc of my reception and Spanish report sent to Bolivia address. Reply was received from Quechuan Radio, c/o SIM USA, PO Box 7900, Charlotte NC 28241 but postmarked in NH (Jill Dybka, TN, NASWA Flashsheet Aug 3 via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. A Rádio 79, de Ribeirão Preto (SP), está com nova programação, desde o início de agosto. À noite, é apresentado o programa 79 Ilustra a Noite. Ao que tudo indica, entre 0300 e 0800, a freqüência de 3205 kHz é desativada. Um dos slogans da emissora é o seguinte: "79, esta é a única voz de Ribeirão Preto ouvida em todo o mundo". Anunciam o seguinte sítio na Internet: http://www.radio79.com.br BRASIL - Em 9 de agosto, às 0130, bati o ponto na freqüência de 3235 kHz, em 90 metros, para saber como andava o sinal da Rádio Clube, de Marília (SP). Qual foi minha surpresa ao deparar com um programa chamado Discoteca Maravilhosa, apresentado por José Flávio. Só que, ao invés da Clube, era pela Rádio Guarujá Paulista, de Santos (SP)! Entrei em contato com o Caio Lopes, de Itajubá (MG), que é natural de Santos (SP), e ele confirmou: a emissora é daquela localidade, inclusive conhece alguém da direção. Só que não sabíamos que a emissora transmitia em ondas tropicais! Entretanto, a dúvida foi desfeita às 0300, quando foi ao ar a identificação: "Rádio Guarujá Paulista ... ZYK ... 3235 kHz em ondas tropicais ..." Por sua vez, Rubens Ferraz Pedroso, de Bandeirantes (PR), agrega que também acompanhou a emissora, em 9 de agosto, a partir de 0230, ouvindo a identificação: "ZYK 590 1550 AM ... ZYG ... ". Fui conferir, novamente, em 10 de agosto, às 2115, e a Rádio Guarujá Paulista estava lá, em 3235 kHz, com sinal regular, levando ao ar o programa Bons Tempos, com músicas de José Augusto, Ângelo Máximo, Cauby Peixoto e Altemar Dutra (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX Aug 10 via DXLD) Pessoal, Em 3235 está Marília e Santos ??? 73 (Rogildo F. Aragao, Bolivia, radioescutas via DXLD) Yeah, two stations or is one relaying the other? (gh, DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 3235.05, 3.8 0230, Rádio Clube de Marília with a music programme where they played "Música naív". Short announcements in between. I have heard a station here for a long time but first this date they came up with acceptable signal strength. QSA 2-2,5. WIK (Rolf Wikstrom, Sweden, SW Bulletin, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4825, 2.8 2230, Rádio Educadora de Bragança with a big ID in a programme with sertaneja music. Rádio Canção Nova was completely off this evening. It was a very long time back I heard this station. 3 CB (Christer Brunstrom, Sweden, SW Bulletin, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST)) ** BRAZIL Chequeo de emisoras del hermano país 3205 02/08 0950 R. Ribeirão Preto, Rib. Preto-SP, 45554 3235 02/08 0935 R. Clube, Marília-SP, advs, 45554 (emisora en el aire durante las 24 horas del dia) 3255 02/08 0935 R. Educardora 6 de Agosto, Xapurí-AC, OM "R. Educadora, neste Sábado, 02 de Agosto de 2003" 25332 3325 01/08 2035 R. Mundial (AM), Sao Paulo-SP, 35232 3365 02/08 0914 R. Cultura, Araraquara-SP, 45554 3375 02/08 0915 R. Educadora, Guajará-Mirim-RO, anúncio do programa "Rondônia em destaque", ID as 0917, 24432 4755 02/08 0910 R. Educação Rural, Campo Grande-MS, 35443 4765 02/08 0835 R. Rural, Santarém-PA, nx policial, advs, 35333 4775 01/08 2115 R. Congonhas, Congonhas-MG, 44444 4785 02/08 0857 R. Caiari, Porto Velho-RO, início de transmisiones slogan "De mãos dadas com a populaçao de Rondonia e do Brasil" 25332 (R. Brasil de Campinas-SP, fuera del aire) 4785 02/08 2110 R. Brasil, Campinas SP, Futebol desde "Jovem Pan Sat" S. Paulo x Internacional, 45444 4805 02/08 0908 R. Difusora do Amazonas, Manaus-AM, locutor cumprimentando ouvintes... 25442 4815 02/08 2113 R. Difusora, Londrina-PR, religioso evangelico, 45444 4825 02/08 0852 R. Educadora, Bragança-PA, mx religiosa, 24322 4845 02/08 0927 R. Meteorologia Paulista, Ibitinga-SP, ads local, 25432 4865 02/08 0930 R. Missões da Amazonia, Óbidos-PA, ID "R. Missões da Amazonia, transmitindo de Óbidos, Pará " 23422 4895 02/08 0843 R. Baré, Manaus-AM, slogan "R. Baré, uma emissora brasileira", 25442 4905 02/08 0924 R. Anhanguera, Araguaina-TO, OM "Bom dia Araguaina, Bom dia Brasil" 25322 4915 02/08 0847 R. Difusora, Macapá-AP, comentário sobre a criação de empregos no setor de embarcações" 35443 4915 02/09 0900 R. Anhanguera, Goiânia-GO, início da transmissão em ondas curtas, ID, "Jornal da CBN", 43443 4935 02/08 2118 R. Capixaba, Vitoria-ES, religioso igreja "Deus é Amor" 34433 4945 02/08 2120 R. Difusora, Poços de Caldas, MG, futebol "S.Paulo x Internacional" 45444 4965 02/08 0905 R. Alvorada, Parintins, AM, muitos advs locais, 23322 (emissora reativada ? havia muito tempo não era escutada por aqui) 4975 02/08 2130 R. Iguatemi,, São Paulo-SP, 45544 (mas ouvida a R. Mundial ontem nesta frequencia. Aqui a Rede CBS continua a alternar suas emissoras. 4985 01/08 2310 R. Brasil Central, Goiânia-GO, 45444 5035 02/08 2128 R. Aparecida, Aparecida SP, 45444 5035 02/08 2258 R. Educação Rural, Coari-AM, ID, 24422 (audio muito baixo). Radio Aparecida fora do ar, como todas as vezes observadas entre 2200 e 2300 ou 2305 UTC. 5055 01/08 2305 R. Difusora, Cáceres, MT, musical, 34433 (realizado por el colega Samuel Cássio M., desde São Carlos, SP, Brasil, Conexión Digital Aug 9 via DXLD) ** CAMBODIA [non]. Re: Extended Khmer coverage --- Rick, Tnx, but could you provide details, sites, times and frequencies of the extended broadcasts? RFA only? VOA too? 73, Glenn to Rick Sri Lanka 10Z - 11Z Russian 17810 - RFE " " 11Z - 12Z Laotian 15560 - RFA " " 00Z - 01Z Laotian 12015 - RFA " " 1130Z - 1230Z Khmer 15535 - RFA " " 2330Z - 0030Z Khmer 9490 & 12110 - RFA P.I. 2330Z - 2400Z English - [ ] VOA Tinian 0030Z - 0130Z Burmese 13680 - RFA " 00Z - 01Z Laotian 15545 - RFA " 1130Z - 1200Z Burmese 9720 - VOA " 2330Z - 0030Z Khmer 13735 - RFA " 1130Z - 1230Z Khmer 13730 - RFA " 23Z - 24Z Mandarin 11785 - RFA 73 - (Rick Levandowski, IBB Marianas, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. A partir du 5 aôut, le programme français de Radio Chine Internationale subira quelques modifications. Les deux premières émisisons d'une heure chacune seront fusionnées en une émission de deux heures d'affilée, de 1830 à 2030 TU. Il en est de même pour les deux dernières émissions qui seront donc également fusionnées en un programme de heures entre 2030 et 2230 TU. NDR : la date du 5 août marque une importante restructuration dans les émissions de Radio Chine Internationale. De très nombreux services voient leurs horaires augmentés ou aménagés (les informations sont issues de http://perso.wanadoo.fr/jm.aubier via DXLD) O dia 11 de agosto vai ficar marcado na história do Departamento de Língua Portuguesa da Rádio Internacional da China. É que neste dia a nova programação da emissora passa a ser de uma hora de emissão. Enquanto a maioria das emissoras internacionais encerra seus serviços no nosso idioma, a estação chinesa aumenta! Dentro da nossa programação, destaque para quadros que vão abordar todos os aspectos da vida na China, conforme Oséias Fantinelli, de Jacutinga (RS). Nos sábados, o cardápio fica por conta de muita música folclórica e óperas daquele país, dentro do quadro Sabadão Artístico. O tradicional Carta de Beijing, há mais de 20 anos no ar, em que são respondidas as cartas e mensagens dos ouvintes, passa a ser levado ao ar nas sextas-feiras. Vai contar, ainda, com espaço para os aniversariantes. O lema do Departamento de Língua Portuguesa da CRI é: "Junto com você, a Rádio Internacional da China marcha para a frente!" (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX Aug 10 via DXLD) ** COSTA RICA. 9th August Statement Radio For Peace International has been working hard these past days preparing for the meeting on Monday 11th August between unspecified representatives of the University for Peace and Radio For Peace International staff, members of the RFPI Board of Directors and the RFPI lawyer. We will release more information after that date as soon as we are able to do so. We wish to thank all of those who have expressed their solidarity by sending emails, donating to our legal defense fund and helping raise awareness in so many ways around the world about this issue. We have received overwhelming support from almost every continent. The indications are that the letter writing campaign, the publicity generated and the international attention is having an effect in this struggle to keep RFPI on the airwaves. Please do not stop, we must keep up the pressure! Please try to find the time to write one letter a day to the contacts we give on our web site and circulate the petition to everyone you know. We ask that you write your letters in respectful and peaceful language to all organizations, individuals and media. Thank you! And please don't stop now, YOU really can make a difference!! (from http://www.rfpi.org/august9th.htm Aug 10 via DXLD) ** CZECH REPUBLIC. On Sunday morning (10 August) at 1300 UTC, Radio Prague's English broadcast had a very interesting special regarding the upcoming 35th anniversary of the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia to end the "Prague Spring". The feature, in the second half of the program after the mailbox program and their weekly feature on the Czech language, was a dramatization and excerpting of the final telephone conversation between Alexander Dubcek and Leonid Brezhnev on how Dubcek was going to deal with the situation in Czechoslovakia (along with some historical background). There's a text version of the report at http://text.radio.cz/en/43912 --- it looks at though http://helix.radio.cz:8080/ramgen/rm/EN/03/08/EN030810-13.rm?start=16:21.52&end=25:58.73 should be the URL for the audio file. If the audio URL I've given doesn't work, go to http://www.radio.cz/english/ and click on the ear next to the "Current Affairs" heading (Ted Schuerzinger, NY, swprograms via DXLD) Thanks for this information, Ted. As a 15 year old, the Prague Spring and subsequent invasion were an important part of my early years with shortwave. Using my Heathkit GR54 (built for me by my father), I was able to listen to Radio Prague and not only learn of the changes taking place there, but here them in the station's program and tone. Then, on the night of the invasion I could hear the pre-recorded English service program give no indication of the invasion that was underway while tuning to the BBC and other stations to hear of the tragic events. Finally, I was able to hear for one evening only an English broadcast from Free Czech Radio, using the interval signal of Radio Prague, and giving a 5 minute synopsis of the events over the previous 24 hours. On subsequent days, I continued to hear some broadcasts from this station, but in languages other than English before it went silent. It was this event that cemented my interest in and appreciation for shortwave, which of course remains to this very day. It also left me with a special interest in Dubcek and in the culture and history of the Czech (and Slovak) peoples. I even read Dubcek's autobiography, "Hope Dies Last". To comment on the substance of this program, the writer of the Current Affairs piece is correct when he says that Dubcek truly believed in the socialist ideal and did not foresee a Soviet invasion, but my study of the man and the times leads me to disagree with his characterization of Dubcek as "naive". That's just too simplistic a conclusion. Dubcek knew what he was up against. He was a true patriot who recognized the suffering of his people and knew how to address it. It was more a calculated risk on this part that he could keep the Soviet bear at bay by keeping his country in its orbit. But he knew the risks. The writer should have given him more credit. Perhaps I'll write and tell him so (John Figliozzi, NY, ibid.) Radio Prague has announced the death on Friday evening of long-time English Service reporter Olga Szántová at the age of 71. Radio Prague aired a tribute to her, the transcript of which is at http://www.radio.cz/en/issue/43928 Szántová worked at Radio Prague in the 1950s and 1960s, was forced out of broadcasting after the events of 1968 (she was one of the staffers who was holed up elsewhere in Prague broadcasting the real story of what was going on after the Soviet invasion), and returned to Radio Prague in 1990 after the fall of the Communist regime (Ted Schuerzinger, NY, Aug 11, swprograms via DXLD) ** ECUADOR. From a list of Catholic stations in every province, gh excerpts the only ones mentioning a SW frequency: RADIO LA VOZ DEL NAPO 3280 OC Director: P. Humberto Dorigatti Misión Josefina Telf (06) 886356, coljav20@yahoo.es Tena – Provincia de Napo RADIO LA VOZ DEL UPANO 1540 AM – 90.5 FM – 5040 OC Directora: Sra. Leonor Guzmán Calle 10 de Agosto- Misión Salesiana Telf (07) 505247, radioupano@easynet.net.ec Macas – Prov. de Morona Santiago (Señor José Nelson Mármol, executive director, ARCE, Ecuador, Catholic Radio Update Aug 11 via DXLD) ** ECUADOR. I am pretty inactive just now as my antennas have been taken down due to the building of a new third floor (in fact also a fourth floor with work/radio-room), a mini bathroom, mini kitchen and laundry. So it will be a thin scan – just now only one logging. I think it is good sometimes to take a break (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, SW Bulletin Aug 10, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) But see ARGENTINA, PERU ** ECUADOR. Note early UT Mon Aug 11 that the last two DXPL audio files are finally available at the DXPL website; these are smaller than previous; must be trying to conserve bandwidth (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Durante o mês de agosto, o Departamento de Língua Alemã da HCJB - A Voz dos Andes vai pagar com cartão QSL especial aos informes recebidos. É que comemora 50 anos de atividades. De acordo com Oséias Fantinelli, de Jacutinga (RS), o esquema de emissões é o seguinte: às 0930, em 6010; às 2300, em 11980; às 2230, em 11980 kHz (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX Aug 10 via DXLD) ** EGYPT. 9990, 2234-2245, R. Cairo, Aug 3, English broadcast with female announcer. Apparently having problems, I can actually hear the audio, crystal clear. Am certain the service tech has come back from vacation. Amazing, no hum, no over modulation. I am wondering how long this will last. Pop music this nite with signal of 40/s9 just booming here. Male announcer doing sign off at 2240 with frequency listing. Sign off and then to NA at 2241 (Bob Montgomery, PA, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) ** ERITREA [non]. BEHAVIOUR OF OPPOSITION RADIO Please note that the news bulletin of the Eritrean opposition radio, Voice of the People of Eritrea, on 10 August was a repeat of a bulletin broadcast on 27 July, which was also repeated on 3 August. Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 10 Aug 03 (via DXLD) Hmm, those would be `olds bulletins` ** ETHIOPIA [non]. Website of Voice of Ethiopian Medhin (a.k.a. Voice of Ethiopian Salvation): http://www.medhininfo.com (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Aug 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HONDURAS. 4930, Radio Ebenezer at 2350 Aug 9, something about ``Canal de fútbol de nuestro pais``, quite readable under Turkmenian carrier switched on but with no program, clear ID at 0005 as ``...a través de Radio Ebenezer...``. This is my third time this season when I heard this station (Artiom Prokhorov from Moscow with my latest catches made on Sony ICF7600G and its telescopic antenna in a countryside just in some 70 kms South of Moscow, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** ICELAND. 13855, AFN heard 1748 with sports and news, telemarketers and signal 24332. Checked also on 1900 with signal 43434 being in parallel to nearly marginal 5765 kHz. At 1955 was QRMed from Family radio in Russian then 2000 in Arabic and again 2100 with clear signal. Also on next day 006 [sic] with 24332 (Zacharias Liangas, 6+7.8, Litohoron, Greece, LOWE 150 connected with mains adaptor and whole 6 m wire, tilted, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. GOVT TO SPEND RS 1400 CRORE TO MAKE DD, AIR WORLD CLASS NEW DELHI: The government would spend a whopping Rs 1400 crore during the 10th Plan period for making Doordarshan and All India Radio world class news organisations, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ravishanker Prasad said in Motihari, Bihar, on Saturday. Prasad, who was laying the foundation of an All India Radio station, told reporters that the money would be spent on technological upgradation and improvement of other aspects of the DD and AIR during the 10th Plan period. In the next five to ten years, the annual income of Doordarshan would go up to an estimated Rs 15,000 crore and that of the AIR to somewhere between 35,000 to 40,000 crore, he said (Economic Times - 9th Aug 03 via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, dx_india via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. XM INSURANCE CLAIM DENIED AS LOSSES RISE http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A31533-2003Aug7?language=printer (via Mike Cooper, Kraig Krist, DXLD) ** IRELAND. Extrañas Escuchas: Hola colegas: Ayer domingo hice un pequeño repaso por la banda de 27 MHz y encontré al menos 10 transmisiones de misas en inglés. Al principio pensé que se trataba de algún radioaficionado que como entretenimiento (¿?) había conectado su emisora a una iglesia y se pasaba el tiempo de esta forma. Ya lo he oído varias veces, aunque con música. Sin embargo, cuando empezaron a aparecer muchas más y todas distintas pensé que podría tratarse de esporádicas o troposféricas (que nunca he sabido la diferencia). ¿Alguien sabe algo más sobre este tipo de escuchas? Las frecuencias escuchadas de esta forma fueron: 27.010-27.025-27.155-27.185-27.255-27.265-27.275-27.285-27.350-27.380- 27.405. Ea, sed buenos (Ignacio Sotomayor (el pescador) Sáez, San Cristóbal de Segovia, Castilla, España, Rcvx: ICOM R-75; SONY ICF -SW7600, Anx: Hilo largo de 20 metros, Aug 11, Noticias DX via DXLD) Hola Ignacio, Se trata de iglesias probablemente en Irlanda o Irlanda Norte, como antes discutido en DX Listening Digest. Via E-esporádica. Troposférica no funciona en frecuencias abajo de VHF (Glenn Hauser, ibid.) ** ITALY. Re 50+ MHz FM links: How can these coexist with the lower two Italian TV channels across the same frequencies? 73, (Glenn Hauser, Play-DX via DXLD) The Rai TV channels are on a bit differents frequencies, and however all the private links are ILLEGALS on these frequencies.... so even if you hear them no one will ever reply to confirm an illegal operation. THAT'S ITALIAN LIFE STYLE !!!! (Dario Monferini, Canada, ibid.) Altri link FM ascoltati da Riomaggiore (Liguria) Other FM links heard from Riomaggiore (Liguria, Italy) 52.00 Radio 103 Italia (Sanremo) 52.15 Discoradio (Liguria commercials) 52.80 Reporter 53.00 Radio 103 Classic (Sanremo) PI 5E77 54.00 Radio Zeta PI 5347 58.60 Radio Zeta // 54.00 58.90 Radio Nostalgia (Genova) PI 536B 59.40 Discoradio 59.60 Lattemiele 60.00 Lattemiele 67.20 Radio Onda Ligure (Albenga) (Giampiero Bernardini, Avvenire, Milano, Italy, Aug 8, Play-DX via DXLD) ** JAPAN. Le dimanche 31 août, dans toutes ses émissions, Radio Japon diffusera en français un programme spécial, intitulé "A la radio, sur internet, Konnichiwa!". Il permettra aux auditeurs de mieux connaître Radio Japon. Après la diffusion à la radio, on pourra retrouver l'émission sur internet et l'écouter à la demande. Elle sera disponible à l'adresse http://www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/sp/ Radio Japon demande aux auditeurs de répondre aux quelques questions suivantes: Dans quelles conditions écoutez-vous Radio Japon? Dans quel but écoutez-vous Radio Japon? Quels avantages trouvez-vous à écouter Radio Japon sur internet? La station souhaite connaître les commentaires et attentes par rapport à Radio Japon, par courrier, email ou fax. Les auditeurs qui souhaiteraient être appelés au cours de cette émission peuvent laisser leur numéro de téléphone (d'après un courrier électronique de Radio Japon - 07 août 2003) (les informations sont issues de http://perso.wanadoo.fr/jm.aubier via DXLD) [non]. On 11705 at 1350 past 1400 with no announcement, and still at 1417, piano rags filling from Montreal or Sackville instead of NHK Warudo (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH [non]. KOREA, S. - 3912, V. of the People (presumed) 1210 8/10. Talk in KR, fair but deteriorating; // 6600, which was good (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Drake R-8, 100-foot RW, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** KOREA SOUTH. RKI NOW AVAILABLE VIA WRN Starting next week, the WRN English schedule will be enriched by our new programme partner Radio Korea International. Every day you can listen to half an hour of news, commentary and culture from Korea across all our English language networks. The weekday magazine programme 'Seoul Calling' adds sketches, anecdotes and trivia to the daily news. You even get the chance to learn Korean with 'Let's learn Korean' every other day. On Mondays, 'Korea, Today and Tomorrow' gives you an insider view of the developments between the two Koreas. You can hear people from all walks of life on 'Seoul Report', RKI's interview show. Every Wednesday explores a new destination in 'Wonderful Korea'. 'Korean Kaleidoskope' casts a look at the ever- changing aspects of the intricate fabric of Korean society. Saturday is the listener programme 'Worldwide Friendship', and every week the programme is rounded up with cutting-edge pop music, golden oldies and interview clips on 'Korean Pop Interactive' on Sundays. For further details please send us an email to email@wrn.org or a letter or postcard to World Radio Network, PO Box 1212, London SW8 2ZF, UK. You can also reach us via fax at +44 207 896 9007 or via telephone at +44 20 7896 9010 (WRN English Newsletter No 53 via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, DXLD) ** MEXICO. XERMX must have jacked up the modulation, because 11770 was in well enough to confirm the Línea Abierta mailbag program Sat Aug 9 at 2030, but soon losing out to noise level (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 6045, XEXQ, R. Universidad, San Luís Potosí. 1200 Choral Anthem, OM "Radio Universidad en todo el país..." fade out by 1208. Subsequent days fades up from seemingly nowhere 1215 with brief selections of classical music then quick fade out (Robert Wilkner, NRD 535D, R75, Drake R7-Pompano Beach, FL, Aug 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST] ** MEXICO. SE INCAUTARÁ RADIO INSURGENTE A LOS ZAPATISTAS, SEGÚN LA SCT --- Lorena GAONA / OEM ( 2 de agosto 2003) Ante la próxima aparición de la estación de radio clandestina del Ejército Zapatista de Liberación Nacional (EZLN), denominada Insurgente, la cual empezará sus transmisiones a partir del 9 de agosto, la Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT) advirtió que el subcomandante Marcos no se puede saltar la Ley Federal de Radio y Televisión. En entrevista con Organización Editorial Mexicana, fuentes cercanas a la dependencia, encabezada por Pedro Cerisola, subrayaron que al no tener concesión y no cumplir con la reglamentación correspondiente se les incautará de inmediato el equipo de transmisión, además de que deberán pagar la multa correspondiente. "Así se tenga que ir hasta la Selva Lacandona, no se puede instalar una estación de radio nada más porque sí y sin cumplir con los requisitos, eso es algo que debe tomar en cuenta el subcomandante Marcos", indicaron. A pregunta expresa, explicaron que entre las principales peticiones que exige la SCT para obtener la concesión se encuentra presentar un proyecto ejecutivo, el cual explique el perfil de la estación y se especifique, asimismo, de manera detallada el objetivo de su programación. También consideraron fundamental que ésta se adecue a la ley de inversión extranjera. "Otros requerimientos importantes para que puedan salir al aire estriba en que este proyecto presente un diseño específico de lo que es el perfil de la estación y obviamente que los propietarios sean mexicanos y solventes", agregaron. Sin embargo, reconocieron que será difícil ubicar la señal desde donde transmitirían los zapatistas, principalmente si es desde la Selva Lacandona. "Ese sería uno de los mayores problemas a los que nos enfrentaríamos, porque no es lo mismo detectar una señal pirata o clandestina desde un edificio de la metrópoli a ubicar exactamente el punto donde transmiten o en qué parte de la selva se encuentran, si este fuera el caso, con lo que se corre el riesgo de puedan recoger su equipo antes de la incautación", aseguraron. ¿Además de la incautación, a cuánto ascendería la multa por transmitir ilegalmente? -No tenemos en este momento el monto exacto, pero sí sería una cantidad considerable. Por otra parte, señalaron que para sacar la concesión, además de cumplir con la reglamentación deben llevar a cabo una serie de trámites vía el Instituto Federal de Acceso a la Información. Cabe recordar que en días pasados el subcomandante Marcos anunció que el próximo año iniciarán las transmisiones de Radio Insurgente en onda corta, con una banda de 49 metros, en los 5.8 mega-hertz (via Héctor García Bojorge, DF, Aug 8, Conexión Digital via DXLD) MEXICO'S REBEL MOVEMENT SOFTENS ITS STANCE --- Associated Press http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2003/08/10/build/world/65-mexico.inc OVENTIC, Mexico (AP) - The basketball announcer wore a ski mask. So did the guys playing the marimbas between games. The ice cream vendors and some of the players made do with bandanas that sometimes slipped below their mouths. The relaxed atmosphere as Mexico's Zapatista rebels began a three-day public party Saturday was evidence of how far the movement has come since the tense, bloody days after it emerged in public by seizing several cities on Jan. 1, 1994. Masked Zapatista commanders gathered shortly before midnight Friday to inaugurate new centers meant to smooth their dealings with outsiders. They call the locations "caracoles," or "snails," a Mayan symbol which represents, among other things, "the opening to the heart," according to a recent communiqué from the movement's spokesman, Subcomandante Marcos. By Saturday morning, thousands thronged the site of the inaugural festivities, cluttering it with tents, tarps and hammocks. The assembly of rebels, villagers and foreign supporters was as thick in places as the New York City subway at rush hour. ******* The Zapatistas began broadcasting by shortwave radio in the afternoon, but the signal - located at 5.8 megahertz - was so weak it was difficult to hear in nearby San Cristóbal de Las Casas. ******* At the gathering, the Zapatistas adopted new "Good Government Committees" to help oversee a scattering of rebel-controlled townships in Chiapas state and to handle contact with outsiders, who have often been frustrated in past efforts to reach leaders of the clandestine organization. In a ceremony before thousands of onlookers, Zapatista leaders swore in Saturday afternoon members of five committees that will oversee some functions among Zapatista controlled communities that have broken off contact with state and local government to manage their own affairs. The new centers will handle conflicts with neighboring Indian communities. The Zapatistas so far have been unable to win over most local Indians, who are often wary of the movement's style of collectivization, its military stance or its rejection of government aid. "I think they are going to make it easier to resolve some conflicts with the neighbors and that is good for us," said Juan González, the Chiapas state official in charge of resolving intercommunal disputes. They also are evidence of a continuing shift toward political rather than military struggle for the Zapatista movement, whose adherents continue to use ski masks to hide their identity even though there have been no major military conflicts in more than nine years. The poorly armed movement was beaten back into the jungle in 10 days before a cease-fire halted Mexico's army, but the Zapatista banner of Indian rights and opposition to free trade - combined with Marcos' witty communiqués - won it international support. "Whole years preparing to fire a weapon and it turns out that what we have to fire are words," Marcos wrote in one of a sudden spurt of communiqués issued in July after a period of silence. Those communiqués outlined the new changes and invited supporters to a three-day bash in Oventic, a village about 10 miles north of San Cristóbal de Las Casas. Marcos had not appeared publicly at the gathering as of Saturday, although other rebel commanders were seen. A string of trucks wound up the mountain roads carrying ski-masked Zapatistas past newly posted signs reading, "You are in the territory of Zapatistas in rebellion." Two Mexican federal administrations dealt with the Zapatistas by alternating military threats with appeals to negotiate. A third, that of President Vicente Fox, who took office in December 2000, pulled the military back from positions near Zapatista towns and said that it "is definitively canceling the option of violence" in dealing with the rebels. But the movement has cut off all negotiations with the government and has accused Fox of trying to sell much of the country to foreign investors with his "Plan Puebla-Panamá" for highway, port and industrial development in impoverished southern México. González said that community disputes have led some settlements to break away from the Zapatistas in recent years, reducing the movement's strength in the canyonlands where it began, though he said it appears to be growing stronger in the Mayan highland areas such as Oventic (Billings Gazette via Artie Bigley, DXLD) A través del noticiero de CNN en forma muy breve s informó de la puesta al aire de la emisora: Radio Insurgente, a traves de la filmación pude observar a varias personas entre las cuales había encapuchados con sus receptores tratando de captar la señal de esta emisora del EZLN. Atte: (José Elías, Venezuela, Aug 10, Conexión Digital via DXLD) Clandestine - 5800: 1125-1215 8/10. Spot checks in the 5770-5830 range turned up nothing this morning in a search for the new Zapatista station that was supposed to commence on 9 Aug (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Drake R-8, 100-foot RW, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Continuando con la serie de informaciones relacionadas con Radio Insurgente, más detalles pueden obtener del sitio directo del EZLN que es: http://www.ezln.org Además, los discursos de Radio Insurgente, emisora que fue bloqueada por el gobierno federal (razón por la que no se pudo hacer la transmisión en vivo), pueden escucharlos es: http://chiapas.mediosindependientes.org/ La emisión de Radio Insurgente "Voz del EZLN" fueron el pasado 9 de Agosto, a partir de las 1500 (horario del frente de combate sur oriental). Es decir, a partir de las 1400 (hora de Fox) y a partir de las 1900 UT. Las transmisiones de prueba han contado ya con la interferencia del supremo gobierno (que, además, pone al grupo "Límite" para "tapar" su señal). Pese a todo esto, ellos transmitieron y, además, grabaron el programa en CD's y los repartieron como si fueran volantes ofreciendo empleo. En los próximos dias, o en las próximas semanas, estará en internet la pagina http://www.radio-insurgente.org o http://www.radioinsurgente.org donde se podrán bajar las transmisiones de Radio Insurgente. (Fuente: de la pagina web del EZLN) 73's GIB (Gabriel Iván Barrera, Aug 11, Conexión Digital via DXLD) It appears the EZLN observes UT -4, ``war time`` i.e. double-daylight time. One would think they instead would eschew DST altogether and go back to UT -6. The live stream link, which doesn`t work for me Monday afternoon: http://chiapas.mediosindependientes.org/listen.pls (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Saludos Gabriel. Y mis saludos igualmente a todos los colegas diexistas. Las páginas están muy buenas; ya he bajado de las mismas el archivo sonoro donde un Comandante Tacho explica las razones porqué no se pudo oir Radio Insurgente. El próximo sabado en Sintonía DX, estaré colocando este sonido que tiene apenas casi dos minutos. Para cualquier colega interesado en el mismo, estamos a la orden para enviárselos. Por cierto Gabriel, no se si viste la imagen donde sale un muñequito encapuchado con un radio receptor; a mi me parece que podría ser una especie de tarjeta QSL. Atte: (José Elías, Venezuela, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** MONGOLIA. MR-1 noted on reactivated freq. of 4895 kHz (S=5, distorted audio) with opening at 2100. Also heard three traditional \\ freqs on LW. Later, around 2300, I noted another \\ channel 4830 kHz (S=5). No MR-2 noted on 4850 kHz between 2100-0220 UT (Fyodor Brazhnikov, Russia, WWDXC BC-DX Aug 8 via DXLD) ** NEW ZEALAND [and non]. Thread on QSLing webcasts: see bottom ** NIGERIA. 9690, V. of Nigeria, Ikorodu, keeps with fair-good quiet signals, mainly during the late morning period. Considerably clearer and stronger when observed on the [Portugal] SW coast (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, BC-DX Aug 9 via DXLD) ** PAKISTAN. Dear Glenn Hauser, With reference to recent reports in DXLD on Radio Pakistan, here are my latest observations of frequency changes: 0215-0300 Hindi 9350 (ex 9340) parallel to 11640. 0800-1100 Urdu, 1100-1105 English 17825 (ex 17835) parallel to 21465. 1200-1245 Bengali, 1245-1315 Nepali 15635 (ex 15625. As already reported in DXLD at 0500-0700 Urdu is on 11570, 15100, 17755 (ex 17835, 21460). Sincerely, (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, India, Aug 11, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. Reactivated Peruvian! 5500.21, Radio San Miguel, San Miguel de Cajamarca. Aug 8 2003 - 2350 UT. A typical example of the fact that WRTH keeps the list of inactive Peruvian SW-stations, for at least a couple of years. Address (not matching that in WRTH): Jirón Alfonso Ugarte 668, San Miguel de Cajamarca. Radio San Miguel de Cajamarca has been inactive for several years. Very good signal and nice Peruvian music. After 0000 UT a program called "Buenas Noches Perú" which is a request-/music program. Said 5500 kHz and FM 101.1 MHz. Listen to a recording from this occasion at this link: http://homepage.sverige.net/~a-0901/ 73 from BM in Quito! bjornmalm2003@yahoo.com (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, SW Bulletin Aug 10, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ROMANIA. Le Ministère roumain des Finances a émis une lettre de garantie pour 15 millions de dollars américains, destinés à la modernisation des réseaux nationaux de radiodiffusion; ce montant est la deuxième partie d'un crédit de l'EXIMBANK (Etats-Unis). L'argent est destiné, en premier lieu, à la modernisation des équipements d'émission de deux centres qui assurent l'émission des programmes de Radio Roumanie Internationale. Les équipements d'émission pour la Radiodiffusion Roumaine n'ont plus été modernisés depuis les années '60. Rappelons que le gouvernement roumain garantit un crédit de 85 millions de dollars pour la modernisation, jusqu'à la fin de l'année prochaine, des émetteurs de la Radio publique (Ligia Mihaiescu - 08 août 2003) (les informations sont issues de http://perso.wanadoo.fr/jm.aubier via DXLD) ** RUSSIA [non]. (Germany/Russia) DTAG T-Systems shortwave schedule: - ---- Voice of Russia - Russian International Radio 1400-1500 17705 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Daily to Eu Russian# 1900-2100 5985 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Daily to ME Russian* 1900-2100 9405 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg Daily to ME Russian* 2000-2100 7260 JUL 100 kW / 105 deg Daily to ME Russian* ----- So the new youth-orientated program aired so far only on mediumwave (Bolshakovo 1215/1386 and others) is also on shortwave now. Impossible to confirm it here; all I have on 5985 now at 1930 is a very faint carrier, but this does not necessarily mean it is not on air. And so Russkoye Mezhdunarodnoye Radio should be also on Zehlendorf 603 if still only two sound channels are operational for Voice of Russia feeds to Germany. Impossible for me to check it either; all I hear on 603 is a mixture of Lyon and Romania, the latter one with a terrible echo. Probably some STL paths were upgraded to MPEG equipment meanwhile, while others still use analogue circuits with much less delay (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Aug 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SOMALIA. 7530, R. Hargeysa using USB, 1847 6 August with talks and immediate music play. News in English at 1926 then titles then music, ID with R. Hargeysa. Signal 22332 (Zacharias Liangas, Litohoron, Greece, LOWE 150 connected with mains adapter and whole 6 m wire , tilted, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN [non]. Re the Woofferton-UK location of 17630/17660: This station still seems to be playing the same tape over and over each day. I wonder how well WOF is heard in the Horn of Africa? That's not a location it was built to transmit to! (Noel R. Green-UK, BC-DX Aug 6 via DXLD) NEW SHORTWAVE STATION BROADCASTING TO SOUTHERN SUDAN A new shortwave station identifying as the Sudan Radio Service has started regular transmissions. As first reported in Glenn Hauser's DX Listening Digest, broadcasts are currently at 1600-1700 UTC on 17630 kHz and 1700-1800 on 17660 kHz via shortwave transmitters in the UK. The project was developed in the US by the Education Development Center (EDC) through the dot-EDU initiative, with support from USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI). A recent USAID/OTI assessment team determined that a lack of access to information in southern Sudan, particularly regarding the Machakos peace process, is a significant problem. Given Sudan's great size, topography and widespread illiteracy, it was determined that the best choice for the dissemination of information in local languages to the people of southern Sudan would be shortwave radio. The radio service will present a mix of timely and relevant programming broadcast in Sudanese languages by Sudanese presenters. The goal of the radio service is in part to link the ongoing peace process and peace building efforts with initiatives that engender good governance and deepen the participation of southern Sudanese in affairs that most affect them, as well as to provide information about subjects such as nutrition, civic rights, agriculture and culture. Languages used will include Dinka, Bari, Nuer, Zande, Shiluck, Arabic, Juba-Arabic and English. Due to unstable conditions in Sudan, EDC is establishing an office in Kenya in the interim. The SIRS will be transferred to Sudanese ownership once sufficient capacity is built and local conditions are favourable. As EDC works to establish its Nairobi offices, broadcasts are initially being produced in Washington DC. Jeremy Groce, Nairobi- based EDC Radio Programming Advisor explains: "Even though we're not entirely ready to start programs in Nairobi, we feel it's important to stick to our timeline in order to provide some news about the Sudan Peace Process and other issues of importance to Sudanese people. We also need to begin building our audience, and with shortwave radio it can take time." (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 11 August 2003 via DXLD) ** THAILAND. This has nothing to do with broadcasting, yet? Except for a mention of Wireless Road in Bangkok, but an OSU junior is working here for the summer and posting his blog every week or two; look for Global Cowboy at http://www.orangeconnection.org (Glenn Hauser, tnx to a tip from the Enid Eagle, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TURKMENISTAN. Since a broadcasting reform in spring 2001, Asgabat 4930 kHz is carrying the program channels "Miras" and "Çar tarapdan" (on a time-sharing basis, cf. WRTH). It seems that the program name "Radio Bakhara" appeared in DX circles around 1999, I have never seen it in official sources from TKM though and I suspect that it could be based on a misunderstanding. In logs, "Radio Bakhara" was usually linked to 5015 kHz, i.e. Turkmen Radio 1 ("Watan" radio channel since 2001). "Bakhara" (actually spelled "Bahara" in Turkmen) is a female personal name in Turkmen but I doubt that was used as a name for a general state radio channel in a totalitarian country like Turkmenistan. 73s, (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** U K [and non]. Obituaries Friday, August 8, 2003; Page B06 DAVID WEBSTER, BBC OFFICIAL David Webster, 72, the former director of the United States division of the British Broadcasting Corp. and a leader in international broadcasting and freedom of information concerns, died of a heart ailment Aug. 6 at his home in Washington. Mr. Webster retired from the BBC in 1985, after 32 years with the organization. He was chairman of the Trans-Atlantic Dialogue on Broadcasting and of the Information Society, which he founded in 1988. The organization promotes an exchange of views between Americans and Europeans on the international impact of change in information technology. Mr. Webster was born in Taunton, England, and attended Ruskin College, Oxford. He joined the BBC in 1953 in the world services news department and in 1958 moved to BBC television. He traveled about the world for the BBC public affairs program "Panorama" and was its editor from 1967 to 1969. From 1971 to 1976, he was the BBC representative in the United States, and in 1974 and 1975, he was chairman of the International Council of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. He returned to England in 1976, and in 1977 he became the BBC's director of public affairs, with a seat on the board of management, which runs the organization. He returned to the United States in 1981 as director of the BBC's U.S. section. Until retirement in 1985, he continued to serve on the BBC's board of management. Mr. Webster was a resident associate of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a senior fellow of the Annenberg Washington Program on Communications Policy Studies. His marriage to Lucy Webster ended in divorce. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Drew, the journalist and author whom he married in 1981, of Washington; two sons from his first marriage, Daniel, of San Francisco, and Alexander, of Cherry Valley, N.Y.; a sister; and three grandchildren. (c) 2003 The Washington Post Company (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. The final Spectrum program on WWCR was broadcast on July 26, 2003. The program is also not being broadcast on the internet at this time, but could be in the future (Barry, Radiowave Man, Aug 9, Monitoring Times messageboard via DXLD) I hadn`t noticed, but I see in the August printed WWCR schedule that has been replaced by Cyberline for two hours at 0300-0500 UT Sun on 5070 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. IBC schedule as of Aug 10 includes during WRMI 15725 times: Sat in EDT: 9 AM Voice of Russia 10 AM China Radio International 11 AM Voice of America Sun in EDT: 10 AM The Twilight Zone® 11 AM China Radio International 12 Noon Radio Taiwan International However, since WOR does not appear as scheduled at 1800, these items should not be assumed to be carved in stone (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [non]. Glenn, today Sunday 10th heard jamming (like Iranian type) on 15650 kHz around 1445-1515 UT, frequency which used formerly by DW in Arabic from Aug 3rd, but latter moved to 15660 kHz according latest Bulgarian Observer. Pan American Broadcasting: 1430-1445 15650 JUL 100 kW/100 deg Sun to ME Arabic 1445-1500 15650 JUL 100 kW/100 deg Sun to ME English 1500-1515 15650 JUL 100 kW/115 deg Sun to ME English 1530-1545 15650 JUL 100 kW/100 deg Sun to ME English 1545-1600 15650 JUL 100 kW/100 deg Sun to ME English New schedule for Deutsche Welle in Arabic: 1400-1430 NF 15660, ex 15650, re-ex 15470 \\ 13720, 17485, 21560 1430-1500 NF 15660, ex 15650, re-ex 15470 \\ 13720, 15595, 17485 73 (Wolfgang Bueschel, Aug 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. NEW YORK RADIO STATION AIRS THE FIRST BROADCAST OF THE MOSCOW PATRIARCHATE OFFICE IN U.S. New York, July 29 (Russian Churches News) --- On July 19, WKDM Narodnaya Volna (The People`s Wave) 1380 AM, a major Russian speaking news station, aired the first broadcast of the Representation of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA, ``Pravoslavnoye Obozrenie`` (Orthodox Christian Review), pursuant to an agreement between the Representation and Valery Vainberg, the publisher and chief editor of Novoye Russkoye Slovo, the oldest Russian language newspaper in the USA, as well as president of the radio station. By courtesy of Mr Vainberg, the Representation of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA will be providing regular coverage of the most important Church news through the newspaper and radio broadcasts. Radio listeners in the States of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are invited to tune in to WKDM The People's Wave 1380 AM on Saturdays from 3 to 4 pm, for ``Pravoslavnoye Obozrenie.`` (Catholic Radio Update Aug 11 via DXLD) ** U S A. I WANNA F*&% ALL NIGHT, AND F*&% EVERY DAY --- Radio maven and metal monger Earl Root, bringing you the f-word since 1987. by Paul Demko There is no reasonable explanation for why Earl Root remains on the airwaves. After all, the host of KFAI's The Root of All Evil once produced a five-hour broadcast entitled . . . [language advisory] http://www.citypages.com/databank/24/1182/article11412.asp (via Brock Whaley, DXLD) ** U S A. Glenn, As per the question in DXLD 3-142. WNVT announces itself as a public TV. However, this is not PBS. WNVT allows anyone with the $ to broadcast. They carry many non English programming. Apparently WNVT is having difficult times as they have been off the air for several weeks at a time, have tried music programming and have tried other programming over the years. WNVT is mainly for students at NVCC (Northern Virginia Community College) to get experience in TV broadcasting. I believe the tx is in Goldvein VA (not too far from Manassas, VA). Following is from DCRTV http://www.dcrtv.net 53 WNVT Ind/Public Goldvein, VA. In October 2001, this station started calling itself "MHz2," with its sister station, Channel 56, becoming "MHz." Channel 53 is a independent, public station amongst a glut of other area public stations (22, 26, 32, 56). The station used to run children's programming in prime time, but in 2000 it flipped to a new format - relaying contemporary music network during the late afternoons and past sunset with educational shows (now "MHz Learn") during the mornings and early afternoons. Under the MHz umbrella, the station also does a lot of local music programs in conjunction with area radio stations. While its studios are in Merrifield (with Channel 56), its transmitter is way down in the small town of Independent Hill, near Fredericksburg, consequently giving it a rather lacking signal in the metro area. However, it enjoys solid cable carriage, at least in Northern Virginia and in DC. 53 first signed on in 1972 and is owned by Commonwealth Public Broadcasting. WNVT's digital TV broadcasts will be on channel 30. 56 WNVC Ind/Public Fairfax, VA. Co-owned with Channel 53, 56 also provides a public service to the diverse international community in the DC area. In October 2001, it started calling itself "MHz." It is a non-commercially licensed independent station and runs a variety of programs from many international broadcasters including those in German, French, Polish, Thai, Chinese, Russian, Irish and many others. While the station may not get gangbuster ratings, it should not be overlooked. Before 56 signed on in the early 80s, a low-powered Spanish language station occupied this frequency. Channel 56 and 53 are owned by Commonwealth Public Broadcasting and share studio facilities in the DC suburb of Merrifield, Virginia. Back in its early days WNVC featured a Saturday night horror movie show hosted by "The Bowman Body." Anyone remember this? The original calls for Channel 56 were WIAH. WNVC's has been given channel 57 for its digital broadcasts. 73, (via Kraig Krist, VA, DXLD) ** U S A. US MW STATIONS - FCC TOWER HEIGHT RULES I'm wondering if any of Glenn's readers having MW AM broadcast experience in the US could provide information on FCC tower height rules. I've noticed that most of the class A stations operating on clear channels use tower heights that approach half wavelengths of their assigned carrier frequencies. WOR, for example, uses three towers each around 680 feet high. Class B stations, however, seem to typically use towers that are much smaller fractions of their carrier's wavelength. Assuming there are no FAA restrictions to limit height, does the FCC actually dictate the height of towers that a licensee can use? Do the station classes then imply more than just which stations protect the dominant station via signal patterns? How did the one notable exception, class B WNAX in Yankton SD, become able to build and still use to this day, its 800 foot plus tower for its daytime signal? Since tower height seems a significant factor in getting out a far-reaching signal, any info. on this topic would be welcomed by us MW DXers to broaden understanding (Richard Howard, Burnsville NC, Aug 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 'TOM' IS NEW WEATHER RADIO VOICE Now with the weather, here's 'Tom.' The new computer-synthesized broadcast voice of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio reports uses the same technology as its predecessors, but is capable of reading with varying speed and intensity to convey the seriousness of an urgent weather warning if necessary. "Tom" replaces "Donna" and "Craig" as the service's automated voice for daily forecasts and weather advisories. The new text-to-speech computer voice is concatenated, meaning small bits of a real human voice are rearranged and put together to create new words. "The new voice is much better than Craig and Donna ever were," said Joanne Swanson, NWS meteorologist and a member of NOAA's voice improvement program. "Donna" and "Craig" in turn had replaced "Perfect Paul" in early 2002. NOAA introduced its first computer-driven voice in 1997 as part of a $13 million effort to automate the agency's nationwide network of weather reports, forecasts and emergency weather alerts. The latest voice upgrade, developed by Boston-based SpeechWorks International, made its debut on most of the 121 NOAA weather offices in July (Radio World Newsbyte Aug 8 via DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. Desde Caracas Venezuela --- El Observatorio Global de Medios condena el cierre forzoso de la televisora comunitaria Catia Tve OBSERVATORIO GLOBAL DE MEDIOS CAPITULO VENEZUELA A LA OPINIÓN PÚBLICA Denunciamos ante todos los venezolanos y ante la comunidad internacional la agresión realizada por el Alcalde del Área Metropolitana de Caracas, Alfredo Peña, en contra de la libertad de expresión y el derecho a la información, al cerrar arbitrariamente la emisora comunitaria de televisión Catia TVe y secuestrar sus equipos de transmisión, el pasado 10 de julio de 2003. Consideramos esta agresión como una nueva evidencia de las tendencias antidemocráticas impulsadas por algunos dirigentes de la oposición y de los propietarios de medios privados de comunicación social que, no conforme con impedir a la mayoría de los ciudadanos el acceso a una información imparcial, pretenden también impedir la información libre que generan las propias comunidades a través de medios comunitarios de comunicación, como es el caso de Catia TVe. Esta agresión en contra de una pequeña televisora comunitaria constituye una nueva evidencia de la violación del derecho constitucional de los receptores a obtener una información imparcial, oportuna y plural, pues cercena a la comunidad de Catia y sus alrededores la posibilidad de obtener información de un medio independiente de los canales privados de televisión, quienes han mantenido una política de información signada por la promoción de la confrontación política, la tergiversación de los hechos y la manipulación, como ya lo hemos denunciado en oportunidades anteriores. Quisiéramos llamar la atención sobre el hecho de que es ésta la primera ocasión, en más de una década, cuando se produce el cierre de un medio de comunicación, por parte de autoridades gubernamentales y consideramos justo aclarar que no se trata del Gobierno Nacional. Por el contrario, la instancia gubernamental responsable de esta violación a las libertades de expresión e información, es la Alcaldía del Área Metropolitana de Caracas, la que mantiene una decidida y abierta confrontación contra el Gobierno de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela. El Observatorio Global de Medios, Capítulo Venezuela, a la vez que expresa su solidaridad al equipo responsable de la emisora comunitaria de televisión, Catia TVe, hace un llamado a todos los ciudadanos a defender la libertad de expresión y el derecho a la información a pronunciarse de manera pública para condenar decididamente la agresión que la Alcaldía Metropolitana de Caracas realizó en contra de esta emisora comunitaria. Observatorio Global de Medios Capítulo Venezuela 17 de julio de 2003 http://www.observatoriodemedios.org.ve (via Adán González, Catia La Mar, Venezuela, DXLD) SODEPAU P.V. (Estado Español) rechaza la medida antidemocrática de cierre de Catia Tve Por: SODePAU P.V. Publicado el Jueves, 17/07/03 07:23am La organización No Gubernamental SODePAU P.V. (Estado Español) quiere hacer llegar su rechazo por la medidas antidemocráticas y abusivas llevadas a cabo por la alcaldía de Caracas bajo la dirección de Alfredo Peña, y que han culminado con el cierre ilegitimo de la televisión comunitaria CatiaTV. CatiaTV fue legalizada en el año 2002, gracias a una nueva legislación que significa un paso adelante en la práctica efectiva de la democracia, ya que permite al pueblo hacer oir su voz sin intervención del estado ni de los grandes oligopolios mediáticos (siempre al servicio del que paga). El ataque a CatiaTV solo puede enmarcarse, desde nuestro punto de vista, en la política de acoso que están llevando a cabo las élites económicas y políticas tanto de Venezuela como de otras partes del mundo, al actual gobierno venezolano, democraticamente elegido en las urnas, al ver peligrar sus privilegios y su proyecto neoliberal debido a las reformas que se están llevando a cabo en este país. Estos intentos de acallar al pueblo venezolano sumados a los intentos de golpe de estado o a la absurda huelga que tuvo lugar hace unos meses, permiten observar el carácter fascistoide de aquellos y aquellas que, intentan por todos los medios matener sus prevendas a costa de la pobreza del pueblo venezolano. Es evidente que han encandilado a algunos sectores de la clase trabajadora venezolana gracias al arduo trabajo de desinformación llevado a cabo por los medios de comunicación privados, pero a pesar de ello no lo han conseguido con todos, y por ello buscan acallar las expresiones de apoyo a la revolución bolivariana, o a aquellas que simplemente quieren reclamar un espacio para comunicar sus esperanzas y deseos de igualdad de oportunidades, de justicia social y de derecho a la educación, a la sanidad y a participar en las tomas de decisiones de su país. Es por todo esto que desde aqui queremos denunciar las campañas de intimidación y denigración contra los medios comunitarios y alternativos llevadas a cabo por sectores antidemocráticos venezolanos, así como las agresiones físicas a las personas que opinan diferente o los cierres arbritarios e ilegitimos de los espacios de expresión no controlados por los magnates de la comunicación, y exigimos una vuelta a las garantias democráticas y de derecho que promueve la nueva constitución bolivariana de Venezuela para evitar que unos pocos puedan amordazar a todo un pueblo y privarles de sus derechos y de sus legitimas riquezas. Nuestra organización junto con todas aquellas del Estado Español y de Europa que tenemos acceso a una información alternativa a la que intentan "vender" al mundo y a su propio país las cadenas privadas venezolanas, nos comprometemos a apoyar las iniciativas populares de crear medios de comunicación comunitarios y a difundir "esa otra información" para permitir a los ciudadanos y ciudadanas del mundo que elaboren sus propias conclusiones del proceso que se esta viviendo en Venezuela. Por último exigimos un poco de coherencia al alcalde metropolitano de Caracas y a todos aquellos que apoyan las medidas impuestas por las élites venezolanas y extranjeras, y practiquen la democracia que dicen defender, devolviendo a CatiaTV todo el material confiscado, y respetando su trabajo, al igual que se esta haciendo con los medios privados de comunicación Venezolanos. SODEPAU P.V. (Solidaritat per al desenvolupament i la Pau del País Valencià) (via Espacio Publico yahoogroup via Adán González, Catia la Mar, DXLD) ** VIETNAM [non]. 15775, CLANDESTINE Chan Troi Moi, *1327-1354 Aug 9, open carrier to instrumental music commencing at 1330 followed by a woman announcer with ID and Vietnamese talk accompanied by instrumental music. Seemingly news program with musical segments between features. Numerous mentions of Florida, Cuba, New York, Castro, and Hanoi. Another ID at 1350 after a musical interlude. Poor with fairy noisy conditions (Rich D`Angelo, PA, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) ** WESTERN SAHARA [non]. ALGERIA. From the 20th July till now, I was unable to detect any activity from the POLISARIO FRONT's MW outlet of 1550 kHz, though the jamming signal was on (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, BC-DX Aug 9 via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 2340: Glenn, I heard a second harmonic of, I believe they said, WTAV, Greatest Hits of All Time. It was an oldies format heard on 2.340 MHz at 0945 UT. I looked up the calls in Radio Locater and came up with a big goose egg. Signals were fair with rapid fading on August the eleventh (Ron Trotto, Waggoner, Illinois, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Could be 2 x 1170 or 3 x 780. No similar calls found here in NRC AM log 2002 or M Street Directory 2000 (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 6670, VERY UNID, USA-like DJ-style program with country music, all 4s at 0120 Aug 10, spur or pirate relay (or record) of an FM American station? (Artiom Prokhorov from Moscow with my latest catches made on Sony ICF7600G and its telescopic antenna in a countryside just in some 70 km South of Moscow, Cumbre DX via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 9560.6: off-frequency carrier, weak, hetting against an equally weak carrier on 9560.0 at 1355 Aug 11. Ethiopia, probably (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. After 2+ months of inactivity, since R. Togo Libre, a new entry appears at the bottom of the `Whose` page of TDP, as of Aug 11: Al-Asr Radio. Unfortunately no listing appears yet on the TDP schedule page, and the Al-Asr page linked is entirely in Arabic, with parts of it under construction: http://www.alasr-radio.com We are making inquiries about this, and welcome translation from DXLD Arabic readers (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ NOVENO ENCUENTRO NACIONAL DE DIEXISTAS Y RADIOESCUCHAS MEXICANOS El pasado fin de semana se reunieron alrededor de 60 oyentes de onda corta de toda la República Mexicana en la ciudad de Tizayuca, en el estado de Hidalgo, para celebrar el Noveno Encuentro Nacional de Diexistas y Radioescuchas Mexicanos. Nuestro corresponsal Jeff White estuvo allí y lo tenemos en la línea telefónica ahora mismo para decirnos un poco sobre lo que pasó en Tizayuca. Primero, Jeff, ¿exactamente dónde queda Tizayuca? JEFF: Bueno, Tizayuca es una ciudad de 50,000 personas, ubicada alrededor de una hora al norte de la Ciudad de México en el estado de Hidalgo. Tiene un clima muy agradable debido a su altura de casi 2,300 metros sobre el nivel del mar. No es demasiado caliente ni siquiera en el mes de agosto. ALFONSO/JAIME: Nosotros estuvimos en el último Encuentro Diexista Mexicano el año pasado en Jalapa, Veracruz, y yo sé que algunos años han asistido 80 o casi 100 personas a estos eventos. No hubo tantos participantes este año, ¿verdad? JEFF: No, había como 60 personas este año, pero quizás fue debido a que el Encuentro se efectuó en una ciudad bastante pequeña con un solo hotel que estaba casi lleno, así mucha gente tuvo que hospedarse en Pachuca, la capital de Hidalgo, que está a media-hora al norte de Tizayuca. Sin embargo, asistieron oyentes de onda corta de todas partes de México, desde Chihuahua en el norte hasta Chiapas en el sur -- y algunos de otros países también. ALFONSO/JAIME: ¿Quienes asistieron de otros países? ¿Radiodifusores? JEFF: Sí, por ejemplo dos personas de Radio Habana Cuba y nosotros de Radio Miami Internacional. Pero también asistieron algunos oyentes de los Estados Unidos. Hablando de las emisoras, participó una muchacha simpática de Radio Internacional de China, Wei Lijun, y algunos representantes de emisoras de onda corta mexicanas como Radio Mil y Radio Educación. ALFONSO/JAIME: ¿Esta fue la primera vez que asistieron representantes de Radio Habana Cuba? JEFF: Creo que sí, y eran muy populares. Manolo de la Rosa es el productor del programa semanal sobre el diexismo, "En Contacto." Y Emma Almeda produce un programa de buzón de oyentes, tanto como un noticiero matinal. Ellos dos dieron una presentación sobre la radiodifusión en Cuba y la historia de Radio Habana Cuba. Déjame mencionar que hubo dos importantes exhibiciones -- una de la compañía Radio Shack del Distrito Federal, exhibiendo sus varios receptores de onda corta que se venden por todo México, y otra de la Asociación Nacional de Radiodifusoras de Onda Corta de los Estados Unidos, que representa 18 emisoras privadas de onda corta en ese país vecino. Y se regalaron horarios de programación, discos compactos, cassettes, banderines, plumas, llaveros y todo tipo de souvenirs de las emisoras. ALFONSO/JAIME: Bueno, nosotros también regalamos varias camisetas, bolsas y un reloj de Radio Nederland en la rifa que tenían allí, que vamos a enviar por correo a los afortunados ganadores. Jeff, tengo entendido que se hizo la primera demostración en México de la onda corta digital, DRM, durante el Encuentro. ¿Cómo salió eso? JEFF: De cierta forma, excelente, porque César Fernández y Rafael Grajeda de la Sociedad de Ingenieros Radioescuchas de Veracruz explicaron todo lo básico sobre la DRM y trajeron grabaciones de comparaciones entre la calidad de señales analógicas y digitales que fueron grabados durante pruebas en Europa. Y los participantes se asustaron cuando escucharon la diferencia de calidad entre una señal tradicional de onda corta analógica, y una señal en DRM que fue casi la calidad de FM. Desafortunadamente, una demostración de señales DRM en vivo desde Radio Nederland en Bonaire y de la Deutsche Welle desde Alemania no fue tan exitosa, porque solamente se pudo captar algunos segundos de audio de Bonaire, aunque fue de muy alta calidad. Se utilizó uno de los nuevos receptores de la compañía Ten-Tec que se conecta a una computadora personal y entonces puede captar señales de DRM utilizando un programa de software del Consorcio DRM. Van a seguir experimentando con estos equipos en colaboración con las emisoras participantes para ver porqué no entró mejor el audio, pero una gran parte del problema puede ser que las antenas en Bonaire no están dirigidas precisamente a México, y la señal de Alemania está bastante lejos y de relativamente baja potencia. Una cosa que aprendimos sobre la DRM es que una señal de onda corta digital o está allí y se oye muy bien, o simplemente desaparece completamente en el éter. Pero de todas formas, se vió el potencial de la DRM para revolucionar la onda corta en el futuro. Y gracias a Jan Peter Werkman del departamento técnico de Radio Nederland por su valiosa cooperación en esta prueba, quien tuvo que quedarse despierto hasta las altas horas de la noche en Holanda para controlar las transmisiones DRM desde Bonaire. Y quiero mencionar que sí escuchamos durante el seminario los saludos especiales que Jaime mandó a los participantes del Encuentro durante la transmisión especial de Radio Nederland. Lo único es que tuvimos que escucharlos en la frecuencia analógica en vez de la frecuencia DRM. ALFONSO/JAIME: Yo sé que en estos eventos de radioescuchas normalmente hay un aspecto cultural. ¿Ese fue el caso también este año? JEFF: O sí, sin duda. El organizador del Encuentro, Martín Herrera, arregló muchas cosas culturales. El evento comenzó el jueves 31 de julio con un grupo musical tocando música folklórica, y luego una cena deliciosa de antojitos regionales con otros músicos en un restaurante cercano. Y la próxima mañana la inauguración oficial tuvo lugar con una actuación de un excelente grupo local de bailadores folklóricos que se llama Hueyhueycoyotl, vestidos en colores brillantes de los indígenas de Hidalgo. El dos de agosto fue el día del diexista mexicano, y también se celebró el 61 cumpleaños del colega Manolo de la Rosa de Radio Habana Cuba, quien a propósito mandó muchos saludos cordiales a Uds., Jaime y Alfonso. Celebramos con una torta que se hizo especialmente para la ocasión y una fiesta muy agradable. ALFONSO/JAIME: Bueno, Jeff, yo sé que grabaste muchas entrevistas con personas que estaban allí en el Encuentro, y que durante las próximas semanas aquí en Radio Enlace nos vas a presentar algunas de estas grabaciones. JEFF: Así es, y tendremos mucho más sobre el Encuentro en los próximos reportajes (R. Nederland Radio-Enlace August 8-10 via DXLD) COMMENTARY ++++++++++ QSLing, BELLABARBA ``Following to the many polemics opinions expressed everywhere concerning the Bellabarba QSL-ing policy, I wish here clarify the personal position of the DX-editor of Play-DX, Dario Monferini, has been always against this kind of unpolite activity, cause Mr. Bellabarba is manipulating informations coming from other sources, sending fake reports. For this reason I admit, after 25 years of personal tentatives to find a positive solution to this matter, to have totally failed in this `mission` and to have done remarkable problems and damns to the worldwide dx-ing family. I agree all the DX- ers sending serious reports have all the rights don`t see rare radio stations verified in a fake way by Mr. Bellabarba in a total unpolite and foolish way to get a reply in all the ways, even changing the original datas (one week before) showing a `scientific` attitude but also a very unacceptable activity. The next autumn Play-DX will do a more descriptive article about these matters, to put a final word on this abominable story of Mr. Bellabarba, 30 years acting against the worldwide family of the radio listeners`` (PRESS RELEASE FROM THE BOARD OF PLAY-DX, Dario Monferini, editor in chief Play-DX Italy via SW Bulletin Aug 10 via DXLD) QSLing WEBCASTS Radio New Zealand International have recently received a Reception report requesting a QSL from an Internet logging on a Pentium 4 Computer. It raises some interesting points on whether logging a station is really DX and worth a QSL? Any genuine feedback or comment will be passed on to Radio NZ International. Hi Mark, RNZI has received this reception report requesting a QSL. As you will see the receiver was a Pentium 4 1.7 ghz. computer - I had a chuckle about it, but the guy is quite serious. I would be interested to know from the amateur community what they think? My view is a QSL card was intended to acknowledge the expertise of an operator of a short-wave radio in hearing a distant station. Surely clicking on a URL does not count??????!! Some may call me old fashioned, but I would appreciate feed-back on this issue! Cheers, Adrian [Sainsbury, RNZI] --------------------------------- From: Name removed To: info@rnzi.com Subject: Reception Report The following reception report was submitted by j on Tuesday, August 5, 2003 at 14:47:20: Country: CAN, receiver: pentium 4 1.7 ghz, antenna: internet, strength: 5, Interference: 4, Overall_Merit: 4, date: 04/08/2003, time: Time in UTC, frequency: In kHz, programme_details: Pacific news, comments: I would appreciate a QSL card to confirm reception. Please include sticker, pennant and station information. Thank you. It is always nice to hear a station as far as New Zealand. Mark Nicholls [editor@radiodx.com] via HCDX --------------------------------- Last year I had a disagreement with Glenn Hauser about exactly the same subject. On that occasion someone from USA sent Gleen a message saying he had got a verification (QSL) from Liechtenstein. I thought Radio Liechtenstein was on Shortwave but for my frustration Glenn told me that this "DX er" had heard the station over the Internet. Well, I still consider QSL'ing a radio station over the WEB something stupid. If RNZI wants to reply this message I would suggest them to send an "email QSL" confirming the "WEB DX" or whatever you want to call it. If we start accepting this kind of thing we could find ourselves in a ridiculous situation where the radio will virtually disappear and will be replaced by a computer. If this is the case, how about if I start reporting and QSL'ing TV stations that I catch on Cable ? Marcelo Toniolo via HCDX --------------------------------- John Wright here, in Australia. To all, computer DX logging... live streaming audio etc... well, that`s nice that the person hears Radio New Zealand. However, the issue was raised within Australia about 1997, as I did the QSLing for locally 2AM on 1620. The QSL is a Q code for amateurs that was established many years ago, as a means of thankyou for your report on my signal and a kind of thankyou and memento of the occasion. These QSL cards were also known as audience cards. Listeners were encouraged in the early days of radio, of reporting the strength etc. of a signal, to which a thankyou card was sent out to the listener as a thankyou momento. This was by radio. Computer is not radio. However, when 2AM received this report, instead of throwing away the listener`s request for a QSL the listener received a polite reply about what a QSL was all about, but no QSL card. But some information about the radio DX or SWLing hobby was also sent to this person. It`s all about education, and growing the hobby. Maybe some other people have other ideas. Regards John Wright (Down under). Via HCDX --------------------------- If it doesn't fade (QSB) or have noise (QRN) it's not radio. Collecting QSL cards for hearing radio stations over the Internet must be a separate hobby, not to intertwined with QSLing radio stations via the ionosphere. Here in the U.S. though, if our FCC allows BPL which is "a broadband Internet connection via AC power lines", the QRN will be so bad, as to relegate all of us to listening to radio via Internet. 73, Thomas F. Giella, Meteorologist C/S KN4LF via HCDX ------------------------- Boy, not enough details for even a shortwave reception report...and what was the interference that this report claims with a SIO 544? Just my thoughts! Mick, cidxqsl@ecn.ab.ca via HCDX ---------------------- Dear DX-friends, This subject was discussed three years ago at the Conference of the European DX Council in Barcelona and there was general agreement that "WEB LISTENING" cannot be regarded as "DX-ING". It is another hobby which just requires that you know certain web addresses. The stations are no more distant than your PC (Best 73, Anker Petersen Denmark via HCDX) ------------------------ As others have pointed out the computer logging, the overall was 544 well this misguided chap needs a computer overhaul. What, maybe his telephone line is not what it could be. Hope someone at RNZI points this out. Then he has to get this checked out, then if not the telephone line it`s his computer setup. (he could be on the hurdy gurdy for months). Anyway its not a perfect world after all in cyberspace. GRIN (John Wright, Down under via HCDX) (all via SW Bulletin Aug 10 via DXLD) How about suggesting to the computer listener that if he has no radio of his own, he can be a DXer by using java radio and related remote radio sites on the web? (Steve Bass, hard-core-dx via DXLD) I suspect that this guy has been listening to the direct internet stream from RNZI - I certainly would not send him a QSL These days though there are remote radio receivers - for example http://www.javaradio.com - http://www.javoradio.com The person operating the receiver actually tunes the receiver remotely. I do not have a problem with getting QSLs via these remote receivers as the listener is the one doing the tuning and having to identify the station. This is no different than going on holiday overseas with a receiver and loop, and DXing overseas. Many DXers have done this in the past and have used the QSLs they receive as part of their totals. This of course is only my own point of view - other DXers won`t have a bar of using the internet at all to obtain QSLs. That`s my input for what it is worth. Regards (Tony Magon VK2IC, Member of ARDXC and NZRDXL, ibid.) Possibly it was a novice SWL'er using something Like a TenTec RX 320, driven by a computer, naïvely thinking that the computer was the receiver ;>) He heard it on SOMEONE ELSE'S RADIO --- it's not HIS reception. Yodar (Joseph Strain, ibid.) Having moved to a location where there is much local QRM, I have had to quit SW and MW DXing doing instead some internet listening and reporting (Radio Prague, The Voice of the Mediterranean, XERTA, Radio Panamericana...) Sometimes the reception quality is AOK, sometimes it is lousy, as in the El Salvador case related in DXLD #3118. I don't feel ashamed at all to say that I have received several replies, usually by email, but also by letter, in some cases QSL cards, pens and other stuff. (I completed my objective of 200 verified countries over a decade ago, so I am no longer hunting for new countries, and I listen to whatever I like most). But the El Salvador case was a thrill quite comparable to my SW logging years ago on 9555 kHz. I am talking about a station which used to be called Radio Nacional de El Salvador, but from actual real audio listening I realized that the WRTH info was inaccurate and that they are now identifying themselves as Radio El Salvador. My initial contact was in fact a reception report which I sent them in answer to repeated requests heard on the air and printed on their website. In my message I told them to please check their audio which sounded as if you were on a seashore trying to listen to broadcast from a portable transistor receiver. Exactly 35 minutes later, they fixed the audio and sent me a greeting on the air! Later, the same night, the manager sent me an email asking me to listen, which I then did. After a few communiqués related to messages received from foreign embassies etc. he went on to comment the message that had impressed him most, i.e. my emailed reception report! I have sent Humberto Molina in El Salvador a copy of this 5-minute oral QSL which was followed by a specially dedicated tune for their "Swedish Salvadoran" [sic]listener. I am not saying this is DXing, but it sure is fun. Here is the text file from DXLD #3118: [q.v.] (Henrik Klemetz, Sweden, Aug 10, ibid.) DX stands for a distant and unknown station. Distance does not mean anything on the internet and listening to an audio stream seems to me much more like a telephone call rather than a challenge. If the station is willing to send "QSLs" as a kind of PR, that's fine. I'm not interested in such confirmations, but if other listeners have fun collecting them - alright. It's a hobby and we should try to covince those listeners that shortwave has it's own quality. My 2 ct. (Willi Passmann, ibid.) I don't see any harm in doing this as long as you are honest about doing it, as Henrik is. It depends what you want out of the hobby. Some people, including a well-known gentleman down under, insist that DXing is a technical hobby and that comments on programmes etc. have no place in it. But for many people, the technical part was always a means to an end - i.e. receiving audio from as many different broadcasters as possible. I'm sure the small Latin American broadcasters who stream on the Web are as delighted to get letters from Internet listeners abroad as they are to get reception reports on their radio signals. Potential advertisers will be impressed either way :-) (Andy Sennitt, ibid.) Andy, I can confirm this! Paraguayan stations who stream audio on the Internet are very delighted to receive feedback; they often send greetings in their programs to people listen abroad as something very special. Also they use this in own promotions "worldwide heard via Internet". (Levi Iversen, Paraguay, ibid.) DXing is not logging on to someone else's computer via the internet. DXing is setting up your own antenna, feedline, receiver and dealing with all the problems that arise in your location. Not benefiting from someone else's hard work. There`s more to DXing than turning on a radio. The main reason stations give QSLs is to obtain reception reports from your location not someone else's. At least it used to be the reward for accurate reports. At this rate we wont need radios just computers. 73 (Brian Hill, ibid.) Brian's Radio Universe http://home.jps.net/~jonnysocko/ Thanks to all those people who responded to my original post 'is Computer Logging DX?. It generated quite a bit of healthy discussion. My personal feeling is: 'Web Listening' is not 'DX' as I or most in the hobby group know it and they shouldn't get a current style QSL card. However it is a very personal hobby and you make of it what you want - whether you DX or listen to Shortwave, Mediumwave, FM/TV, Utilities, Satellite and maybe now the Internet? And we as the DX Community may need to acknowledge the fact that some people are listening and maybe collecting acknowledgements via the Internet and cater for them in the future? And as John Wright in Australia pointed out - maybe the DX Clubs should prepare an information pack for posting or email enlightening those that send in Internet logging reports to the joys of proper radio DX/listening and information on joining a DX Club? Also the person is still a listener of RNZI and is requesting some sort of acknowledgement and other station information, maybe RNZI will have to develop a new 'Thank you for listening to us via the Web or Internet' email or attachment. And if the person wants a sticker or other hard copy information they can use Pay Pal or something similar to cover normal postage if required. We must also acknowledge that for many larger Broadcasters the days of needing 'reception reports' has long gone due to dedicated monitors or remote monitoring of signal strength from receivers based in the target area. Some now are more interested in 'Programming' feedback. The issuing of a QSL from a station is a 'courtesy' and not a right. Something we should always remember. Yes the times they are a changing - will we as a hobby group adapt with them or disappear? (Mark Nicholls, Chief Editor, New Zealand DX Times, New Zealand Radio DX League, http:www.radiodx.com ibid.) It seems to me the only problem is with MIXING three different kinds of `reception`, and the QSLs which may result. Sure, direct ionospheric reception from station to DXer is the traditional and most important method. Veries (or station totals) acquired thru java radios, or internet connexions should be kept entirely separate, in archives and in reporting to DX publications. Other than that, why not? Those who believe that even the traditional QSLs really prove anything are deluding themselves (Glenn Hauser, Aug 10, DX LISTENING DIGEST) POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ BPL --- THREAT TO HF Hello everyone, I know this is off topic on many of the lists but I think this needs to be brought to everyone's attention who enjoys the radio hobbies. This concerns BPL which is Broadband over Power Lines. This is already being "tried" in a few locations in the country (USA). This is having a very bad effect on the HF and SHORTWAVE frequencies. Please listen to the audio link from the ARRL and forward this on to as many of your communications friends as possible. http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2003/08/08/2/?nc=1 (Kondrak, comm-Mods yahoogroup via Joe Talbot, DXLD) ### ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-143, August 9, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser, ghauser@hotmail.com Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3h.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn CONTINENT OF MEDIA 03-05 is available from August 9: (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/com0305.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/com0305.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/com0305.html [not yet] Also via DXing.com: (Download) http://www.dxing.com/com/com0305.rm (Stream) http://www.dxing.com/com/com0305.ram Nominal schedule on RFPI, 7445: Thu 2000, Sat 2130 plus repeats 6, 12+ and 18+ hours later, but did not air at 0330 Sun On SIUE Webradio: Wed 1830 NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1194: RFPI: Sun 0530, 1130, 1830, Mon 0030, 0630, 1230, Tue 1900, Wed 0100, 0730, 1330 on 7445 [nominal times subject to pre-emption or delay] WWCR: Sun 0630 3210, Wed 0930 9475 WBCQ: Mon 0415 7415 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1194.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1194.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1194h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1194h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1194.html SOLICITED TESTIMONIAL Glenn, just to confirm that I'm a regular listener on WRN, Hotbird satellite every Saturday at 0800. Thanks! (Andre Schmidt, Germany, July 24) ** AUSTRALIA. 5049.94, 0935 Aug 9, ARDS Radio, Humpty Doo, weak signal with indigenous mx and talk. Thanks to Hans Johnson for the tip (Paul Ormandy, New Zealand, ZL4TFX, DX LISTENING DIGEST) (via Javaradio Australia) 5050, ARDS, 1126 Aug 9, with chorus singing. Fair but QRM from China on 5049.9 and a ute. 1129 ID by man in English. "You are listening to ARDS . . . transmitting from Darwin . . . phone number is . ." 1130 started another song (Hans Johnson, WY, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Hi Paul, yep, this the one I had to figure out the other week but they didn't give an announcement. It`s fairly weak here in Sydney but 1 kw, what do you expect (Johno Wright, Aug 10, ripple via DXLD) Only 400w apparently (Paul Ormandy ZL4TFX, ibid.) Well that pretty well sums it up, using an amateur set, no doubt, 400 watts with a linear. Shoestring ASIC funding, or similar (Johno Wright, Aug 10, ripple via DXLD) Tried as early as 0730 but nothing heard. First noted fading in around 0930 with talks. Became much stronger after 1100 but was mixed with China on the same freq. Generally ARDS Radio was dominant, although there was some deep fading at times. Programming after 1100 consisted of light aboriginal rock music and talks in Gupapuyngu or another Yolngu Matha language. Still going strong after 1200 although China was becoming more powerful by then. Anyone else heard this station yet? (Rob Wagner, VK3BVW, Receivers: Yaesu FRG100, Sangean 909, Antennas: 14 mHz dipole, 5 MHz T2FD, Aug 10, EDXP via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. RADIO VNG ITEMS AT DAS STORAGE FACILITY IN VILLAWOOD NSW VNG is going to a good home - the National Museum of Australia in Canberra. They are going to set it up in storage in the same configuration as if it were working, complete with one transmitter. It will be able to be viewed by pre-arrangement (Marion Leiba, VK1BNG, Friday, August 08, 2003 10:49 PM, rec.radio.shortwave via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** BELARUS`. The well known Belarussian military transmitter relays BR 1 from Minsk on 4982 and 5134 kHz in DSB (LSB+USB). Parallel to 279 kHz. On 8 AUG at 0400-0401 UT I heard on both frequencies some communication, resp. a man reading codes (figures and letters) in Russian with "Over" at the end. After that they switched over to radio program again. GOOD DX, (Karel Honzik, the Czech Republic (Czechia), AOR AR-7030 30 m Long Wire, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. Radio Bandeirantes, Brazil is off-channel on all of its SW frequencies: 6089.97, 9645.86, 11925.65 kHz. It was funny: the 31 mb outlet has been keeping this frequency for a long time, but now, as if they knew somebody was meassuring it, on the next day they drifted a bit down to 9645.33 kHz :-) GOOD DX, (Karel Honzik, the Czech Republic (Czechia), AOR AR-7030 30 m Long Wire, hard-core-dx via DXLD){v 3-145} ** CANADA. Re: New RCI Relay site: Hoax or truth? I tried the higher level page http://www.cbc.am which says among other things that it is the home page for the Eyre Land Principality, and the URL cbc.am is for sale. If you click on the word "information" on that page, you get another page that links to other pages. Some of them are philosophical or political in nature, but others talk about improving telecommunications services on Pitcairn Island http://cbc.am/ptt.htm From there you can go to a page with shortwave-related items on it http://cbc.am/radio.htm It says the CBC BC site is a proposal and includes a draft(?) of a letter to the Canadian Prime minister promoting the idea. There's also a proposal for a BBC World Service transmitter site in the Faulkland (sic) Islands, proposed frequencies are 1530 and 1620 kHz with 500 kW. This is obviously the work of someone with a vivid imagination and way too much time on their hands! (Bruce Portzer, WA, hard-core-dx via DXLD) Folks, it's official. This was a hoax as received directly from Bill Westenhaver at RCI: (Walt Salmaniw, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Dear Dr. Salmaniw: Thank you very much for your e-mail of the 8th, which we have forwarded to Ian Jones. Let me assure you that there is ABSOLUTELY NO TRUTH to this story about a BC relay site. Personally, I seem to remember something similar popping up on the net a few years ago, which I probably became aware of through something published in Glenn Hauser's DXLD. That was debunked fairly quickly, and this should be debunked as well. I remember having heard that a BC relay station was supposed to have been under consideration decades ago. In fact, that was likely something I heard Ian McFarland mention back in the days of the SWL Digest programme. However, nothing was done. I was surprised to hear your mention of recalling test transmissions, since I was unaware that there might have been anything of the sort. Our frequency manager, Gérald Théorêt, was quite surprised to see this website. He is looking into the matter, trying to determine where the site is registered and to whom it is registered, since it shouldn't be mistaken for any official RCI site. Again, thank you for drawing this to our attention. Yours very truly, (Bill Westenhaver, RCI Audience Relations, via Salmaniw, DXLD) Yes, I recall we had the RCI-West Coast and BBC-Falklands hypothetical stuff in DXLD some time ago. And much longer ago, I recall that RCI briefly carried out some tests from the PTP SW facility near Vancouver --- now, what was it called? Canadian Overseas Telecommunications Corp., I think. 73, (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, I am somewhat surprised at the debate about the cbc.am website. Checking out the website easily reveals that the story about a transmission facility on Canada's west coast is just an, uh, proposal of somebody living in Australia. And the production of this strange site is far away from being professional, considering that some links leads to the folder where the author stored the pages on his computer, a notorious Frontpage Express error. This also applies to a nice page dreaming about a high power mediumwave facility on the Falkland Islands; file:///D:/website-CBC-am/fk.htm will hardly work, but try http://cbc.am/fk.htm for some amusing reading. Best regards, (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Aug 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. CFAN 790 in Newcastle (Miramichi) off the air for good Hi Glenn, After over 50 years on AM as CKMR, CFUN and CFAN, the signal on 790 from Newcastle-Miramichi (pronounced mere-a-mish-ee') has finally gone dark. Chief engineer Eldon Rogers pulled the plug on Wednesday, July 30th at about 1030 in the morning. This completes the move to 99.3 FM where the station has been simulcasting as "The River" http://www.993theriver.com Station management kindly offered to run a few DX test tapes in January of 2003 for the NRC and, as a result, 5000 Watt CFAN was picked up and taped by Curtis McMenamin in Calfornia (farthest catch) among others. The next New Brunswick station to leave AM is expected to be CBZ in Fredericton on 970, which has been give a permit to move its Radio One service to 99.5 FM. 73 (Brent Taylor, VE1JH, Doaktown, NB, Aug 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. According to his site, the only other Canadian station carrying the Phil Hendrie show is my local CHMJ-730 Vancouver (Eric Flodén, BC, Aug 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) More in thread: see USA below ** CHAD. Re 3-141: It may be worth mentioning that in the late 1980s a regional station, Radio Moundou, was widely heard on 5286. This one seems to have been a good verifier and is represented by a duplicated letter in my own collection (Olle Alm, Sweden, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. New morning transmissions for China Radio International in German to WEu: 0500-0557 on 15215 strong co-ch VOIROI Russian till 0527 & DW Turkish from 0530 17690 strong co-ch TRT Voice of Turkey Turkish 0600-0657 on 15215 strong co-ch Channel Africa English/Portuguese 17690 strong co-ch TRT Voice of Turkey Turkish (Observer, Bulgaria, Aug 8 via DXLD) ** COLOMBIA. El 08-08, a las 2221 UT, en 4975.05 kHz, Ondas del Orteguaza, HJKA, desde Florencia, Caquetá. Transmitía boleros y música tradicional. Locutor de guardia con cuñas en vivo. SINPO 33422 (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CORSICA. AFP reports a bomb attack on a TDF facility in an industrial area at Borgo, about 15 km south from Bastia. The bomb detonated on a metallic fence and caused severe damage. Well, the Bastia TV and so most likely also FM transmitters are located elsewhere (Serra di Pigno mountain, 1053 metres ASL), so I guess this could be the 1494 mediumwave transmitter (Kai Ludwig, Aug 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: ------ ANSCHLAG AUF GEBÄUDE FÜR RUNDFUNK- UND TV-ÜBERTRAGUNG AUF KORSIKA Bastia (AFP) - Auf der französischen Insel Korsika ist ein Sprengstoffanschlag auf das Gebäude des Übertragungsunternehmens Télédiffusion de France verübt worden. Der Sprengsatz explodierte nach Polizeiangaben in der Nacht zum Samstag vor einer Metallabsperrung des Gebäudes im Industriegebiet Borgo, rund 15 Kilometer südlich von Bastia. Die heftige Explosion verursachte erhebliche Sachschäden. Télédiffusion de France ist das größte Unternehmen für die Übertragung von Rundfunk und Fernsehen in Frankreich. Zu dem Attentat bekannte sich zunächst niemand. © AFP 090843 Aug 03 (via Kai Ludwig, DXLD) ** COSTA RICA [non]. I check 15039 frequently in case RFPI comes back, but on Aug 9 around 2230 I was hearing instead the `bonker` pounding away, apparently with data bursts interspersed, on 15040, as closely as I could pinpoint it. Never had this here when RFPI was active. Recheck around 0100 did not hear it (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** DJIBOUTI. 1431, The new 600 kW transmitter for Radio Sawa is being built at Arta in southern Djibouti (Bernd Trutenau, ARC Information Desk 4 Aug 2003 via DXLD) ** ECUADOR. A Pichincha survey made by Björn Malm: 530 HCDC1 R Iris, adress Ulloa 611 y Acuña, La Finca, P1, Quito. No "Casilla". 550 HCGM1 R Reloj, correct address: Panamericana Sur km 14.5 (teléfono 2 691 573), Quito. 570 HCCE1 R El Sol, address: Av. Maldonado 688 y Calvas, Quito. 590 HCSP1 R Carousel, address: Conde Ruíz de Castilla 997 y Muregeón, Quito. 670 HCFF1 R Jesús del Gran Poder, address: Cuenca 477 y Sucre (El convento de San Francisco), Quito. No "Casilla" any longer. 720 HCIC1 R Municipal, address: García Moreno 751, entre Sucre y Bolívar, P3, Quito. 740 HCGC1 R Melodía, address: Panamericana Sur km 14.5 (teléfono 2 678 989), Quito. 780 HCAA1 R Noticia still has the licence for this frequency, but is inactive at the moment. The frequency is neither actual for R Filadelfia (see 1200 kHz). 820 HCUP1 R Unión, address: Iñaquito 133-E2 y Unión Nacional de Periodístas, Quito. No "Casilla". 860 HCPC1 R Positiva, address: Av. Amazonas y Colón, Edif. España, P4, Ofc. 42, Quito. Tel +593 2 2905 471. (ex R Visión). 880 HCRP1 R Católica Nacional, address: Av. América 1830 y Mercadillo, Quito. No "Casilla". 920 HCCM1 R Colón, address: Avellanas E5-107 y Av. Eloy, Alfaro, Quito. 1070 HCVP1 R Libertad, address: Tarquí 785 y Estrada Edif. De Cosi, P2, Quito. 1090 HCVI1 R Irfeyal, address: Carrión 1288 y Av. 10 de Agosto, Quito. 1160 HCCP1 R Presidente, address: Marquesa de Solanda 722, Quito. 1180 HCLR1 Nueva Emisora Central, address: Central Roca 331 y Av. 6 de Diciembre, Quito. 1200 HC..1 R Filadelfia, Quito, new planned frequency, ex 780 kHz. 1220 HCAP1 Sistema de Radiodifusoras Marañon, address: Bolívar 359, entre García Moreno y Venezuela, Quito. 1310 HCGB1 R Nacional Espejo, address: Panamericana Sur km 14.5 (teléfono 2 245 300), Quito. Same owner as stations on 550, 740 and 1310 kHz. 1330 HC..1 R Misión Cristiana Internacional "MCI", Quito, ex R Sideral. Address: Reina Victoria 447 y Roca, Quito. 1410 HCEC1 R El Tiempo, address: Píaz de Pineda 290 y Pedro de Alfaro, Quito. 1450 HC..1 AS La Radio, a new station, address: Calle Bolívar y Alfredo Boada (sobre el Banco del Pichincha), Tabacundo. Te: +593 2 2365 556. Ex Radio Sensación, Cayambe. 1470 HCJC1 Ecos de Cayambe, address: Terán 409 y Av. 10 de Agosto, Cayambe. 1490 HC..1 R Alfaro, Quito inactive. 1540 HCDP1 R Caracol Canal 145, Quito inactive. (Björn Malm, ARC, Quito, August Artic Radio Club LA Newsdesk via Tore Larsson, DXLD) What about HCJB-690, or is this not intended to be an exhaustive list? (gh, DXLD) ** FALKLAND ISLANDS. See CANADA ** GERMANY. DEUTSCHE WELLE AND TRANSMITTER PICTURES Hello, I just found lots of pictures from an earlier visit at Deutsche Welle in Cologne: http://rmrc.de/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=album10 The pages 7, 8 and 9 shows the live studio of the German service which already did no longer exist in July. Interesting to see the soundproofing walls placed in so many studios, I remember a quite severe reverb on certain DW broadcasts a couple of years ago. Pictures of the Rodgau-Weiskirchen 594 kHz transmitter near Frankfurt: http://rmrc.de/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=album10 One rig on these pictures can be identified as 300 kW unit, probably from Brown Boveri / ABB, interestingly operated only at 94 kW when the photos were made. From page 7 also a Siemens transmitter can be seen but no further details are discernible. Anyway it appears that the 1000 kW transmitter is gone, no such rig appears on any of the pictures, instead there seems to be plenty of empty space in the transmitter hall. And Mainflingen: http://rmrc.de/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=album10 The first pictures shows the mediumwave transmitters, certainly it is no problem to identify the two 350 kW units from the sixties. There are also solid-state transmitters in the transmitter hall, apparently a 100 kW and a 50 kW, but what is their purpose? The 100 kW is labelled as TRAM100 L-C, making me wonder what L-C stands for, perhaps longwave-communications? If so these would be utility transmitters. But if not they could be in use for 120 kW operation on 1539 while the old beasts will be heated up only for the 700 kW service -- if there is still one anymore. Page 6 obviously shows the clock facilities for DCF 77, followed by shots of various longwave transmitters, one of them no doubt airing the time signal on 77.5. One of these transmitters was also responsible for Deutschlandfunk service in the days when the Donebach site did not exist yet; first on 151 with the LSB suppressed in order to not disturb the utility services immediately below 150, so close to 151 that the morse signals used to leak through the broad filters of standard radio sets. Until a couple of years ago Mainflingen still stepped in during maintenance work at Donebach, in the mid/late nineties Königs Wusterhausen was throwed in on 153 instead, and now Deutschlandfunk does without a substitute when Donebach is down and instead refers listeners to 207, 549 or 756 (well, actually they have to retune anyway during special broadcasts they are not interested in). (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Aug 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. UPDATED A-03 SCHEDULE OF DEUTSCHE TELEKOM T-SYSTEMS AS OF AUGUST 3, 2003: Radio Vilnius: [NOT really, as Bernd Trutenau keeps explaining; how many other entries are imaginary???] 0000-0030 9855 JUL 100 kW / 295 deg Daily NoAmEa Lithuanian 0030-0100 9855 JUL 100 kW / 295 deg Daily NoAmEa English ====================================================================== Athmee Yatra He/Gospel For Asia (GFA): 0030-0130 11795 WER 250 kW / 090 deg Daily SoEaAs SoAs languages 1430-1530 15775 WER 250 kW / 075 deg Daily SoEaAs SoAs languages 1530-1630 15660 WER 250 kW / 090 deg Daily SoEaAs SoAs languages 2330-0030 11905 WER 250 kW / 075 deg Daily SoEaAs SoAs languages ====================================================================== Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: 0100-0300 7205 JUL 100 kW / 108 deg Daily ME Arabic 0300-0400 11910 JUL 100 kW / 105 deg Daily ME Arabic 0400-0600 11930 JUL 100 kW / 108 deg Daily ME Arabic 1700-1800 9865 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg Daily ME Arabic 1800-1900 9740 JUL 100 kW / 110 deg Daily ME Arabic 0230-0330 12140 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily ME Pashto 0330-0430 12140 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily ME Dari 0630-0730 15690 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily ME Pashto 0730-0830 15690 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily ME Dari 0830-0930 15690 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily ME Pashto 0930-1030 15690 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily ME Dari 1230-1330 15690 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily ME Pashto 1330-1430 15690 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily ME Dari 1630-1730 15690 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily ME Pashto 1730-1830 15690 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily ME Dari 2230-2330 5945 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily ME Pashto 2330-0030 5945 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily ME Dari 1400-1500 11680 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg Daily ME Armenian 1500-1700 9565 JUL 100 kW / 070 deg Daily Eu Belorussian 1600-1700 9870 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg Daily Eu Romanian ====================================================================== Hrvatska Radio/Voice of Croatia: 0300-0700 9925 JUL 100 kW / 325 deg Daily NoAmWe Croatian/En/Sp 0400-0700 9470 JUL 100 kW / 230 deg Daily NZ Croatian/En/Sp 0600-1000 13820 JUL 100 kW / 270 deg Daily AUS Croatian/En/Sp 2300-0300 9925 JUL 100 kW / 300 deg Daily NoAmEa Croatian/En/Sp 2300-0400 9925 JUL 100 kW / 230 deg Daily SoAm Croatian/En/Sp ====================================================================== United Methodist Church/Radio Africa International: 0400-0600 13810 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Daily NoAf French 0600-0800 15435 JUL 100 kW / 190 deg Daily NoAf French 1700-1900 15715 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Daily NoAf English 1700-1900 13820 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg Daily EaAf English ====================================================================== IBRA Radio: 0500-0600 15715 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Daily ME Arabic 1530-1600 15715 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Daily ME English 1600-1630 15715 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Daily ME Persian 1645-1700 11610 WER 125 kW / 090 deg Daily ME Pashto 1700-1715 11610 WER 125 kW / 090 deg Daily ME Dari 1400-1430 15715 JUL 100 kW / 090 deg Daily SoAs English 1430-1500 15715 JUL 100 kW / 090 deg Daily SoAs Persian 1500-1530 15715 JUL 100 kW / 090 deg Daily SoAs Urdu 1730-1745 15450 WER 125 kW / 135 deg Daily EaAf Somali 1730-1830 15695 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg Daily EaAf Swahili 1830-1845 15695 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg Daily EaAf English 1900-2000 12140 JUL 100 kW / 190 deg Daily WeAf Hausa 2000-2100 9605 JUL 100 kW / 175 deg Daily NoAf Arabic ====================================================================== Radio Netherland Wereldomroep: 0600-0655 11655 JUL 100 kW / 020 deg Daily Eu Dutch till 31.08 1030-1225 6045 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Daily Eu English 1030-1225 9860 WER 125 kW / 300 deg Daily Eu English ====================================================================== Swiss Radio International: 0600-0800 15445 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Daily NoEaAf Fr/Ge/It/En 0600-0800 13650 JUL 100 kW / 200 deg Daily NoEaAf Fr/Ge/It/En 1630-1815 13750 NAU 125 kW / 120 deg Daily NoEaAf It/Ar/En/Fr 1630-1815 15515 WER 125 kW / 120 deg Daily NoEaAf It/Ar/En/Fr 1830-2130 11815 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Daily NoEaAf It/Ar/En/Ge/Fr 1830-2130 13645 JUL 100 kW / 200 deg Daily NoEaAf It/Ar/En/Ge/Fr ====================================================================== Voice of Russia: 0600-0800 17670 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg Daily ME English WS 2200-2300 7120 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg Daily ME Arabic ====================================================================== Deutsche Welle: 0600-1000 6140 JUL 100 kW / 175 deg Daily Eu English 1300-1600 6140 JUL 100 kW / 175 deg Daily Eu English ====================================================================== Voice of Hope/High Adventure Ministries: 1330-1430 15775 JUL 100 kW / 070 deg Daily Vietnam Vietnamese ====================================================================== Voice of Russia - Russian International Radio 1400-1500 17705 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Daily Eu Russian# 1900-2100 5985 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Daily ME Russian* 1900-2100 9405 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg Daily ME Russian* 2000-2100 7260 JUL 100 kW / 105 deg Daily ME Russian* # ex Voice of Russia "Commonwealth" in Russian * ex Voice of Russia World Service in Russian ====================================================================== WYFR/Family Radio: 1700-1800 13720 JUL 100 kW / 165 deg Daily NoAf Arabic 2000-2100 13590 JUL 100 kW / 190 deg Daily WeAf French 2000-2100 13855 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Daily ME Arabic ====================================================================== Democratic Voice of Burma: 2330-0030 9435 JUL 100 kW / 080 deg Daily SoEaAs Burmese ====================================================================== Universal Life/Universelles Leben: 0100-0130 9435 JUL 100 kW / 090 deg Sun SoAs English 1600-1630 15265 JUL 100 kW / 175 deg Sun NoAf French 1630-1700 6015 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Tue/Wed/Thu Eu German 1800-1830 15750 JUL 100 kW / 155 deg Sun EaAf English 1900-1930 15565 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Sun ME English ====================================================================== Bible Voice Broadcasting Network/BVBN/: 0130-0200 15600 WER 250 kW / 090 deg Mon-Sat SoAs Hindi 1530-1600 17655 JUL 100 kW / 090 deg Mon/Thu/Fri SoAs English 1600-1615 17655 JUL 100 kW / 090 deg Mon/Thu/Fri SoAs Hindi 1530-1600 17655 JUL 100 kW / 090 deg Tue SoAs Urdu 1600-1615 17655 JUL 100 kW / 090 deg Tue SoAs Hindi 1530-1545 17655 JUL 100 kW / 090 deg Wed SoAs Hindi 1545-1600 17655 JUL 100 kW / 090 deg Wed SoAs English 1600-1615 17655 JUL 100 kW / 090 deg Wed SoAs Hindi 0700-0750 5975 JUL 100 kW / 290 deg Mon-Fri WeEu English 0700-0815 5975 JUL 100 kW / 290 deg Sat/Sun WeEu English 1800-1815 5970#JUL 100 kW / 060 deg Mon-Fri EaEu English 1815-1830 5970#JUL 100 kW / 060 deg Mon-Fri EaEu Russian 1830-1845 5970#JUL 100 kW / 060 deg Mon-Fri EaEu English 1800-1845 5970#WER 125 kW / 060 deg Sat EaEu Russian 1845-1900 5970#WER 125 kW / 060 deg Sat EaEu English 1800-1830 5970#WER 125 kW / 060 deg Sun EaEu English 1830-1900 5970#WER 125 kW / 060 deg Sun EaEu Russian 1900-1930 5970#WER 125 kW / 060 deg Sun EaEu English 0500-0530 13840 WER 125 kW / 120 deg Mon-Fri ME Arabic 0845-1015 17595 WER 125 kW / 135 deg Fri ME Arabic 1515-1800 15680 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Sat/Sun ME English 1530-1700 15680 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Mon/Tue ME English 1530-1730 15680 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Thu ME English 1530-1800 15680 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Wed/Fri ME English 1700-1745 15680 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Tue ME Russian 1615-1730 15750 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Mon-Fri ME Arabic 1700-1800 15750 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Sat/Sun ME English 1800-1815 13845 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg Sat ME English 1815-1900 13845 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg Sat ME Persian 1800-1900 13845 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg Sun ME Persian 1900-1930 13710 WER 250 kW / 120 deg Thu ME Arabic 1900-2000 13710 WER 250 kW / 120 deg Fri-Sun ME English 1630-1700 13810 JUL 100 kW / 130 deg Fri-Tue EaAf Amharic 1630-1730 13810 JUL 100 kW / 130 deg Wed/Thu EaAf Amharic 1900-1915 13725 JUL 100 kW / 175 deg Mon-Thu CeAf English 1900-1930 13725 JUL 100 kW / 175 deg Fri/Sun CeAf English 1900-2000 13725 JUL 100 kW / 175 deg Sat CeAf English # from September 8, 2003 on NF 6010 ====================================================================== RTBF: 0300-0500 9490 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Mon-Fri Af French 0430-0500 9490 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Sat/Sun Af French 0500-0710 17580 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Mon-Fri Af French 0500-0805 17580 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Sun Af French 0500-1000 17580 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Sat Af French 1000-1115 21565 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Sat Af French 1000-1205 21565 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Mon-Fri Af French 1100-1115 21565 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Sun Af French 1500-1715 17570 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Sun-Fri Af French 1600-1715 17570 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Sat Af French ====================================================================== AWR/Adventist World Radio: 0400-0500 7125 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Daily EaEu Bulgarian 1630-1700 15360 JUL 100 kW / 110 deg Daily EaEu Romanian 1700-1800 15235 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Daily EaEu Bulgarian 0900-1000 11880 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg Sat/Sun WeEu Italian 0600-0700 15160 JUL 100 kW / 200 deg Daily NoAf Arabic 0700-0730 15160 JUL 100 kW / 200 deg Daily NoAf French 1900-2000 15175 JUL 100 kW / 200 deg Daily NoAf Arabic 2000-2030 15175 JUL 100 kW / 200 deg Daily NoAf French ====================================================================== Brother Stair/TOM: 0400-0600 9770 JUL 100 kW / 240 deg Daily NZ English 1300-1600 13810 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Daily ME English 1200-1600 6110 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Daily WeEu English 1600-1700 6110 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Sat WeEu English ====================================================================== VRT/Radio Vlaanderen Internationaal: 0500-0655 13685 JUL 100 kW / 133 deg Daily ME Dutch 1730-1755 13710 JUL 100 kW / 133 deg Daily ME English 1800-1855 13710 JUL 100 kW / 133 deg Daily ME Dutch 0700-0725 5985 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Daily Eu English 1800-1955 5910 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Sat Eu Dutch ====================================================================== TWR/Trans World Radio: 0655-0820 6045 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Mon-Fri WeEu English 0645-0750 6045 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Sat WeEu English 0645-0820 6045 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Sun WeEu English 1230-1245 9490 JUL 100 kW / 130 deg Mon-Wed/Fri/Sat EaEu Croatian 1230-1245 9490 JUL 100 kW / 130 deg Thu/Sun EaEu Slovenian 1600-1645 7135 JUL 100 kW / 110 deg Sat EaEu Romanian 1600-1645 9660 JUL 100 kW / 110 deg Sat EaEu Romanian ====================================================================== Voice of Democratic Path of Ethiopian Unity: 0700-0800 21550 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg Sun EaAf Amharic 1830-1930 15565 NAU 125 kW / 135 deg Wed EaAf Amharic ====================================================================== WSHB/Christian Science Monitor: 0900-1000 5985 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Sun Eu German ====================================================================== Evangeliumsradio Hamburg: 0900-1000 6045 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Thu/Sun CeEu German 1730-1800 6015 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Daily CeEu German ====================================================================== Voice of Democratic Eritrea: 1400-1430 5925 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Sat WeEu Tigrina 1430-1500 5925 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Sat WeEu Arabic 1700-1730 15670 JUL 100 kW / 130 deg Mon/Thu EaAf Tigrina 1730-1800 15670 JUL 100 kW / 130 deg Mon/Thu EaAf Arabic ====================================================================== Pan American Broadcasting: 1430-1445 15650 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg Sun ME Arabic 1445-1500 15650 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg Sun ME English 1500-1515 15650 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Sun ME English 1530-1545 15650 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg Sun ME English 1545-1600 15650 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg Sun ME English ====================================================================== Voice of Ethiopian Salvation: 1600-1700 15670 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg Thu/Sun EaAf Amharic ====================================================================== Radio Huriyo: 1630-1700 15670 JUL 100 kW / 130 deg Tue/Fri EaAf Somali ====================================================================== Voice of Oromo Liberation (Sagalee Bilisummaa Oromoo): 1700-1730 15670 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg Tue/Wed/Fri/Sun EaAf Oromo 1730-1800 15670 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg Tue/Wed/Fri/Sun EaAf Amharic ====================================================================== Radio Reveil Paroles de Vie: 1830-1900 15750 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Thu Af French ====================================================================== Radio Rainbow/Kestedamena Radio: 1900-2000 15565 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg Fri EaAf Amharic ====================================================================== Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM): 1000-1300 6140 JUL 040 kW / 120 deg Daily Eu Digital test 1305-1455 5975 JUL 040 kW / 060 deg Daily Eu Digital test 1600-1900 6140 JUL 040 kW / non-dir Daily Eu Digital test (Observer, Bulgaria, Aug 8 via DXLD) ** GERMANY. New schedule for Deutsche Welle in Arabic: 1300-1330 NF 21790 addit freq \\ 15545, 15595, 17650 1400-1430 NF 15660*, ex 15650, re-ex 15470 \\ 13720, 17485, 21560 1430-1500 NF 15660*, ex 15650, re-ex 15470 \\ 13720, 15595, 17485 1600-1630 NF 15360 addit freq \\ 13590, 15195 2000-2030 on 6225, 9495, 9690, 11695 * co-ch Voice of Khmer Khrom Radio in Khmer on Tue only!!! (Observer, Bulgaria, Aug 8 via DXLD) ** ISLE OF MAN. THE FINAL COUNTDOWN http://www.longwaveradio.com/News.html The last remaining hurdle to the launch of our radio station will be reached in the High Court shortly, when a Bride resident's Petition of Doleance is heard. The petitioner alleges that the Isle of Man Government's Communications Commission reached its decision to award our broadcast licence unreasonably and that it failed to respond to his requests for information. The Petition of Doleance, similar to a request for judicial review, first came to court last year but has been delayed by a series of legal wrangles, including the question of the petitioner's locus standi (legal standing) to bring such a case. The High Court has already decided that the resident is not an affected party. The Communications Commission will be defended by the Government Advocate, Stephen Harding. Although not a defendant, IMIB plc clearly has a considerable interest in the outcome of the hearing and so will be represented, by Seth Caine of Cains - the Island's largest firm of advocates. The case has been listed for hearing on 30th September 2003 (News release from IOMBC 29 June 2003 via Mike Terry, Aug 9, DXLD) The Sound of Silence http://www.longwaveradio.com/News.html A report issued by one of the UK's leading specialists on noise and vibration has confirmed that it will be almost impossible for anyone on land to perceive any sounds coming from the offshore transmitter site to be constructed near the Bahama bank, just off the coast at Ramsey. The report is in stark contrast to the emotive claims by objectors that "the noise of the radio station will be heard across the Island all day and all night." In fact the level of sound reaching shore will be below the ambient noise levels in even the quietest part of the Island, just as our own engineers have always maintained. ANV's report analysed the sounds produced by various items of equipment on the transmission platform, including power generators, cooling plant, etc and how this would be suppressed using various acoustic treatments. They took into consideration the location on the platform of such equipment (on the eastern side, facing away from shore) and the prevailing winds etc, however for the purpose of the study the worst case scenario of a gentle on shore breeze from the east was assumed. This demonstrated irrefutably that the noise level from the platform at the closest point of land would be considerably below the ambient noise conditions found in that part of the Isle of Man. There is therefore no likelihood of the noise being even discernible on the Island, much less it being a nuisance, as had been claimed by objectors. Other fears (of health effects, risk of oil pollution, etc.) have also been proven erroneous by experts. The report states unequivocally that "The worst case calculations indicate that noise levels from the operation will be below the existing ambient noise levels, assuming a gentle onshore breeze, thus ensuring any potential disturbance is minimised. During periods of higher wind speeds or offshore winds, noise from the operations of the platform will either be masked by other sources or be up to 10 dB(A) lower." IMIB's platform will house four diesel generators (though only one will be in use at night, and two at peak times) and electronic equipment containing cooling fans. The equipment is acoustically treated as appropriate (our staff need to work alongside it at times and noise levels for employees are strictly regulated) and exhausted to the east - away from the Island. In addition, the prevailing winds are from the west, further dispersing any sound. Common sense suggests that the distance between the platform and shore of some 4 kilometres means that any sound is unlikely to be heard at all. 4 July 2003 (IMIB via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** ISRAEL. Frequency change for Kol Israel in Persian: 1400-1500 Sun-Thu and 1400-1525 Fri/Sat NF 17525, ex 13850 \\ 15640, 17545 (Observer, Bulgaria, Aug 8 via DXLD) ** KOREA SOUTH. [With the closure of V. of National Salvation:] So now we will be missing the funny noises produced on 1053 by two highpowered South Korean jammers... (Olle Alm, Sweden, ARC Information Desk 4 Aug 2003 via DXLD) 1566, FEBC Cheju is now scheduled as: 1900-1100 Korean 1100-1230 Chinese, 1230-1345 Japanese, 1345-1730 Chinese, 1730-1800 Russian. (T. Yamashita in ABI June issue via Y. Kato, ARC Information Desk 4 Aug 2003 via DXLD) ** MADAGASCAR. 3215, R. Feon'ny Filazantsara via Madagascar, Jul 30 *1630-1635 1646-1655 14231-24332, Chorus music. 1634 ID. Talk. 1653 Chorus and ID. 1654 IS? and s/off (Hashimoto, Japan Premium via Iwata, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** MEXICO. Looked for EZLN, R. Insurgente, the morning of Aug 9 as publicized. All I found around 5.8 MHz at various checks from 1030 past 1100, and 1200 were R. Martí spurs or mixing products, such as 5835; but high local noise level could have blocked (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PARAGUAY. Adán Mur, from Radio América, told me that the station is on 7370 khz now, 24 hours a day, with low QRP, vertical antenna in parallel with 9905 and 15483 khz on SW. The new transmitter is in Ñemby and relays the programmation from ZP20 Radio América. This is the complete schedule: 1480 KHZ - Ñemby - ZP20 Radio América. 1590 KHZ - Villeta - Radio Villeta. 7370 KHZ - Ñemby - ZP20 Radio América. 9905 KHZ - Villeta - ZP20 Radio América. 15483 KHZ - Villeta - ZP20 Radio América. 326.4 MHZ - Ñemby - ZP20 Radio América -Tropodifusión. 73's & 55's (Arnaldo Slaen, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** PERU. RADIO VICTORIA - LIMA: This religious station that normally is operating on 6020 khz and rarely on 9720 can be now listened to on 15480 khz in the 19 mts band. It was heard by me at 0400 on August 8th, low power. [watch out for Paraguay, just above] RADIO EMISORAS CAJAMARCA: Yesterday I was scanning the bands when, surprise, I caught RADIO EMISORAS CAJAMARCA on 3391.5 between 2330 and 0030 when it signed off. Music and news and ID: ``escuchan Radio emisoras Cajamarca.`` In WRTH this frequency is listed as Radio Cutervo, call sign OAX2R (CESAR PEREZ DIOSES, CHIMBOTE, PERU, Aug 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU [and non]. Quisiera agradecer al amigo Björn Malm por haberme ayudado a identificar una gran cantidad de emisoras andinas. De verdad son muchas en el éter (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PUERTO RICO. Puertorriqueña no identificada en 3160.02, muy común después de las 0400 UT, con sermones religiosos y música cristiana. Al parecer es católica. Es el primer armónico [decimos segundo --- gh] de 1580 kHz. En los directorios de puertorriqueñas en Internet, no pude localizar esa frecuencia de OM (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) En WRTH 2003 hay una en 1580: WMTI, R. Voz, Morovis, 24h, 5/2.5 kW, dirección postal en Hato Rey; pertenece a WVOZ, Radio Voz (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ROMANIA. Radio Romania International changes: 0603-0620 French Daily on 11940 only ||||| Open Radio 0620-0637 German Daily on 11940 only ||||| Open Radio 0637-0654 English Daily on 11940 only ||||| Open Radio 0800-0857 Romanian Sunday delete 21530 0900-0957 Romanian Sunday NF 15450, ex 15180 0900-0957 Romanian Sunday delete 21490 1000-1057 Romanian Sunday delete 21480 (Observer, Bulgaria, Aug 8 via DXLD) ** SUDAN [non]. I tried the e-mail, jgrace@edc.org, but it bounced courtesy of Postmaster@edc.org, who said the "user, jgrace, not listed in the public Name & Address book" E-mail to srs@edc.org appears to have gone through. The reason my e-mail to jgrace@edc.org bounced is it's misspelled! It should read jgroce@edc.org I will try again in the AM! (Scott R Barbour Jr., NH, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi all, I made a spelling mistake, when I told you the v/s and e-mail address to Sudan Radio Service. The name is: Jeremy Groce and the e- amil to him: jgroce@edc.org I am very sorry! 73 from (Björn Fransson on the island of Gotland, Sweden, DX LISTENING DIGEST) INDEPENDENT RADIO SERVICE FOR SOUTHERN SUDAN http://www2.edc.org/mcl/projects/pr.asp?ID=23 A recent USAID/OTI assessment team determined that a lack of access to information in southern Sudan, particularly regarding the Machakos peace process, is a significant problem. Given Sudan's great size, topography and widespread illiteracy, it has been determined that the best choice for the dissemination of information would be the use of Short Wave Radio. Currently, regional language radio programs have been limited to the northern part of Sudan. The need for local language programs in the south is great. As such, EDC, in conjunction with USAID/OTI, is working towards the creation of an independent broad-based, development-focused radio service that would broadcast in local languages to the populations of southern Sudan. The radio service will present a diverse mix of timely and relevant programming broadcast in Sudanese languages by Sudanese presenters. Production of the radio service will be implemented by an EDC field office studio in Nairobi, Kenya, until the political climate allows for relocation to southern Sudan. Transmission will be established from a shortwave transmitter based outside Kenya and the Sudan. The primary goal of the radio service is to link the ongoing peace process and peace building efforts with initiatives that engender good governance and deepen the participation of southern Sudanese in affairs that most affect them. The station will increase access to balanced and useful information through programs of information, education, and entertainment chosen to equip listeners with knowledge and tools to participate more fully in peace making, reconciliation, and national development. Efforts will be made to create occasional programming in all the languages of southern Sudan, but regular programming will target speakers of Dinka, Nuer, Juba-Arabic, and English. The Southern Sudan Radio Service (illustrative working title) seeks, through the design of its programming, to be a potent symbol and example for the new Sudan, in which all cultures and traditions are valued and celebrated within a context of mutual respect and admiration. Funder: USAID/OTI Project contact: Michael Laflin --- Mr. Laflin an EDC Vice president and director of the Multichannel Learning Center. Works with the Zambia IRI project (via Kai Ludwig, DXLD) I think we had something like this before, but other info says it comes from Washington DC (gh) ** U S A [non]. Freq change for Voice of America in Russian: 1700-1900 NF 11935, ex 11770 to avoid Voice of Nigeria in French (Observer, Bulgaria, Aug 8 via DXLD) ** U S A. STATUS OF DIGITAL TV One of the best running (as in weekly) reviews of the status of the transition from an all analog world to an all digital (TV) world is found at http://www.digitaltelevision.com/mondaymemo/mlist This week's "edition" has numerous references with web site references for reading more detail. The chap who does this is a well known and extremely knowledgeable professional in the digital world. I urge members who have questions about FCC policy and actual progress in DTT to check this out (Bob Cooper in New Zealand, August 7, WTFDA via DXLD) ** U S A. [Continuation of thread in last issue under CANADA about Phil Hendrie] Since a historical basis for government control of expression was raised earlier in this thread, let's examine some more history. The Weimar Republic was, in terms of censorship laws, probably more open than the United States today. Every erotic entertainment you can imagine --- and some you don't want to --- were freely available in books, photographs, movies, and stage shows. It outraged many citizens who demanded that something be done. In the early 1930s, cleaning up "the moral mess" was one of the key themes of the nascent Nazi party. When Hitler became chancellor in January, 1933, he helped get laws through the Reichstag cracking down on erotic materials. The censorship law was soon extended to include horror movies, because those upset people. Next came an extension to cover Marxist propaganda, since that was dangerous to state security. And since some people were upset with "Zionist propaganda" (like the Torah), you shouldn't be surprised what the censorship laws were amended to cover next. (This is well told in "Voluptuous Panic" by Mel Gordon.) Yes, the marketplace applied to free speech has its faults, but at least the marketplace has the virtue of being unable, unlike government, to round people up and put them on trains to death camps. Which is the greater downside: being offended or being imprisoned? History offers compelling examples that letting the government "protect" people by restricting free speech is a very dangerous proposition. Sometimes watchdogs turn on you when you least expect it. (Harry Helms, W7HLH, Las Vegas, NV DM26, NRC-AM via DXLD) || Speaking from a larger market perspective, I can say that the stations I know reconcile scheduled spots with the actual data from systems such as Audio Vault. Such systems can verify missed spots, and reconciliation can be done electronically (David Gleason)|| True, but if a station is using something like Audio Vault, Profit, Simian, etc. --- and they do bill a client for a spot that played at the same time a network spot played, and liners were playing, I would think that's a loss. From what I understand the system says it played, and that's what they are looking at. And it would show play. But the fact is, if something else is playing with it, the STL is down, the TX is off, or the jock does not have the channel potted up, it should not be billed (Fred Vobbe, WLIO, ibid.) Some stations create a data link with air monitors. It's nearly impossible to bill for an off-air spot is the system is run right; as to net spots, I don't know anyone who runs nets live. Nearly everyone in major markets records the audio, and, even if the delay is a few seconds, plays back off hard disk, making simultaneous plays hard to have. Talk stations in such markets taking syndicated fare either take separate spot feeds or have some kind of person on duty as most have news, traffic and weather operations (David Gleason, ibid.) ** U S A. LITTLE SAIGON ON 880 AM? Right now, in Memphis, I am receiving a fairly good signal on 880 AM. It is talk in an Asian language. It is apparently Vietnamese, because they gave a web address of littlesaigon.com. I went to that web site, and the title is "Little Saigon Net / Vietnam Today," and the rest is in Vietnamese. Does anybody know what station broadcasts this? It sure was a surprise! I haven't heard Vietnamese on U.S. radio since I visited Anaheim (Adam Myrow, Aug 7, NRC-AM via DXLD) It's the station in Conroe, Texas. As I'm not sitting in front of my radio as I type this, the current CLs escape me, but I believe they are KJOJ, left over from when the station had a religious format. Some years ago, it was simulcasting KPRC-950's news/talk format, so it's undergone a few changes in recent seasons (Rick Dau, Omaha, Neb., ibid.) Their most recent format was Spanish // a couple of stations in Houston that ID as La Raza. Perhaps KJOJ sometiems doesn't switch to night facilities as they seem too easy to hear up here as well. 73 KAZ near Chicago (Neil Kazaross, ibid.) The station that you are hearing on 880 is indeed KJOJ Conroe/Houston. They have been Vietnamese 24/7 for over a year now. Houston has a large Asian population and there are several stations that broadcast to the community. KREH 900 is called "Radio Saigon Houston" and is 5 kW daytime in Vietnamese. KTEK 1110 has some programming in Vietnamese evenings and weekends. KGOL 1180 with 50000 watts programs in Vietnamese, Pakistani [sic] and Chinese. KCHN 1050 a 410 watt daytimer with a good signal into Houston is brokered Chinese. KILE 1560 http://www.kile1560.com broadcasts a variety of ethnic formats. Spanish, South Asian, Russian, Muslem, Pakistani, and Hindu. Check out their website under schedule for information on the various programs. KILE is on from 0600 CDT until 2200 CDT with 800 watts. They have a CP for 50 kW day and an application for 10 kW nights (Mike Oswald, TX, ibid.) I lived in the Houston/Galveston, TX area between 1983-1987, while working for the U.S. Government. There was a lot of tension between the new Vietnamese fisherman and the local established fishing fleet, so my job brought me into contact with many of the local Vietnamese fisherman on a regular basis. One "Little Saigon" village in the Freeport area ran its own pirate radio station on 1610 kc. They ID'd as the "Real Voice Of Vietnam". There was an excellent seafood restaurant that had Karaoke as entertainment and they broadcast it around the area in English. They also broadcasted weather information in Vietnamese to the fishermen while they were out to sea. Never saw the transmitter but suspected that it was a stolen TIS transmitter. The transmit antenna was a current fed Tee type out on the end of a dock over salt water. I could hear the station well to the north in Friendswood. At the time the station was my first MF broadcast band pirate logging (Thomas F. Giella, Meteorologist, C/S KN4LF, Plant City, FL, USA, EL87WX, ibid.) Adam, There's a good reason that KJOJ-880 Conroe, TX reminded you of KVNR-1480 Santa Ana, CA. They're both owned by Liberman Broadcasting. (Brian Leyton, Valley Village, CA, ibid.) Actually, I don't remember what the station I heard in California was. I recall only that it was in Vietnamese and was near the lower end of the dial. KJOJ put a good signal in here for another half hour or so before it started to get hammered by the side-band of WLS and another 880 station (WCBS possibly?) If they aren't dropping power like they should, I bet they do a number on KRVN. Can anybody in KRVN's listening area confirm or deny whether KJOJ interferes with it? Well, that makes two Houston stations that make it out here to Memphis. The other, of course, is KEYH on 850 which is weak but dominant until about 10:00 PM. Then, KOA starts to fade up and fights with KEYH most of the night. With KEYH nulled out, I've gotten KOA pretty good. At about sunrise, KEYH apparently switches to day power and completely takes over for about a half hour before skywave dies out and leaves the frequency clear just in time for the station in Walnut, MS to sign on. 850 is a very active frequency here and is rapidly becoming one of my favorites because I can usually favor one station at a time (Adam Myrow, ibid.) ** U S A. Dear Mr. Hauser, I noticed in your recent DX report that you heard "The Big 66" in Victorville. Please note that the owner of that station has never had anything to do with KMIN in Grants, New Mexico. I worked with him at a Cable FM station in California before I bought KMIN and before he started KRSX. KRSX is an unlicensed pirate station and I have nothing to do with it. I would be very interested to know exactly what was written regarding KMIN in the Route 66 Magazine as it could affect my FCC license. Thank You (Derek Underhill, KD Radio, Inc., Aug 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Presumably refers to this from Tim Hall`s travel log in 3-107: 660 "KRSX" CA Victorville - 5/23 1220 - Good signals with oldies (mostly pre-British invasion) and slogans "Cruisin' Oldies" and "The big 66." I read about this station in Route 66 Magazine; it is run by the former owner of KMIN-980 and runs with 0.1 watts. Commercials sell for $1 each. The signal was audible for 15 or 20 miles along I-15 as we returned on June 7th. (TRH-CA) Also mentioned in passing under the KFHX item in 3-084 (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. Fw: Lowfer digest, 4. KFI Opportunity! (John Andrews) Anyone on the NRC list doing Argo ??? I am not. Note the reference to "here on the East Coast..." (Bob Foxworth, NRC-AM via DXLD) Carl Swanson at KFI in Los Angeles has emailed me saying that they are looking into the strange frequency shift problem, and have talked with the engineering guys at Harris Corp., the manufacturer of their DX-50 transmitter. I will post the results here as they become available. Carl has offered to send special QSLs to anyone in the Lowfer community who submits an Argo/Spectran/Whatever screen shot. Here's what he told me: ----------------------------- "Please forward this email onto your Lowfer mailing list and let them know that I will send any interested listener a verification letter and a KFI sticker if they will e-mail me a standard reception report and a URL to a screenshot of the carrier like you did (with reception details added to the JPG photo itself). Let's try to keep it under a hundred reception reports please, quantity of reports isn't as important as widely varying locations of reception. To recap, each email should have a name/address/city/state/zip/phone number, a standard repection report (date/time(z)/location), and a URL to a screenshot of whatever software they are using showing this unusual waveform, with the same reception details listed in the JPG itself. No attachments to the e-mail, my corporate e-mail will strip any attachment and I will never see it." ------------------------------- I have Carl's email address, and will provide it to you on request. I don't want to post it here, lest it turn into spam fodder when the reflector is archived at QSL.net. Here are the details for your search: KFI is in the Los Angeles area, and runs 50 kw on 640 kHz. Dale Rice and I have observed their transmitter frequency to be centered on 640.0084 kHz, varying about +/- 0.5 Hz in a square-wave pattern. Each "cycle" of the square wave takes about 11.5 minutes. It can be nicely seen on Argo screens from 20 through 60 seconds (Dale has used 120 as well). An Argo 20 second screen shot from my house (2500 miles!) can be seen at: http://webpages.charter.net/w1tag/files/KFI080603.jpg I would suggest Argo 30 or 60 second screens as the best. Here on the east coast, the signal has been visible between 0400 and 0900 UT. Such an odd waveform will be very distinctive, and excellent proof that you have seen KFI's carrier. So, have fun... and pester me for that email address (John Andrews, W1TAG, lowfer at qth.net via Bob Foxworth, NRC- AM via DXLD) I used Argo and Spectran for NDB beacon and daytime AM broadcast band DXing last winter. It allows you to log stations below the prevailing noise floor. 73, (Thomas F. Giella, Meteorologist, C/S KN4LF, Plant City, FL, USA, EL87WX, NRC-AM via DXLD) Interesting stuff but please explain it in much more detail if you have the time since I am totally unfamiliar. As for the DXer in Mass with the KFI plot, I must question how on earth he knows/thinks this is from KFI when there's much more closer stuff on 640. 73's Konfused KAZ (Neil Kazaross, IL, ibid.) Go to Google and put in the search term Argo + Spectran. I just tried it and got 137 results which I haven't checked individually. This is a way to use time correlation over hundreds-of-seconds to pull out very weak carriers from below the noise floor. Primarily used by experimenters in the 185 kHz region with very low power xmtrs ("lowfers", low freq experimenters). KFI is experiencing a very long term carrier freq shift, and the message poster is seeing the trace on his screen. This is the contemporary version/development of what Gordon Nelson was doing with the SAH (sub-audible het.) experiments. I believe the basic principle is being able to detect the presence of carriers at levels way too weak to deliver audio. If you are only doing slow-speed CW work, then your job is done and you can read any off-on CW transitions right from the video plot. GPN theorized, back in 1965, that it would be possible to apply a fast-fourier-transform to the waveform (DC trace of the AGC voltage) and deduce the amplitude and freq offset of all carriers present. However without knowing the exact offset of each carrier, and presuming logically that none of them was time-varying, any such IDs would be guesswork. Nelson's work with IDing TA carriers by using SAH (when the signal was too weak to recover audio) was made possible by having access to the EBU monitoring reports that listed the offset of each European tx, to a 0.1 Hz resolution., and using a BC-221 for a reference. Apparently the KFI carrier IS time-varying. I wonder if this is something that Mark Hattam in the UK can detect? I think this is very similar to his published work of last year (Bob Foxworth, Tampa FL, ibid.) ** U S A. Radio Programming in General I love radio. It has a magical quality to it and feels neat to know there aren`t any wires, cable companies, etc, between their transmitter tower and your antenna. BUT the quality of programming has reached the point where I'm no longer interested in it. In the 70's and 80's I did more DX listening than DXing per se. I liked that I could catch a regional flavor or hear someone rave about their team or locality. It gave me a different perspective. Now with satellite programming, syndicated shock jocks, and "programming for the lowest common denominator," the state of affairs is quite sad indeed. Now I listen long enough to catch the ID and log the station; that`s still fun. Save the ID in a sound file and delete the rest. My 2 cents worth. I'll shut up now. 73 (Mark Clark, N3IRJ, Phoenixville, PA - 20mi (32km) NW of Philadelphia, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** U S A. From today's FCC "Daily Digest'. NEWS --- News media Information 202/418-0500; TTY 202/418-2555; Fax- On-Demand 202/418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street, S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D. C. Circ 1974). FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: News Media contact: August 7, 2003 Jordan Goldstein at (202) 418- 2000 FCC FAILS TO ACT ON ``OPIE AND ANTHONY`` OUTRAGE AS COMPLAINTS LANGUISH ONE YEAR LATER Last August WNEW-FM in New York ran an Opie & Anthony show which allegedly contained a broadcast of sexual activity at St. Patrick`s Cathedral as part of an on-air stunt. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) received numerous outraged e-mails and phone calls complaining that this broadcast violated a federal law against indecent programming. One year later the FCC has failed to even address these complaints. Commissioner Michael J. Copps reacted: ``When we allow complaints to languish for a year, the message is loud and clear that the FCC is not serious about enforcing our nation`s laws. Congress expected action from the FCC, but all too often our citizens` complaints are ignored.`` Copps continued: ``I wonder when the FCC will finally take a firm stand against the `race to the bottom` as stations continue to push the envelope of outrageousness even further.`` Recently, the FCC proposed a mere $27,500 fine against another station owned by this same company -- on WKRK- FM in Detroit --- after it aired some of the most vulgar and disgusting indecency that the Commission has examined. Copps stated: ``Nothing has changed over the past year in the FCC`s enforcement of the indecency laws. And at the same time, the Commission`s actions have ensured that things will get even worse.`` Instead of enforcing indecency laws, the FCC recently rewarded giant station owners by dismantling the FCC`s media concentration protections. The FCC took this action without even considering whether there is a link between increasing media consolidation and increasing indecency on our airwaves. Copps explained: ``It stands to reason that as media conglomerates grow ever bigger and control moves further away from the local community, community standards go by the boards. It is a time to increase, not diminish, our vigilance and our enforcement of the law.`` Copps concluded: ``The time has come for the Commission to send a message that it is serious about enforcing the indecency laws. Yet, we continue to turn a deaf ear to the millions of Americans who are fed up with the patently offensive programming coming their way so much of the time.`` - FCC - (via Bill Hale, Aug 8, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** U S A. Glenn, You asked about MHz TV in Washington, DC. The MHz schedule can be accessed at: http://www.mhznetworks.org/index.php This is from the DCRTV web site: WNVT Goes Russian - 8/8 - WNVT/Channel 53, also known as MHz2, will air Russian programs from 6 PM to midnight starting 8/15. The Russian World TV network was created last year and targets the Russian speaking community in the USA. It's signed a five-year deal with Fairfax-based MHz Networks, which operates non-commercial WNVT. Programming will include newscasts, talk shows, and films - some of which will be subtitled in English. WNVT has been off the air the past few months while it upgrades its Independent Hill transmitter for digital broadcasts on channel 30, but its signal is currently being relayed via land lines to area cable systems. More at http://www.mhznetworks.org WNVT's sister station, WNVC/Channel 56 (known as MHz), features a full time schedule of non-English programming, including an afternoon hour of Russian news. Here is an editorial by MHz VP Fred Thomas that pretty well covers the territory. INDEPENDENT PUBLIC TELEVISION: The Mouse in the Big Tent The issue of media centralization has created a different definition of "media circus" these days. The discussion taking place is big – big networks and big money all under the big-top known as the American media. What I have is a small idea to add into the discussion – a mouse of an idea. But just like a mouse let loose during the elephant act, it's an idea with crazy potential. The idea is this: public television can be the greatest insurance policy the U.S. has against media concentration, but only if it drops its reliance on PBS. I'll present my case not as a bash-PBS argument, but as a story about a couple of stations that have gone it alone. The story starts in Washington, D.C.; northern Virginia to be precise, where we've created a self-sustaining alternative to traditional PBS affiliated public television. In the generic sense it's called independent public television; in our particular case it's called MHz NETWORKS (WNVC and WNVT). What we've done and how we've done it prove that it is possible to create non-PBS affiliated public television programming that is independent, innovative, mission-based – and good! Since 1994 when WNVC became World View TV, and again in 1999 when we dropped the last vestiges of PBS affiliation for WNVT, we have created new programming, a new feel, and drawn new audiences to these two public TV stations now known collectively as MHz. In 1994, we started by trying to garner an audience with the estimated 25% (1M people) of the D.C. region's population that is non-native born. This includes Indians, Pakistanis, Salvadorans, Mexicans, Chinese, Vietnamese, East Europeans, and others. It also includes the general population, most of whom have professional, social, and cultural interests in the international realm. We acquired classic foreign films, World Cup soccer replays, and contemporary foreign language dramas. We built a programming core around daily foreign newscasts, 12 in total. Most importantly, we opened up airtime for local TV producers from these communities. We have averaged 12 hours of locally produced, ethnic specific programming a week since the mid nineties. The format continues to be tweaked but the World View TV brand is still very strong in D.C. So much so, in fact, that the main PBS station in town tried to use a variation of our brand this spring. In 1999 we went after the 15- to 35-year-old audience on our second channel, WNVT, by creating original content that featured music and technology-rich programs that appealed to a more diverse audience. In 2001 we brought both stations under one brand, MHz NETWORKS, to emphasize our increasing role as content creators. Since then we've drawn in Urban, Latino and Asian audiences who pour into our studios in large numbers to see an ever-increasing list of top musicians and performers. Many of these are the kids of the viewers of our foreign language programming. Our talent lists include over 200 local, regional, and national artists, who have helped our tiny stations win multiple Emmy Awards and a Billboard Music Award. To date, over 155 PBS affiliates carry MHz Presents, proving that there seems to be a keen interest in alternative programming and that "locally produced" doesn't mean it has to look like "public access." Being independent doesn't mean you can only create a little bit of your own programming either. Using multi-talented recent college graduates, streamlined production techniques ("live" TV is one of our favorites), and providing creative room to work, MHz's production group (nine full-time employees) produced 350 hours of original programming last year. That's more original programming than any other PBS affiliated station in our state and covers a range from international affairs talk shows to music video review programs. Recently, we broke our educational services department out of its institutional culture and into the world of content creation as well. The result, open.tv, is an original, live, daily technology education program, linked to state and national technology standards. The program targets an after-school audience and features local student hosts, interactive software, and music videos. The result is a fun program that is cool to watch. All of this has been done without PBS or, for that matter, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Even as the nation's most culturally diverse public stations, MHz doesn't qualify for Community Service Grants (CSGs) under the current CPB formula. CSGs are the financial lifeline for public stations. The absence of sustaining government funds forced us to rethink the business side of public television years in advance of what others are just now coming to grips with. We've learned a lot and feel like we're way ahead of everyone out there. So much so that we'd take our independent status over a PBS affiliation any day of the week. Will It Play In Peoria? I'm not proposing that all public television stations adopt an international and/or youth-oriented program format. That format works well for us in the Washington, D.C. markets; it might not in other markets. Then again, multicultural America is becoming more and more the mainstream audience. That audience responds to MHz passionately. What I am proposing is that each station acquires and makes its own programming decisions for its specific market. Yes, in most cases this means dropping the PBS main feed and going it alone. Scary perhaps, but it's the entrance fee to being able to call yourself truly independent since PBS's hold on local public television stations is just another form of media centralization, albeit a non-commercial one. And although it may sound radical, independent media was the original concept behind public television. Upon signing the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, President Johnson said, "It will be free, and it will be independent --- and it will belong to all of our people." Certainly much has changed in the media landscape since 1967, but the concept Johnson spoke of is no less important today and who should do it no less obvious. Independent Public Television Besides being a springboard for new creativity, the independent public television concept has tremendous mission potential – which is the key to any non-profit's ability to raise money. In an age when everything and everyone seems owned, Independent is a very powerful theme. It's a theme that can attract the entire spectrum of cultural, social, foundation, business and political support. Independent as a generic "movement" has a great future in America; public television, starting at the station-by-station level, should embrace the concept as its own. As 345 independent community voices, public television stations could become the protectors of independent thought and protectors against media centralization in the United States. Doing that could make independent public television the mouse that roars! Frederick Thomas, Executive Vice President/General Manager and visionary of MHz NETWORKS © 2003 MHz NETWORKS ® Here is their announcement of the new deal for Russian programs: MHz NETWORKS Signs 5-Year Exclusive Agreement with Russian World TV 40+ Hours of Weekly Programming (English subtitles) on MHz2 beginning Friday, August 15, 2003 The Russians are coming to Washington, DC. Specifically, they're coming to MHz NETWORKS, which has just signed an exclusive, five-year agreement with Russian World TV to broadcast more than 40 hours a week of programming to a growing Russian audience as well as a mainstream audience. The 40+ hours - full of Russian movies of all genres, Russian-style situation comedies, children's programming, documentaries, music, game shows, cartoons and educational programming - represent a quantum boost of MHz's Russian selections, which currently feature a Russian World TV news program weekday afternoons and an entertainment block Thursday evenings. The new block of daily Russian World TV programming, with English subtitles, begins Friday, August 15, 2003 from 6 PM to 12 midnight on MHz2. The agreement with Russian World TV is a continuation of MHz's broadcasting policy, which can now bring the world of Russia not only to Russians, but to everyone within reach of a television remote. While Russian World TV is available elsewhere in the United States (specifically New York and Miami) on a subscription or cable basis, MHz NETWORKS broadcasts the programming for free. "MHz NETWORKS is the only place you'll find Russian World TV programming here in DC," Frederick Thomas, MHz NETWORKS Executive Vice President and General Manager, said. "As usual, MHz is taking the lead in bringing innovative, international programming to Washington. We're very excited about this new partnership with Russian World and how much it will benefit our community." Movies will represent a big part of the programming and include all genres, both old and new. Titles include a film version of Jack London's "White Fang," many films made in the former Soviet Union, as well as newer films. Series include "Captain Pravda" and the sitcom "The Agency," which is not about the CIA but the foibles of Russians working at an advertising agency. Russian World TV is owned and operated by VKT-R (Russia), which has agreements with numerous Russian television channels allowing them access to the best and most wide-ranging programs originating in Russia. Russian World TV entered the American market in 2002 as a full-scale, round-the-clock channel offering programming tailored to the Russian American community. There are plans to supplement the Russian-made programming with locally produced news and other programs and adding an English-language component in order to expand the audience. MHz NETWORKS and Russian World TV look to sign an additional content agreement, which would create an original weekly production for MHz's upcoming series "Capital Cities." "Capital Cities" will explore cultural differences between countries through the eyes of their respective capital city residents. "This programming agreement gets the ball rolling for much larger opportunities between our organizations," says Thomas. (MHz currently has commitments for "Capital Cities" programs with Berlin and New Delhi). © 2003 MHz NETWORKS ® In addition MHz is connected with a channel called "Colours" which airs all over the USA via the Dish Network on channel 9407. This is one of 12 free "public interest" channels Dish Network provides to all subscribers of at least their basic $25 per month package. Here is the link to the Colours site: http://colourstv.olympusat.com/ You can see from this table that the schedule appeals to a wide swath of ethnic diversity. ~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-., (Joe Buch, DE, Aug 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) -*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^ ** VENEZUELA. Hola Glenn, Saludos. Armónicos: Radio Nacional, Antena Informativa 1310 kHz, se repite en los 2620.41 kHz. Escuchada a las 0652 UT, el 07-08. SINPO 2-2 (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) En WRTH 2003 hay dos repetidoras de 630 en 1310; ¿Cuál será? -- YVSM, Barcelona, 10 kW --- YVSL, Guri, 1 kW (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VENEZUELA. El 08-08 a las 2237 UT, Radio Amazonas, 4939.66 kHz, transmitía "discursos" de dirigentes del otrora partido de masas Acción Democrática. En dichos "discursos" se tildaba al presidente Chávez de "malandro", es decir, "de delincuente". Habría que preguntarle al colega Glenn Hauser lo que pasaría si un dirigente político estadounidense llamara "malandro" a Bush en un programa de la ABC o la CNN. O a los colegas colombianos, por ejemplo, si a un conservador se le ocurriese bautizar tan "peculiarmente" al presidente Uribe, en vivo y directo, por radio o TV. Después muchos "estresados" oposicionistas se quejan de que en esta patria no hay libertad de expresión. 73s y buen DX (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Saludos amigos: Hoy les anexo mi resumen tradicional del pasado encuentro dx en Tizayuca, Hgo.; ojalá les agrade y como siempre quedo a la espera de sus comentarios y correcciones. 73 desde Tepic. ING. IVAN LOPEZ ALEGRIA NDXC-001 NOVENO ENCUENTRO DE RADIOESCUCHAS Y DIEXISTAS, TIZAYUCA 2003 Llegó el último día de julio y con ello el inicio del encuentro dx en México, ésta vez nos dirigimos a la ciudad de Tizayuca en el estado de Hidalgo; una hora en autobús al norte de la ciudad de México con dirección a la capital, Pachuca. Como era de esperarse, se tuvo una nutrida participación en éste evento. A la convocatoria acudieron escuchas, diexistas, emisoras de radio nacionales y extranjeras, una compañía comercializadora de artículos electrónicos y público en general. El estado de Hidalgo se ubica entre los 19 36` y 21 24` de latitud Norte y los 97 58` y 99 54` de longitud Oeste. Está enclavado en tres provincias fisiográficas: el Eje Neovolcánico, la Sierra Madre Oriental y la llanura costera del Golfo de México. Tiene aproximadamente 20 905 km2 de superficie, que representan el 1.1 % de la superficie total del país, y aproximadamente 2 500 000 habitantes. Limita al norte con San Luis Potosí, al noreste con Veracruz, al sureste con Puebla, al sur con Tlaxcala y el Estado de México, y al oeste con Querétaro. La situación geográfica de Hidalgo y su cercanía a la capital de la república le ha beneficiado grandemente en el aspecto comunicaciones, lo que se traduce en avance industrial, actualmente sus polos de desarrollo en este aspecto, se ubican principalmente en Tulancingo, Ciudad Sahagún, Tula de Allende, Pachuca, y Tizayuca. Tizayuca significa: ``lugar donde se prepara la tiza``. Es un lugar intermedio entre México que está a 53 km y la Capital Pachuca a 42 km, famoso por sus balnearios y otros sitios de interés como el templo del Divino Salvador, que fue construido en el siglo 17 en cuyo interior conserva pinturas al óleo muy valiosas. Es una superficie plana cuya altura es de 2270m, muy considerable y no es de extrañar que su temperatura promedio sea de sólo 15ºc. Los que vivimos en alturas menores, hemos resentido el clima fresco de Tizayuca y muy en especial al anochecer. Bien, a continuación les comentaré lo que hicimos por estas tierras Hidalguenses a lo largo de los 3 días en el noveno encuentro: JUEVES 31 Arribamos a la citada Tizayuca vía terrestre procedentes de la ciudad de los Palacios al mediodía del jueves 31 y de inmediato me dirigí a mi hotel. Hago notar que es el único hotel en el centro de la ciudad y su capacidad es algo limitada por lo cual hubo necesidad de reservar una habitación con varios días de antelación. Tuve que caminar unos cuantos metros de la parada del autobús a la recepción del hotel (como 40) así que pude llegar cómodamente hasta allá. Luego del ritual del registro (confirmar reservación, datos personales, días de uso y etc.), pude pasar a la habitación para tomar una esperada ducha. Después de refrescarnos me dediqué a recorrer las calles cercanas para conocer un poco más de la que sería mi anfitriona por los 3 días siguientes. Llegué a la plaza principal y había una pequeña feria con puestos ambulantes en la que pude observar la artesanía local y de otros Estados así como una infinidad de antojitos. Hice una pausa para ir a comer ya que era necesario antes de llegar al salón ``la cascada``, lugar en que se desarrollaría el encuentro. De regreso al hotel para la comida, conocí a un amigo radioaficionado de la ciudad de México y saludé a mis buenos amigos Jeff y Thaís de Radio Miami; también saludé a John Killian y su esposa. Un aviso en un negocio me llamó la atención: ``venta de pastes``, incluso pensé que se trataría de algún error ortográfico al escribir pero en fin, me dirigí a ese local para averiguar de que se trataba. Pude saber que éste antojito es un tipo de empanda en cuyo interior es rellena de diversos alimentos como carne, pollo, etc. Es muy tradicional en ésta parte por lo cual no me quedé con las ganas de degustar algunos. Alrededor de las cuatro de la tarde me trasladé al salón para observar los preparativos y claro poder auxiliar en el mismo. Al primero que pude ver fue a Rafael (que raro), ya estaba ayudando a Martín con algunos detalles finales. Me encontré con un par de caras conocidas pero la gran mayoría no lo eran. Había muchas personas de distintas edades que estaban en el lugar; luego me enteré que eran miembros de la rondalla y del ballet que amenizarían el primer día de presentaciones. Alrededor de las 17:00 horas, la rondalla magisterial del Valle de Teotihuacán nos interpretó varias melodías, iniciando con una muy popular: ``reloj``. Me hizo recordar mis días mozos (hace ya varios veranos) en los que llevábamos serenata a las agraciadas chamacas que conocíamos. Fuera de programa y luego de su presentación, les comenté que nos quedaban a deber algunas otras ``clásicas`` como: página blanca, historia de un amor, tres regalos y gema. Vaya que me hicieron llegar muy buenos recuerdos y como dice la canción: tuve una novia a la edad de 14 años... Después nos encaminamos a un restaurante cercano para disfrutar de una magnífica velada acompañada de una ``taquiza`` (hubo tacos de carne con papa y chicharrón); no podía faltar la música y nos acompañó por un buen rato un trío huasteco que hizo las delicias con sus interpretaciones en especial para algunos compañeros que vienen de esa región. A un costado del citado restaurante se localiza el hotel, así que no hubo mucho que caminar a éste; yo pasé por una tienda para adquirir algunos víveres y mucha agua. Conocí a la representante de la Radio Internacional de China, Wei Lijun Luego de una pequeña merienda y una ducha para quitar el calor, me dirigí a la azotea del hotel en la cual ya estaba instalado el equipo para recepcionar las emisiones de DRM (Radio digital mundial). Rafa y César trataron de hacerlo, esperamos un buen rato pero no tuvimos suerte ya que la computadora no funcionó como debía y fue imposible captar alguna emisión. Así que nos quedamos con las ganas de escuchar las transmisiones por ese día, a pesar de estar soportando un fuerte viento y un clima muy fresco. VIERNES 1 La inauguración estaba agendada para las 10 de la mañana y en el lugar había mucha gente esperando que iniciara, solamente faltaba el Sr. Presidente municipal de Tizayuca; mientras tuve tiempo para saludar a los amigos y la gran suerte de conocer a dos personalidades que representaban a Radio Habana, Cuba: la sra. Emma Almeda y al famoso Manolo de la Rosa; quien no lo recuerda a él y a Malena en aquella Radio Moscú y ahora en Radio Habana. Pasaron los minutos y ya todos estaban desesperados por el retraso y por fin llegó el Lic. Roberto Paredes Jiménez que de inmediato pasó a tomar su lugar en el presidium que compartió con Jeff y Thaís White, Emma y Manolo y Wei Lijun. Luego de la inauguración, apareció el ballet folklórico ``Huehuecoyotl`` (coyote viejo); disfrutamos desde una danza prehispánica hasta bailables regionales de Veracruz, los sones de Jalisco y para cerrar con broche de oro presentaron la ``danza de los machetes`` en una de sus dos versiones; claro que me emocionó mucho al ser algo representativo de mi terruño, Nayarit. Tuve que agradecer y felicitar al maestro (de momento se me escapa su nombre) por su magnífica interpretación de la misma. Debido al desfasamiento de horarios, solo se pudo hacer la visita a la planta cooperativa Boing que se localiza a las afueras de la ciudad. Esta gran empresa ahora tendrá en funcionamiento su nueva planta de Tizayuca para el próximo fin de año con la más avanzada tecnología para la elaboración de bebidas refrescantes de jugo y pulpa de frutas. Nos mostraron todas sus magníficas instalaciones y después del recorrido también nos regalaron un jugo que lleva la leyenda: ``eres el orgulloso poseedor del primer envase de la nueva planta , Tizayuca 2003``. Debo decir que es notable la atención con que nos recibieron aquí y el trato que tuvimos. De nuevo al hotel para la comida, hasta las 16:30 para continuar con las actividades del día. Al reiniciar, le tocó turno a Martín hablándonos sobre el dx, la onda corta y la captación de emisoras de onda corta; tema orientado a todos los amigos noveles que nos acompañaban. Hubo un par de preguntas alusivas y en general todos le brindamos un gran aplauso. Después Rafa presentó su charla sobre el nuevo sistema del DRM, ahora sí hubo suerte y pudimos escuchar una emisión de Radio Nederland en Español desde Bonaire. El presentador del mismo no podría ser otro mas que Jaime Báguena quien nos envió un cordial saludo a todos los asistentes del encuentro. A continuación, Jeff nos habló sobre la NASB (asociación nacional de emisoras de onda corta) de E.U. y nos narró gráficamente por medio de fotos digitales su viaje al continente Africano a propósito de su asistencia al congreso de la HFCC en Johanesburgo, Sudáfrica. Hubo un pequeño sorteo para entregar material enviado por la NASB y Radio Miami. Así concluyó toda actividad por el momento en el salón ``la cascada``. Después de la cena, algunos tuvieron tiempo para hacer algo de dx otra vez en la azotea del hotel y otros aprovechamos para conocer un poco más la ciudad. SABADO 2 (DÍA DEL DIEXISTA MEXICANO) Ya pasaban de las 10:30 y había pocos asistentes, muchos desvelados. Para completar la agenda de éste día, tuve la oportunidad de participar a petición de Martín y pude dirigirme a los presentes sobre un tema espontáneo en ese momento. Tuvieron que soportarme por algunos minutos al hablarles sobre la historia de los encuentros dx en México. Inicié felicitando a todos por ser el día del diexista Mexicano y algunos se mostraron sorprendidos por éste hecho, pero comenté que más adelante explicaría éste significado. A saber, el primer encuentro se realizó en mi rancho, Tepic (capital Cora) en 1995; organizado por el Nayarit dx Club con la finalidad de conocer personalmente a los otros clubes dx Mexicanos y sus actividades. Se trató pues inicialmente de una reunión de clubes con el propósito general de ``revivir`` el dx y la escucha de onda corta en México. Debido al ``éxito`` que tuvimos, decidimos hacer extensiva la invitación a todos los interesados: escuchas, dxers, emisoras, radioaficionados y público en general para los siguientes encuentros. Les comenté que en Tepic iniciamos las actividades ``oficiales`` un 2 de agosto y por consenso decidimos que esa fecha era el inicio del resurgimiento del dx Mexicano; por ser fecha tan significativa, se ``instituyó`` como día del diexista Mexicano. A la pregunta de: ¿por qué se realiza el encuentro a finales de julio y principios de agosto?, respondí que pocos sabían de éste hecho. Se tomó ésta fecha por la sencilla razón de que 3 de los 4 representantes de los clubes somos maestros y tenemos vacaciones en esas fechas. Finalmente se hizo un recuento de los anteriores encuentros y sus organizadores: 1996. Profr. Luis Antero (Miguel Auza, Zac.) 1997. Sociedad de Ing. Radioescuchas (Veracruz, Ver.) 1998. Erika Guerrero (Tehuacán, Pue.); primera mujer diexista que organiza un encuentro en México y quizá en el mundo. 1999. Profr. César Granillo (Orizaba, Ver.) 2000. Martín Iraizos (Oaxaca, Oax.) 2001. José Rivera (Guanajuato, Gto.) 2002. Lucha y Pepe González (Xalapa, Ver.) ; uno de los mejores eventos. Luego le cedieron la palabra a nuestro amigo John Killian quien ya participó de los encuentros de manera consecutiva desde Orizaba pero es la primera ocasión que se animó a presentar su charla; ésta vez nos habló sobre el papel de la radio para aprender otros idiomas. Nos presentó un comparativo muy gráfico de la manera tradicional de aprendizaje (maestro-gramática-práctica) y la radio (escucha- práctica). Pudimos observar las ventajas entre los dos ``métodos``. De manera personal nos dijo que él aprendió el Español por medio de la radio siendo su primer frase que pudo pronunciar: ``ésta es Radio Habana, Cuba; territorio libre en América...``. Muy a propósito de la presencia de la sra. Emma y Manolo, a los cuales agradeció. Hubo un aplauso muy generoso para John pero sobretodo por su gran entusiasmo y esfuerzo por ser participante en Tizayuca. El siguiente en participar fue Manolo de la Rosa, antes Martín nos comentó que ese día era cumpleaños de Manolo así que le brindamos un gran aplauso y nuestras mejores deseos por su 61 aniversario. Su tema abordó sobre la historia de la radiodifusión en Cuba. Muy a pesar de presentar un malestar de garganta, dio lectura al mismo. La sra. Emma complementó su participación con la historia de Radio Habana, Cuba. Continuamos con el foro de emisoras, en ésta ocasión representantes de Radio Habana, Radio Miami y Radio Int. De China estuvieron en el centro de atención por parte de los asistentes comentándonos sobre sus actividades y proyectos. Se tuvo la participación de Ana Cristina del Razo y se hizo una aclaración respecto a su salida el año pasado de la gerencia de Radio México Internacional. Hubo otra charla sobre el DRM para complementar lo comentado y la práctica escuchada del día anterior. Después se escucharon grabaciones presentadas por Manolo. Todos los años se ha vuelto tradicional el tener una pequeña rifa con los obsequios enviados por las emisoras y ésta vez no podía ser la excepción, así que también se realizó ésta vez repartiendo diverso material como revistas y pequeños regalos a los participantes. Hubo reconocimientos para los diexistas que presentaron una mayor cantidad de tarjetas QSL del periodo 2002-2003. DOMINGO 3 DE AGOSTO. Visita a la zona arqueológica de Teotihuacan, muy cerca de Tizayuca como a unos 30 minutos. Algunos pudieron disfrutar de éste interesante lugar mientras otros prefirieron aprovechar para poder dar un último vistazo a la ciudad y por supuesto adquirir lo más típico de la región. La parte última fue la clausura informal de éste noveno encuentro en la cual hubo entrega de reconocimientos a diexistas y personas destacadas que tuvieron participación de éste evento. Se dio a conocer también que el próximo 10º encuentro será organizado por los buenos amigos de la Sociedad de Ings. Radioescuchas, Rafa y César en el bello puerto de Veracruz. Muchas felicidades y en hora buena!, ya estaremos en contacto con ustedes para afinar los detalles. Todos los asistentes nos llevamos una grata impresión al concluir uno más de éste importante evento, el más destacado del año en México y como he comentado en oportunidades anteriores, me alegra que se haya tenido la continuidad de los mismos ya que eso nos hace sentir que el dx Mexicano sigue avanzando. Debemos conservar el lugar que le hemos dado a nivel nacional e internacional. Ya las agendas del dx mundial siempre toman en cuenta el encuentro en México y saben que se sigue realizando cada año gracias a todos los diexistas y entusiastas de la radio. Debo agradecer primeramente a Martín y a su distinguida esposa por el apoyo tan generoso y desinteresado para la celebración del 9º encuentro. También por sus múltiples atenciones de las que fui objeto. Por motivos laborales tuve que abandonar, muy a mi pesar el encuentro el sábado. No pude conseguir boleto aéreo a Tepic, por lo cual me vi obligado a hacer el viaje de 14 horas de regreso por autobús. Como el viaje de Tizayuca al D.F. es vía la autopista México-Pachuca tuve que reservar un par de horas ya que esa carretera es de tenerle respeto por el número incontable de automóviles que circulan por ella y máxime por ser fin de semana. Quisiera sugerir también que cuando viajen de México a Tepic por vía terrestre, lo hagan por la línea ``Ómnibus de México`` que es la más segura y una de las más cómodas (aclaro que no me están patrocinando ni dando nada). Así con el suave rodar por las autopistas y una lluvia constante en el último tramo, tras de 12 horas de viaje completamos los 860 kms. Concluiré con la frase célebre de nuestro querido amigo Pepe González (por cierto Pepe, esperamos contar con tu distinguida participación en Veracruz): ``vamos a seguir disfrutando del diexismo...`` Veracruz 2004 allá nos vemos. Y no se les olvide, Tepic 2040! (IVAN LOPEZ ALEGRIA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) BOSTON AREA DXERS 2003 "DX CLAMS" GET-TOGETHER Despite on and off rain and less-than-stellar propagation conditions, those who attended this year's Boston Area DXers (BADX) "Clams" outing still were able to enjoy the most important aspect of it all: good friendship and interesting conversations. About 8 of us assembled for the traditional seafood dinner, this time at Woodman's Restaurant in Essex, MA. This was followed by the excursion out to Granite Pier in Rockport where DXers set up antennas of all descriptions on their vehicles. The prevalent set-up was broadband loop phased against omnidirectional whip for a cardioid pick-up pattern nulling to the west. Drake receivers were in the greatest abundance. A new group of potential medium-wave DXers, members of a Beverly, MA based ham club, joined in the festivities and a lot of good information was exchanged. Some of us took photographs: a few of these will probably wind up on one of my sites or on Bruce Conti's site before too long. A good time was had, even though propagation and weather were against us. There will probably be a similar activity south of Boston this autumn: the DX should be better by then (Report from Mark Connelly - Rockport, MA (GC= 70.622 W / 42.667 N) (Granite Pier), NRC-AM via DXLD) News release FUDGE WELCOMES BOSTON AREA DXER'S "CLAMS" GET-TOGETHER Food Unites DXing Gourmets Everywhere (FUDGE) welcomes the Boston Area DXers as honourary members. Founded gradually by a small group of south-central Ontario DXers over lavish meals of Yugoslav barbeque cuisine, spicy kolbassa soup, smoked salmon on a cedar plank, and other delights, FUDGE mixes gourmet cuisine with spicy, exotic DX from the world over. "The barbeque is as sacred as the Sangean ATS-909 portable," said Saul Chernos, the group's ad hoc spokesperson. "When we lay out the beverage, we include the finest Cabernet Sauvignon from our cellar." Chernos, who just this morning attended a Polish deli and discovered Buskowianka Zdroj, natural mineral water fresh from the Sanatorium Marconi (he kids you not!), said the Boston Area DXers' recent DXpedition clearly demonstrates their understanding that, to improve conditions, there is simply no better method of enhancement than a seafood dinner. "The Boston Area DXers clearly know what they're doing," Chernos said. "The loggings speak for themselves. Just look at all the countries they logged -- and on mediumwave during the summer. Everywhere the fish they ate swam, they logged." (Saul Chernos, ibid.) POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ I was reading the article about BPL (power line broadband) in the August 7 DXLD and noted that the frequency range for BPL is 2-80 MHz. TV channel 2 starts at 60 MHz, going up to the upper part of channel 6 at 86-88 MHz. This means that BPL has the potential to interfere with low-VHF TV (channels 2-6). In my area of California, all five of those channels are actively operating (two in Sacramento, three in San Francisco). This may be our key to getting BPL turned down by the FCC- let the big networks know that BPL threatens their broadcasting stations on TV channels 2-6. KCRA channel 3 in Sacramento already has serious reception problems; BPL will wipe them out for good. Just an idea (Bryan Cowan, Sacramento, CA, Aug 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ QST de W1AW Propagation Forecast Bulletin 32 ARLP032 From Tad Cook, K7RA Seattle, WA August 8, 2003 To all radio amateurs SB PROP ARL ARLP032 ARLP032 Propagation de K7RA Average daily sunspot numbers and solar flux were up this week compared to last. Geomagnetic indices remained about the same. The quietest day was Tuesday, August 5, when the planetary A index was 9, the high latitude College A index was only 3, and the College K index actually was 0 over two of the three-hour reporting periods and one during four of the periods. Tuesday was followed by the most active geomagnetic day, Wednesday, August 6, when the planetary A index was 43 and the planetary K index rose as high as 7. Normally the high latitude geomagnetic indices are higher than the numbers at lower latitude. The planetary A and K index are derived from observatories worldwide, and reflect both high and mid latitude measurements. But on August 6, the high latitude College A index (from the University of Alaska at Fairbanks) was 37, actually lower than the planetary A index of 43 and about the same as the mid-latitude A index of 34. A day with numbers closer to the norm for a stormy space weather day on earth was Friday, August 1, when the mid-latitude A index was 28, the planetary A index was 37 and the high latitude College A index was 74. Because quiet geomagnetic conditions indicated by low geomagnetic indices seem to correlate with better high frequency propagation, one will often hear Alaskan radio amateurs complain during extended periods of high geomagnetic activity that they just can`t work or hear anything. You can see the mid and high latitude and planetary A and K indices for the past four weeks at http://www.sec.noaa.gov/ftpdir/indices/DGD.txt Scott Cameron, KA1MUY lives in Maine and wrote to report increased noise to the north during periods of high geomagnetic activity. He notices a big difference if the A index is high, when he can point his beam to the north and see a big jump in noise to over S9 on his S-meter. He is fairly far north in Maine, at 43.89 degrees north latitude, although not as far north as this author at 47.67 degrees. Although folks on the east coast may think of Maine as the far north, Seattle is actually about 260 miles closer to the North Pole than Scott is in Pemaquid. The furthest north point in Maine is 47.4596 degrees north, which turns out to be about 14 miles south of this author`s location in Seattle, in terms of latitude. This brings to mind some words from the late Jack Bock, K7ZR when writing in the ``Totem Tabloid,`` the newsletter of the Western Washington DX Club. He often referred to locals as ``Suffering Sevens,`` probably expressing envy for our brethren in a lower latitude location such as the 5th call area. So what does the forecast show for the next few days? This weekend is the Worked All Europe DX CW Contest, but the predicted planetary A index for August 8 is 40 and 25 for August 9. This could be a problem for amateurs in the author`s area, because the path to Europe is polar. The predicted solar flux for Friday through Monday, August 8- 11 is 130. The expected geomagnetic activity would be caused when the earth moves into a solar wind from one of the sun`s coronal holes. The last good hope for the weekend is that the interplanetary magnetic field is pointing north, and the earth seems more affected when it turns south, as it did on Friday, August 1. A good review of the interplanetary magnetic field is on the Spaceweather web site at http://spaceweather.com/glossary/imf.html Don`t miss the Perseids meteor shower, which peaks on August 12-13. And be certain not to miss gazing up into the sky this month to marvel at a brighter and closer Mars. On August 27 at 0915z, Mars will be nearer to earth than at any time in the past 59,620 years. The last time it was this close was around September 12 in 57,617 BC, when it was 34.62 million miles from earth. This time we`ll have to settle for Mars being 34.65 million miles away, nearly as close, and in a light polluted environment that our distant Neanderthal ancestors never dealt with. For more information on propagation and an explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin see the Propagation page on the ARRL Web site at http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html Sunspot numbers for July 31 through August 6 were 65, 85, 95, 144, 138, 136, and 155, with a mean of 116.9. 10.7 cm flux was 102.1, 107.3, 111.4, 120, 122.5, 130.6, and 128.7, with a mean of 117.5. Estimated planetary A indices were 32, 37, 21, 15, 14, 9, and 43, with a mean of 24.4. Copyright © 2003, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved (via John Norfolk, DXLD) ### ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-142, August 8, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser, ghauser@hotmail.com Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3h.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1194.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1194.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1194h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1194h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1194.html NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1194: RFPI: Sat 0130, 0700, 1400, 1730, 2330, Sun 0530, 1130, 1830, Mon 0030, 0630, 1230, Tue 1900, Wed 0100, 0730, 1330 on 7445 [nominal times subject to pre-emption or delay] WWCR: Sat 1030, Sun 0230 5070, 0630 3210, Wed 0930 9475 WINB: Sun 0031 12160 WBCQ: Mon 0415 7415 ** AUSTRALIA. ARDS: I just rang them; per Dale Chesson, radio manager they are on 24 hours a day using 400 watts with a 1 kW transmitter. Two-element array beamed 100 degrees from Darwin. They are making sure that the local shops are stocking short wave radios so that people in the target area will be able to listen. Short wave was chosen because there are only 7,000 people in 30,000 sq km. They wanted everyone to hear the service so short wave was chosen. As funding because available they will put MW transmitters in the major centers. Per Dale, frequencies under 5060 kHz in Australia fall under a domestic broadcast license. This is what they wanted and they asked for as high as frequency as possible, hence being assigned 5050 kHz. Dale would welcome any reports at dale@ards.com.au or by mail to ARDS, Box 1671, Nhulunbuy NT 0881, Australia (Hans Johnson, WY, Aug 7, Cumbre DX via DXLD) I think Johnno mentioned last weekend that he was hearing something here. Definitely a weak signal on 5050 tonight, 1000-1030 period, phonetics sounded like it could easily be an aboriginal or Pacific island language, but had to leave it to catch the NRL replay. Further checking over the weekend; will be a challenging catch for those further away (Craig Seager, Aug 8, ARDXC via DXLD) Well blow me down, this is the station I heard early last week, on 5050 playing music, it`s in the topica posts. None replied to me, but hey I heard something worth while. I even told Craig Seager on the phone; he didn't know. Gee I thought it was the tooheys! GRINNING (Johno Wright, Aug 8, ARDXC via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. Update: Voice English off the air --- Update on Voice International from Mr Richard Daniel-Corporate Relations Manager: Hello Alokesh, Thanks for the e mail, we have had major problems to fix at our transmitter site that have caused us to be off the air fir a week or so. We are hoping that it will be repaired by Friday. Please have a listen on Friday and let me know if the signal is good or not. Have a good day, will hear from you at the end of the week. Regrds, Richard Daniel, Corporate Relations Manager Killick St, Kunda Park QLD Australia 4556 Ph: +61 (0)7 5477 1555 Fax: +61 (0)7 5477 1727 Mob: +61 (0)407 155 061 http://www.voice.com.au http://www.voiceil.com.au (via Alokesh Gupta, India, Aug 7, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. Current measured frequencies for Aussie X-banders: 1638 2ME Sydney - 1637.99 (only 10 Hz off) 1665 Sydney - 1664.99 (only 10 Hz off) 1674 Emu Plains - 1673.91 (old time music) 1683 Greek (not sure of location) - 1683.23 1701 Brisbane (Hindi)- 1701.15 (Geoff Wolfe, Cooma, NSW Australia, IRCA Soft DX Monitor Aug 9 via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. 3235, 0600 Aug 7, unID weak station playing back-back music, sounds Latin and even PP so maybe a Brazilian??? No announcement heard on the hour or at 0700 so possibly testing. Exactly on 3235 so doubtful R. Luz y Sonido (Paul Ormandy, New Zealand, DX LISTENING DIGEST) R. Clube de Marília, Brasil, recently reactivated. Suggest people check uniD frequencies by doing a Google search like this: 3235 site:worldofradio.com The top three hits are about this; one says it is on the air all night. 73, (Glenn, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thanks everyone. Glen[n], your search is a good idea. Cheers, (Paul Ormandy, ibid.) ** BRAZIL. ROBERTO MARINHO --- BRAZILIAN TYCOON WHOSE GLOBO EMPIRE MADE HIM THE MOST POWERFUL MEDIA FIGURE IN LATIN AMERICA Alex Bellos, Thursday August 07 2003, The Guardian In a career that spanned almost eight decades, the Brazilian tycoon Roberto Marinho, who has died aged 98, turned himself from the owner of a small evening paper into the most powerful media figure in Latin America. As president of the Globo empire, he wielded enormous political power, and strongly shaped his country's cultural life. The key to Globo's domination of Brazil, probably unequalled in any other country, is its presence in all media. But it was Marinho's television arm that gave him his greatest influence. TV Globo - founded when its proprietor was already in his 60s - created a new aesthetic of soap operas and populist news bulletins, and became one of the strongest unifying factors in such a large and diverse country. Marinho, who started life as a journalist, cleverly used his political connections to further his business ambitions. He then used his business to influence politics - most shamelessly in the 1989 presidential elections, when TV Globo's propaganda destroyed the chances of the then leftwing candidate Luis Inacio Lula da Silva. Da Silva, who was finally elected president last year, has declared three days of mourning. "Brazil lost a man who spent his life believing in Brazil," he said. Marinho was born 15 years after Brazil declared itself a republic, at a time when the then capital, Rio de Janeiro, was a small, emerging city. His journalist father, Irineu, started the daily newspaper A Noite in 1911 and, when that folded, founded O Globo in 1925. Within a few weeks of the launch, however, he died of a heart attack, and his son inherited the paper, assuming full editorial control in 1931 - at the age of 26. In a politically volatile age, when newspapers were constantly opening and closing, it took luck and skill to stay afloat. Unlike other papers, generally tied to political parties, Globo was independent and cautious, but it did not shy away from political opinion. It was Marinho's main interest, although its financial security was only achieved thanks to reprinting US comics in Portuguese and property speculation. In 1944, Marinho made his first move into the broadcast media, buying a radio station, which he named Radio Globo. The station's political line played a large part in helping the military coup of 1964. Marinho's proximity to the dictatorship helped him in his next project - television. In 1957, he was awarded his first licence, though it was only when he did a controversial deal with Time-Life that he was able to acquire sufficient funds and technical expertise to set up the TV Globo channel, in 1965. His competitors argued that the Time-Life contract went against the Brazilian constitution, which banned foreign shareholding of domestic media. Even though the deal was eventually revoked, and an inquiry found the constitution had been violated, Marinho was acquitted of any wrongdoing. TV Globo began to have real power because of the network it created with local transmission stations. It became the most wide-reaching channel in Brazil - today, the network includes 115 local broadcasters and covers 99.98% of the country. Marinho also insisted that Globo would have much higher production values than any of its competitors, coining the phrase "the Globo standard". He discovered a winning formula of back-to-back soap operas that still dominates the channel. In 1995, he built the vast Projac studios near Rio, where all its drama is filmed. Globo claims to sell its soap operas to more countries than any other television station in the world. Even after decades of rival development, TV Globo is still the market leader in domestic Brazilian television, with 77% of advertising revenues and 54% of the audience share. Despite its successes and its professionalism, however, TV Globo has always been looked at suspiciously because of its cosiness with the military government between 1964 and 1985. In the 1970s, news bulletins were full of propaganda about the dictators' "economic miracle", and the channel ignored the campaign for redemocratisation until there were huge demonstrations in Rio city centre. The nadir of TV Globo's political interference came during the first presidential elections after the dictator ship, in 1989. The clear bias against Lula and in favour of his challenger, a little-known regional politician called Fernando Collor de Mello, was seen by many as swinging the election in Collor de Mello's favour. Marinho, who enjoyed motor racing, boxing, horseriding, swimming, worked hard and kept fit well into his 90s. He would spend the mornings at the Globo newspaper, now Rio's main broadsheet, and the afternoons at the television station. He carried on with new projects as far as his health permitted, launching a tabloid in Rio in 1998 and in São Paulo in 2000. Only a few years ago did he start to gradually hand over power to his three surviving sons. Roberto Irineu got the television; José Roberto the radio; and João Roberto the paper. A fourth son died in 1970 in a road accident. Regularly listed as one of Latin America's richest men, Marinho failed to make the Forbes list of top billionaires this year. Globo has suffered from overstretching itself in cable television and internet ventures, and from Brazil's economic problems. All Marinho's sons are from his first marriage, to Stella Goulart. He married three times and leaves his current wife, Lily de Carvalho, who was Miss France 1938. Roberto Marinho, journalist and businessman, born December 3 1904; died August 6 2003 Copyright Guardian Newspapers Limited (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** CAMBODIA [non]. Extended broadcasts of Khmer targeted at Cambodian elections and SE Asia will not cease this weekend (9th Aug) and instead will extend through 'til the 30th. These transmissions originate from the P.I., Sri Lanka, & Tinian. 73 (Rick Levandowski, IBB Marianas, http://www.wh0ai.net Aug 7, DX LISTENING DIGEST) R. Free Asia? VOA? Hmmm, his homepage links to this about corruption, racism in the CNMI: http://www.saipansucks.com/about.htm (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. FLASH: NEW RCI RELAY SITE: HOAX OR TRUTH? My good friend and fellow Victoria DXer, Colin Newell forwarded this URL regarding a new relay station to be erected by RCI on the west coast of Canada. At this time I'm not sure whether this is a hoax, or fact. There are numerous spelling errors in the preamble. Further clarification is needed!!! Here's the URL: http://cbc.am/rci-bc.htm (Walter (Volodya) Salmaniw, MD, Aug 8, Victoria, BC, Canada, DX LISTENING DIGEST) What individual is behind this? A few years ago someone made a *proposal* for such a site like this (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) In the 1980's there were some information circulating about plans to erect a new SW station on Canada's west coast. During the last 15 years RCI faced several financial cut-backs which forced them to stop broadcasting in German and other language services and/or to reduce its output too. The erection of a new SW station needs a lot of money. Maintenance is expensive too. Since the end of the cold war more and more SW stations switched over to lease air time from others because they also faced cut-backs. If it is not a hoax - what will happen to Sackville? Close-down that site, a future like DTK Juelich? But I think it's a hoax! In my opinion CBC would use its own web-site to spread such information. ".am" leads to ARMENIA! The content seems to be "professional made" using the VoA HF Propagation software. But everyone may download it via NIIA/ITS web-site and use or abuse this program. A late April-fool hoax ...? Best wishes from very hot Wuppertal vy 55 + 73 (Manfred Reiff, Germany, hard-core-dx via DXLD) I'm also going to file this one under "H" for hoaxes. The .am Armenian URL is a dead ringer for a bogus site. CBC has never referred to any of its radio networks as "CBC-AM", even before many of CBC's AM stations (CBL-Toronto, CBM/CBF-Montreal, CBO-Ottawa, etc.) moved to FM. What I can't figure is why would someone (a disgruntled DXer in western Canada, perhaps) who appears not to be an amateur teenage nerd when it comes to web design skills, go to all the trouble of creating such a hoax? 73 (Mike Brooker Toronto, ON, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** CANADA. At the moment Italian DXers Dario Monferini and Roberto Pavanello are touring across Canada. On Wednesday August 13th while in Montréal, they were interviewed by the Spanish presenter Carlos. The 30 minute interview will be aired next Sunday on the RCI Spanish Service (via Joe Talbot, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** CANADA [and non]. VICTORY AT THE CANADIAN BROADCAST STANDARDS COUNCIL -- I am the complainant (Saul Chernos, Ont., NRC-AM via DXLD) CANADIAN BROADCAST STANDARDS COUNCIL ONTARIO REGIONAL PANEL CKTB-AM re an episode of the Phil Hendrie Show (CBSC Decision 02/03-0383) Decided May 2, 2003 R. Stanbury (Chair), M. Ziniak (Vice-Chair), J. David, H. Hassan, M. Maheu and M. Oldfield THE FACTS The Phil Hendrie Show is a parody talk radio program that originates in the United States. The show features commentary from its host and conversations with both real and fictional callers and guests. It is broadcast in Canada, among other places, on CKTB-AM (St. Catharines, Ontario) at 7:00 pm. On the episode of November 26, 2002, Hendrie provided his thoughts on some recent news stories, one of which concerned the alleged cloning of a human baby by an Italian doctor. Hendrie made the following comments: And an Italian doctor, going against all civilized convention and international law, went ahead and cloned a baby anyway. After everything we`ve been telling you, after everything that we said, some wop made a baby. And not just any kind of a baby, another guinea baby is foisted upon the world and it was cloned. Eww. Little greasy kid. Hendrie went on to deliver his point of view on a few other stories. After a commercial break, he provided an explanation for the comments he had made about Italians: Of course I use the word ``wop``, ``guinea``. I don`t know if you can understand this, but there`s no, really, any real offence intended. And yesterday I was on WOAI in San Antonio. They said to me, I forget what we were asking. Oh yeah, I mentioned that I was fortunate enough in the television show that we`re writing to be working with a guy named Peter Tolan who wrote the movie Analyze This, which was a funny movie. And I said to the guys ``You thought that was a funny movie, didn`t you?`` And they said ``Well, not if you were Italian, they didn`t think it was funny.`` And I said ``You know who the Italians oughta sue? They oughta sue the Mafia.`` Why don`t you try doing that? Why don`t you Italians that don`t like the way you`re portrayed in the media, why don`t you turn around and file a lawsuit against the Gambinos. Try that. They`re the guys that got you in that place in the first place. That`s the whole reason why Italians are looked upon as hoods, is because there are Italian hoods. And I know what you`re gonna say: There`s Irish hoods and Arabian hoods. Yeah, but you gotta admit, man, how many blockbuster movies are made about them? How flashy and colourful and interesting to look at are they compared to the multi multi billion dollar business that the Mafia has run in this country for decades? And besides, the Irish, the Jews, all of us, we have other things we`re able to do. Apparently all Italians are capable of is breaking the law. I`m joking. Hendrie addressed other news stories in a similar manner. For example, he mentioned the case of a Canadian politician who called U.S. President George W. Bush a ``moron`` and said ``Some frog in Canada called Bush a `moron```. He suggested that the incident was not a big deal to Americans since presidents are often criticized and burned in effigy. In another case, after noting that actor Nicolas Cage had divorced Lisa-Marie Presley, he said it was probably because Cage ``couldn`t take the smell.`` The CBSC received a complaint about the Italian comments dated December 12 (the full text of all correspondence can be found in the Appendix to this decision). The listener found the use of the term ``wop`` to describe the Italian scientist to be ``derogatory and racist`` and suggested that the comments about Italians and the Mafia were ``extremely border-line``. The Operations Manager of CKTB-AM responded to the complainant on December 19. In that reply, the Operations Manager explained that the Phil Hendrie Show takes a ``tongue-in-cheek approach`` to ``contemporary social issues`` and ``attempts to uncover North American culture for what it is rather than its facade of political correctness.`` She pointed out that Hendrie`s ``objective is to bait listeners into addressing uncomfortable subjects`` and that listeners can telephone into the show to express their opinions. She also noted that Hendrie portrays many characters on the program, including his own ``guests``, but that listeners are made aware of this fictional aspect. The complainant responded to the broadcaster on December 20, emphasizing that it was the term ``wop`` that concerned him most about the episode. He informed CKTB-AM that he appreciates ``humour that has an edge and challenges conventional norms and political correctness,`` but that the line must be drawn at the use of racist language on the airwaves. CKTB-AM responded a second time on December 20. The Operations Manager stated that, in using the term ``wop``, Hendrie was ``attempting to show his disgust with the doctor`s actions, not making social comment on his ethnic background.`` She also noted that occasionally some Italians refer to themselves as ``wops``. She went on to mention that CKTB-AM aims to encourage ``public dialogue and debate,`` but acknowledges that it will not be able to satisfy all tastes all the time. The complainant sent a further reply to CKTB-AM on January 19, 2003. He reiterated his acceptance of different styles of social commentary, as well as his primary concern of the use of ``racial epithets`` on the airwaves. CKTB-AM reiterated its position, indicating that it had nothing further to add to its previous letters with respect to his complaint. On February 17, the complainant requested that the CBSC refer his complaint to the appropriate Adjudicating Panel. THE DECISION The CBSC Ontario Regional Panel examined the complaint under Clause 2 (Human Rights) of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters` (CAB) Code of Ethics which reads as follows: Recognizing that every person has the right to full and equal recognition and to enjoy certain fundamental rights and freedoms, broadcasters shall ensure that their programming contains no abusive or unduly discriminatory material or comment which is based on matters of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status or physical or mental disability. The Panel listened to a tape of the broadcast and reviewed all of the correspondence. The Ontario Regional Panel concludes that the broadcast of host Phil Hendrie`s comments about Italians is in breach of the Human Rights clause. Racial Epithets That elements of the population have succeeded in creating a number of catchwords, nicknames or appellations intended to apply to identifiable groups (frequently minorities distinguished by their ethnicity, nationality, religion or skin colour) is not one of society`s notable achievements. While there may be some such terms that are positive and admiring in their nature, many, perhaps most, and certainly all of those at issue here, are not. They tend to be epithetic, denigrating, even derisory in nature. Generally consisting of a single word, they are frequently meant to evoke disparaging reactions with respect to the targeted groups they ``define``. At worst, they are ugly and nasty. At best they are condescending, a shorthand reference by the user to others who do not have the ``right stuff``. The CBSC has, in the past, in CKTF-FM re Voix d`Accès (CBSC Decision 93/94-0213, December 6, 1995), acknowledged that [i]t would be unreasonable to expect that the airwaves be pure, antiseptic and flawless. Society is not. Nor are individuals in their dealings with one another. Nonetheless, the airwaves are a special and privileged place and those who occupy that territory are expected to play a more restrained and respectful social role. The issue in the matter at hand is whether the terms ``wop`` and ``guinea`` are, even if epithetic, not so problematic that they pass the ``pure, antiseptic and flawless`` test. In the view of the Panel, they do not. They fall within the category of sweeping racial slurs. They are disparaging terms, utterly without redemptive value. While there may be some dramatic programming circumstances (not encountered here) in which the use of such words may be contextually justified, their appropriateness should be carefully monitored. In any event, they had absolutely no place in the non-dramatic programming at issue here. As this Panel said, with respect to the use of the racial epithet ``wog``, in a relevant decision, namely, CFRA-AM re The Lowell Green Show (Somalia Commission Report) (CBSC Decision 96/97-0238, February 20, 1998): Stripped of the rhetorical overlay for the sake of this preliminary part of the discussion, the Council has no hesitation in finding that the use of the term ``wogs`` to describe persons of Somali origin is abusively discriminatory and has no place on Canadian airwaves. In CHOM-FM and CILQ-FM re The Howard Stern Show (CBSC Decision 97/98- 0001+, October 17-18, 1997), the Quebec and Ontario Regional Panels jointly concluded: The CBSC has no hesitation in finding that, in this case, the expressions ``peckerheads``, ``pussy-assed jack-offs``, ``scumbags``, ``pussies``, ``Frig the French`` and ``Screw the French`` are [...] abusive.`` In the case at hand, the challenged words constitute abusive or unduly discriminatory comment, exacerbated by the remarks that the baby was ``foisted upon the world`` and was a ``little greasy kid``. If, as suggested by the broadcaster, the host was ``attempting to show his disgust with the doctor`s actions, not making social comment on his ethnic background,`` there can be no doubt but that he failed miserably. The Panel concludes that the broadcast by CKTB-AM of the terms ``wop`` and ``guinea``, as well as ``little greasy kid``, on the challenged episode of the Phil Hendrie Show constitutes a breach of the CAB Code of Ethics. ``No Offence, Just Joking`` Coming back after the commercial break, the host tried to dig himself out of the hole he had already made by saying that ``there`s no, really, any real offence intended.`` He said this, though, in the breath following his affirmation that he had used the challenged terms. He did not recognize their impropriety. He did not attempt to withdraw them as utterances in error. To the contrary, he repeated them and confirmed that he had done so, emphasizing this fact by the addition of the words ``of course`` to explain his on-air choice. By saying ``no offence``, perhaps he was emphasizing that he who had spoken the words was not offended. It would have done little to salve the sentiments of those of whom he had spoken. And then, as if to rub a little salt in the wound, he added, ``Apparently all Italians are capable of is breaking the law. I`m joking.`` The Code breach was, if anything, exacerbated by those words. They certainly did not serve his declared purpose. Broadcaster Responsiveness In all CBSC decisions, the Adjudicating Panels assess the broadcaster`s responsiveness to the complainant. Although the broadcaster need not agree with the complainant, it is expected that its representatives charged with replying to complaints will address the complainant`s concerns in a thorough manner. In this case, the Panel finds that CKTB-AM`s Program Director carefully attempted to describe the basis for the program that, in her view on behalf of the station, explained, if not justified, the use of the challenged terms. She took the trouble to respond again to the complainant`s dissatisfied reply and even personalized her perception of the issue in good faith to be of assistance, she hoped, in the resolution of the matter. As is apparent, she did not succeed, perhaps in part because there was not, in the Panel`s view, any method of justifying the abusive epithets at the end of the day. Her efforts were, however, serious. In the view of the Panel, she has met the CBSC`s obligations of responsiveness by engaging in a dialogue with the complainant through the exchange of multiple e-mails. Indeed, the complainant himself stated his appreciation for the ``reasonable and appropriate`` dialogue process and insisted on allowing CKTB-AM an opportunity to respond to each of his e-mails before pursuing formal adjudication. ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION CKTB-AM is required to: 1) announce this decision, in the following terms, once during peak listening hours within three days following the release of this decision and once more within seven days following the release of this decision during the time period in which the Phil Hendrie Show is broadcast; 2) within the fourteen days following the broadcast of the announcements, to provide written confirmation of the airing of the statement to the complainant who filed the Ruling Request; and 3) at that time, to provide the CBSC with that written confirmation and with air check copies of the broadcasts of the two announcements which must be made by CKTB-AM. The Canadian Broadcast Standards Council has found that CKTB-AM breached the clause of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters` (CAB) Code of Ethics dealing with human rights. By broadcasting an episode of the Phil Hendrie Show on November 26, 2002 in which the host used disparaging racial epithets to refer to Italians and their offspring, CKTB-AM aired abusive or unduly discriminatory comment contrary to the terms of Clause 2 of the CAB Code of Ethics. This decision is a public document upon its release by the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (via Saul Chernos, NRC-AM via DXLD) Some questions immediately (at my age? well, soonly at least) come to mind. Phil Hendrie originates in Los Angeles. I assume CKTB picks it up from a sat feed. A proceeding like this almost begs for the conclusion that CKTB had, or should have had, foreknowledge of the nature of the comments in the show. CKTB management would properly have oversight over the comments of a live, in-studio host who is answerable to station management. However with sat feeds, you are at the mercy of whatever they jam down the pipe for you. Doesn`t this really say that CKTB is responsible for something they had no control over, except to start a policy of (1) taping all shows (2) have station management start screening every show and (3) play them back sometime later. Which will probably never happen. In point of fact however, anyone carrying Hendrie (and I hear him locally on WFLA 970 except when the Devil Rays are playing) _should_ have foreknowledge that he will say something on the edge, as he sometimes does. This is the way radio seems to work today. ALso I can`t believe the only Canadian station carrying this show was CKTB, and they were singled out by the complainant as they were the one in his listening area. Does this not apply to EVERY Canadian/Ontario station carrying this show and if not, why not? Or are there none others? 73 (Bob (just asking, not arguing) Foxworth, FL, ibid.) I think Canadian stations are required to tape everything anyway (Steve Francis, Alcoa, Tennessee, ibid.) These stations may be required to tape everything for archival purposes, to respond to any complaints etc that may happen. These tapes, (logging tapes) would be stored for possible need. I did this in the 70`s at WCBS. We used machines with 10-1/2 inch reels of 1-mil Mylar running at either 15/16 or 1-7/8 ips, which could hold up to an entire days` programming, with correspondingly degraded audio quality. Any station that does NOT do this today is being foolish. What I was speaking of was the scenario that the station would have to tape these shows BEFORE broadcast, and then someone would have to listen to the ENTIRE tape BEFORE broadcast, to censor content. And, these tapes would by necessity have to be broadcast-quality. ``And now...yesterday`s Hendrie Show... coming up!`` Big difference. (Foxworth, ibid.) Quite the contrary. Given the way the FCC enforces its content standards, any station that DOES log its programming is putting itself at risk of a fine. Absent a recording - which is NOT required for US stations (Canada is different in this regard, and does require recordings to be made and kept) - the FCC is extremely reluctant to issue fines or even admonishments against broadcasters. What that means in practice is that anyone wishing to file a complaint about something they hear on WXXX had better have their own tape deck rolling. Otherwise, it`s their word against the station`s, UNLESS the station happens to have a tape that can be obtained by way of a subpoena or similar legal action. So, if you`re a station that carries any sort of controversial programming, why would you put yourself at such a risk? That`s why most such stations, if they tape their shows at all, make it their standard practice to wipe the tape within 24 hours. (The result of this very broken system is that the indecency complaints that DO result in fines very rarely come from ``average`` listeners. Instead, they`re usually generated by advocacy groups that use volunteers to record hours upon hours of Howard Stern or whoever in hopes of finding something that can be used to substantiate a complaint. Oh --- and lest we forget, the FCC has no clearly defined standards about what is and is not indecent, or what the specific fine amounts should be, much less any useful enforcement mechanism to get fined stations to pay their fines in a timely manner. So the actual enforcement of content standards in US broadcasting is about as close to random as it`s possible to get. It makes the FM allocations system look rational by comparison!) Now, in Canada, the CRTC does require logger tapes be made and kept for a certain period of time (at least 30 days, and longer under some circumstances), and it DOES fine stations that don`t do their logging properly. That`s the good news. But the content standards are generally ``enforced`` not by the CRTC but by the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council, whose chief weapon appears to be a requirement that the station in question announce, several times daily, that it`s been reprimanded by the CBSC for whatever programming sin (almost always related to portrayal of a gender or nationality or ethnic group) it`s committed. Seems awfully toothless to me, but perhaps Canadians have a stronger sense of shame than we do south of the border. (On the other hand, THEY can show nekkid people on broadcast TV in the late evening up there... :-) s (Scott Fybush, NY, ibid.) I bow to your contemporaneous knowledge of radio today, while my knowledge of it is dated. Your explanation was quite interesting. I would have thought that in this litigious society that stations would bend over backwards to cover themselves, yet I can now see the argument that ``we just don`t have it`` (aircheck) This type of thinking has a parallel in the IT world where lawyers have discovered that it is easy to subpoena e-mail records (even though there are systems that take snapshots of mail files and can miss pieces of mail that arrive and exit the server between backups). Imagine if Enron said, ``hey, we wipe the backups after 24 hours``. It`s all very curious. I can see Powell with his fat grin, beaming approvingly. As I said, in the 70`s when I was playing the radio game, the thought of forgetting to change the logger tape at mid night would get you an angry visit from the supervisor, at the least (Bob Foxworth, ibid.) These (and later) comments are completely valid. A few thoughts: A seven second delay, as used in phone-in shows here, should solve the problem. Yes, you pay someone to staff the boards, and monitoring is part of their job. A local, live announcer can also make inappropriate comments on air, and if no one else at the station is listening, then the remarks get aired. Yes, it costs money to have a live monitor, but that`s a cost of doing business, just like a fine is perceived (sigh) as a cost of doing business. Now, mistakes do happen. If a host says something inappropriate on the air, and it gets through, the station can do something. It can apologise on the air and retract the statement(s), it can reprimand or fire the host (in my view, certainly not fire on the first offence unless it was a clear incitement to hatred). Whatever. In this case the CBSC put the station in touch with me and the station rep chose to defend the comments as reflecting the humourous nature of the show. So, monitoring in this case would have most likely made no difference whatsoever to the final outcome. CKTB still carries Hendrie, in the same time slot. CKTB probably isn`t the only Canadian station carrying the show. I should have made that point to the CBSC, but maybe the CBSC should have caught that. Maybe they only respond to the terms within the complaints. I caught this incident while DXing. I was jotting down notes anyhow, and included these remarks out of initial outrage. I hemmed and hawed for a few days, did some research re the complaints process, and filed my gripe on the CBSC`s web site. I would probably not have pursued the matter if the CRTC didn`t require taping, but I would have then made a point of taping some later shows to check for any repeats. As it stands, I will probably keep an occasional ear on the show over CKTB, just to see what happens, and I would file further complaints as I feel they are warranted. I will also check to see who else in Canada carries Hendrie. Ironically, perhaps, I agree 100 percent with the position Hendrie expressed on cloning humans -- I see it as a clear wrong. His style (doubling as his guests, expressing extremes, etc...) and use of strong language was defended as a means of encouraging listener response on the issue. I think his basic concept is sound and could work very well on radio, a medium with a terribly underused potential. Hendrie might do very well if he used creativity rather than cheap shots (Saul Chernos, ibid.) I didn`t hear the specific show that we`re discussing, but having been an occasional listener of the Hendrie show for several years, I`ve gone through a transition in my opinion of the show. I think it`s illustrative of the intent behind the show`s concept. When I first heard Phil Hendrie a few years ago on KFI, I fell for it hook line & sinker, though only briefly. It only took me a short time to catch on that the ``guests`` were phony. Mostly that was due to the completely off-the-scale outrageousness of their comments, but you could pretty easily tell that all of the voices were being done by the same person. It was only much later that I found out that Phil was doing all of the voices. What started as being somewhat annoying, became more amusing & entertaining. You have to give the guy credit for having an amazing talent of being able to carry on both sides of a conversation, while keeping the ``straight man`` and the wacko guest straight. And these are really quite distinct, and colorful characters that he`s created. This may sound somewhat arbitrary, but I think it`s important to distinguish just ``who`` was making the offensive comments. One the one hand, Phil has many ``guests`` who make outrageous comments, which are intended to spark outrage among listeners who aren`t privy to the show`s concept, and bait them into calling the show. That`s just part of the satirical nature of the show, and one of the things that makes it entertaining. If you are aware that these are fake people, then you can see it for the satire that it is, and it`s not really any more offensive than Archie Bunker. On the other hand, when Phil himself makes offensive comments, to me that is different. He`s supposed to be the straight guy. You can take what he says seriously. And when he goes & uses his own voice & persona to make offensive comments, that`s something entirely different. It`s not really satire anymore. So while I tend to agree with Thomas, that people today are really just too thin-skinned & sensitive, there still is a limit to how far you can (and should) go. Offensiveness is really a subjective thing, so it`s hard to draw the line. But it`s also important to put things in context. To debate about the offensiveness of a specific word is kind of ridiculous, unless you can put it into the context of how it was used, and who was using it. Bottom line is that I`m always willing to cut someone some slack in this area, particularly where satire is involved. But it`s clear that Phil may have crossed the line on this particular occasion. It`s obvious from his attempt to apologize (or rather, ``explain``) right after the break, that he was very much aware that he had crossed the line. Hopefully he`ll learn his lesson (though it`s hard to see how having the wrist of a Canadian affiliate slapped is going to teach him very much). (Brian Leyton, Valley Village, CA, ibid.) He`s actually Canadian - I recall reading that somewhere, possibly on his web site. I was aware of his concept and what he does. This clearly crossed the line, at least in my view. The CBSC really has tiny teeth. A slap on the wrist, and maybe a wink or two, from an industry body that self-regulates. BTW, why just have to refect a moral standard to youth? What about so-called adults? The way I see it, up here, broadcasters use public space / property and should be accountable to a public body (Saul Chernos, ibid.) You`re entirely right. I don`t know the laws in Canada, but most adults start at age 18, and the 18+ age group contributes to a vast majority of radio listeners. Still, Saul, I think the Genie is out of the bottle here in the U.S. With a mindset of ``let the marketplace decide the bounds``, and a really weak enforcement unit, it`s a wonder we don`t have more problems. Interesting how Canadians handle this. I`ve been saddened by the *large* number of cases of racial and sexual comments made on the US airwaves which are routinely excused as ``we were just kidding``, or ``we slipped.`` The number of cases that are tossed out are incredible. Perhaps the smoking gun to all this was made by one exec who said (when his station was fined), ``it`s just a cost of doing business``. IMHO, the airwaves should hold a better than society standard, and reflect a moral standard to youth. Having said this, and if god wanted to take me a day off and appoint me in charge, if a station would violate these standards I would ask the station to conclude business in the next 90 days and sell to a local owner. Case closed. I would approve of logging tapes, if not for the issue we`re speaking of, but for a forgotten sin in this age of deregulation. On any given night I can hear a station cut off, play at the same time as another, or omit a commercial. The advertisers pay for this time, and in many cases are billed for it because the station looks at what was scheduled vs a log of what was played. If I were an advertiser, and my commercial fell in one of the areas above I would either want another one at no charge, or my bill should reflect that the commercial did not run. What I find interesting, (studying human nature and our society), is that some broadcasters don`t want to be accurate. Some, when confronted with the problem deny it happens, and get mad when it`s proved on the side of the client. Speaking only for myself, I think that when a station does not give an advertiser what they paid for, it`s theft. If I owned a station, I would want to be damn sure that anyone who conducted business with me knew they could trust me 100% (Fred Vobbe, OH, ibid.) Saul, good for you for complaining. If we don`t then we have only ourselves to blame when things slip off into the morass (no pun intended) or vulgarity, insults, and worse. Was it the CBSC that slapped Dr. Laura (OK, the station carrying her show) on the wrist a few years ago? (Eric Flodén, BC, ibid.) Speaking from a larger market perspective, I can say that the stations I know reconcile scheduled spots with the actual data from systems such as Audio Vault. Such systems can verify missed spots, and reconciliation can be done electronically. Spots that did not run are made good, and the invoice specifies out of parameter spots, whether the difference is in run date, out of scheduled time periods, etc. Further, most larger advertisers and agencies require notarized invoices, and this puts a burden on the station to present verified data ``as run`` not ``as scheduled.`` Many advertisers require exact time billing. Stations that are billing off contract generally set themselves up for a fraudulent billing situation. Along with Lack of Candor, this is one are the Commission will review with energy (David Gleason, CA, ibid.) I think that Saul`s post is once again off topic and leftist political, so fellow e-list members please don`t take offense when ``I`` now respond from a right wingers point of view. I heard the particular Phil Hendry show that Saul is talking about. I think Phil is amazingly talented and yes politically incorrect at times. As an Italian I personally was not insulted by his stereotypical comments about Italians. Italians like all white ethnic groups that migrated from Europe in the 19th century had to take their turn and pay their dues, in order to earn respect in their new country. Traditionally in America, respect has always been earned by the newly emigrated ethnic group when said group makes it financially and blends into society as Americans first and whatever their European heritage was second. Every group has had their own version of an organized criminal element. What brought notoriety to the Italian Mafia were the rules and honor that they operated under, unlike most other ethnic groups operating criminal enterprises. Personally my family emigrated from Italy in 1897 and were not involved in any illegal activities. My great grandfather was held as an indentured servant by the Irish controllers in Boston, actually it was more like slavery. Instead of crying about how unfair everything was he just worked hard and made it. Within 30 years of emigrating my family became wealthy through hard work and perseverance. The leftist politically correct crowd has created an environment in western culture where everyone has thin skin and is offended by anything and everything. The end result is a victimization mentality that is destroying the unique American culture and making the attorneys and politicians richer and more powerful. If I ``were`` to take offense at the content of this particular show, it would be due to the fact that he was criticizing white heterosexual males, the only group in American society today that is not protected from criticism by the political correctness movement. Basically American heterosexual white males are currently suffering institutionalized legal reverse discrimination. I hear things on the radio and TV constantly that I think is wrong and hurting society but at the same time I personally feel that the unique 1st Amendment freedom of speech concept in the U.S. must be protected at all costs. The new thing on TV in the U.S. in 2003 is the high level of cursing in dialog and making white heterosexual males look stupid. It seems like the TV show writers spend more time trying to figure out how to inject curse words and anti white heterosexual male comments. Whether it be a comedy, serious drama or even a TV commercial, the white guy is always a moron. 73, (Thomas F. Giella, Meteorologist, C/S KN4LF, Plant City, FL, USA EL87WX, Florida Space & Atmospheric Weather Institute: http://www.kn4lf.com/fsawi.htm ibid.) Saul's final words on his complaint about the Phil Hendrie Show The problem - and a key reason I complained to the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council - is that the remarks slurred an entire ethnic group, and quite crudely. Where do we draw the line? That's a tough question. I drew my line where I believed it needed to be drawn. It was either that, or remain a silent, approving witness. My background is Jewish. My ancestors emigrated to Canada prior to WWI and thus never experienced pogroms or genocide. How would I have responded had I lived under the Nazi regime, as racist fans were flamed, as levels of bigotry rose and morphed into holocaust proportions? I don't know; I wasn't there. In retrospect, I do wish people had stood up against the bigotry before it was too late. (I feel similarly about other holocausts). It's a sad commentary on our society that an entire ethnic group should have to 'make it' before they're 'accepted'. The fact is, many immigrants have made it, through an awful lot of hard work, Yet, the bigotry continues. Of course, bigotry and bad attitude exist on all sides, and come from all groups. No question about it. Two wrongs do not make a right. I've experienced both privilege and rejection because I am a straight white male, and both these responses were wrong. Free speech is provided for, to varying degrees, through amendment rights and other constitutional forms. But, with any rights there are also responsibilities. In Canada, for example, ethnic groups have the constitutional right not to be targeted or discriminated against. There are laws against inciting hatred. It's a balance. This really is getting off-topic. I can feel Fred on my tail. Consider this post, my last on this matter, a reflection of what can be heard on our airwaves, and explaining the thinking that led to my complaint to the CBSC, and thus to my original post to this list. I didn't expect so much response (Saul Chernos, ibid.) ** CHINA. Pessoal, a partir do dia 11/08 a Radio China Internacional ampliará, a sua programção em português, em 1 hora. Vejam em: http://crioracle.cri.com.cn/portugal/pop/comunicado.htm 73, (ADIEL, SP - Capital, Aug 3, radioescutas via DXLD) Glenn, Here's some news about an extension of French broadcasting from CRI, to go with the recent news of extended German and Italian broadcasts. 73- (Bill Westenhaver, Aug 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Bonjour, Les émissions en français et en ondes courtes auront dorénavant une durée de 2 heures. 18h30 à 20h30, 20h30 à 22h30: AF 9645 11760 khz, EU 9695 11660 khz (via Union des Ecouteurs Français -- - Radiodiffusions, utilitaires, radio-écouteurs, radioamateurs, techniques... Courriel: tsfinfo@magic.fr Web: http://www.radiocom.org U.E.F.: B.P. 31, 92242 MALAKOFF Cedex, FRANCE via Westenhaver, DXLD) ** GUATEMALA. 4845 R. K'ekchí: Larry Baysinger explains that their large transmitter is off and awaiting parts. They are on their small back up transmitter for now (via Larry Baysinger, Aug 8, Cumbre DX via DXLD) 4845 R. K'ekchí (presumed) 0033 Aug 7, talk in Spanish although the dialect is different than what I'm used to hearing; SIO=344 (Joe Miller, Troy MI, MARE via DXLD) ** IRAQ. Interview with Ahmed al-Rakabi, ex-Iraqi Media Network, is at the start of August 7 The Current on CBC Radio One: http://media.cbc.ca:8080/ramgen/cbc.ca/thecurrent/media/200308/20030807thecurrent_sec1.rm Followed by more related material (via Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** JAPAN. Radio Japan, NHK World --- Special Notice from Radio Japan about Summer Special Program "Konnichiwa! On the Net & Radio" Hello DXers, Middle East & Africa Division of "NHK World Radio Japan", the overseas broadcasting service of Japan Broadcasting Corporation is broadcasting a summer special program, "Konnichiwa! On the Net & Radio" on August 31. The program will be aired in four languages: Arabic, French, Persian and Swahili. We invite all of our listeners to take part in this special occasion. You can hear this special program both on the shortwave and on the Internet. We broadcast live on air on the shortwave, and the audio file will be uploaded on the Internet immediately after the broadcast. Thus, you can hear us with the slightest time-lug. We now open our special Home Page in our Website. For further information, please check: http://www.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/sp ~We are looking forward to your participation!~ 1. Please send your contributions "How do you access to Radio Japan? How often? And what do you find our programs? Are they useful for you?" Please send us your opinion about our broadcast on the themes mentioned above. Even if you are new to Radio Japan, just listen to us and send your opinions or requests. We introduce some of the letters in our special program. We will also phone out to some listeners from our studio. So, please don't forget to write your phone number in your letters. Radio Japan will send a special souvenir to you if your letter has been introduced in our special program. 2. Quiz Please take part in our special quiz either on radio or the Internet. All these questions are related to Japan. The radio quiz will be on air on every Sunday starting from August 10 in our weekly "Listeners' Corner" programme. (August 10, 17, 24) On the Internet, you will find the questions of the quiz in our HP every week starting from August 8. The questions will be updated on August 8, 15 and 22. Please note that we will give you two different versions of the questions: on the radio and on the Internet. You can answer either of them, or both. And on the very day of the special broadcast: August 31, you will hear two more questions. Listen to the special program, and try to answer all five questions. Send your answers on five questions together to Radio Japan immediately after the special broadcast. Those who send more than three correct answers out of five will get Radio Japan's special souvenirs. 3. Get our special QSLs! Why don't you add our special QSLs to your verification cards collection? Four languages sections: Arabic, Persian, Swahili and French, will issue their own QSL cards on the special program. Thus, you will have a chance to receive four different designs of the QSL cards if you send your reception reports after listening to all four language broadcasts. Please address your contributions to our special program: Opinion, Answers of the Quiz, Reception Reports to: Arabic/Swahili/Persian/French Service Radio Japan, NHK, Tokyo 150-8001, Japan Fax number is: 81-3-3481-8222 E-mail addresses: Arabic@intl.nhk.or.jp france@intl.nhk.or.jp Persian@intl.nhk.or.jp Swahili@intl.nhk.or.jp Thank you very much for your interest. We wish you very happy listening! Best 73's and 88's from Radio Japan Middle East & Africa Division, NHK, Tokyo, Japan (via Michael Bethge, WWDXC, August 6, DXLD) ** LIBERIA. ELWA ONLY RADIO STATION ON AIR IN MONROVIA, LIBERIA Posted by: newsdesk on Wednesday, August 06, 2003 - 05:46 PM ELWA Radio is the only station still on the air in the war torn capital city of Monrovia, Liberia, according to a report by Carol Wilson of SIM. Wilson said government and other private stations have all gone silent, and unfortunately ELWA`s shortwave transmitter developed a problem last night so the shortwave service is also off the air for the time being. However, ELWA is still on FM, reaching more than a million Liberians with the gospel. Fuel supplies at the station (and everywhere in the city) are running very low, reported Wilson, and will probably run out by this weekend if additional fuel is not found. Wilson encouraged believers to pray that God would provide diesel fuel to keep the message of the gospel on the air. Nigerian peacekeepers (under the name "ECOMIL") began arriving on Monday, August 4, and were making plans to secure the Freeport and the city of Monrovia. It was reported that they have not yet deployed into the city -- most were still in the vicinity of the airport. ``More than 2000 displaced people are still at the ELWA campus, with very little food,`` Wilson said. It is hoped that opportunities will soon become available for relief groups and for SIM to share food and medicine with them. In spite of the hardship, ``evangelism efforts on the campus are ongoing,`` Wilson added. SIM-Liberia leaders, who were evacuated in July, are considering the possibility of making a visit in the near future, to assess the needs and see how they can help (SIM via HCJB press via DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS. The national lottery --- Getting a commercial radio licence in The Netherlands is a bit like taking part in the national lottery. Is that any way to regulate the broadcasting industry? http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/features/html/licence030807.html (Andy Sennitt, Media Network newsletter Aug 8 via DXLD) ** PAKISTAN. Glenn, some correction of the DXLD 3-141 item. Here is the report of Aug 8th: I checked the 0400-0430 UT time slot this morning August 8. PAK 15485 + 17825 to EAf, only carriers detected, no propagation into Eu from this area. At 0400-0430 UT in the 19 mb: Only seven 'nearby' outlets traced so far: 15115 WOF BBC, 15240 WOF NHK, 15355 HOL IBB, 15410 WER DW, 15605 ISS RFI French, 15640 ISR, 15675 KVI TDP Kurdish. BUT at 0615 UT all three Urdu program channels easily heard in CEu: 0500-0700 UT to ME/NE workers. 11570 (ex-17835) 260 deg, 15100 252 deg, and 17755 kHz 282 deg (ex-21460] too. Thanks Noel for the details. 73 de (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA [non]. RUSSIA/USA: RUSSIAN WORLD TV EXTENDS PROGRAMMES ON US CHANNEL | Text of report in English by Russian news agency Interfax Moscow, 8 August: Beginning on August 15, Russian World TV channel will extend its broadcasts on the MHz free channel [MHz Networks] to six hours a day. "We started broadcasting on MHz one hour a day on 1 August, but on 15 August we will prolong our daily broadcasts on the channel to six hours," a spokesman for Russian World told Interfax on Friday [8 August]. He said the MHz broadcasts significantly increase the audience of the Russian World channel because viewers don't have to subscribe to it separately. MHz is available in Washington, DC as well as in Virginia and Maryland. The channel was created in Russia for broadcasts in the United States and launched in 2002. Russian World programmes are aimed at the Russian community in the United States. The channel purchases news, talk and game shows, educational, sports and children's programmes, cartoons, feature films and documentaries from Russian channels and other sources. Source: Interfax news agency, Moscow, in English 1514 gmt 8 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) First I`d heard of this. Can someone in the Washington area explain exactly what this MHz channel is? On some local cable systems, and if so what channel, and how basic? Does it specialize in TV from abroad, and if so, whence besides Russia? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN [non]. Sudan (non). Sudan Radio Service on 17630 from 1600 to 1700 UT, on Thursday August 7. Three minutes of African news in English at 1618. ID at 1637, 1641, and 1651. "You are listening to the Sudan Radio Service at 17630 kHz", repeated in various African languages. At 1657 asked in English and other languages to retune to 17660, Off at 1700. Good signal here, S7 to 9. Tuned to 17660 at 1700. Announcements in English outlining the aims of the broadcast. They said that they were financed by Washington, studios are in Washington, transmitters are in the UK (Merlin?) and they broadcast Monday to Friday (Bernie O'Shea, Ottawa, Ontario, DX LISTENING DIGEST) SITE? 17630, Sudan Radio Service is how they are IDing not as Sudan Independent Radio Service. 1616 with talk in English by woman. Sounded like business news, then into a different language at 1618, mention of "Sudan Radio Service" at 1619. Not sure of language, but related to Arabic as language used Arabic words for numbers mentioned as he talked. News in Arabic at 1623 with another ID as "Sudan Radio Service," with words mentioned in English. Good reception today as I continue to listen. [Later:] UNITED KINGDOM --- Sudan Radio Service. Frequency and ID at 1651 in various languages. ID as Sudan Radio Service. Then same song that they were playing many times last week. Sure seems like this is their theme song. This song has a female vocalist and reception was finally good enough to understand that the lyrics are in English some of which I think I understood --- "to my homeland, far across the sea" "all the children, the strong and the weak". 1656: ``The first hour of the Sudan Radio Service is now ending, please tune your radio to 17660 for the second hour.`` Then repeated in the various languages. 1658 guitar IS then off. 1659 same ID on 17660 and good reception. ID in English, then what I guess was Juba-Arabic, then Standard Arabic, and various other languages. Full ID mentioning role of EDC and said that programs were produced in Washington, DC and broadcast from a transmitter in the United Kingdom. Comments were welcome to: srs@edc.org Said schedule was M-F 6-8 PM old Sudan time UT +2. Stressed role of program in education and development. Same announcement then given in Juba and Standard Arabic. English, Arabic, and Juba Arabic are carried every day, other languages are carried once a week (schedule was given.) News at 1615 starting in English. Starting to fade at this point so time to tune out (Hans Johnson, WY, Aug 7, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) Sudan Radio Service heard S9 give the following announcement in English, Goba-Arabic! And Arabic. "Good evening, you are listening to Sudan radio service, a new short wave radio service dedicated to peace and development in Sudan. we will be bringing you a variety of interesting programs including programs on health, education and agriculture; we also will be bringing you independent and balanced news. The Sudan radio service is operated by education developing center and funded by the United States Agency for International Development. This program is coming to you from studios in Washington DC and broadcasted on a short wave transmitter based in the United Kingdom. One of the most important objects of this radio service is to provide you with accurate information about the search for peace in Sudan to this ... we will be bringing you balanced news on the peace process with the intention of furthering the cause of peace and reconciliation for all people of Sudan. We'll also be presenting you with cultural programs including music, stories and poetry, we'll be developing education programs and programs about your health, programs about agriculture and how to take care of your livestock, information about local market and the changing economy of Sudan and we will be bringing stories, music and dramas designed to inform and ...., to do this, we need your help; please send us your comments, questions and suggestions. We invite you to provide us with news, information, program ideas and contents. If you are a musician, a storyteller, a poet or anyone with an idea for radio program for Sudan, please e-mail us at srs@edc.org Sudan radio service will broadcast Monday to Friday 0600 to 0800 pm old Sudan time, old Sudan time is GMT+2, the first hour of our broadcast 0600 to 0700 pm will be heard at 17630 KHz, the second hour of our broadcast 0700 to 0800 pm will be heard at 17660 KHz. Every day we will broadcast in the following languages: English, Goba Arabic and Arabic, on Monday you will hear program in Denka, on Tuesday Zandy, on Wednesday Noowher and Moro, Thursday Bary and Friday Sholuk." (Mahmud Fathi, Germany, Aug 6, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Dear DX Friends, Today I got a long, personal reply from Sudan Radio Service (SRS), which is the new name for Sudan Independent Radio Service. SRS is a new service committed to peace and development for Sudan. V/s Jeremy Groce is the Radio Programming Advisor and he told me that on Thursday, 7th of August they started their first ``regular`` broadcast with identification liners and some news in several languages of Sudan, including English, plus music. Broadcasts are 1600-1700 on 17630 kHz and 1700-1800 on 17660 kHz. Jeremy Grace can be reached via e-mail: jgroce@edc.org or srs@edc.org 73 from (Björn Fransson on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea of Sweden, Aug 7, DX LISTENING DIGEST) {grace corrected to groce} Sudan Radio Service via UK, 17630, *1600-1619, August 8, Horn Of Africa style music at sign-on with ID in English, "You are listening to the Sudan Radio Service on 17630 kHz" repeated in several different languages. Lengthy mission statement/announcement with mentions of "new station for peace and development in Sudan, ... bring you news on health, agriculture and education". Also mentioned via "US government Education Development Center studios in Washington, DC and transmitters in the UK". E-mail srs@edc.org and schedule in local Sudan time (GMT+2,) broadcasting in different languages including English, Arabic and Dinka, for each day of the week, M-F. This message was then repeated in each of the various languages. Music and ID at 1615 followed by a 3 item news bulletin, again repeated in various languages. Fair signal with occasional fades (Scott R., Barbour Jr., Intervale, NH, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. In case anyone is coming to Las Vegas, "Phat Rock 1650" is still being heard very well throughout the northwest side of the city, especially from Summerlin Parkway northward (I live in the Summerlin section of LV, BTW). It claims to be a Part 15 operation, but no way; it must be using a TIS transmitter of 10-25 watts. Their web site is at http://www.phatrock1650.com (Harry Helms, W7HLH, Las Vegas, NV, DM26, Aug 6, ACE pirate radio via DXLD) {URL no work Aug 11; OK Oct 9 and music launches immediately: beware} ** U S A. MEDIA OWNERS MAY HAVE TO SELL IF CONGRESS OVERTURNS NEW FCC OWNERSHIP RULES, VIACOM AND NEWS CORP. COULD BE FORCED TO DIVEST TV STATIONS. By Sallie Hofmeister, Los Angeles Times - Fri, 25 Jul 2003 Two of the nation's largest media companies - Viacom Inc. and News Corp. - could be forced to sell or swap a host of their television stations if Congress overturns new media ownership rules. A spending bill passed Wednesday by the House of Representatives includes a provision to block implementation - for one year - of a recent Federal Communications Commission decision allowing a single company to own stations that reach 45% of the nation's TV households, up from 35%. "We're very disappointed," News Corp. spokesman Andrew Butcher said Wednesday. News Corp.'s Fox group owns 37 stations that reach about 38% of the nation's TV households. Viacom, owner of CBS, is the nation's leading television broadcaster, with 39 stations reaching 39% of all TV households. "Efforts like these will only serve to harm the long-term viability of free, over- the-air broadcasting," said Carl Folta a Viacom spokeswoman. The FCC rule and others affecting the media industry are due to take effect this fall. The Senate has led the charge to roll back the station cap since the FCC relaxed it. Throwing its support behind the FCC, the Bush administration Tuesday threatened to veto any reversal of the FCC rules. Many consumer advocates, along with many Americans, oppose further deregulation of media ownership, and the easing of station caps in particular, because of the potential of reducing the diversity of viewpoints in the marketplace. The potential scaling back of the ownership cap wasn't foreseen by Viacom and News Corp. The companies expanded their broadcast holdings in anticipation of more liberal rules. Viacom's 2000 purchase of CBS put the company in violation of the 35% station cap, while News Corp.'s acquisition of Chris-Craft Industries put it over the limit. Both received FCC waivers allowing them to operate despite the violations. What is more, broadcasters, led by News Corp., won a federal court ruling in early 2002 striking down the 35% cap as unconstitutional and arbitrary. The court instructed the FCC to come up with a new rule that it could justify, resulting in the months of study and debate that took place before the FCC voted for the new station cap in June. If the rules are rolled back, and News Corp. and Viacom do not receive additional waivers, they will be forced to sell assets. News Corp. could meet the 35% cap by selling its six smallest stations, in markets such as Greensboro, N.C.; Memphis, Tenn.; and Austin, Texas. But one company source said News Corp. would lose millions of dollars because any divestiture would be viewed as a forced sale, and therefore would turn into a fire sale. For its part, CBS could satisfy the 35% limit by selling its 13 smallest stations, in markets such as Baltimore, Salt Lake City and New Orleans. Yet both companies also could maintain the same number of stations and still satisfy the 35% limit by swapping stations with other broadcasters. That's because of the way the FCC calculates the total audience that a company can reach through its stations. Typically, a single station's reach is determined by the number of potential viewers in a given market. However, if a company owns two stations in the same market, the reach is counted only once. When NBC added Spanish-language station Telemundo to its existing stations in Los Angeles, for example, its reach as determined by the FCC did not change. As a result, News Corp. could avoid selling its six smallest stations to meet the 35% cap by swapping them for a rival's outlets in markets News Corp. already serves. CBS could do the same. Analysts agreed that the companies have alternatives. "Swapping stations to achieve additional duopolies, which do not count toward increased coverage, provides another alternative, should it be required," Merrill Lynch analyst Jessica Reif Cohen said last week, after the House voted in favor of the station-cap rollback. Broadcasters also may challenge any ownership cap as arbitrary, she added. "We believe Viacom would press the issue on a legal basis," she wrote (via August NRC DX Audio Service whazzup via DXLD) ** U S A. FCC Chief Takes Knocks From The Left And The Right OBSERVERS SAY POWELL'S POLITICAL MISSTEPS HAVE ISOLATED HIM By Heather Fleming Phillips, San Jose Mercury News Washington Bureau WASHINGTON - It's lonely at the top. At least that's how it's been for Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell over the past five months. He took the helm of the FCC 2 1/2 years ago, and conservatives couldn't have been happier. As the first dyed-in-the-wool, free-market champion running the agency in years, he held out the promise of major deregulation of phone, media and broadband markets. By early this year, though, it became clear things weren't going quite as planned. In February, a fellow Republican commissioner, in something of a palace coup, pushed through new phone competition rules opposed by Powell. Last month, Powell took it on the chin again. After a battle with the two Democrats on the five-member commission, Powell mustered the support of his two Republican colleagues to push through major rule changes aimed at relaxing ownership limits on major media companies. But attacks came from the right and left, and Congress slapped back. The House of Representatives voted two weeks ago to roll back an FCC rule, passed in June on a 3-2 vote, that would let a single broadcast company own more stations nationwide. The Senate is expected to follow suit this fall. ``The left bashes him for going too far, and the right for not going far enough. He's got to be getting incredibly alienated -- he has no friends,'' said Adam Thierer, director of telecommunications studies at the libertarian Cato Institute. ``I suspect he has to be seriously considering moving on in the very short term. And who can blame him?'' After the media ownership debacle, rumors began to swirl that Powell was on his way out. Time magazine reported that Powell had told the White House that he would resign this fall, though an agency spokesman adamantly denied the report. Powell was on vacation last week and unavailable for comment. Abilities hampered A well-respected lawyer with a keen intellect, Powell, the son of Secretary of State Colin Powell, took the FCC's helm amid high expectations. But industry observers say despite his lawyerly talents, the FCC chief has made a number of political missteps that have hampered his ability to achieve his agenda. And Powell, with a reputation for ideological purity, has given little room for compromise on his interpretation of the law. Relationships among the five commissioners are strained. (The president's political party always has a 3-2 majority.) Powell alienated the two Democrats on the panel -- Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein -- over the media ownership debate. They had repeatedly asked Powell to hold hearings across the country to solicit additional input. But Powell refused, noting that the agency had already received input from consumers and interested parties. He also denied a request from Adelstein and Copps to delay a vote on the rule changes, a request which is traditionally granted for one month. ``I thought we really had a responsibility to go out and engage the American people,'' said Copps. ``It was a major process error.'' ``We did a little bit of injustice to the spirit of how an independent agency is supposed to run,'' Copps said, referring to Powell's decision not to put the rules out for comment before a commission vote. FCC chief of staff Marsha McBride defended Powell's handling of the issue, saying he was bound by the landmark 1996 law that deregulated the telecom industry and a court decision ordering the agency to justify its rules in an era of 500 cable channels and the Internet. ``We tried to create a framework that was flexible to survive biennial reviews required by law, in a way that addressed the changing media marketplace and took into account the specific criticisms of the court.'' FCC chairmen can usually count on commissioners of the same party for support in key battles. But Powell misjudged Commissioner Kevin Martin, a politically ambitious lawyer himself. The personalities of Powell and Martin clashed, and Martin cut a deal with the two Democrats on phone competition rules. That left Powell and fellow Republican Kathleen Abernathy on the losing side of the issue. Fallout from fight The bruising battle over media ownership has left Powell particularly isolated. ``I think it has undermined his credibility both intellectually and politically,'' said Gene Kimmelman, senior director of public policy and advocacy for Consumers Union. ``I think he has abandoned all the principles that he laid out for his tenure at the FCC. He was going to follow careful antitrust competition policy theory; he was going to be analytical and fact- driven. What he's done on media ownership shows the exact opposite,'' he said. But some observers say the flap on Capitol Hill is simply politics-as- usual in Washington. ``We're in an election cycle and there are a lot of people that have taken a lot of shots at him, but that's the price of being a rising star in a political environment,'' said Scott Cleland, managing director of the Washington research group the Precursor Group. The White House is backing Powell, threatening to veto any measure that would roll back his media ownership rules. Tech support Powell also gets high marks from tech industry lobbyists. Early in his administration, he set out to create a regulatory framework that would promote broadband networks and next-generation technologies. At the same time the FCC approved phone rules that Powell opposed, it adopted a key piece of his tech agenda. It freed the regional Bell phone companies from regulations that had required them to lease to competitors new networks built for high-speed Internet connections. The tech industry had lobbied heavily for the rule change, seeing it as a shot in the arm for investment in broadband networks. Tech lobbyists also praise Powell for his efforts to reform the way spectrum is managed, so that wide swaths of the nation's airwaves will be opened to multiple users, promoting new and innovative services. Now, the sting of the media ownership battle will make it more difficult -- but not impossible -- for Powell to follow through with his agenda for the remainder of his term, which expires in June 2007. At the top of his agenda this fall is a review of regulations being closely followed by the tech industry related to cable modem service (via Fred Vobbe, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** U S A. LOW POWER, HIGH AMBITION --- The below is also at: http://www.sptimes.com/2003/08/07/Business/Low_power__high_ambit.shtml Pinellas and Hillsborough County residents who want their MTV don't necessarily have to subscribe to cable TV to get it. TV viewers in some parts of the Tampa Bay area looking for Canadian news programs or Greek-language soap operas don't need a satellite dish. By LOUIS HAU, Times Staff Writer, © St. Petersburg Times published August 7, 2003 These and other programs typically associated with pay-TV services are available free over the local airwaves thanks to a handful of low- power TV stations with transmitter signals of 150,000 watts or less on a UHF channel. "What we're doing nobody else is doing," says Sotirios Agelatos, who with his brother, Angelos Angelatos, owns and operates W48AY-Ch. 48 in Oldsmar, a broadcaster of foreign-language programming, much of it in Greek. "We have a small voice, but we do a great job." With cable and satellite providers now serving more than three- quarters of all U.S. TV households, low-power stations occupy a small, obscure niche of the TV landscape. But amid recent concerns about the growing consolidation of media ownership, low-power stations stand out because they remain largely free of media-conglomerate control. The eight low-power stations in the Tampa Bay area are a diverse bunch. Some are publicly owned non-profit enterprises, such as WPDS- Ch. 14, which is owned by Pinellas County Schools and broadcasts educational programming and school board meetings, and WSPF-Ch. 35, which is owned by the city of St. Petersburg and shows a variety of public information programming, city government meetings and other public events. Others are for-profit businesses, owned locally or by small businesses that own and operate stations in multiple markets. One such operator is Randy Weigner of Meredith, N.H., who owns eight stations, including WARP-Ch. 20 in St. Petersburg. It has a rare agreement with MTV to broadcast its music-video-only sibling, MTV2. The station also airs infomercials, children's programming and occasional local programming. "You're not making a fortune, which is why you have eight of them," says Weigner. Weigner declined to spell out how much his private company makes on its mini-media empire, although he said WARP's advertising rates range from $5 to $100 per 30-second spot, depending on the number of spots purchased, a fraction of what full-power stations charge. Helping keep costs down at WARP is general manager and chief engineer Mike Gray, the station's sole employee. Gray, who keeps a day job as an information-technology technician for another local company, monitors the station's systems from his home in St. Petersburg. He doubles as a producer for WARP's occasional original programs, such as a weekly blues-music show that ended in April after a four-month run. About twice a week, Gray drives to the station's transmission tower on Gandy Boulevard near the Derby Lane greyhound track in St. Petersburg. There he loads commercials and local programming into the station's video machine, programming the exact day and time those clips will run during the station's MTV2 satellite feed. Gray says he is putting together a new show that will showcase local music acts, although with WARP's tight budget it will be a pay-to-play arrangement: He will ask featured bands to arrange for a local business, such as a music store, to be one of the show's sponsors. Gray, a former New York City radio host, says he wouldn't be able to tolerate the internal politics of a typical full-power TV station beholden to a major network. "With an independent station, we can more or less do what we want," he says. Not all low-power TV stations are one-person operations. WYKE-Ch. 49 in Lecanto has a full-time staff of six and produces programs focused on local sports and politics. The station is a for-profit business but is owned by the Key Training Center, a non-profit organization that serves the developmentally disabled. One of its most popular programs is Your Citrus County Court, a half-hour program each weekday of edited video from the county courthouse in Inverness that shows a steady parade of local residents charged with speeding, drunken driving and other misdemeanors. "If we're late in getting it on the air," says general manager Tom Franklin, "we get phone calls." Low-power TV has been an important means for Spanish-language broadcasters such as Univisión and Telemundo to reach viewers in parts of the country that don't have sufficiently large Latino populations to support a full-power station, according to Laura Santos, vice president and general manager of WTMO-Ch. 40 in Orlando, a sibling of WRMD-Ch. 49 in Tampa. Both are low-power Telemundo affiliates that also produce their own Spanish-language programs. "If it were not for what we do in the community," she says, "there are a lot of people in the community who wouldn't know what's happening." The Federal Communications Commission established low-power TV service in 1982 to provide more opportunities for locally produced and community-oriented programming. Unlike their full-power counterparts, such as major network affiliates and large syndicated stations, low- power stations in large media markets such as the Tampa Bay area aren't guaranteed a spot on local cable systems. As a result, some low-power stations reach their audiences exclusively through their broadcast signal, which typically reaches a maximum range of 20 to 25 miles, versus 50 to 60 miles for full-power stations, according to Mike Sullivan, executive director of the Community Broadcasters Association, a trade group. "We represent more diversity in voices because basically 90 percent of our stations are owned locally or by relatively small companies," he says. But, he adds, "they are not big money makers because they are very small stations." To help improve the economic fortunes of low-power stations, station owners are lobbying for a bill in Congress that would require cable TV providers to carry so-called Class A low-power stations, those whose licenses prevent them from being shoved off their designated channel by a full-power station. Despite the hurdles involved, the specialized appeal of some local low-power stations have helped persuade cable providers to pick them up. Local cable systems carry Tampa's WRMD Telemundo affiliate, the Pinellas Schools' WPDS, St. Petersburg's WSPF, the Key Center's WYKE and the international programming of W48AY in each station's local market. Even with the extra exposure, low-powered stations have tenuous economics. W48AY in Oldsmar barely breaks even, according to the brothers who own it, Sotirios Agelatos, 56, and Angelos Angelatos, 51. (Natives of the Greek island of Chefalonia, the two brothers spell their last names differently.) W48AY broadcasts community-affairs programs it produces, as well as news from foreign sources, such as Canada's CTV, RAI of Italy and Deutsche Welle from Germany. But the bulk of the programming is in Greek, including news programs and soap operas pulled in via satellite from Greece. The station is a family affair: Sotirios is general manager and chief executive, Angelos is program director, and Sotirios' Canadian wife handles public relations and occasionally serves as an on-air host. The two brothers also own WPSO-AM 1500, a Greek-language radio station, and WXYB-AM 1520, which broadcasts foreign-language programming in Serbian, Polish, Hindu, Spanish, German and Italian. The radio stations' profits keep W48AY afloat, Sotirios says. W48AY's next move is to boost its signal from 47,000 watts to about 150,000 watts. Angelos laughs when asked when that might happen. "As soon as we get some money," he says. Bay area low-power TV stations WYKE-Ch. 49, Lecanto WPDS-Ch. 14, Largo WRMD-Ch. 49, Tampa WTAM-Ch.30, Tampa W48AY-Ch. 48, Oldsmar W24BF-Ch.24, St. Petersburg WSPF-Ch. 35, St. Petersburg WARP-Ch.20, St. Petersburg - Source: Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2002-2003, TheLPTVStore.com, staff (via Terry L Krueger, Clearwater, Florida, USA, 27.55.83 N, 82.46.08 W, DXLD) Visit my "Florida Low Power Radio Stations" at: http://home.earthlink.net/~tocobagadx/flortis.html ** U S A. Station carrying Phil Hendrie censured: see CANADA UNIDENTIFIED. 1635: Help? Around 6:30pm EDT last night, I had a carrier fading up and down on 1635. At first I thought it was perhaps a mixing product or image, but it faded up and down like a distant signal. Occasionally I could catch snippets of audio, sounded like a talk or sports talk show in English, possibly NY accent? Heard on Sony 2010 w/200 foot BOG aimed SW/NE. Any ideas? 73 and good DX (Bruce WB3HVV Collier, York, PA, Aug 8, IRCA via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 15075: 1023 Aug. 7. Strong, very distorted spur, only audible in FM mode. Latin program with popular music. Announcements in either Spanish or Portuguese language. I ruled out Rebelde on 5025, and heard nothing on 7537.5. Found no parallel audio on 19m, so I doubt it was a mixing product from that band. I've noted RCI spurs on or near this frequency, but this definitely did not sound like a RCI program or relay. Unable to ID. Abruptly off at 1035 (David Hodgson, TN, IC R75, 40m Windom, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ A CALL TO ARMS! I have seen a great deal of discussion on several ham related sites about the threat from BPL or Broadband over Power lines. There is a great deal to be concerned about. For those of you who haven't heard of this threat, and I hope all have heard by now, BPL is a method of delivering internet to end users by superimposing the signal over existing power lines. It operates in RF ranges from the low HF to low VHF spectrum. There is concern for SWL'ers as well as Amateur radio. Imagine, if you will, trying to DX your latest catch while fighting an unrelenting 10 over S9 'popcorn' and squawks and beeps noises. The FCC is accepting comments as to implementing BPL and there are already several test areas. The deadline is Aug. 20. There are several threads that are worth following that can be found at http://www.eham.net or http://www.qrz.com and a comprehensive study and videos available at http://www.arrl.org I suggest we all get involved NOW and learn all we can about BPL and do what we can to save our hobbies! de (W0TLO, John T. Mudd, swl at qth.net via DXLD) CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ IRCA CONVENTION REPORT --- Mike Sanburn - Bellflower, CA Our 40th annual IRCA convention was held as planned at the Best Western hotel in South Portland, Maine. The town was very picturesque with plenty to do and see. No sooner than I opened our meeting room, every bit of table space was covered with bumper stickers, catalogs, and other promotional goodies. A 4-hour sticker trading session took place between some of the dedicated decalcomania members. Our first scheduled event was the studio tour of nearby WGAN 560, WZAN 970, WBAE 1490, WPOR-FM, WYNZ-FM WMGX-FM. We were split into two groups and shown the entire operation. The program director joined in and gave us some technical 'shop talk'. Many took photographs of the station. After we were given some magnets and notepads, we said goodbye and headed off to the 1490 tower site across the street from the University of Southern Maine. The building that once housed WPOR on Baxter Street was now empty. The AM station is now known as "The Bay" playing the music-of-your-life nostalgia format with hosts Gary Owens, Johnny Magnus, and Wink Martindale. L. A. types will remember these guys from the old KMPC-710... We wondered just how much RF went into the Arby's Roast Beef stand next door. An impending thunderstorm never really materialized outside of loud static crashes on the Broadcast Band. Some of us went on to take a photo opportunity at the dual towers of WZAN-970 just south of our hotel location. We had time to take in some of the many fine local eateries. Our next scheduled event that evening featured our first guest speaker, an editor in Pop Comm magazine, DX News, and DX Audio Service, Mr. Bruce Conti. He gave us a thorough presentation on phasing techniques for BCB DX. For the second half of his presentation, we moved outside to the forested rear area of the hotel. Moving amongst the mosquitoes and fireflies we strung out two Beverage antennas at a right angle and connected them through a phasing unit to Bruce's Drake R-8. We quickly discovered that the conditions of this early summer night were very auroral with strong Venezuelan stations noted on 550, 750, and 760. Turks and Caicos 530 and Cuba 670 were also pouring in. A couple of Euro hets were even noted, and some picked up the Montreal X-bander on 1610 through the local Maine turnpike TIS. Nearby stations on 1490 and 560 were completely nulled revealing the DX to be had underneath. Many thanks to Bruce for putting on the demonstration! Our Saturday afternoon business meeting conducted by Phil Bytheway dealt with pressing issues dealing with DX Monitor publication. Reports were read concerning CPC program, finances, publicity, etc. This year's awards were announced. Congratulations to TVA winner Rich Toebe for the fine job he has done publishing the DX Monitor, and to RHA winner Phil Bytheway for all of his tireless efforts. Next on the agenda was our banquet, consisting of prime rib, salad, carrots, and cheesecake for desert. Our second guest speaker, Mr. Bob Bittner, owner/manager of WJIB-740/WJTO-730, spoke about his feeling regarding the recent Senate Bill allowing even greater multiple ownership of stations in a market and the lack of public service in radio today. Finally as always came our annual auction featuring loads of "stuff". Bidding was fast and furious. We grossed $381 for the club selling items such as a Hallicrafters communications receiver, tape recorder, coffee mugs, airchecks, T-shirts, books, CDs, and the always popular antenna weenie. Thanks to Steve Jarvis and Bob Wien for their help with the Maine event, and thanks to everybody who participated. I hope to host one again in a couple of years in Southern California. 73 In attendance: John Adams, OR Dan Benard, NH Bob Bittner, MA (guest speaker) Phil Bytheway, WA Bruce Conti, NH (guest speaker) Dave Gordon, CA Steve Howe, VT Dave Jones, TN Curtis McMenamin, CA Paul Mount-Richards, NJ Nigel Pimblett, AB Jim Reardon, MA Mike Sanburn, CA (host) Brent Taylor, NB Ernie Wesolowski, NE Bob Wien, CA (Nice Pix in PDF --- pb) The official Group Photo ********************************************************************** PRELIMINARY IRCA CONVENTION REPORT --- Bruce Conti - Nashua NH A similar report and photos will be published in the October edition of Popular Communications magazine. Photos are not the ones you see here. --RT The 2003 IRCA Convention got underway Friday afternoon in the hazy, hot, and humid weather with a tour of Saga Communications' Portland Radio Group; 560 WGAN (news/talk), 970 WZAN (talk/sports), 1490 WBAE (Music of Your Life), 93.1 WMGX (Hot AC), 100.9 WYNZ (oldies), and 101.9 WPOR (country). We were split into two groups for the tour. I was in the group led by Sara Dobbins, Promotions/Marketing Director, and 93.1 "MGX Scene" personality. We were introduced to "RJ" Rick Jordan, WPOR Program Director, as he was on the air at Today's Country 101.9 WPOR-FM. RJ explained how music files are "sound coded" so that the entire on-air music selection process is done by computer. For example, a Garth Brooks selection might be coded Garth, male, hat (he wears a cowboy hat), twang. Once the ratio of male to female artists, twang, classic, modern, hat and hatless, etc. is entered, the computer determines the rotation, and the songs are all in order and ready to play by touch screen. RJ was familiar with AM and FM DXing. He played two old WPOR AM jingles for us, resurrected for introducing classic country oldies. RJ told us about the recent upgrade to "Omni 06" processing in the air chain, and the installation of a new digital workstation in one of the production studios - the Pro Tools Control 24, featuring digital plug- ins modeling classic analog compressors. Select one of the old compressors, and its front panel would pop up on the screen. Sara moved us along to see the automated 970 WZAN studio; basically a walk-in closet studio/control room where the syndicated talk and news programs are broadcast on auto-pilot. Then we visited the more elaborate and spacious 560 WGAN studio, the local news flagship of the radio group. Chief Engineer Andy Armstrong wasn't in, so we only got a quick peek at "the racks" of equipment in the air chain between the studios and transmitter links. RJ and Sara indicated that Armstrong would be the person to contact about scheduling DX tests. After collecting souvenir fridge magnets and notepads, some of us departed for a quick photo shoot at the WBAE / WPOR antenna a short distance down the highway from the Portland Radio Group studio and office building. Next on the agenda was dinner. Phil Bytheway, Paul Mount, and I checked out the Outback Steakhouse in South Portland, the only one in the entire state of Maine according to Phil. The next scheduled event was a phasing presentation and demo. I fielded all sorts of questions about antennas, receivers, and phasing, while talking about phasing basics supplemented by various overhead projector graphics. Then we went outside to the woods in back of the convention hotel where two approximately 500-ft long wires were rolled out to the east and south. The MWDX-5 LC-tank passive phasing unit was demonstrated with a Drake R8B receiver. Probably most impressive was the ability to null out 1490 WBAE despite the transmitter site located only four miles or so down the road. We could clearly hear two unidentified stations on 1490, one in Spanish, with WBAE nulled out. Tuning in 750 RCR Venezuela and 760 RCN Colombia was a piece of cake. 1110 Venezuela was also strong although subdued by a WCEC open carrier. Reception conditions were definitely different than what had been typical over the past few weeks. For example, where 640 kHz had been dominated by Radio Guadeloupe, only Cuba was present. Transaltlantic DX was difficult. The A index was up, with auroral conditions indicated by the absence of WWV on 5000 kHz with the Venezuela time station alone on the frequency. There was some audio detected from 891 Algeria during local sunset, but otherwise only hets detected. Although some hets at the low end such as 549, 612, and 621 kHz were strong, once the domestics were nulled, what remained of the transatlantic signals was buried in local thunderstorm noise as a cold front was passing through the region. Host Mike Sanburn had a transmitter hunt scheduled for Saturday, followed by the business meeting, banquet with guest speaker Bob Bittner of WJIB and WJTO, and the auction. Plenty of bumper stickers were on display and being traded among the DecalcoMania group. Thanks to Mike for the opportunity to meet some IRCA members for the first time and demonstrate some east coast DXing. It was some fun! (IRCA Soft DX Monitor Aug 9 via DXLD) SPEND LABOR DAY WEEKEND AT THE NRC CONVENTION John Callarman sends word that it will be held from August 29-31 at the Holiday Inn Select DFW Airport South, 4440 Airport Freeway, Irving, TX 75062. Call the hotel at 1-800-360-2242 or 972-399-1010. The hotel's website is: http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/HI/hd/dfwso?irs=y Room rates are $69.00 single or double occupancy ONLY. Rate guaranteed Thursday August 28 through Monday, September 1, 2003. Please make reservations by August 15. The hotel is minutes from DFW airport and provides shuttle service to and from the airport. Registration is $45/member, $70 member and spouse. Mail registration to: Bill Hale 6124 Roaring Springs Drive North Richland Hills, TX 76180-5552 Again, register by August 15. Or, go to http://www.nrcdxas.org and click on "Convention." You can register using PayPal! (via IRCA Soft DX Monitor via DXLD) MUSEA +++++ NAMES IN THE NEWS: A WEB PAGE FOR NIKOLA TESLA HISTORIANS In the world of electronics and telecommunications, inventor Nikola Tesla was one of the more mysterious of our early technological pioneers. His experiments and demonstrations caused some to believe he was a genius, while others had to wonder if he was engaged in witchcraft. Much of what he wrote nearly a century ago still evades our understanding. If you`re intrigued by the man and his specific visionary approaches to physics, you can visit his selected writings at http://www.tfcbooks.com/tesla/contents.htm (CGC via Amateur Radio Newsline Aug 8 via JOIhn Norfolk, DXLD) INTRUDER WATCH ++++++++++++++ INTRUDER WATCH: MORE CB`ERS ON 10 METERS Sunspots activity may be down but that`s not keeping rogue CBers and other intruders off the 10 meter band and spectrum nearby. Q-News reports that while normal ham radio activity on the 21, 24 and 28 MHz bands is down, occasional openings of the 10 meter band shows a number of unlicensed long line fishing net beacons in operation. Also being heard is Citizens Band radio type traffic in the band. Q-News also says that CODAR pulse transmissions in the region 24.950 To 24.995 MHz are continuing and are sill unidentified (Q-News via AR Newsline Aug 8 via John Norfolk, DXLD) PROPAGATION ++++++++++++ CUMBRE DX PROPAGATION REPORT A few M class flares over the past week once again. Coronal hole effects kept the solar wind speed elevated and he geomagnetic field disturbed until Aug 2. The earth entered another stream on Aug 6 which is now expected to decline over the next day or so. During these periods the geomagnetic field has been at times in active-storm conditions. Another wind stream will start to affect us about Aug 12- 16. During these times propagation conditions will be poor at mid-high latitudes. The geomagnetic field is currently at minor storm levels in parts of the Australian region. Prepared using data from http://www.ips.gov.au (Richard Jary, SA, Aug 8, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ### |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-141, August 7, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser, ghauser@hotmail.com Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3h.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn WRN ONDEMAND [from Fri]: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1194.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1194.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1194h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1194h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1194.html NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1194: RFPI: Fri 1930, Sat 0130, 0700, 1400, 1730, 2330, Sun 0530, 1130, 1830, Mon 0030, 0630, 1230, Tue 1900, Wed 0100, 0730, 1330 on 7445 [nominal times subject to pre-emption or delay] WWCR: Sat 1030, Sun 0230 5070, 0630 3210, Wed 0930 9475 WINB: Sun 0031 12160 WBCQ: Mon 0415 7415 MUNDO RADIAL nueva emisión de agosto, a partir del 12 de agosto en WWCR 15825: martes 2130, miércoles 2100, viernes 2115; en segmentos por Radio Enlace en Radio Nederland los viernes y domingos (Corriente) http://www.k4cc.net/mr0308.ram (Bajable) http://www.k4cc.net/mr0308.rm (Texto) http://www.worldofradio.com/mr0308.html DX PROGRAMS updated: http://www.worldofradio.com/dxpgms.html WOR/COM/MR RADIO SCHEDULES: http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html MASTER TIME SCHEULE: http://www.worldofradio.com/wormast.html UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS Hallo, bdxc-ers, ik ontvang regelmatig een bericht met als onderwerp dx listening digest. Ik weet niet waarom ik die berichten krijg, wat de herkomst ervanis en welke waarde ze hebben. Maken ze deel uit van deze mailing list? groeten (Aad Leeflang, Rotterdam, the Netherlands Aug 5, BDXC topica list via DXLD) Ik neem aan dat je de dagelijkse (?) mailtjes bedoelt waarin de onderwerpen van Glenn Hauser's DX-programma vermeld zijn? Ja, die komen via de list, al weet ik niet wie ze erop zet - ik veronderstel Glenn zelf, hij is ook lid van onze mailing list tenslotte. Als je de links volgt in de betreffende mailtjes kom je vanzelf bij zijn Digest: een ongelooflijke hoeveelheid DX-informatie (Frank, ibid.) ** ALASKA. ALASKA AMATEUR DEBUTS EXPERIMENTAL 136-KHZ BEACON http://www2.arrl.org/news/stories/2003/08/07/2/?nc=1 NEWINGTON, CT, Aug 7, 2003 -- An Alaska amateur has launched a beacon on 136 kHz under an FCC Part 5 experimental license. Laurence Howell, KL1X (ex-GM4DMA), reports his WD2XDW CW beacon from Anchorage (BP41xd) has been on the air in shakedown mode daily from 1500 to 0500 UTC at 137.77389 kHz. It will go live 24/7 starting August 9 at 0100 UTC. Howell ran the beacon all night for the first time August 5, checking for hot components and making sure the forced-air cooling for the MOSFET transmitter and toroidal inductors was sufficient. "A lot of experimenters are still reeling after the recent refusal by the FCC to allow a 136-kHz allocation to the Amateur Service," Howell told ARRL. "This Part 5 license approval is most welcomed by the experimental community." In a Report and Order in ET Docket 02-98, the FCC in May unexpectedly turned down ARRL's petition to grant 135.7 to 137.8 kHz to amateurs. In its denial, the FCC cited arguments put forth by power companies that amateur operation in the vicinity of 136 kHz might interfere with power line carrier (PLC) systems used by electrical utilities to control the power grid. The ARRL expressed its disappointment at the news, noting that several European countries already have LF allocations in the vicinity of 136 kHz. The WD2XDW beacon is being used for propagation experimentation within the US and to check transpolar propagation to Europe on paths over the high Arctic. It's transmitting very slow-speed CW -- so- called "QRSS" transmissions of one dit every six seconds -- at up to 2 W ERP. The beacon's antenna is a 32-meter (105 feet) wire vertical with a capacity top hat, about 1 mH of base-loading inductance -- a 14-inch diameter solenoid coil -- and a killer ground system that covers several acres. For starters, close in it has a 100-by-100 feet buried chicken wire mesh complemented by 110 40-meter radials, four 25-meter radials with 8-foot ground rods at the ends and four 4-meter radials with ground rods at the base. Rounding out the ground system are four 550-meter radials -- approximately a quarter wavelength on 137 kHz -- with ground rods at their ends. The homebrew transmitter, capable of 400 W output, will put 2 A of RF current into the antenna system, which -- despite the extensive ground system -- remains pretty lossy at LF. Howell says the fact that the antenna is "nested" in the midst of Kincaid Park forest contributes to additional losses. On the plus side, the site is on a spit that juts into Cook Inlet, so, as Howell put it, "the signal does have good possibilities." While he's received no reports to date, he expects his first to come from Steve McDonald, VE7SL, in British Columbia, some 2200 km to the south. Europe is more than 7000 km away, and, Howell says, "can be a tortuous path through/under/over/around the Auroral Oval, twice or once dependent on the state of the sun." Howell notes that Alaska is still in a period of 24-hour daylight, but he expects things to heat up on LF in late September or early October when openings to Europe may be possible. Experimenters use software such as Argo to "copy" the weak-signal LF transmissions. Howell said he hopes his beacon and "others in the pipeline" will promote a better understanding of complex propagation modes associated with what he termed "this fascinating part of the spectrum." "New low-signal detection modes, algorithms, transmitting modes, aerial designs/results are making me -- licensed since 1974 -- feel like a novice!" Howell said. Howell's experimental license is good until August 1, 2005. Just how long the WD2XDW LF beacon will remain on the air from Alaska is up in the air, however. Howell says his time in The Land of the Midnight Sun is drawing to a close, and he'll either move back to the UK or elsewhere in the US. He says he hopes if he remains in the US he'll be able to move the beacon with him to his new location. Copyright © 2003, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved. (via John Norfolk, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ANGUILLA. Caribbean Beacon, a.k.a. 24/7 Dr Gene Scott, has been missing for about a week as of August 8, from both its frequencies, 11775 daytime and 6090 nighttime, possiblizing the escuchance of diverse other emitters on and around those channels, such as BRAZIL as someone first reported, and I also heard some Portuguese around 0130. Fortunately, as we also reported a few issues ago, R. Anguilla is now on the web, providing some genuine island culture and info, such as local news at 2305 (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1194, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. NEW RADIO INFORMATION SERVICE LAUNCHED IN NT http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s919670.htm Last Update: Thursday, August 7, 2003. 6:36pm (AEST) An Aboriginal-run organisation says a new short-wave radio service for people living in north-east Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory will allow them to easily access important information. The service started this week, giving the 7,000 Yolgnu people living in the region the chance to gain information on issues, such as health, in their own language. Richard Trudgen from Aboriginal Resource and Development Services says listeners can also ring the studio and ask for information they want to be broadcast. Mr Trudgen says it is an easy and quick way to get information across (via Kim Elliott, DXLD) WTFK?? That`s the entire story. Along the lines of the outback radio schools and RFDS, I suppose (gh, DXLD) NEW ETHNIC SHORTWAVE BROADCASTER ON AIR IN AUSTRALIA The Aboriginal Resource and Development Services Inc. (ARDS) has commenced transmissions on shortwave from a transmitter at Humpty Doo, near Darwin, in Australia`s Northern Territory. This is sending a signal across north-east Arnhem Land on 5050 kHz. ARDS says that over the next two months it will be fine tuning the broadcasting system, designed to serve the Yolngu people of north-east Arnhem Land in their own language in a culturally-friendly listening environment. The Radio Service will use a concept developed in Africa called "Radio Browsing". This is where listeners can ring the studio to ask for information they want to hear over the radio. Radio staff research the information via the web and/or other sources and develop a programme to put to air. It also allows listeners to be directly involved in the development of programmes. A Yolngu person within the region and a radio announcer/interpreter can have a discussion with a doctor in Darwin about diabetes using a three-way telephone connection. This discussion would all be recorded and then later broadcast via the radio service. Radio Browsing allows people to stay in their own homes and access all sorts of information, all in their own language. According to ARDS, the Yolngu suffer from one of the highest death rates in Australia, they have lost almost all of their traditional economic enterprises to English-speaking Australians, and they suffer extremely high levels of unemployment. They are losing control of their communities, substance abuse and suicides are on the rise, and education and training are failing. ARDS says that a radio service is the only way it can effectively deliver the information and community education necessary for the Yolngu people to regain control over their own lives. More information on the station can be found on the ARDS Web site http://www.ards.com.au/ (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 7 August 2003 via DXLD) ** AUSTRIA. No he podido captar más a Radio Austria Internacional en español. Mi última captación fue el 22/07 (23/07 universal), a la 0100 y 0130 UT. Luego de la 0115 venía un servicio en inglés y a la 0130 se reanudaba la emisión con un documental leído (esta vez) por Isabel Miró. He tratado por 9870 kHz y no he tenido éxito (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRIA. For a totally different kind of music, now there`s ORF on 6155. On one side, R. Austria International has sadly disappeared from the frequency; on the other, we can now enjoy the all-day relay of Österreich 1 which has many programmes of good classical music. On Sunday mornings, I`ve also heard the news in English and French at about 0605 (Stefano Valianti, Italy, Southern European Report, Aug BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** CANADA. Last Wednesday, July 30th, 2003 at 1030 ADT (0930 EDT) CFAN's AM transmitter on 790 kHz was powered down as the shift to 99.3 "The River" on FM was completed. MORE VANISHING CANADIANS - CFAN NOW GONE FROM 790 CFAN has finally gone dark on 790, netting me my first non-CFAN catch on 790 ever, 1000 Watt CFNW in Port-au-Choix, Newfoundland - in broad daylight from Escuminac, NB. Port au Choix is actually up the Burin Peninsula about half way, so that's a distance of 420 miles for a crow. Not bad for a 1000 watter on a car radio. Same distance as Boston from Escuminac. It was a regular there on the Gulf coast, as are over a half dozen other low- and moderate-powered western Newfoundland stations. I'm preparing a daytime bandscan report from that camping trip to Escuminac which I will submit in the next day or so. It is about a sesquihour from my home in Doaktown - about 70 miles. Five provinces are audible from that site, and I was most impressed with the volume and strength of the Newfoundland stations (Brent Taylor, Doaktown, NB, Aug 4, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** CANADA. CHEV-1610, TORONTO ON, STILL ALIVE ON PAPER A few months ago we had a discussion regarding CHEV-1610 Toronto ON. It seems that on paper at least they are still alive, as they applied for a renewal of their license which was granted today by the CRTC: http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2003/db2003-358.htm The renewal however is good only to the end of June 2004 by which time they have to cease operation or apply for a frequency change as 1610 will be required for the new AM in Toronto. 73, (Deane McIntyre VE6BPO, Calgary, Aug 5, NRC-AM via DXLD) I think we can stick a fork in CHEV. They're not coming back. But if they do resurrect their itinerant local sports format, they should haul their portable transmitter to the Skydome. The Toronto Argo-nots need a flagship. They couldn't afford to continue on MOJO-640. The Argos are so financially strapped that the CFL revoked the franchise and is now operating the team, while seeking new ownership - a proposal was even put out to play in London, ON next year! http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/news_story.asp?id=49486 What do the CHEV calls mean? While Canadian calls are somewhat limited by the second letter having to be either F, H, I, J, or K, I'm guessing that they picked "CHEV" either because the original owner was also the proud owner of a 409, BelAir, Nomad, Stingray, (or even a Stovebolt Six), or to honour CBC sportscaster Don Chevrier. 73 (Mike Brooker, Toronto, ON, ibid.) My guess is "EVent"... Semi-dumb question: why not CG-? (Doug Smith, W9WI, ibid.) Reserved for `Canadian Government` utilities? (gh, DXLD) ** CHAD. Africa DX Report - Livinus Torty, with a special report on the current radio scene in the African country of Chad. THE RADIO SCENE IN CHAD: The country of Chad is situated in the heart of the African continent. The total land mass of Chad is about one and a quarter million square kilometers. Most of the northern areas of Chad are desert. The history of Chad goes back a long way and it was an important segment of several large African empires on several earlier occasions. In the 1800s, European explorers and traders moved through the area and the French gained access to the territory with a formal treaty that was signed in 1897. Chad finally gained independence from France on August 11, 1960. Chad has a population of nearly eight million inhabitants with roughly six persons per square kilometer. The languages spoken in Chad include French & Arabic as well as a host of vernacular languages. The capital city is N`Djamena (n-JAH-men-a) and it is also the largest city in the nation with a population of half a million. The national radio of Chad is ``Radiodiffusion Nationale Tchadienne``, RNT, with its headquarters in N`Djamena and it was established in November 1955. RNT is government owned and it is the only body permitted to broadcast in Chad on the shortwave and mediumwave bands. Radiodiffusion Nationale broadcasts to the entire country of Chad on the shortwave frequency of 6165 kHz via its 100 kW transmitter located in Gredia, a suburb of the capital city N`Djamena. RNT is also active in N`Djamena on the FM frequency of 94.05 MHz. RNT has also established four regional stations which broadcast occasionally on mediumwave but are now more active on the FM band. These stations produce local programs in various languages for their audiences living in the various regions. However, the regional stations also carry the major programs from RNT N`Djamena on relay, such as the national news and other major features. In 1999, the government of Chad liberalized broadcasting on the FM band thereby making it possible for groups and individuals to establish FM stations in Chad. Today, besides the government owned RNT FM station, three local non-government controlled FM stations can be heard in N`Djamena. Also heard in N`Djamena are the local downlink relays on FM from several other countries. These FM relay stations include Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV), Africa No.1 from Gabon, RFI Afrique from France, and the BBC African Service. There are half a dozen other privately owned FM stations in Chad, mostly in the south of the country. Radio broadcasting is crucial for the dissemination of information in Chad. It is the main source for news and entertainment right throughout the country for most people due to the fact that the national television station in Chad, ``Teletchad``, is available only in the capital city area. As a finale to this DX report from Livinus Torty in Chad, we might mention that it seems to be very difficult in obtaining a QSL from the shortwave station in their capital city. The AWR collection in Indianapolis contains not even one QSL from Chad (AWR Wavescan Aug 10 via DXLD) ** CHECHNYA [non]. A very strong signal is noted on 173 kHz LW with the Free Chechnya program (``Chechnya Svabodnaya`` at 0800 UT, almost noon here, and at 1900 --- the broadcast is in Russian with Caucasus accent (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, MW Report, Aug BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** CHINA. Glenn, New morning CRI German service 0500-0700 is clear on 17690 S=9 (TRT Turkish to FE/Pac in background, but latter low level), but CRI German broadcast suffers heavy co-channel QRM on 15215 kHz - also strong S=9, but QRM I=4, this channel selection is VERY BAD. CRI German service uses their superpower site at Urumchi, Xinjiang/East Turkestan, 500 kW at 308 degrees. 15215 co-channel interference in 5-7 UT time span: -- Iran in Russian, -- DW Wertachtal in Turkish, -- South Africa in English and Portuguese (Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany, Aug 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COLOMBIA. Estación Ondas de "Orteguasa" (no sé si se escribe así) [Orteguaza] captada el 05/08, a las 2258 UT, en 4975 kHz, con un discurso religioso. Himno nacional e identificación a las 2300. "HJAU 1160 kHz (?), HJKA 4975, desde Florencia, Caquetá". Fuera del aire a las 2304. SINPO 4/3. Saludos y buen DX (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COSTA RICA. Glenn, In case you weren't aware of it, RFPI has been stopping scheduled programming between 0300 and 0500 for a live program talking about the problems at the station. They're doing it again tonight and are on now (John H. Carver Jr., mid-North Indiana, 0309 UT Aug 6, WORLD OF RADIO 1194, DX LISTENING DIGEST) But this night I think it finished earlier (gh, DXLD) COSTA RICA: RADIO PARA LA PAZ SE NIEGA A SALIR DE UNIVERSIDAD SAN JOSE - La Universidad para la Paz (UPaz), afiliada a las Naciones Unidas y con sede en Costa Rica, se encuentra en medio de una polémica luego que la Radio para la Paz Internacional rechazara abandonar sus instalaciones ubicadas dentro del campus del centro. La Radio dijo en un comunicado divulgado el viernes que el abogado de la UPaz, Luis Varela, les envió una nota en que solicitaba el cierre de la emisora antes del 4 de agosto. Según el semanario en inglés Tico Times, la Universidad reclama a la radio el uso ilegal de frecuencias radiales y una deuda por 14.000 dólares por los servicios de teléfono e internet. "Hay asuntos entre ambas instituciones que requieren ser resueltos, pero no creemos que estos problemas ameritan una orden de desalojo. Quisiéramos poder negociar abierta y pacíficamente con UPAZ", manifestó la entidad a través del boletín. La notificación de desalojo fue dada a conocer por Varela mediante una carta que envió al ex presidente costarricense Rodrigo Carazo, quien también fue miembro fundador de la Universidad y figura en la junta directiva de la radio. La AP intentó conocer la versión de la Universidad, pero en la sede remitieron al abogado Varela, quien no respondió la llamada a su oficina. El director de la Radio, James Latham, dijo a Tico Times que hasta el momento no han recibido ninguna notificación oficial sobre el desalojo. El comunicado de la Radio destacó que el edificio que ocupa la radio no pertenece a la UPaz, ya que "fue construido con fondos recibidos de radioescuchas alrededor del mundo". Denunció además que el 21 de julio las autoridades de la Universidad colocaron un candado en el portón de entrada de la Radio, dejando al personal encerrado. "Luego de varias horas, los guardas armados de la UPaz cedieron y dejaron salir a los trabajadores para sacar sus carros, pero el portón permanece con un candado", detalló el boletín (AP Aug 1 via Héctor García Bojorge, DF, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** COSTA RICA. TALKS LIKELY FOR UNIVERSITY AND RADIO FOR PEACE By the A.M. Costa Rica staff The University for Peace has asked to negotiate with Radio for Peace International to defuse a growing legal battle over the presence of the radio station on the university`s Ciudad Colón campus. Luis A. Varela Quirós, a lawyer working for the university, sent a letter to Rodrigo Carazo Odio, the former Costa Rican president who also is a former president of the University for Peace, a United Nations affiliate. Varela said that he hoped to meet Aug. 11 to begin negotiations with the radio station. Carazo has supported the radio station. The Radio for Peace International is a separate non-profit organization that raises its own funds and built its own building on the university campus. On July 21, Varela, in the name of the university, gave the station two weeks to leave. The radio station, in turn, went over the head of Martin Lees, university rector, last weekend and sought support from the 17-member University for Peace Council, the organization`s supreme authority. Members come from many countries. Some 10 members are named by the secretary general of the United Nations. Radio for Peace officials believe that the council was unaware of the eviction effort by Rector Lees. James Latham, chief executive officer of the shortwave radio station, said in a letter that he, too, hoped that people can co-exist peacefully and solve their differences without resorting to force. The text of the letter to Lees was made public. "Furthermore," said Latham, "we condemn the hostile acts of your employees; specifically the padlocking of our independent main access gates, effectively impeding entrance and exit to workers in their everyday transit to work." Radio for Peace International spokesmen said they were not exactly sure that Varela has the power to order an eviction because he showed no credentials and the eviction notice was not signed by Lees. Varela said in his letter that the university would take no legal action while negotiations are taking place. The university has said, and the station agrees, that the university is owed money. The radio station is an international voice supporting the United Nations. It has been transmitting programs on peace, social justice and human rights issues since 1987, the station notes. Arcelio Hernández, a San José lawyer, is representing the radio station in the dispute (AM Costa Rica, via Lisa, http://www.saverfpi.org Aug 5 via WORLD OF RADIO 1194, DXLD) Martin Lees, Rector, University for Peace Dear Mr. Lees, There is something strange going on at the University for Peace. I hope you can help clarify the situation. RFPI seems to be unaware of the nature of the current problem. As you know, Radio For Peace International was established at the university in 1987 at the invitation of former Costa Rican president Rodrigo Carazo Odio. I have seen a copy of what purports to be a letter from Francisco Barahona, Vice-Rector of the University for Peace giving RFPI authorization to construct "a new transmitting building and antenna system on the campus of the University for Peace", and granting RFPI exclusive rights to use them. Please confirm or deny that such a letter is genuine. It appears to me that this would be within his powers. If he exceeded his authority, please explain. Also, the time to raise such issues would be when RFPI began construction, and failing to do so would imply consent. Considering the brevity of the letter I would think that a transmitting building would include the building required to produce or prepare the programming to be transmitted. I am informed that on 21 July {UPaz} locked the gates to the studio, posted an armed guard, and ordered it to vacate the facility within two weeks without even discussing any problems that could give rise to such an action. I see two fundamental issues, First by what authority at the University was this action taken? According to article 12.1(e) of the University Charter you are the legal representative of the University and should have the answer to that question. The second even more serious issue is that according to Article 1 the University for Peace is an international institution of higher education for peace. I have reproduced a section from your web site as a reminder. Peace occurs on all levels, between individual people, between organizations within states, and between states. What conflict resolution efforts were made by the University before it demanded that RFPI vacate it's buildings? How is locking the gate and posting an armed guard consistent with "new approaches to peace- building and conflict resolution"? I have searched http://www.upeace.org for any references to RFPI and found none. If this is the quality of your conflict resolution, reduced funding would seem to be in order. And what problems exist which might serve to justify the action? As far as I can determine, the University for Peace has not disclosed any problems with RFPI that would even partly justify this action. This appears to me to be an irrational behavior on the part of the University for Peace and is incompatible with a mission to settle conficts peacefully (Wayne Robey, Lafayette, Indiana USA, Aug 5, http://www.saverfpi.org via DXLD) ** CUBA. Radio Habana Cuba con excelente señal 5/5, en 11875 kHz, las 0405 UT, el 06/08. Señal marcaba +40 dB. ¿Será un transmisor nuevo? (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ECUADOR [and non]. Checking the DXPL website as late as 0300 UT Fri Aug 8, I find that altho I first heard it last Thursday at 2000 on WWCR 15825, the first DXPL of August still isn`t available to download or stream. The frequency for Tue at 0830 on the homepage I mentioned before has been corrected, and *finally* the DXPL schedule page has been updated --- but only for HCJB Ecuador & Australia, no mention of WWCR or WINB!! Since the direct URL for DX Partyline`s welcome page is now unbelievably unrememberable and complex, http://www.hcjb.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=173&page=1 I have created a Tiny URL for it: http://tinyurl.com/j7g7 Too bad the random alphanumerics didn`t come up /dxpl! You`re welcome O o, this Thursday Aug 7 at 2000 on WWCR 15825, it`s a replay of last week`s August 2 show, rather than an advance of the August 9 show. Now arrives the printed August WWCR schedule, showing some changes for DXPL: Sat 1430 12160, Sun 0200 5070, Tue 0930 9475, Wed 0830 3210, Thu 2000 15825 (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1194, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUADELOUPE. Emisora en 640 OM, en francés, golpea bastante a Porteñas 640, acá en Venezuela. A las 0413 UT del 05/08, practicamente anulaba a la venezolana (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Presumed ID by gh 640, R. Guadeloupe, Point-à-Pitre, AUG 4, 2357 - Good; mix of French and English Caribbean music, RFO news at the top of the hour, over Unión Radio Venezuela (Bruce Conti, Camden ME; Drake R8B, MWDX-5, wires 75-m east (100 ) and 150-m south (180 ). DXpedition, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** HONDURAS. Radio Litoral en los 4830.06 kHz, el 05/08, a las 0447 UT. Si no fuera porque Radio Táchira lleva "siglos" fuera del aire, la hubiese confudido con ésta última. Usualmente Radio Litoral están 2 kHz más arriba (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. INDIA CELEBRATES ITS INDEPENDENCE DAY ON AUGUST 15 All India Radio will broadcast a running commentary of the Flag Hoisting Ceremony to be held at Red Fort, New Delhi between 0135-0240 UT on August 15, 2003 as follows: English: 4860 & 6030 (Kingsway, Delhi), 9810 (Aligarh), 13620 (Bangalore), 15050 (Khampur, Delhi) Hindi: 6155, 11830 & 15135 (Kingsway, Delhi), 9595 & 11620 (Khampur, Delhi) (Note: Khampur and Kingsway are the two SW transmitter sites in Delhi.) All stations of AIR will relay this commentary. Due to this there will be some changes in the External Services of Nepali, Pushtu, Urdu on that day as follows: Urdu Service on 6155, 9595 & 11620 will carry Commentary in Hindi. 9810 will be cancelled for Nepali Service at 0130-0230. 13620 will be cancelled for Pushtu Service The Home Service news in various languages will be broadcast later than usual, after the commentary is over. The Regional SW stations will come up on their daytime frequencies about an hour earlier in most cases (leaving their morning frequencies also earlier). The proposed schedule changes of Regional Stations are as follows: Bhopal 50 kw : 3315 0025-0100, 7180 0115-0405 Chennai 50 kw : 4920 0015-0255, 7160 0310-0415 Hyderabad 50 kw : 4800 0025-0115, 7140 0130-0430 Imphal 50 kw : 4775 0025-0115, 7150 0130-0430 Kolkata 50 kw : 4820 0025-0115, 7210 0130-0400 Port Blair 10 kw : 4760 2325-0115, 7115 0130-0345 Shimla 50 kw : 6020 0045-0400 Srinagar 50 kw : 6110 0025-0445 Thiruvanathapuram 50 kw : 5010 0020-0115, 7290 0130-0400 So watch out for these special broadcasts from AIR Home Service on 15th August 2003. 73 (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS/AT0J, dx_india via WORLD OF RADIO 1194, DXLD) ** INDIA. Item below mentions a 24-hour AIR shortwave news channel... PTI [TUESDAY, AUGUST 05, 2003 11:22:40 PM] NEW DELHI: Doordarshan is likely to launch a news channel in November, Prasar Bharati CEO K S Sarma said on Tuesday. He said the process of recruitment of anchors and correspondents was expected to start after August 15, by when Prasar Bharati hoped to get the Finance Ministry's nod for the Rs100 crore budget of DD News. He said music writers, lyricists and composers and not just music companies would be paid royalty. He also said that AIR, which has earned Rs.40 crore revenue in the first quarter of 2003-04 against Rs.20 crore during last year's corresponding period, was going to launch a 24-hour news channel on the short wave frequency. . . http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=115095 73 (Kim Elliott, Aug 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAN. Recent broadcasting schedule of IRIB, Iran, Bengali service may create some confusion among South Asian Bengali listeners. As per their schedule there is a transmision on 11710 kHz at 0830-0930 UT but it is directed to countries in border of Persian gulf. IRIB broadcasts for a lot of Bengali people living in Arabic countries. IRIB external Bengali service picks up lot of mails from those countries. Thanks (Swopan Chakroborty, Kolkata, India, Aug 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRAQ. VOICE OF FREE IRAQ WALKS OUT ON US Brian Whitaker, Tuesday August 05 2003, The Guardian A broadcaster who became known as "the voice of free Iraq" after the fall of Saddam Hussein has walked out of his job, saying the United States is losing the propaganda war. Failure to invest in the new Iraqi broadcasting service means foreign channels are gaining popularity at the expense of the US, Ahmed al-Rikabi, the American- appointed director of TV and radio said yesterday. "The people of Iraq, including the Sunni Muslims, are not about to turn against their liberators, but they are being incited to do so. These [foreign] channels contribute to tension within Iraq," he said. Saddam is scoring propaganda successes over the Americans by sending audio tapes to Arab satellite channels, Mr Rikabi continued. "Saddam is doing better at marketing himself, through al-Jazeera and al- Arabiyya channels," he said, referring to the deposed Iraqi leader's recent messages which have been broadcast throughout the Middle East. Last April Mr Rikabi, who had been head-hunted by the Americans, announced the overthrow of the Iraqi regime from a tent near Baghdad airport. Many Iraqis still recall his exact words: "Welcome to the new Iraq. Welcome to an Iraq without Saddam, Uday or Qusay." He then helped to recruit a team of journalists that started TV transmissions lasting up to 16 hours a day. But the channel was dogged by a lack of money and resources. The station was provided with only three studio cameras and five portable cameras, Mr Rikabi said. For the five portable cameras, they were allowed only 10 rechargeable batteries lasting 15 minutes each. The best-paid journalist got a salary of $120 a month, compared with the minimum of $500 a month paid by other Arab networks, he added. There was also a clothing allowance for newsreaders, but only to clothe the visible top half of their bodies. Stephen Claypole, who was a public affairs adviser to Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad, said: "It's very typical of everything the Americans get involved in. They announce large budgets and the money is never released." Copyright Guardian Newspapers Limited (via Bill Westenhaver, WORLD OF RADIO 1194, DXLD) SWEDISH HEAD OF IRAQI BROADCASTING SERVICE RESIGNS | Text of report by Swedish SVT Europa TV on 6 August [Presenter] After just four months as head of television for the new Iraq, Swede Ahmad Al-Rikabi is leaving his job. He feels that the US- led coalition is not giving the media any support and that they do not understand how important an independent press is. [Al-Rikabi] It became impossible to continue working without resources and without support. We needed cameras, we needed lots of television equipment which is still not available. [Reporter] What were the consequences of not getting this technical support? [Al-Rikabi] The consequences were that we had lost the war to other stations such as Al-Jazeera. Al-Jazeera and other Arabic networks have won the Iraqi viewers and this is something which may have serious consequences as the sponsors of those channels do not want to see a democratic Iraq. [Reporter] What was it you wanted to show on your television channel which you couldn't? [Al-Rikabi] In Iraq there are lots of rumours, including that American soldiers carry [word(s) indistinct] which show naked women, there are other rumours that American soldiers hand out substances to Iraqi children which will prevent them from having children in future. There are lots of rumours which must be countered and the truth which has been lost in several instances must be shown. [Reporter] What is happening with the television channel today? [Al-Rikabi] I see the channel simply carrying more [word indistinct] and figures and parts of news conferences without meeting the needs of the Iraqi viewer. Source: SVT Europa TV, Stockholm, in Swedish 1000 gmt 6 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** IRAQ. IRAQ/USA: HEAD OF US-BACKED IRAQI TV QUITS | Text of editorial analysis by Peter Feuilherade of BBC Monitoring's Media Services on 6 August The head of US-backed Iraqi TV, Ahmad al-Rikabi, has resigned, complaining that inadequate funding prevented the station from competing with rival channels from Iran and the Gulf states. Rikabi announced his decision on 1 August to his bosses at the Iraqi Media Network (IMN), according to international news agencies. The IMN, with about 320 employees, operates a national TV channel, two radio stations and Al-Sabah (Morning) newspaper. It is part of the Coalition Provisional Authority administering the country since the overthrow of Saddam Husayn's regime on 9 April. "The US didn't really succeed in countering the propaganda of such anti-coalition networks as Al-Jazeera in Qatar," Rikabi told the Associated Press (AP). He complained that inadequate funding, equipment and training for staff members had left the IMN unable to deliver "objective news - the truth - presented in the proper way". The network was only able to broadcast for 16 hours a day, compared with 24-hour reports from Al-Jazeera and Iran's Al-Alam channel, which he conceded were attracting growing audiences inside Iraq. "Saddam Husayn is doing better at marketing himself, through Al- Jazeera and [UAE-based] Al-Arabiya Gulf channels," Rikabi said, referring to broadcasts on those channels of audio tapes believed to be from the former Iraqi leader. "If Saddam and his supporters didn't think such broadcasts were beneficial to their cause, they wouldn't use them... I have no doubt that there is a hidden message in the broadcasts by several Arabic networks inciting Iraqis to resist the push toward democracy," he told AP. Iraqis not drawn to IMN TV [subhead] Reports from journalists in Baghdad in recent weeks concurred that few Iraqis watched the Iraqi Media Network television. In June the London-based Institute for War and Peace Reporting, a media think tank that trains local journalists in crisis zones, published a report which said, in part: "Bitter rivalry between the US State Department and Department of Defense have led to an absence of strategy, bad hiring practices and purchasing, and debilitating internal dispute. TV programming, in particular, has been poor." The IMN sees itself as an interim body with the job of building new infrastructure, training journalists and laying the foundation of a public media policy, according to its officials. But it has come in for criticism from several media freedom watchdogs. A report in July by the Paris-based organization Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) suggested that the aims of the IMN should be clarified, "because it can no longer remain a hybrid body that is both a media group and a temporary government ministry. Should it become a public media outlet, an information or communication ministry, a regulatory agency or a government media policy think-tank? Although only an interim body, its goals and powers need to be spelt out clearly - and probably redefined - as soon as possible." Index on Censorship was more critical. Its associate editor Rohan Jayasekera wrote: "Now this bumbling behemoth is going after all the functioning local broadcast media that set up across the country using old state equipment abandoned after the fall of Saddam. "Rough but perfectly serviceable Iraqi stations are being swallowed up or chased off air by IMN, which says it merely wants to reclaim equipment that is legally theirs. Iraqi broadcasters outside the IMN loop are scathing about IMN's own broadcast record, but appear powerless to stop IMN from having its way." The debate about the IMN's role and the extent of its powers is set to grow, especially now that its head has stepped down after only three months in the job. Source: BBC Monitoring research 6 Aug 03 (via DXLD) ** IRAQ. NUMBER OF INTERNET CAFES RISING IN BAGHDAD | Excerpt from report by Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) newspaper Al-Ta'akhi on 3 August The city of Baghdad has been witnessing a large use of internet cafes, which themselves have seen a marked increase after the war of liberation. The Iraqis are frequenting these cafes in order to learn about the [many] services which the world wide web provides and to benefit from them, after being deprived from these and from many other things by the former regime which monopolized them for itself. This divestiture has created a gap between the Iraqis and the wider world which has been set apart by the world of internet, satellite receivers and many other things. The internet cafes are a phenomenon, the widespread use of which we hope will be governed by rules based on a rational and scientific basis. Al-Ta'akhi visited few of these cafes and held interviews with their owners. Firas Wisam is the owner of an internet cafe, who says: "I am endeavouring to make the cafe more like a club than an internet cafe, as the customer is not here only to send e-mails and we can provide everything the customer needs, the majority of whom are students and businessmen." He added: "In the past, communications were the monopoly of the government. However, all communications will be in private sector in the future, which will open further future prospects for Iraqis." A computer specialist and the owner of the electronic and computer company Tina, Ibrahim Al-Samarra'i, has recently opened an internet cafe. He spoke to Al-Ta'akhi about the internet cafe and what it offers the customer: "The spread of the internet cafes is a civilized phenomenon and we want to catch up with what we have been missing." He also said: "There should be a body that will not allow a haphazard spread of internet cafes, as an internet cafe is [an indication of the existence of] a healthy, scientific and cultural state of affairs." [Passage omitted] Ahmad Kamil, an expert in computer science tells us about the internet cafe adding: "The cafe offers services to customers, which includes high-speed internet navigation, communications by video and audio and discounted international connections through the use of Metphone. "The fast data [transfer] was not available before and the problem we are facing now is that before access to majority of internet sites were blocked, particularly the pornographic sites, but now we are forced to employ supervisors in the cafe to prevent access to pornographic sites as doing so will harm the [reputation of the] cafe and our standing, especially since we are in an Islamic country." [Passage omitted] Source: Al-Ta'akhi, Baghdad in Arabic 3 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** IRELAND. RTÉ Radio 1 has been relayed on 252 kHz for several hours on a number of occasions recently, including 15, 16, 18 and 22 July. Apparently the transmitter had been damaged by RTÉ engineers and is now being tested following repairs (Radiowaves web site via MW Report, Aug BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) The future of the Irish longwave station is still rather uncertain. David Duckworth has spoken to staff in two departments at RTÉ, both of whom confirmed that RTÉ has not yet decided what to do with it. They also both said that if maintenance costs become high, it would be dismantled. The situation seems to be that RTÉ have no money to programme or operate the transmitter regularly. They presumably are not likely to hire it to a third party as it could then be competing with RTÉ`s own channels, which are part commercially funded (David Duckworth, Dave Kenny, MW Report, Aug BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** ISRAEL. MEDIA-MIDEAST: VOICE OF PEACE TO RISE AGAIN Peter Hirschberg JERUSALEM, Aug 1 (IPS) - For 20 years, intrepid Israeli peace campaigner Abie Nathan broadcast his message of coexistence to Jewish and Arab listeners from his boat in the Mediterranean Sea, which housed his pirate Voice of Peace radio station. In 1993, suffering from lack of funding, the station broadcast its last track -- Pete Seeger`s `We Shall Overcome`. Nathan then scuttled the ship. Some peace activists, comforting themselves, suggested that The Peace Ship, as it was named, had achieved its aim: it ceased broadcasting in the very year that the Israelis and Palestinians signed the Oslo peace accords. But then the peace process got bogged down, derailed and finally collapsed as Israelis and Palestinians went back to war. Some activists began thinking that an unequivocal message of peace needed to be heard again on the airwaves. Now, ten years after the Voice of Peace went silent, it is being reincarnated. This time round, it will be a joint Israeli- Palestinian station, it will broadcast in Hebrew and Arabic, and will be land- based, transmitting from the West Bank city of Ramallah. ``We want the silent majority on both sides that supports peace, that believes peace is not dead, to have a voice,`` Hanna Siniora, a veteran Palestinian peace activist and businessman who is one of the initiators of the project told IPS. ``We believe civil society can exercise pressure on leaders to move forward,`` says Siniora, who also publishes The Jerusalem Times, a weekly English language newspaper based in East Jerusalem. The new Voice of Peace -- Siniora and his partners have asked Nathan for permission to use the name -- will broadcast 21 hours of music a day and three hours of programmes dealing with coexistence and the promotion of dialogue between Israelis and Palestinians. ``We want to enhance people-to-people type activities between the two sides and give a voice to peace groups,`` Mussi Raz, deputy director- general of the Jewish-Arab Centre for Peace in Givat Haviva in northern Israel, and Siniora`s Israeli partner, told IPS. ``We want to make sure that moderate politicians on both sides get heard.`` Does that mean hardline leaders, whether on the Israeli far right or from the Palestinian groups like Hamas, will not be heard on the new station? ``We still have to sit down and discuss these issues, but we don`t plan to boycott anyone,`` says Raz, a former member of parliament for the left-wing Meretz party. The studios will be located in East Jerusalem, which is considered a relatively safe area for Jews. But the actual transmitters will be in the northern Ramallah neighbourhood of Bitunia, and at some stage in Gaza. Raz and Siniora had hoped to obtain a broadcasting license in Israel as well as in the Palestinian Authority. But due to broadcasting regulations in Israel, they approached Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat. He agreed to grant them one of the frequencies that had originally been assigned to the Palestinians as part of the Oslo accords. Raz says the only licence they would have been able to apply for in Israel was a regional one, confined to a specific area. ``We want our broadcasts to reach as many people in Israel and in the occupied territories as possible,`` he explains. ``In the future,`` adds Siniora, ``we hope to reach Arab countries like Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon as well.`` It is not immediately clear what the rating will be for a station that broadcasts in both languages and is politically unpalatable to many on both sides of the conflict. ``There are a lot of people who speak both languages. Anyway, I am sure that even those who speak only one of the languages will find the broadcasts interesting,`` says Raz. For the first two years at least, the station will not have to worry about its rating. The European Union has already donated 80 percent of the 681,000-dollar budget for this period. Siniora says he also has a promise of assistance from the Japanese government, and has approached the Italian government. The launch of the station, symbolically, is planned for November 4 -- the anniversary of the assassination of former Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin by a religious Jewish extremist bent on destroying the peace process he had begun. Besides the inspiration provided by Abie Nathan`s peace ship, the idea to resuscitate a peace radio station also grew out of a joint project run by Raz`s organization which has seen Israeli, Palestinian and Jordanian youth putting out a joint magazine that focuses on peace building. Unlike many other Israeli- Arab grassroots initiatives, the project survived the Intifadah uprising. Do Raz and Siniora fear that if the road map peace plan fails and the two sides again begin talking out of the barrel of a gun, their broadcasts will be one of the first casualties? ``No one knows how the road map will end,`` concedes Siniora. ``But our newspaper project was one of the few joint initiatives that continued throughout the Intifadah. Things cannot be worse than they have been. With our new station we will try to keep the hope alive that reconciliation is possible and that the two peoples have to learn to live together.`` (END) (via Jan D. Tuckley, DXLD) ** LITHUANIA [and non]. One more time DTK has "forgotten" to mark the LRT transmissions as "+ active on demand". Radio Vilnius cancelled the Jülich relays in spring 2001 when the new, German-made antenna for North America coverage was inaugurated at the Sitkunai site in Lithuania. As local technicians told me, DTK Jülich is keeping the LRT entry in the schedule by its own initiative. There is no demand for it, because the Sitkunai site has all the installations now to serve North America directly. 73s, (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Aug 6, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** MEXICO. So much for the new RMI program schedule in last issue. I checked 9705 August 6 after 1400 and it was in Spanish, not the scheduled English Antena Radio Summary. Perhaps the translators are on vacation? Or maybe running late? At recheck 1425, reception had deteriorated so much that I could not be sure whether it were English or Spanish. Some six hours later I found that 11770 had a better signal than 9705, but very low modulation, bad news for the remaining DX/mailbag shows in Spanish (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1194, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MONGOLIA. Tried again at 2100 on 5 Aug this unID on 4895/4830. 4895 carrier appeared at 2055, at 2100 time pips and several times interval signal. Then male announcer and song, possibly national anthem. After that male/female announcers with possible frequency (or rather meterband) announcements. 4830 was off at that time, but noted at recheck at 2130. Checked couple of interval signal sites and the IS heard on 4895 sounds exactly the same as that of Voice of Mongolia. Good signal here in Finland (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, WORLD OF RADIO 1194, DX LISTENING DIGEST) There used to be 12 kW transmitters in Altai on 4830 and Mörön on 4895 (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, ibid.) I also noticed these two stations last week. The language definitely sounds Mongolian. Is this a reactivation of old services, but the reception was very good indeed! 73 (Jarmo Patala, Finland, Aug 6, dxing.info via DXLD) ** PAKISTAN. 0500-0700 Urdu to ME now also on 15625 kHz, seemingly ceased 21460??. \\ 17835 strong, and 15100 fair level. 73 (Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany, Aug 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PARAGUAY. Quisiera compartir las notícias que estamos realizando un experimento en la tropodifusión UHF. Las condiciones climatológicas nos favorecen mucho. Comenzando el día 3 de agosto, estamos en el aire, las 24 horas del día, todos los días, en la banda UHF, con la señal dirigida hacía Buenos Aires. En esta frecuencia especial se retransmite la programación de ZP20 Radio América, con calidad de FM. Parámetros Técnicos del Experimento: Modo de Propagación: Tropodifusión, empleando el volumen común de la tropósfera. Frecuencia: 326.4 MHZ (919 Milímetros), UHF. Potencia Efectiva Irradiada (PIRE): 252 Vátios. Antena Dirigida hacia: los 180 grados, d N M, con una zona de captura efectiva entre los 157.5 a los 202.5 grados, d N M. Polarización: VERTICAL. La antena está instalada a los 137 metros, SNM. Modulación: F3. Ancho de Banda: 100 KHZ. Es completamente factible captar estas señales experimentales. Existen muchos receptores de UHF, con los cuales pudiera uno combinar una antena de la clase Yagi, o Log Periodic, de la televisión, polarizándola, verticalmente, e orientándola hacía Asunción. No es necesario tener una línea visual abierta, pero sí evitar el bloqueo de edificios cercanos. La señal entrará por rebote troposférico. Tenemos una QSL Muy Especial ya preparada. ¡En Espera de Sus Reportes! Adán Mur, Radiodifusión América, Asunción, Paraguay (via Gabriel Iván Barrera, Argentina, Aug 5, Conexión Digital via WORLD OF RADIO 1194, DXLD) Traté de monitorear la emisora pero al parecer la propagación troposférica no está ayudando (Enrique A. Wembagher, propagation specialist, ibid.) ** PERU. Another new Peruvian, this time logged in the UK, by Steve Whitt, is Radio La Luz, in Trujillo, on 1390 kHz, which was heard with fair signals early August at around 0300 with programming different from that of the Lima flagship as there were casual mentions of "1390 AM" together with the usual company slogan "la señal que te bendice", but no location was heard on the audio clips Steve sent me (Henrik Klemetz, Sweden, Aug 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) RADIO LA LUZ NETWORK IN PERU NCN S.A. is the name of the company owning at least 35 local outlets of Radio La Luz, most of which appear to be on local programming, pending start of satellite feed from Lima, says Richard Juárez Cruz, who is the manager of the station on 1390 kHz, which was recently heard in the UK. The NCN S.A. AM stations listed by the Peruvian Frequency Authority cf. list from Peruvian Radiodifusion.com at http://www.sover.net/~hackmohr/ are as follows (all are 1 kW, and none of them can be found in WRTH 2003): 640 OAX1Y Chiclayo * 700 OBU4J Huancayo 950 OAU5K Ayacucho 1020 OBU1D Piura 1170 OBX8M Iquitos 1220 OAU5U Ica 1240 OAU3C Chimbote 1390 OAU2Z Trujillo 1410 OBU7A Juliaca 1410 OBU1H Tumbes 1490 OBU4N Chaupimarca (Pasco) Radio La Luz flagship station, OAU4I, with streaming audio on the net http://www.radiolaluz.com/m_radio.php is on 1080 with a power of 10 kW. Owners are mentioned as Santa Carolina S.A. A separate programme, apparently audible in parts of metropolitan Lima, is Radio Bendición, OAU4Q, 2.5 kW on 1340 kHz. The QTH is given as Pucusana, Lima. Per the frequency list this station is (or perhaps was?) owned by Radio Colonial S.A. * Per info heard Aug. 5 on the streaming audio of Lima`s Radio La Luz, the Chiclayo station will be celebrating its 1st anniversary in mid- August with a big rally at the Plaza Elías Aguirre where things like key rings and T-shirts will be given out to the crowd (Henrik Klemetz, Aug 6, dxing.info via DXLD) Radio La Luz, 1389.96 kHz is coming in with good signal here in Quito. IDs as "Radio La Luz" or "13-90 La Luz". I have not heard any local ID, just promo for a churchmeeting in "el distrito de La Esperanza". La Esperanza you can find in for example Santa Cruz and Trujillo. 73s de (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** ROMANIA. RRI, Galbeni transmitter off-channel on 5953.18 at 0105 July 15, news in Romanian, SIO 344 (Tony Rogers, Birmingham, HF Logbook, Aug BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** SAO TOME & PRINCIPE. Radio Broadcasting in the Islands of São Thomé & Príncipe A few weeks ago, some of the international news bulletins on radio and TV mentioned about political disturbances in the islands of Sao Thome [sics thruout] & Principe. These events must have been quite brief as a Google search on the internet failed to bring up any significant items of interest {maybe because or your peculiar spelling}. Nevertheless, the mention of these islands in international news drew our attention in this direction, so we decided that we would look into the story of radio broadcasting in these exotic islands. The independent nation of Sao Thome & Principe lies about 125 miles off the west coast of Africa. The total area of this island country is less than 400 square miles and it is made up of just the two main islands and a few very small islands. The total population is less than 100,000 and the capital is Sao Thome on Sao Thome island. These African islands were discovered in the era of European exploration by the Portuguese in 1470. The Dutch and then the French subsequently took over, but the Portuguese again re-gained control of these islands. The islands ultimately gained their independence in 1975. Radio broadcasting got a late start in Sao Thome & Principe and it began, as often happened in those days, with the use of utility communication transmitters carrying broadcast programming part time. In October 1950, the usage of the single shortwave transmitter on St Thome was diverted one hour each day for the presentation of local programming. Two frequencies were used with an amateur callsign for each channel, CR5SA & CR5ST. After the initial launching of this new medium of public communication in the islands, ``Radio Club de Sao Thome``, the on air schedule began to diminish until it became quite spasmodic. However, in 1967, this station began the relay of programming from Portugal, with the title, ``The Voice of the West``. Soon afterwards, plans were announced for the construction of a radio broadcasting facility made up of two transmitters, 10 kW on shortwave and 10 kW on mediumwave. They even said that they were planning on installing a very large shortwave station to act as a relay facility to the African mainland. In 1971, ``Radio Club de Sao Thome`` became ``Emissora Nacional`` and the shortwave transmitter was soon afterwards de-activated. FM coverage became the new norm for radio coverage in these islands. Currently, they are operating 20 kW on 945 kHz mediumwave and a small network of half a dozen FM transmitters. The Voice of America installed a relay station at Pinheira in 1993. The first unit on air was a temporary 100 kW operating on mediumwave. This was later replaced by a 600 kW unit, and the four shortwave transmitters at 100 kW. This VOA facility replaced the large VOA relay station in Liberia that was destroyed in the civil war there many years ago. In the days when Emissora Nacional was on the air shortwave, they were quite reliable in issuing their quite famous QSL sheet. A QSL card direct from the VOA station at Pinheira shows an early photo of their facility with its buildings and antenna system. The noted international radio monitor from Denmark, Anker Petersen, made a visit to Sao Thome & Principe a few months ago. He states that the VOA station is located near the ocean at the southern edge of the main island, St Thome. He states also that the government mediumwave transmitter is co-located with the VOA facility, though the programming comes directly from the city and is produced quite independent of the VOA programming (Adrian Michael Peterson, AWR Wavescan Aug 10 via DXLD) ** SENEGAL. New on the WorldSpace satellite is Lamp FM. It has a web page, including audio at http://www.africatel.sn/Fenetre/Lamp%20FM.php (Mike Barraclough, UK News, Aug BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** U S A. Anyone else getting somewhat annoyed that "Wavescan" aired on WRMI seems to so often be old already-heard versions? On UT 8/4/03 0230 the program was number 446 again, which I had heard two weeks before. The other thing about that particular program is that the reader repeatedly pronounced the name of Nikola Tesla as "Telsa"! How can *anyone* interested in radio and electronics make such an error? I like to hear the program, and appreciate that WRMI carries it, giving us more chances to hear it when other scheduled times and frequencies don't work. (WINB on 12160 just didn't seem to be there this past weekend for me; did anyone hear the DX programs block from them?) But is there something that prevents them from getting the current version? Regards, (Will Martin, MO, Aug 6, swprograms via DXLD) Seems WRMI has always run way behind on this show. Wonder if they wait for a tape by seamail rather than just downloading as early as Thursday before Sunday date of broadcast? The reader makes all kinds of mistakes, despite pronouncers in the script; perhaps he is not really interested in radio and electronics, but merely trying to do his job as an announcer mainly of religious shows, without an adequate education in the non-spiritual world. Or he could be dylsexic, certainly not his fault. I continue to admire his smooth style and voice (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. VOA has produced a very slim ``abbreviated`` issue, 8 pages, of the English Program Guide for April/October 2003. But we are advised that the ``Guide will soon be expanded to include information in ALL of VOA`s languages on ALL VOA programming (quite a substantial magazine, I presume!). We will feature broadcasters and programs from all our language services and details on how to tune in on TV, radio, and the Internet. We are hard at work on the new multi-language Program Guide and plan to début it later this year. We are also starting production on new programming coming in the next few months.`` A copy of the VOA Guide can usually be requested at the VOA Audience Mail Unit, 330 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20237, or via e- mail at letters@voa.gov (Stefano Valianti, Italy, Southern European Report, Aug BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. I've created an online database for pirate radio logs, much like the spy numbers database http://www.spyumbers.com which has around 50,000 loggings. Take a look, and submit your logs: http://www.blackcatsystems.com/pirate/logs/ (Chris Smolinski, Black Cat Systems, Aug 5, ACE Pirate Radio topica group via DXLD) ** U S A. Estación en 5446.50, en USB, transmitía rock altenativo (Korn, Limp Bizkit) y se identificaba como USA RADIO, si mal no escuché. Parece una emisión de la AFRTS. CNN Radio News a las 00 UT. (06/08). (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. SPANISH-MEDIA GIANT NEAR APPROVAL --- By Frank Ahrens, Washington Post Staff Writer, Thursday, August 7, 2003; Page E01 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A25719-2003Aug6.html The Federal Communications Commission appears likely to approve a merger between the largest Spanish-language television network and radio chain, creating an entity that could exert a reach over its audience unrivaled in the English-speaking media industry. The $3 billion union between Univision Communications Inc., which is seen in 97 percent of Spanish-speaking households, and the 69-station Hispanic Broadcasting Corp. has the three FCC votes required for approval, agency sources said. The merger, proposed last summer, has already cleared antitrust hurdles at the Justice Department. Republican FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell was joined by fellow Republican commissioners Kathleen Q. Abernathy and Kevin J. Martin in approving the merger, sources said. Democratic commissioners Michael J. Copps and Jonathan S. Adelstein have yet to vote. Both may suggest conditions aimed at assuaging critics of the merger, who say it would make the combined companies too dominant a force in the Hispanic media industry. Commissioners may change their votes before making them public. The votes are expected to be made public later this month. Univisión is the brand leader in Spanish-language television. The network owns 50 television stations and sells programming to 43 affiliates, appearing in nearly all of the nation's Spanish-speaking homes. Additionally, the company owns Galavisión, a Spanish-language cable network with 6 million subscribers; operates TeleFutura, a 16- station Spanish-language network; and owns Latino record labels and a popular Internet site. Hispanic Broadcasting Corp., which owns or operates stations in top Latino markets such as Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami and San Juan, Puerto Rico, is the largest Spanish-language radio chain. Last year, it turned down a merger offer from 27-station rival Spanish Broadcasting System Inc., which has vigorously opposed the Univision-Hispanic Broadcasting merger. Neither radio chain owns stations in the Washington area. In the Hispanic media world, which is dominated by television and radio, rather than newspapers, Univision is already a dominant force. Spanish-language television network Telemundo -- which is owned by NBC's parent, General Electric Co. -- is a distant second. In markets where Univision and Telemundo compete, Univision stations typically get 80 to 85 percent of the viewers. (In Washington, the Univision affiliate is WMDO; Telemundo's affiliate is WZDC.) Those who favor the merger say it will improve media services and choices for Spanish-speaking consumers by giving the combined companies the muscle to compete with English-language media giants, such as Viacom Inc.'s CBS network and the Walt Disney Co., owner of ABC as well as the ESPN cable networks. Opponents of the merger argue that the Hispanic media audience is essentially a closed market that does not compete with English- language media. They say that the merger will give the combined companies a virtual monopoly over the Spanish-speaking audience that the FCC and Justice Department would not allow among non-minority media companies. © 2003 The Washington Post Company (via Kraig Krist, DXLD) ** U S A. This was on the Public Radio Music Personnel list. What do you think - is this the new on-air style I've been looking for?? Randy There's a site that translates English into "jive" http://ccwf.cc.utexas.edu/~eclectic/toys/jive.html I wondered what it would sound like announcing classical music in jive, so I had it translate my intro from today: Badass p.m.. It be P.m. Classics. I is Marisa Waddell wit' yo' ass until 4, dig dis:30. In some hour we gots'ta start wit' da damn early- like beat -- from Mozart's time an' b4 -- 4 Early-like Beat Friday. Until den, anythin' goes. Fust down, in da house's beat by American Composa' Jerome Moross, who wuz born on dis day in 1913. Dis be wassups Concerto 4 Flute an' Strin' Orchestra played by Alexa Still wit' da damn Fresh Zealand Chamba' Orchestra. It's Friday, what can I say? Marisa Waddell, KCBX, San Luis Obispo (via Randy Stewart, KSMU, DXLD) ** U S A. LOCAL CHATTER MATTERS MOST, TALK-RADIO LISTENERS DECLARE By Bud Kennedy, Star-Telegram Staff Writer (07/15/03) Talk radio took a jolt to the ears last week, and this time it wasn't over peddling mystical air purifiers or miracle weight-loss pills. Nearly 1,000 listeners in 100 cities finally got to sound off without waiting for open phone lines between January and April this year. Their message: Local talk radio is better than any network bigmouth. And they don't care all that much about the political angle. Mostly, they tune in for a good radio show. In this 15th year of the A.R. radio era -- After Rush -- it turns out that talk radio's success is mostly about entertainment, not about molding minds for a national political machine or rallying voters to rise up and take back the government. More than 600 of the 1,000 listeners -- 61 percent -- named some local talk host as their favorite over any national host. Yes, over Rush, or even Howard Stern or Doctor Laura. In this market, that's no surprise. Local talk has ruled radio here for 25 years, from the days when Kevin McCarthy dominated the morning ratings to today's Mark Davis daily round table on ABC affiliate WBAP/820 AM. As it turns out, nearly two-thirds of the listeners like their local host -- any local host -- better than some canned network ham. "The message of this study is that local shows ultimately define a radio station," said Rob Balon of Austin. He's president of the Austin-based market research company Benchmark and also a food writer and an occasional fill-in talk host on that city's KLBJ/590 AM. "The temptation for radio managers is to fill up a mostly syndicated lineup of shows. My advice is to resist that temptation." The hometown hosts keep listeners hooked on a station, he said -- and also help listeners remember the call letters. "They identify a station by the local host or the talent," he said. "What makes them remember WBAP or KKDA? Mainly, they remember the host." That's good news for Davis or KKDA's Maryellen Hicks, a judge and a firebrand host of her own Sunday morning talk show. Mostly, the network hosts are old news, and becoming older as their too-similar shows saturate every radio market. No surprise: Limbaugh, a bombastic showman, is the No. 1 host. His name was familiar to 93 percent of talk radio listeners, with the other 7 percent presumably living in some fringe Rush-free zone. But Stern, MSNBC talk host Don Imus and Laura Schlessinger were still better known than any of the syndicated spares. And the accurately nicknamed Michael Savage is more famous (notorious?) than Fox hosts Bill O'Reilly or Sean Hannity. Next came a network screamer who is now also a local resident, Mike Gallagher. The latter four are all political conservatives, no surprise since 43 percent of radio talk listeners in the survey lined up to the right, up from 35 percent 10 years ago. (I'm surprised even that 20 percent agreed to be identified as "liberal.") Balon's survey also made talk hosts hit the "hold" button with this headline Wednesday on Business Wire: "Liberal Radio Network Might Be Feasible." "I don't know where that came from," Balon said, laughing. "They've been wearing me out over it." That's not exactly what the study says. "What it says is that the liberals" -- by 72 percent -- "don't think their views are fairly represented," Balon said. Not only that, 43 percent of moderates don't think that talk-show views are balanced. As if anybody would listen to a balanced talk show. One conclusion is that an entertaining-if-liberal talk host might be able to stir a share of the radio audience the same way conservatives do. Emphasis on entertaining. This question is an old one by now, but some folks still get confused: Is talk radio news or showbiz? "No question about it -- it's showbiz," Balon said. "The day it becomes journalism is the day the ratings go to sleep. First and foremost, talk radio is entertainment." And that's regardless of whether the "entertainment" is conservative -- or something else. What counts is that it's local. ---------- Bud Kennedy's column appears Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (via August NRC DX Audio Service whazzup via DXLD) ** U S A. KHQA is now on the wrong frequency! Supposed to be minus, but it`s exactly on zero now for some reason. It`ll be interesting how long it takes for them to notice (Jeff Kadet, K1MOD, Macomb IL, Aug WTFDA VHF-UHF Digest via DXLD) Jeff Kadet reports KHQA, channel 7, Hannibal MO is off-frequency. They are operating on zero-offset, not their assigned minus offset. I note that WJW, channel 8, Cleveland OH, has changed from zero offset to plus, but KHQA has *not* been assigned zero offset. Strange things tend to happen with regard to broadcast transmission in the Quincy- Hannibal market. Which really shouldn`t be a surprise when you realize that the largest US manufacturer of broadcast transmitters is located there (Doug Smith, TV News, August WTFDA VHF-UHF Digest via DXLD) ** U S A. KUSA, (channel 9 Denver), seen on channel 4! My first translator by sporadic-E. There are four KUSAs on channel 4, all west of Denver and within 45 miles of each other. Crested Butte, etc., K04GS, 874 miles, 2977 feet, 14 watts, directional antenna putting 740 watts to the east fits the best (Jeff Kadet, K1MOD, Macomb IL, Aug WTFDA VHF-UHF Digest via DXLD) Apparently June 26 between 1120 and 1200 CDT, judging from position in log list ** U S A. I have no converter, but strong indications of HDTV skip have been seen numerous times. Namely on ch 2 and 4 to the south, 2 to the west and 4 to the east. HDTV signals from Chicago 3 and Kalamazoo 2 have blocked Es to the NE. Few channels are open on UHF for tropo here. HDTV signals are dominant. The hobby, as I knew it, is coming to an end (William Eckberg, Dixon IL, Aug WTFDA VHF-UHF Digest via DXLD) ** U S A. I was just checking out the "Where's That Station" software, and I noticed that WCBS is listed as being 25,000 watts at night. I don't have my NRC Log handy, but I had always thought that WCBS was 50,000 watts all the time. Has this changed, has it always dropped to 25,000 at night, or is the WTS database wrong on this one? Any leads would be appreciated! (Eric Conchie, Tweed, ON, Feel free to look at my logbook at http://ontarioamdxer.tripod.com/ Aug 4, NRC-AM via DXLD) This is actually kind of interesting. They have 3 active listings in the FCC database. One for 50 kW unlimited, non-directional Day/Night. Then they have another 2 entries, one for 25 kW day and another for 25 kW night, also ND. On top of this, there are construction permits listed too, for 35 kW Day and 26 kW night. I dug into some of the recent apps, and it looks like the lower power entries are for their auxiliary transmitter. I'm thinking that your original assumption that they are 50 kW unlimited is correct, and the entries you're seeing in "Where's That Station" are referring to the auxiliary transmitter. They do appear to come straight from the FCC's own database (Brian Leyton, Valley Village, CA, ibid.) They must have upgraded the aux transmitter since I was there. My recollection is that WCBS aux was 10 kW and WNBC was 5 kW. Back then they often ran 10 kW on Monday morning to allow maintenance on the 50 (Bob Foxworth, FL, ibid.) I seem to remember a year or two ago, there were occasional nights where they would go off the air for a couple of hours for what they referred to on air as "transmitter work". I'm wondering if, if indeed they changed anything from the 50 kilowatt 24/7 that they had, that these changes were made at that time? (Eric Conchie, Tweed, ON, ibid.) What they were working on was revamping the antenna system. When WCBS/WNBC built the site in 1963, it was an unusual antenna configuration - a quasi-Franklin, segmented tower which was actually fed about 2/3 of the way up, through a complicated tuning network mounted WITHIN the tower. The idea was to feed both segments of the tower with the 660 signal, while feeding only the lower segment of the tower with the 880 signal. It was a great idea in practice, but never worked well - and do YOU want to have to climb 350 feet up to tweak the tuning network? So the tower was modified to a more standard shunt-fed design, and the insulated section 2/3 of the way up was bridged. A new tuning network was built at the base of the tower to combine 660 and 880. This all required some downtime. Additionally, the original auxiliary tower on the site was very short and presented an unstable load to the solid-state aux transmitters now in use (solid-state transmitters are much more finicky about what they'll drive than the old tube boxes were; there's a discussion underway on one of the engineering lists right now about driving tube transmitters into a piece of iron handrail!) So a new aux tower is going up that can handle more power - hence that "35kw" CP. You can see LOTS of pictures and read more about the site here: http://www.fybush.com/site-030424.html s (Scott Fybush, ibid.) ** U S A. IBIQUITY'S MYSTERY CODEC: WHAT IS IT? Ibiquity has quietly begun inviting broadcast engineers to its Columbia, Md. headquarters to hear its new or upgraded codec. Two engineers who have heard the codec so far praised Ibiquity's efforts. The engineers heard the demo of various music and talk material on CDs sent through an Ibiquity reference exciter and receiver, plus one consumer receiver. One said, "It was not a simulation using a PC." In separate demonstrations on different days, the engineers said they heard FM at 96 kbps and 64 kbps, the latter being the bit rate the primary channel would need to be for stations that wish to split their programming and have a secondary audio channel, a concept that NPR, Harris and Kenwood plan to test soon. The engineers also heard AM at 36 kbps. Ibiquity has been focusing on improving the codec performance, especially on AM at low bit rates, since May. That's when the standards-setting body, the NRSC, said it did not believe Ibiquity's PAC codec delivered broadcast-quality audio on AM at low bit rates. As a result, the group suspended all standards-setting efforts, for both AM and FM. Geoff Mendenhall, vice president of advanced product development for Harris Broadcast, said the progress was "phenomenal to the point where we are satisfied and we think broadcasters will be too." NPR Senior Engineer Jan Andrews described the improvements as "startling." Previously, NPR was one of the more vocal critics of Ibiquity's AM audio performance. Andrews said of the demo, that he found the audio quality "very acceptable." In a memo to stations on a technical public radio list serve, Andrews stated: "Assuming Ibiquity is able to deliver the demonstrated level of performance in the real world (which seems possible given that we were listening through reference exciters and receivers and one consumer receiver), I believe there will be compelling audio quality incentives for stations to adopt HD Radio." More engineers are expected to make the trek to Maryland for a demo this week and next. Reportedly, there will be a further demo at NPR later this month. Ibiquity declined comment on the demos, and particularly on what codec is being used. The spokesman said the company continues to work on the issue and hopes to go public with details soon (RW News Byte Aug 4 via Harry Helms, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** U S A. LIGHTNING KNOCKS CHRISTIAN RADIO STATION OFF THE AIR [WFGB 89.7 Kingston NY] http://www.dailyfreeman.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1769&dept_id=74958&newsid=9950541&PAG=461&rfi=9 (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. Hace apenas unos dias informaba sobre la señal horaria venezolana YVTO Observatorio Naval Cajigal que estaba fuera del aire. En esta oportunidad me toca reportar que de nuevo está en el aire, en su frecuencia habitual de 5000 kHz. Atte: (José Elías, Aug 5, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Hola Glenn, saludos desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA. Luego de varios días fuera del aire, YVTO regresa a los 5000 kHz. Captada este martes 05/06. Excelente señal (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZAMBIA. 4910. ZNBC, Glenn, confirmed heard here from *0245 fish eagle IS through 06 fish eagle IS +. English news at 06, fairly poor. Not as good tonight; Botswana has much less static. Thanx for the check on this (David Norcross, djnorx@fix.net, SLO CA, 7600G, eave hung short wire Aug 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 1630: I need Virginia TIS help --- on 1630 about a week ago, I briefly heard a TIS fade up over KCJJ mentioning "Virginia's largest collection of Fabergé Easter eggs". A Yahoo search leads me to believe it may be related to the Virginia Museum of FIne Arts in Richmond. Since Bill's TIS page is down, I can't seem to find anything. If it was Richmond, that's a helluva catch on a Sony 2010 barefoot indoors! Anybody have an idea what this might be? Thanks! (Bruce WB3HVV Collier, York, PA, Aug 6, IRCA via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. Estación en 3160.02 kHz, SINPO 2/1, con sermón religioso. Captada a las 0410 UT 05/08. Pensaba que era un armónico de una venezolana, pero no; luego se desvaneció completamente (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. The numbers station broadcasting on LSB on 5924 at 1220 is definitely in Mandarin Chinese after comparing it with my Encarta language samples. Sur is the number 4, Liaow is 6, Ba is 8. 3/8/03 1220 5924 LSB UNID station with female reading/singing three figures. I think it may be Taiwanese after comparing with the N&O webpage but it isn't // with Star Star on 8300. Now can somebody help me to identify the broadcasting station on 5925 in Vietnamese. I suspect that it may be a religious programme (Robin L. HARWOOD, Tasmania, swl at qth.net via DXLD) prompting the following ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THIS DAY`S CHINESE LESSON +++++++++++++++++++++++++ I am far from being a linguist - but did pick up BARELY enough language to be a tourist while working and traveling in Asia. Got to where I could travel, eat, sleep, shop (and even bargain), and make usual pleasant greetings and find the airport, train station, bus station, and taxis - but I would never be able to write a meaningful letter to someone I was not across the table from. There are as many pronunciation variations in Chinese as there are in American English. This can be very confusing if you learn a bit of Chinese in Beijing (standard Mandarin) or in Tianjin (the 'Brooklynese' version of Mandarin Chinese), and then try and use those pronunciations a few provinces away. In Taiwan, the standard language is Mandarin. So Taiwanese stations frequently are confused for those on the mainland. However, a mainland station would never call it just Taiwan. It would be either the Province of Taiwan or Formosa Island/ Province - The PRC is still convinced that they will get it back! Cantonese, in which the characters have the same meaning, is pronounced somewhat [very --- gh] differently than Mandarin. A person born and schooled in the north may have difficulty holding a conversation with someone from Hong Kong without at least some misunderstanding. 'liang' - could mean 'second' (numerically) 'shur' may be 'tens' (soft 'r')- 'sear' may be closer to what might be a four. Sometime also pronounced by shopkeepers as 'qui' for currency. 'Ba is eight, but 'Ban' is 'half' and frequently usually used in time like "Er shur dian ban' - meaning 2, tens, hour, half or 2230. Quite a few folks repeat the time in a 24 hour format - even local time. With one time zone for the 3000 miles east to west, and NO daylight shifting time, there is much less confusion about train and bus schedules. My phonetics might be different than yours - but here's a shot: 1- Yi -or- Yo 2- Er 3- San 4- Si or qui 5- Wu 6- Liu (sometimes sounds more like "Leel" 7- qi (sometimes sounds more like "chee") 8- Ba 9- Jiu (sometimes sounds more like "Joul" with a very soft 'l') 0- Ling Tens- Shi - but can sound more like "Shur" with a very soft 'r' Hundreds- Bai (can sound like "Bye). San Bai is 300. San Bai Er Shi is 320. Half- Ban Quarter - Ka (45 minutes past the hour might sound like 'san ka' (three quarters - sounds like the decaf coffee brand) or spoken like Si Shur Wu fen (4 tens and five). fen can either be seconds or cents - depending on the context. Lots of ways to say a lot of common things - no different than English, Especially American English. The 'official' language is standard Mandarin ("PuTangHua") - as spoken in the NE part of the country and would certainly be used on any government or military radio broadcast. Think of all the slang we use for the denominations of US currency. "Buck", "Fin", "dollar", "C-Note", "sawbuck", "Single"... etc... Or Time: "Midnight", "Noon", "Sunset", "Sunup", "Sundown", ... etc..., -OR- "Where's the John?" "Where's the head?" "Where's Mickey-D's?" ._._. (A10382, ibid.) There is a numerical system for indicating the four or five tones in Chinese dialects, without which great misunderstandings are inevitable; why not use them? (gh, DXLD) CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2003 WORLD RADIOCOMMUNICATION CONFERENCE Final report on July`s WRC: http://www.iaru.org/rel030703.html (Chris Brand, Communication Webwatch, Aug BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Dear Glenn, One more thing. Since my DXing time this summer has been spent primarily disconnecting anything remotely related to an antenna or plug in the wall (thank you Mother Nature), I have had a little extra time to study the BPL problem. A few personal observations from a long time Florida resident where mediumwave reception as well as shortwave reception is impeded by neglected power lines, transformers, etc. I believe that our approach as hobbyists of emailing and writing the FCC is fruitless. If the smaller radio outlets and other interests could not influence the FCC regarding the recent decision on media dominance in markets, then what makes anyone think we have any input at all? Especially to a department of the Federal Government which is highly politicized and for all practical purposes, for rent. Florida, without a doubt, is a great test market to illustrate the absurdity of BPL programs. Not only does our region of Florida experience inordinate amounts of lightning and other weather related disruptions to the power supply, these same weather events cause damage to the local power grid on a daily basis. FPL (Florida Power and Light) is the primary monopoly in this state and is run no better than WorldComm was (in my opinion and that of many others). If you complain about high levels of static discharge due to shorted out power lines, insulators, transformers, etc., it MIGHT get resolved or repaired within two to six months. Think about this. I have measured (unscientifically at this point) levels of S-8 + of intereference to local medium wave broadcasters. This is where I think BPL is vulnerable. Do not waste your time emailing the FCC. Email and write ClearChannel. Write to Infinity Broadcasting. Hit the big boys. Let them know that this new science will prevent you from listening to those beloved A.M. broadcasters which play Rush Limbaugh, Jim Rome, etc. This will force a delay in any FCC actions, if you ask me. If ClearChannel thinks they will lose the ability to broadcast in the clear, then there will be zero chance of the FCC approving the concept of Internet access via power lines. The inability of the local power grid to stay 100% within tolerances for normal reception of medium wave and shortwave broadcasts should be proof enough of that. I am emailing our local stations and will follow up with telephone calls also. I hope to have an update on my idea in the next 3-4 weeks. In the meantime I suggest all hobbyists hammer the people who really have the most to lose: the multi-media monopolies who have invested millions in their on-air talent (Phil Marshall, Bradenton, FL, Aug 5, WORLD OF RADIO 1194, DX LISTENING DIGEST) BPL IS ``SPECTRUM POLLUTION,`` ARRL PRESIDENT SAYS BPL would use low and medium-voltage lines like these in a typical residential area to distribute digital data using HF and low-VHF frequencies. NEWINGTON, CT, Aug 6, 2003 -- ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, says Broadband over Power Line (BPL) -- if widely deployed -- would represent ``spectrum pollution`` on a level that is ``difficult to imagine.`` Haynie reacted after seeing videotape and early data from recent ARRL field studies in four states where BPL is undergoing testing. ``BPL is the most crucial issue facing Amateur Radio and the one that has the most devastating potential,`` Haynie said. In terms of interference potential on HF and low-VHF frequencies, ``nothing is on the same scale as BPL.`` A form of power line carrier (PLC) technology, BPL would use existing low and medium-voltage power lines to deliver broadband services to homes and businesses. Because it uses frequencies between 2 and 80 MHz, BPL could affect HF and low-VHF amateur allocations wherever it`s deployed. BPL proponents -- primarily electric power utilities -- already are testing BPL systems in several markets, and one reportedly is already offering the service. FCC rules already allow BPL, although industry proponents want the FCC to relax radiation limits. It`s feared such a change could exacerbate BPL`s interference potential. At the West Gulf Division Convention (Austin Summerfest 2003) August 1-2 in Austin, Texas, Haynie previewed a short video (see below) that covers highlights of a recent field tour by ARRL Lab Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI. The video, which will complement technical data ARRL is gathering and compiling, turned out to be a real eye-opener for many in the audience. Walt Dubose, K5YFW -- assistant chairman of the ARRL High Speed Multimedia (HSMM) Working Group -- said it was about what he`d expected. ``But for most attending -- maybe 60 percent -- it was much worse than they had imagined, and for some it was a real shocker,`` he reported. Dubose said a few of those viewing the video simply couldn`t believe that BPL actually was causing the high noise level. In late July, Hare traveled some 1350 miles to visit BPL trial communities in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York to take measurements over significant parts of the HF spectrum. He also took initial readings at low-VHF frequencies. Driving a specially equipped vehicle loaded with radio gear and measurement devices, Hare said he didn`t need to look long or track down ``a few hot spots`` to find BPL interference. ``The signals were all over,`` he said. ``The interference found ranged from moderate to extremely strong,`` Hare said. The video shows the S meter of an HF transceiver holding steady in excess of S9 as the speaker emits a crackling din, which one observer described as sounding like a Geiger counter. Only the very strongest amateur signals broke through on 20 and 15 meters. Hare noted that the field strengths of the various systems all were within FCC Part 15 limits for power line carrier (PLC) devices. At a couple of points, the video shows noise continuing nearly unabated on 15 and 20 meters as the car moves down long streets lined with overhead wiring. Hare said the signal propagated for at least a couple of miles down one road. ``Signals would have been much stronger using a gain antenna,`` he observed. Hare`s vehicle carried a roof-mounted, horizontally polarized Buddi-Pole antenna -- a loaded dipole. Hare used a typical HF transceiver -- in this case a Kenwood TS-440 --- to actually monitor BPL signals on the HF spectrum. His vehicle also was equipped with other receiving gear to take field strength measurements. Each BPL system exhibited a unique sound depending upon the modulation scheme it used, and Hare said he was able to distinguish three types during his recent tour. While in most cases, the signal sounded like static or pulse noise, in one city, it resembled sort of interference a computer monitor or similar device might generate, with warbling ``birdies`` blanketing the bands at closely spaced intervals. ``Naturally, overhead wiring was the worst,`` Hare said. BPL signals continued to be audible in neighborhoods with underground electrical utility wiring, although it was somewhat attenuated. The ARRL already has filed a 120-page package of text and technical exhibits in response to the FCC`s Notice of Inquiry in late May. The League plans to file reply comments -- responses to comments already filed -- by the recently extended August 20 FCC deadline. Haynie has been doing a bit of traveling of his own, including 15 days in Washington so far this year to deal with the FCC and with members of Congress on BPL and other Amateur Radio-related issues. ``Unfortunately, it all costs money, and a lot of these kinds of League activities are not highly visible to our members or to the amateur community,`` he said. During his most recent stop in the nation`s capital, Haynie -- accompanied by ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD -- visited the office of Rep Billy Tauzin (R-LA), who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and met with Howard Waltzman, Tauzin`s chief telecommunication counsel on the committee. He also met with a staffer in the office of Rep Rick Boucher (D-VA), a member of the Telecommunication Subcommittee and a strong supporter of Amateur Radio. Haynie says a lot of hams want to know more about BPL but are put off by the size and depth of the technical documents and filings. He feels that seeing the video presentation might make a stronger impression. Countering critics who suggest that the League is only using BPL as a fund-raising ploy, Haynie said the League would not be putting as much effort into attempting to quantify the BPL threat and to put a face on it if it weren`t real. ``The BPL industry and their associations have told the FCC and the world that there is no interference potential from BPL systems,`` Haynie said. He noted that the American Public Power Association, in its comments to the FCC, put the burden on the technology`s challengers to empirically demonstrate its interference potential. ``The video presentation does just that,`` Haynie said. ``Anyone seeing these BPL signals for megahertz after megahertz for miles along a power line should be convinced that BPL -- even operating at the present FCC limits -- poses a serious threat to all HF and low-VHF communications.`` While the deadline for initial comments on the FCC`s May 23 NOI has passed, the FCC has now extended the reply comment deadline to August 20. More information is available on the ARRL Web site. The ARRL filed a 120-page package of comments and technical exhibits in response to the BPL NOI on July 7. There`s additional information and additional video clips on the ARRL ``Power Line Communications (PLC) and Amateur Radio`` page http://www2.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/plc/ Copyright © 2003, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved (ARRL August 6 via John Norfolk, DX LISTENING DIGEST) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ PERSEID METEOR SHOWER, AUG 12-13 Don`t miss the show: all about it at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2003/17jul_peseids2003.htm/list880592 (NASA Science News via Mike Terry, Aug BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) HFRADIO ON-LINE DISCUSSON FORUM ABOUT PROPAGATION AND SWLING Hello, fellow hobbyists. I have created a new, on-line forum for discussion of Propagation and Shortwave Listening. If you have a question regarding propgation (like, "How does Aurora Propagation Work?" or, "What is trans-equatorial propagation?" and, "How does the solar flare affect radio signals on HF?"), or have observations, then come join the discussion. Questions will be answered, observations welcomed, and general chat about radio shared. Please come by, today: http://hfradio.org/forums/ I look forward to seeing you there. 73 de Tomas NW7US (AAR0JA/AAM0EWA) -- : Propagation Editor, CQ/CQ VHF/Popular Communications Magazines : : http://hfradio.org/ -- http://prop.hfradio.org/ -- Brinnon, WA : : 122.93W 47.67N - CW / SSB / DIGITAL / DX-Hunting / Propagation : : A creator of solutions -- http://accessnow.com/ -- Perl Rules! : : Washington State MARS Emergency Operations Officer - (AAM0EWA) : : WA State Army MARS Webmaster for http://wa.mars.hfradio.org/ : : 10x56526, FISTS 7055, FISTS NW 57, A.R. Lighthouse Society 144 : --^---------------------------------------------------------------- (SWBC Aug 5 via WORLD OF RADIO 1194, DXLD) FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 06 AUGUST - 01 SEPTEMBER Solar activity is expected to range from low to moderate levels during the period. Region 424 has the potential for isolated M-class activity during the first half of the period. An area of active longitudes is due to return to the visible disk on 08 August and is expected to have C-class and isolated M-class potential. Activity during the second half of the period is expected to be at low levels. No greater than 10 MeV proton events at geosynchronous orbit are expected. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to reach high levels on 09 - 11 August, on 13 –15 August and again on 25 August – 01 September. The geomagnetic field is expected to range from quiet to major storm levels during the period. Coronal hole effects are expected on 07 - 09 August and 11 – 13 August with isolated major storm levels possible. The large coronal hole high speed stream is due to return late in the period and is expected to produce minor storm levels on 22 – 29 August. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2003 Aug 05 2211 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Environment Center # Product description and SEC contact on the Web # http://www.sec.noaa.gov/wwire.html # # 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table # Issued 2003 Aug 05 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2003 Aug 06 130 25 5 2003 Aug 07 135 35 6 2003 Aug 08 140 25 5 2003 Aug 09 145 15 3 2003 Aug 10 145 15 3 2003 Aug 11 145 15 3 2003 Aug 12 145 25 5 2003 Aug 13 140 20 4 2003 Aug 14 135 15 3 2003 Aug 15 135 15 3 2003 Aug 16 135 15 3 2003 Aug 17 140 15 3 2003 Aug 18 140 15 3 2003 Aug 19 135 12 3 2003 Aug 20 135 12 3 2003 Aug 21 125 15 3 2003 Aug 22 115 25 5 2003 Aug 23 105 20 4 2003 Aug 24 100 20 4 2003 Aug 25 100 30 5 2003 Aug 26 100 30 5 2003 Aug 27 100 30 5 2003 Aug 28 105 30 5 2003 Aug 29 110 20 4 2003 Aug 30 120 15 3 2003 Aug 31 125 12 3 2003 Sep 01 130 10 3 (http://www.sec.noaa.gov/radio via WORLD OF RADIO 1194, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ### ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-140, August 5, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser, ghauser@hotmail.com Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3h.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1193: RFPI: Wed 0100, 0730, 1330 on 7445, and maybe new experimental 15115 ex-15039 [nominal times may be delayed] WWCR: Wed 0930 9475 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1193.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1193.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1193h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1193h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1193.html FIRST AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1194: Wed 2200 on WBCQ 7415, 17495-CUSB Thu 2030 on WWCR 15825 Fri 1930 on RFPI 15115? Sun 0032 on WINB 12160 DESOLICITED TESTIMONIAL I have been getting SW news from you for uncountable years. I find the multi-language format of DXLD intriguing. Will you branch into non- Indo-European languages? I am inspired to work on my Spanish more. I don't read all the UK and USA news, but occasionally have the time to read a few, great stuff. No other source like it. Keep knockin' 'em dead, including the commenters and pseudonymers (David A. Norcross, San Luís Obispo, CA) ** ARGENTINA. 11710, RAE, thanks to Mickey Delmage for the reminder of this great station. Listened to their 1 hour English on 8/2 at 02. The tango music is great. Good signal for listening. Very nice mix of news, features and music. Checked my last log of them... it was 10/83! Received a "Las Malvinas" card. Also received a nice note from Roxana ?; they were thrilled when Raúl Alfonsín was elected. Doesn't seem so long ago... the joys of SWLing (David Norcross, djnorx@fix.net, SLO CA, 7600G & DX-402, eve hung short wire Aug 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. AUSTRALIAN MINISTER DENIES NATIONAL BROADCASTER'S BUDGET CUT DUE DISCONTENT | Text of report by Radio Australia on 5 August Australia's national broadcaster, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation [ABC], is facing cuts to programmes and staff as a result of a reduced funding from the federal government. Radio Australia is the corporation's international broadcaster. The federal communications minister, Richard Alston, has rejected suggestions the ABC's tight budget was predicated on government discontent with its handling of his complaints of bias in reporting on the Iraq conflict. Senator Alston says the government has given the ABC all it can afford in tight economic conditions and has denied there has been any retribution. [Alston] That would be very, very wrong for governments to act in that way. I mean, we make a judgement call about what we can afford over the budget. It was always going to be tough. You had the drought, you had Timor, you had Iraq. You can't just accommodate people's wish lists. We certainly didn't take any general level of discontent with the ABC into account. I mean, I've always regarded it as a great national cultural institution which needs proper funding. Source: Radio Australia, Melbourne, in English 0300 gmt 5 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. THE ROYAL FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE The RFDS of Australia was founded by the Reverend John Flynn in 1928, during his association with the Australian Inland Mission. During his travels as a young missionary through Australia's outback, Flynn was amazed and horrified at the lack of medical care available to those pioneers living, working, and travelling in remote areas. His vision was to provide a "mantle of safety" for those attempting to settle and raise families in isolated outback areas. With the birth of aviation, Flynn seized the opportunity to reach those who were once unreachable, except through journeys of days or weeks, over roads that were not roads at all. The first Flying Doctor aircraft was a QANTAS DH50A named Victory, flown by pilot Arthur Affeck. The first Flying Doctor was Dr Kenyon St Vincent Welch, who took up duties at Cloncurry. Queensland, on 15 May, 1928. He performed his first duly two days later, conducting two minor operations at Julia Creek. 137 kilometres away. The doctor, pilot, and the aircraft provided the beginnings of the lifeline that was to extend throughout the country. In 1928, transport was not the only problem facing those living in isolated areas as communication over the distances Flynn's aeromedical service travelled was all but non-existent. However in 1929. a brilliant electrical engineer, Alfred Traeger, solved Flynn's problem of communication over long distances, by inventing the pedal wireless. Traeger's invention of a pedal operated generator to power a radio transceiver gave isolated Australians the ability to contact the Flying Doctor in emergencies. Two fledgling industries, radio and aviation, had joined with the age-old profession of medicine, and the Royal Flying Doctor Service was born. Today, while still fulfilling John Flynn's dream, the Royal Flying Doctor Service of the 21st century has developed into a technologically advanced and highly unique organisation. The RFDS has 21 bases throughout Australia, which provide medical assistance to a service area which covers more than 7 million square kilometres of this continent. The QUEENSLAND Section is operated autonomously from the other RFDS Sections. It provides and supports primary healthcare in rural and remote areas, and is the pre-eminent provider of aeromedical services throughout Queensland. It receives generous operational funding from the State and Federal Governments, but needs to raise all of its capital costs through legacies and charitable donations from corporations and individuals. It has seven bases, employing 18 doctors, 30 nurses, and 28 pilots and a fleet of ten aircraft. This includes three Pilatus PC12s and seven Super King Airs. The Super King Air is used mainly for emergency retrieval work, is capable of speeds up to 500 kilometres per hour and a range of 1500 kilometres, with a pilot, medical team and two patients on board. The Pilaius PC'13 is mainly used for clinic work. All RFDS aircraft are pressurised, enabling patients to be flown at the equivalent of sea level - an essential requirement in the event of many serious injuries. The aircraft are also fitted with Emergency Locater Beacon Homing Devices, allowing the RFDS Queensland Section to play a major role in search and rescue. RFDS doctors, pilots and nurses are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The most common cause of injury requiring RFDS transportation are motor vehicle accidents and the most common illness is heart disease. In Queensland alone, the RFDS conducts over 48,500 patient consultations per year and over 2000 health clinics providing routine health care to people living in outback towns, farming and grazing communities, aboriginal communities, and mining sites. The pedal radio was invented by South Australian electrical engineer Alf Traeger in 1929 and it was modelled on a radio set used by the German army during World War I. The operator sat on a box or chair and placed his feet on a pair of bicycle pedals. By pedalling without great effort, the operator was able to generate enough power to produce 20 watts. The method of transmission was by Morse key so the pedalling operator had his hands free for tapping. The cost to produce a pedal radio set was 33 pounds. It had a range of 1,200 kilometres and the automatic Morse keyboard was introduced in 1932. The base station is at Cloncurry in northwest Queensland and the first pedal radio was installed at Augustus Downs's station 280 kilometres from Cloncurry. The first message was sent on 19th June 1929. A copy of which is displayed in our museum. Alf Traeger manufactured the first portable pedal radio set in 1933 and it was used by Kingsley "Skipper" Partridge, the Centralian Patrol Padre. The pedal radio broke the silence of the outback. In 1937, a letter from a cattle station out from Broome, in the Kimberley said; "Our transceiver is great. I do love that little morning schedule. Sometimes it's just a few words spoken on both sides, but it's so friendly and protective and such a security. Our neighbours of 100 miles away are really our neighbours now, for we hear his or her voice and exchange messages." The invention and development of the pedal radio is a fascinating story. To read more about the pedal radio and its inventor it is recommended that you read 'Traeger the Pedal Radio Man' by Fred McKay. This book is on sale in our Outback Shop (via Mike Evans, Aug World DX Club Contact via DXLD) ** CANADA. PAUL LOGAN'S TADX MENTIONED ON RADIO-CANADA Paul Logan's reception of CBAF-FM 88.5 Moncton was mentioned tonite on the very same program he heard via multi-hop e-skip on July 20! The program, which airs every Sunday night on Radio-Canada's "La Première Chaine", is called "Les Chemins De Travers" (Crossroads). Here's the translation: "We receive lots of e-mails concerning our program and notably one particular one that is a bit "curious" this week... you know, radio can be magic sometimes and waves can be propagated towards all kinds of surprising places. Well we have received an e-mail from Mr Charles Gauthier of St-Lambert that informs us that we were heard, "naturally heard", in Ireland! "Les Chemins De Travers" heard in Ireland, in French and about "courage" (that was the program theme that night). Well, waves were courageous that night: our signal travelled more than 4000 km above the Atlantic. And there is a Mr. Logan that heard us and who must have been very surprised. He reported it to a group (that's us!!) dedicated to the long distance reception of radio signals. Well, imagine that! Personally, I'm very impressed and amazed that our program was bounced off to Ireland!" I'm so glad they mentioned it, it was certainly an event worth mentioning. COOL!! I should say that Paul sent me a 10 second MP3 of his reception, and in those 10 seconds you could clearly recognize the voice of this particular radio host. I also played it to a friend who immediately recognized without hesitation the person, from only the few words mentioned on there! Congrats again, Paul, for the amazing catch! If anyone is interested to hear the clip from tonite's mention of TA reception of CBAF-FM, here's the link: (it's in French of course) http://www.geocities.com/catgoodies/travers.mp3 [Later:] Hopefully, this link will work better. You can try downloading the file here: http://www.colba.net/~tvfmdx/travers.mp3 (Charles Gauthier, St-Lambert, Québec, Aug 3, WTFDA via DXLD) ** CANADA. Last week's WTO mini-meetings: protesters produced a pirate station on 104.5 FM. See http://www.rock-the-wto-radio.taktic.org (CKUT International Radio Report via Ricky Leong, swprograms via DXLD) ** CONGO, Rep., 5985, Radio Congo, Assumed - 0440, Great signal... for less than five minutes, while WYFR was off to change azimuth to NAm west coast. 0450 great highlife (?) music. WYFR carrier at *0452, and that was that. Best short music program (!) (David Norcross, djnorx@fix.net, SLO CA, 7600G & DX-402, eve hung short wire Aug 4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CONGO DR. NEW UN MISSION-RUN RADIO ARTEMIS BEGINS BROADCAST FROM BUNIA | Excerpt from report by Congolese radio from Bunia on 5 August During yesterday morning's briefing, Col Dubois, spokesman of [French- led] multinational force, announced that the broadcast of programmes by Radio Artemis began yesterday on 86.10 [sic] MHz as well as the old [word indistinct] on 90.2 MHz. There will be broadcast of music, [words indistinct], news in French, Swahili and Lingala. The programme line-up have not yet been established. News will be aired three times a day. The radio will work in collaboration with the information office of the MONUC [UN Observer Mission in Congo], which is managed by Mr Leo. Radio Okapi which is currently experiencing technical problems will work in close collaboration with the radio. In fact, MONUC will handle the management of the radio from September. [Passage omitted] Source: Radio Candip, Bunia, in French 0500 gmt 5 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** COSTA RICA. Latest from our studios August 4 University for Peace guards are acting on orders to stop all people from entering the RFPI building. This is happening despite an agreement for both organizations to meet to discuss the resolution amicably on the 11th of August. The University for Peace gave their word that no further action would be taken until the meeting took place. Staff arrived for work this morning to be greeted by a guard posted outside the building who informed them that they had orders not to let anybody pass. Staff members explained that it was RFPI's building, it is their place of work and politely passed by. RFPI has invited supporters to gather at the radio station today and they are expecting people to arrive shortly. We will keep you informed (http://www.rfpi.org via DXLD) ** DENMARK. Referring to DXLD 3-138 I've been trying to find out whether these 3 ham 70 MHz frequencies are for CW only. I haven't found any mention of restrictions, so I guess you can use all modes (Erik Køie, Copenhagen, Aug. 4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ETHIOPIA [non]. ORAL MORSE CODE - Recently I noted a WUN monitor item which described an activity sending the message by speaking the dits and dahs of Morse code. This caused my memory cells to kick in and in searching through some old file material, I found material which had been copied in the 80s. The communications were between the Ethiopian Embassy in Washington DC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Addis Ababa. The Embassy used the assigned callsign of KNY44 but in addition sometimes used NDL as his callsign. The MFA used ADL as his callsign. FTK and WSL were also noted as callsigns on the frequency but they were unidentified. The Embassy operator had an absolutely horrible fist and evidently was broken frequently by Addis to request repeats. I have to point out that the Morse code the Embassy operator sent in the voice mode was a vast improvement and completely readable as opposed to his hand sending (Radio Intrigue with Don Schimmel, Aug 1, at DXing.com via DXLD) ** IRAQ [non]. Re: 1314 - (US-run) Radio Free Iraq via Abu Dhabi (BBC Monitoring research 1 Aug 03 via DXLD 3139, 4 August 03) NB. The Radio Free Iraq relay on 1314 kHz originates from the Gavar transmitter in Armenia (acc. to IBB's own schedule; times are 0300- 0400 & 1400-1600) rather than via Abu Dhabi (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, MW-DX via DXLD) ** ISRAEL [and non]. From http://www.israelnn.com/news.php3?id=47557 (IsraelNN.com) Northern area residents were somewhat surprised to learn that Hizbullah Radio transmitted from Lebanon is now interfering with Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) broadcasts in northern Israel. 06:29 Aug. 04 (via Mike Terry, DXLD) WTFK??? That`s the entire item (gh, DXLD) ** ITALY. Altri link di radio FM sui 50 MHz ascoltati da Bocca di Magra (La Spezia) --- Other Italian FM links on 50 MHz heard from Bocca di Magra (La Spezia, Liguria, Italy) 52.52 Radio Quattro (Pisa) 56.40 Contatto Radio Popolare Network (province Massa Carrara), with RDS pi 50C6 58.20 Radio Studio 3 (La Spezia) 60.00 Lattemiele with RDS pi 5355 64.98 R. Milano 5 (Massa Carrara) with RDS pi 5ACA 68.40 Radio A Aulla (Massa Carrara) Rx: AOR 5000 - Ant.: Miracle Whip (Giampiero Bernardini, Avvenire, Milano, Italy, BCLNews via DXLD) This adds to the list in 3-136 ** KOREA NORTH [non]. Yesterday, we carried an item from RN Media Network about North Korea asking South Korea to end various services. These included what the North Koreans called the Social Education program. The WRTH says that this is the same as the Liberty program which is actually two services on 3930, 6015, and 6135. I can't tell if these services are on, but I suspect they are. The other two stations, Voice of the People and Echo of Hope, also remain on. Just noted both of them right before 1300 (Hans Johnson, WY, Cumbre DX via DXLD) If to judge from the KBS home page, there is only one service left (24h): http://www.kbs.co.kr/radio/social_radio.html ILG lists 3930 (0000-2400) & 6015 (0400-2130), marks 6135 (former R. Liberty 2) as inactive. 73s, (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Aug 5, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** LIBERIA. Further to DXLD 3-138: IDPs are 'internally displaced persons', people who move within national boundaries to escape conflict or persecution, but don't cross international borders. There are an estimated 25 million IDPs in the world today, 13 million of them in Africa. For more, see http://www.idpproject.org (Matt Francis, Washington DC, DX LISTENING DIGEST) IDP is an abbreviation often seen in Africa. It means internally displaced people. The word "refugees" suggests those who have fled from one country to another, rather than those fleeing within their own borders. Regards, (Chris Greenway, Nairobi, Kenya, Aug 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) FOOD IS SCARCE FOR LIBERIAN REFUGEES AS PEACEKEEPERS ARRIVE Posted by: newsdesk on Monday, August 04, 2003 - 03:28 PM ``People are cautiously optimistic about peacekeepers arriving in Liberia,`` Rick Sacra, M.D., SIM Liberia Associate Director reported on Friday. ``I spoke at noon today with our friends at Radio Station ELWA (in the Liberian capitol of Monrovia) and the Chairman of ECUL (the SIM related national church in Liberia). Food is still very scarce. Rice costs about 6000 Liberian dollars ($80 US) for a 50 kg. bag on the eastern side of the city, and many are going hungry.`` Sacra added, ``Fighting is still going on but the situation at Radio Station ELWA has remained calm. The ELWA management is not accepting any more displaced people on the campus, since all the shelters and buildings are full.`` There are now about 2,550 persons, roughly 2,150 of them displaced, on the ELWA campus. In addition, there are an estimated 1,000 displaced people on Carver Mission`s campus across the highway. A small food distribution (one day`s food supply) was carried out there, provided by the Great Commission Movement (Campus Crusade for Christ) in Monrovia. ELWA continues broadcasting a Christian message of hope -- music, Bible teaching and testimonial programs such as ``Unshackled`` -- on a reduced schedule of about three hours each morning and evening. However, the future of the broadcasts hinges on the availability of diesel fuel for the generators. ``The ELWA hospital also remains open and is treating many sick people, coming especially from the nearby soccer stadium where thousands of displaced people are taking shelter,`` Sacra added. (From: http://www.hcjb.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=656&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0 via DXLD) ** LIECHTENSTEIN. RADIO L IN FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES According to a performance agreement with the government, Radio L receives 750,000 Francs annually from the state, but if the radio station is to get its way, more money is to flow in the future. The only Liechtenstein radio station, Radio L, which will have been on air for eight years on the coming National Day on 15 August, seems to be in financial difficulties. As the press department reported last week, government agreed on talks with the Radio L management and its owner, the Radio-TV AG, with the aim of keeping the station on air (From http://www.news.li/news/meld3.htm via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** MEXICO. Checking out XERMX`s alleged Portuguese fortnightly for a radioescutas member --- it`s still mentioned on the home page via http://www.imer.gob.mx but not in the new pdf grid http://www.imer.gob.mx/cartas/rmi/pdf --- I also discovered that the current schedule has gone through a great many changes. There are no longer any DX or mailbag programs in English, the equivalents in Spanish have new names, and are not repeated at various times of day, here all times converted from `TM` to UT, just: DX 21, Tue & Fri 2030-2045, ``espacio dedicado a los radioaficionados y diexistas del mundo`` Línea Abierta, Mon, Thu, Sat 2030-2045, ``los comentarios y opiniones de los escuchas de RMI`` Check out the grid for everything else, including lots of music programs, one of them in English. Even blowing it up to 300%, the finest print is barely legible here. The grid appears to be color- coded, but this has nothing to do with language; unless I missed something in the fine print, the only English blocks remaining are: Antena Radio (translation of the main Spanish newscast), M-F 1400-1430, 2200-2230 Talking Mexico, Sat & Sun 2200-2230 Regional Roots & Rhythms, M/W/F 2000-2015 At the top of it a postal address appears to be new: Mayorazgo #83, Colonia Xoco, CP 03330, Mexico DF Furthermore, I had to go back to the IMER main page to find XERMX, rather than the direct link in Media Network`s hit list, which no longer works. This is effective until Oct. 1, 2003, when we suspect DF will go off DST earlier than we, and shift all programming one UT hour later; all on 9705 and 11770, with the usual weak signals and modulation, so good luck in hearing RMI well enough to get anything at all out of the programming! (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. Furthermore, at the http://www.imer.gob.mx site if you click on Estaciones Foráneas, you get this list of stations around the country outside the DF, each with its own logo and capsule, some non- commercial stations worth checking out; the dates are not explained, but I can guess they are the anniversary of each station, something important to Latins. Yes, specified as such under each station`s link. Note that XERF, with dead links to `Cartas programáticas` and `ficha técnica` is shown with only 15 kW here and covering only a few towns in Coahuila! El IMER cuenta con ocho estaciones en el D.F. y doce estaciones en el interior del país. La importancia de la red de emisoras del Grupo se refleja en la cobertura, que abarca gran parte del territorio Nacional XHSCO Estéreo Istmo, Salina Cruz, Oaxaca. 96.3 FM, 3,000 Watts. Diciembre 7. XEBCO La Poderosa Voz de Colima, Villa de Alvarez, Colima. 1210 AM, 50,000 Watts. Junio 26 XEMIT La Voz de Balún Canán, Comitán, Chiapas. 540 AM, 5000 Watts. Diciembre 7. XERF La Poderosa 15-70, Ciudad Acuña, Coahuila. 1570 AM, 15,000 Watts. Febrero 22 XHYUC Radio Solidaridad, Mérida, Yucatán. 92.9 FM, 30,000 Watts. Octubre 24. XETEB Radio Mar, Tenabo, Campeche 920 AM, 1,500 Watts. 1 de Noviembre. XHUAN Estéreo Frontera, Tijuana, Baja California Norte. 102.5 FM, 10,000 Watts. Agosto 10. XECAH La Popular 13-50, Cacahoatán, Chiapas. 1350 AM, 5,000 Watts. Septiembre 16. XEFQ La Voz de la Ciudad del Cobre, Cananea, Sonora. 980 AM, 2,500 Watts. Junio 10. XHUAR Orbita, Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua. 106.7 FM, 25,000 Watts. 1 de Noviembre XECHZ Radio Lagarto, Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas. 1560 AM, 20,000 Watts. Noviembre 23. XELAC Radio Azul, Lázaro Cárdenas, Michoacán. 1560 AM, 5,000 Watts. Noviembre 4. (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGERIA. STATE BROADCASTER NEEDS 48M DOLLARS TO ACHIEVE ITS OBJECTIVES (Correcting spelling of name Taiwo Allimi (BBCM via DXLD) Re 3-139: Not Alimi ** PALESTINE. US RADIO SAWA USING FM FREQUENCY FORMERLY USED BY RAMALLAH STATION The US Arabic-language broadcaster Radio Sawa's web site now lists 94.2 MHz as a frequency on which it can be heard in the "Ramallah/Jerusalem/Bethlehem" region. BBC Monitoring confirmed on 4 August that Radio Sawa was using that frequency. Programming was in parallel with that on Radio Sawa's Amman transmitter (98.1 MHz) and the station's shortwave programming on 9505, 11745 and 11785 kHz. The 94.2 MHz frequency was previously occupied by Palestinian broadcaster Voice of Love and Peace, based in Ramallah. This station's web site http://www.volpfm.com audio stream no longer functions, and a statement on the programme guide page states that the page is "under construction". On 30 July Palestinian Information Ministry officials said Radio Sawa had hired airtime "from a Palestinian local radio, in contravention of Palestinian regulations in force," the Egyptian news agency MENA reported. [The Radio Sawa web site - http://www.radiosawa.com - offers live streaming audio and states that the station broadcasts "24 hours a day, seven days a week on FM frequencies throughout the Middle East. Radio Sawa is also available via Nilesat, Arabsat and Eutelsat." The site lists the following FM frequencies: Abu Dhabi - 98.7; Amman - 98.1; Baghdad - 100.4; Bethlehem/Jerusalem/Ramallah - 94.2; Djibouti - 100.8; Doha - 92.6; Dubai - 90.5; Arbil - 100.5; Kuwait - 95.7; Manama - 89.2; Sulaymaniyah - 88.0. Radio Sawa is also on mediumwave: Egypt-Levant - 990 and 1260 kHz; Iraq and The Gulf - 1548 kHz. Radio Sawa's web site also lists a selection of shortwave frequencies.] Source: BBC Monitoring research 5 Aug 03 (via DXLD) ** SEALAND. HAS 'HAVEN' FOR QUESTIONABLE SITES SUNK? Was this not connected with pirate radio/offshore radio activities in past years? -fw By Declan McCullagh, Staff Writer, CNET News.com, August 4, 2003, 1:38 PM PT LAS VEGAS --- A widely publicized project to transform a man-made platform in the English Channel into a "safe haven" for controversial Web businesses has failed due to political, technical and management problems, one of the company's founders said. Ryan Lackey, former chief technology officer of HavenCo, said on Sunday afternoon that he left the project because his business partners had become nervous about hosting objectionable material and were leading the company toward financial ruin, with only about six customers remaining. "The key lesson on this is if you're going to put a colo facility somewhere, political and contract stability in that jurisdiction is very important," Lackey said, referring to co-location setups, or virtual site-hosting facilities. "Customers want stability. They don't want the network to be down for two months." The 24-year-old Lackey spoke to an audience of about 600 at the DefCon hacker convention here. HavenCo did not immediately respond to inquiries. The company's Web site says HavenCo is "fully operational, offering the world's most secure managed servers in the world's only true free-market environment." When HavenCo launched in June 2000 to widespread press acclaim --- including a cover story in Wired magazine --- its founders promised to transform a windswept gun tower anchored six miles off the stormy coast of England into a co-location facility that would be a virtual home for businesses that were too controversial to place their servers elsewhere. The name of the company was derived from the concept of a safe haven from governments around the world that have become increasingly interested in Internet regulation and taxation. HavenCo is located on a rusting, basketball court-size fortress erected by the British military during World War II to shoot down Nazi aircraft. Roy Bates, the quirky "crown prince" of "Sealand" landed on the abandoned platform in 1966 and claimed it as an independent nation with its own currency, stamps, and flag. Although its legal status is unclear, Sealand lies within the territorial boundary of 10 miles claimed by England. A Sealand representative said in an e-mail interview on Monday that "HavenCo is a viable operation. It is moving from strength to strength." The representative said that "for our part, we would simply ask you to note that Mr. Lackey is no longer an employee of HavenCo --- He does not at this time have a valid visa for return. We hope the confusion generated by his remarks can be cleared up in due course." Lackey said, "Financial stability was getting questionable because we were spending more money and reducing demand. Then they started talking about taxing Sealand-hosted companies, and that was very interesting." Lackey, who said HavenCo owes him $220,000 in cash and additional money in stock, said another problem was the Sealand family's tinkering with the network connection, which caused extended outages and occasionally left it dependent solely on a slow satellite link. Lackey blamed what he described as HavenCo's impending demise on increasingly sour relations with Bates, Bates' son and royal heir- apparent Michael and the family's legal advisor, coupled with the family's increasing nervousness about their customers' activities after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. During an interview with the BBC, the family said they'd readily "turn customer information over to the authorities if there was any serious problem with our stuff," Lackey said. Bates, a former British Army major, has undertaken a string of failed business ventures in an attempt to profit from what he asserts is the world's smallest country. One Bates plan was to extend Sealand into a three-mile-long, man-made island with banks and its own airport. Another scheme included working with German investors to build a $70 million hotel and gambling complex --- a scheme that fell apart after the Germans took over the fortress in 1978 and Bates regained control in a dramatic helicopter raid at dawn. In an interview after his speech, Lackey said that the turning point of his relationship with the Sealand royal family was a meeting in London last year with Alex Tan, a Malaysian entrepreneur who ran the Film88.com Web site, which had been the target of legal action including a July 2002 suit filed by the Motion Picture Association of America. Tan was prepared to pay HavenCo millions of dollars to host a Web site that would let customers stream movies from legally purchased DVDs, something that was not clearly illegal because only one customer at a time could view each stream, Lackey said. The Sealand royal family balked over the possibility of bad publicity, Lackey said. "I decided as soon as I got out of the meeting that I was going to quit," Lackey said. Lackey is still listed as the "whois" administrative and technical contact for the havenco.com domain (via Fred Waterer, Ont., DXLD) ** SERBIA & MONTENEGRO. Hi Glenn, Yesterday evening at midnight -- 21 UT -- I was listening to the English news from ex-Radio Yugoslavia on 6100. Their new name is The International Radio of Serbia-Montenegro. However, 2107 UT jingle: "Radio Yugoslavia"! Transmitter site still in Bijeljina, Bosnia-Hercegovina? 73´s (Jouko Huuskonen, Turku, FINLAND, Aug 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Sure; where else? ** SOLOMON ISLANDS. I saw this story in today's New Zealand Herald but I couldn't find it in their on line edition. So I went to my friend and colleague Michael Field's web-site and got it from there. Regards, Barry http://203.97.34.63/sol29.htm REMOTEST PARTS OF SOLOMON ISLANDS COMING ONTO THE INTERNET -- AND MAKING VAST DIFFERENCE TO RURAL LIFE By Michael Field HONIARA, Aug 1 (AFP) - Despite the tag of being the Pacific's first "failed state", and now under a benign Australian military occupation, the Solomon Islands is blazing a radical trail of short-wave wireless Internet service linking its remotest of islands and atolls and improving life. No longer do remote islanders have to risk their lives in long canoe trips to send messages. And in remote islands where the biggest business opportunity used to consist of drying copra and bagging it in anticipation a passing ship might call by, Peoples First Network or PFnet http://www.peoplefirst.net.sb is opening new worlds. With off the shelf technology built around second-hand laptop computers Solomon Islanders are plugging into email and e-commerce. It offers a radical contrast to the international image of the Solomons with its pictures of rebels and Australian soldiers and police sweeping ashore onto Guadalcanal's Red Beach, as part of Operation Helpum Fren that promises to restore law and order to the Pacific nation. PFnet works in a different reality; 85 percent of Solomon Islanders live in tiny functioning rural communities scattered across 100 populated islands. PFnet technical adviser David Leeming takes real pleasure in the case of Dreamtime Traders, a wholly owned Solomon Islands company operating on Ulawa Island, 200 kilometres (125 miles) east of here. "This is an example of the difference the Internet can make to lives," he told AFP. Dreamtime, with its 10 local staff, buys seafood products, caught by traditional bamboo pole methods as well as diving, and offers chilled-in-brine crayfish tails, reef fish and flying fish which are flown to the capital each Saturday. Dreamtime receives its email orders from buyers in Honiara and once confirmation is received that payment has been banked, the order is sent. "They deliver it to your door, fresh lobsters," Leeming says. The project is so much at odds with the image of a failing Solomons that the United Nations Development Project is to highlight it at the World Summit on the Information Society in Geneva in December. Communications has always been a severe problem in the Solomons, even in Honiara which is one of the few places on earth effectively outside communication satellite footprints. It makes satellite telecommunications expensive because big dishes are needed and puts it out of reach of most communities. They have always had short-wave radio though and for decades particular settlements have had radio operators who use voice communications on a network celebrated by its complete lack of confidentiality. Leeming says it is also not very reliable and it can take hours to establish contact and the radio stations are often still hours away from settlements. Digital short-wave is different; and PFnet is using it to create one of the world's furthest flung wireless net internet services, all on the most basic of funding. With solar panels, a particular kind of modem and a laptop, and any community is linked up to the world. PFnet provides training to local women to run the computer and type up the emails. Each person on the remotest atoll has his or her own email address. At this stage the project does not have the world wide web, but Boston's MIT is developing, partly with PFnet in mind, an email search engine in which a person can email a search criteria and receive back, as an email, the best set of hits for the search term. It is not a web page but rather text pages stripped of all the pop ups and pictures. Leeming came here as a British volunteer on remote Santa Isabel. "There were no communications at all, sometimes it took six months for the mail to arrive," he said. "If they had wanted to send messages they have often had to take canoes and travel for hours. People have drowned here trying to send messages and Pfnet cuts out these unnecessary journeys." PFnet offers highly confidential information to women who have never had such information before. PFnet is aiding in the teaching human rights on remote atolls. As the Solomon's central government falters, PFnet is playing an important role in constitution reform debate. "People are saying it is increasing their health security, they know that they can ask for help." One on island a man was able to send an email to New Zealand, locate his long lost son and get an email message back from him within two hours. "He broke down and cried when it came, he had not heard for so long." Pickering says it is hoping to breakdown the cycle of suspicion among the islands. "People have seen it is a very quickly that it is a useful thing to have*. It has as a definite target to engage in peace building." Farmers on Malaita Island have been able to send pictures of sick chickens to vets in Australia and at the beautiful Morovo Lagoon traditional carvers are exploring ways of putting their material up on the web and taking orders direct from customers. Early this year the Solomon's atoll of Tikopia attracted world headlines when a powerful cyclone rolled over top of it, cutting it off from the world for over a week. PFnet hopes to have them on the web soon and next time, rather than waiting for some foreign air force to fly in and take their photos, Tikopia Islanders will be able to email out a jpeg to anybody interested (via Barry via Wolfgang Bueschel, DXLD) ** SUDAN [non]. Glenn, I heard the new broadcasts to Sudan with excellent signals last night on 17630 and 17660 at 1600 and 1700 respectively. Programming was entirely music. The programming started 30 seconds before the top of the hour, an old standard BBC procedure that strongly suggests a Merlin connection to the broadcasts (Chris Greenway, Kenya, Aug 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UGANDA. MPS GRILL MINISTERS OVER RADIO VERITAS http://allafrica.com/stories/200307310138.html The Monitor (Kampala) July 31, 2003 Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda, Kampala The closure of a radio station in Soroti sparked off an angry debate in Parliament yesterday. Kyoga Veritas radio is run by the Soroti Catholic Diocese Integrated Development Organisation (Socadido). It was closed on June 22, when the police raided its offices. MPs on the Presidential and Foreign Affairs committee asked two ministers from the President's Office: Dr Nsaba Buturo (Information) and Mr Omwony Ojwok (Economic Monitoring) to explain why the government has not reopened the station. The ministers were appearing to present their 2003/2004 budget estimates. "The Catholic Church believe government is working against its interest," said the committee chairwoman, Ms Salaam Musumba. Buturo described the Catholic Church's reported bitterness as "ridiculous". MPs Elijah Okupa (Kasilo) and Mr Louis Opange (Pallisa) alleged that some influential politicians are behind the closure. This prompted Kashari MP Maj. John Kazoora to demand that the politicians be named. The Samia Bugwe North MP, Mr Aggrey Awori, said that the influential politicians are ministers Michael Mukula (state for Health) and Christine Aporu (state for Disaster Preparedness). Bukonzo East MP, Mr Apolinaris Kithende, said that Mukula is one of the directors at the rival Voice of Teso FM. Minister Buturo got into trouble when he told the committee that the radio station was actually not closed. He said that the Police only took its equipment. Musumba asked him to name the state security agency that descended on the radio and on whose orders. The minister's answers failed to satisfy the MPs. The MPs demanded that a report on the closure of the radio should be tabled in Parliament. Concerns over Veritas thus overshadowed the debate on the sorry state of Radio Uganda and Uganda Television. MPs had earlier warned the ministers that they would never consider the Uganda Broadcasting Agency (UBA) again if the government failed to have it in place this year. The Ministry of Information had asked for Shs 15 billion but the MPs were surprised to learn that it has been allocated only Shs 150 million this financial year (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** UGANDA. IDI AMIN'S SON A DJ http://allafrica.com/stories/200307310035.html bottom half of article: His 1971 to 1979 reign in Uganda following a military coup was one of the bloodiest in Africa's modern history, and Amin has not been back to his country since he was ousted by joint forces of Tanzanian troops and Ugandan exiles on April 11, 1979. Up to 400,000 people are estimated to have died during his time in office or are still unaccounted for. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni warned last week that Amin would face trial for his atrocities if he returned to his homeland alive. Last week, one of his wives and a daughter joined him at his bedside after a flight from Kampala "facilitated" by the government. On Monday his son, Hussein Lumumba, flew to Saudi Arabia. His flight was also facilitated by the government. Lumumba is a producer and Disk Jockey with Kampala's Capital Radio. "He arrived safely in Jeddah and was linking up with his brothers who are looking after their father who has a kidney problem," said a source (via Fred Waterer, DXLD) ** U K [and non]. WHAT'S HAPPENING TO THE BBC? I found this on the Columbia Journalism Review's web site. What Murrow described in his speech happened to US commercial broadcasting many years ago and today we see this branch of the electronic media in all its uselessness. One can take the view (and this "one" does) that what Murrow described is now taking place at the BBC, albeit a half century later. http://www.cjr.org/year/02/3/grossman.asp BTW, I was led to this from the web site for Bill Moyers' "Now" program, which has some truly excellent and stunning examples of what journalism can be on a wide variety of topics, including the media concentration of control issues now under discussion in the US. (As an aside, I wonder if the title of the program -- "Now" -- is in some ways a homage to Murrow's classic program in this vein -- "See It Now".) (John Figliozzi, NY, Aug 4, swprograms via DXLD) ** U K. CHARIOTS OF FIRE SPECIAL ON BBC RADIO Follow up to item in DXLD 3-137, from the ``Elsewhere`` web site: Chariots The BBC radio show only too briefly touched the subject of the film's music, but for those interested, the show can be listened back to online at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/reunion/reunion2.shtml (from http://www.elsew.com via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** U S A. Friendly persuasion Story in Globe and Mail, Toronto, Aug. 2 AMERICA'S CULTURAL OFFENSIVE Washington hopes to ease foreign-policy woes in the Middle East by wooing hearts and minds with a new Arabic-language radio network, satellite TV channel and glossy monthly magazine. It's the funky side of the war on terror, SIMON HOUPT writes By SIMON HOUPT, Saturday, August 2, 2003 - Page R1 Toni Braxton is going to save the United States from terrorism. All across the Middle East this week, from Cairo to Baghdad, the R&B singer's 10-year-old soft-rock hit Another Sad Love Song wafted out of taxicabs, cafés and the bedrooms of middle-class teenagers. To most of the Arabs swaying along to Braxton's warble, maybe the tune was something to help them relax while they sipped their coffee or waited out the endless petroleum lines. To the U.S. government, however, that song is a vital weapon in a war it can't afford to lose. Braxton is in a new kind of army, standing at attention with Celine Dion, Eric Clapton, Ace of Base and the rapper Coolio, making up a Trojan-horse brigade drafted to seduce young Arab adults into admiring the United States. Their staging ground is Radio Sawa, a Washington-based Arabic-language radio network heard in most Middle Eastern countries. This is the funky side of America's war on terror. After conquering the world's movie and TV screens with Hollywood culture and Madison Avenue marketing, the U.S. government is trying to put its competitive advantage in storytelling to a more high-minded purpose. Along with Radio Sawa, which replaced the old and ignored Voice of America Arabic-language service, the government is throwing its muscle and money behind Hi magazine, a glossy new monthly distributed throughout the region, and a TV network. The debut issue of Hi, which hit newsstands two weeks ago, looks at the Arab student experience at American universities, a profile of the Lebanese-American actor Tony Shalhoub, and a piece about the sport of sandboarding (more accessible to Arab youth than snowboarding, to be sure). Last month, Congress voted to give $62-million (U.S.) to the Middle East Television Network, an Arabic-language satellite channel slated to launch by the end of the year. Its creators are calling it a cross between NBC and CNN. Programming is still being planned, but it will likely include a morning news broadcast like The Today Show, lifestyle programming, women's shows, children's shows, sports, popular American sitcoms and dramas dubbed into Arabic, and an evening news program similar to Nightline. Many nations engage in cultural diplomacy to raise their profile around the world, including Canada through the Department of Foreign Affairs, but none with the intensity, financial backing, or newfound desperation of the United States. For America, convincing the world it is a benign presence may be a matter of life and death. "We're fighting a war of ideas as much as a war on terror," Tucker Eskew said recently. Eskew is the director of the White House's Office of Global Communications, which President George W. Bush created in January. Sawa is on the leading edge of its effort. While the old VOA Arabic service could only be heard on shortwave -- which meant that it was barely heard at all -- Sawa is carried on regular AM or FM frequencies licensed by many of the regional governments. (Strangely, it has not been licensed yet by two of America's closest friends, Egypt and Saudi Arabia; Sawa reaches into those countries from powerful transmitters stationed elsewhere.) Named after the Arabic word for together, Sawa is a boom-box vision of American and Arabic cultures happily nuzzling one another. It is the only radio network in the world that alternates Western and Arabic pop songs, throwing in news and information bursts from an American perspective. Broadcasting from a studio in Washington, where a team of Arab- American journalists co-ordinate with bureaus around the Middle East, the station tries to interact as much as possible with its audience. The occasional feature Sawa Chat, heard between songs, offers man-on- the-street interviews and phoned-in comments about issues of the day, from dating and marriage to politically sensitive discussions about local governments. As propaganda goes, it's awfully subtle. The aim is to project an image of openness, to give Arab youth an outlet they haven't had before, while reminding them that it has all been brought to them by their friendly neighbourhood U.S. government-sponsored broadcasters. Tune in to Sawa, as Arab youth increasingly have been doing since it launched in March, 2002, and you'll hear Celine Dion's anthemic I'm Alive bumping up against Lebanese heartthrob Fadel Shaker's Euro-disco hit Ya Ghayeb, then right on into the gouchie gouchie yaya dada swank of Lady Marmalade from Baz Lurhmann's Moulin Rouge. There's a global village thumping from your speakers. This is supposed to make Arab youth feel better about the Bush administration's continuing support of Israel and its installation of a U.S.-friendly government in Iraq. The music softens up the audience for a light dose of American-style journalism. "Clearly our policies in the Middle East are not embraced by most of the population, so if you want to attract an audience, you don't lead with policy," explains Norman Pattiz, a member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, an independent agency that oversees all of the U.S.-government-sponsored international broadcasting services. As the founder and chairman of Westwood One, the largest radio network in the United States, Pattiz rode modern market-research techniques to the peak of the American industry, and he's doing it again in the Middle East. If you want to know what makes Arab youth tick, head into the heart of New Jersey. About 50 kilometres southwest of Manhattan, in a recently renovated grand Victorian house tucked away on a leafy side street of Somerville, N.J., you'll find Edison Media Research. Clients include The New York Times, the Orlando Magic basketball team, the pay television network HBO, and Radio Sawa. Through its Middle East affiliates, Edison is bringing a Western approach to Sawa's programming by conducting weekly studies -- focus groups, telephone surveys and other polls -- to help its executives calibrate the music and news to the audience's tastes. The scientific approach is working, according to numbers provided by Edison that show Sawa is the No. 1 radio station in Amman, Jordan, among its target audience of 18 to 30-year-olds. But the cultural efforts of the U.S. won't be successful, says Columbia University religion professor Peter Awn, because America, "is viewed with enormous suspicion." Edison's executive vice-president Joe Lenski says those in the region aren't merely suspicious of the United States. "The average 18 to 30- year-old American is a minimal user of media for news, and also very trusting and in a lot of ways naive," Lenski explains. "Those in the U.S. will say, 'It's on the news, so it must be true,' but 18 to 30- year-olds in the Middle East will say, 'If it's on the news, someone must have put it there for a reason. What's the reason?' " Back in June, 2002, Sawa asked people in its target demographic which radio stations they listened to for news. Sawa barely registered. But a few months later prospects were looking up. By last fall, half of the target audience regularly listened to Sawa, according to numbers provided by Pattiz. Thirty per cent said they found the network's news credible and reliable. Against that backdrop, then, Sawa is doing all right. Bolstered by the numbers and $35-million in congressional funding, Sawa recently expanded its activities, launching four streams tailored to the different countries in the region, including one dedicated to Iraq and another, Radio Farda, broadcasting in the Farsi language into Iran. "If you take a look at the media in those countries, what you find are things like hate speech on radio and television, incitement to violence, disinformation, government censorship and journalistic self- censorship," Pattiz says. "Up until Radio Sawa, the U.S. did not really have a horse in this race. So what you have is an opinion of the United States, which is of course at an all-time low, that is pretty much the product of government-controlled media outlets. "The point is to get our views and the way that we cover the news out there, and to let the people decide for themselves." Some antagonists aren't thrilled with the United States' increasing cultural activities. Last month, on the day that Voice of America launched a new half-hour Farsi-language TV program, News and Views, into Iran, Cuba responded by jamming the broadcasts. But Fidel Castro isn't the only one who objects; Americans themselves have an ambivalent and thorny history with cultural diplomacy. Back in 1938 the State Department created a Division of Cultural Relations as a way of bringing American artists out from under the shadow of their more famous European and Russian colleagues. The Division sent thousands of musicians abroad, including Dizzy Gillespie, Dave Brubeck and Louis Armstrong. The experience inspired Brubeck and his wife, Iola, to write the musical The Real Ambassadors, which suggested it was odd to be telling the world that America was a beacon of freedom when blacks in the U.S. South were still suffering under segregationist Jim Crow laws. Perhaps the show, which starred Armstrong and his wife Carmen McRae, was too cynical. It never made it to Broadway. Recognizing there was a revolution under way in the fine-art world, the Division organized painting exhibitions abroad and even began collecting works by artists such as Milton Avery and Stuart Davis. Then a few politicians who didn't like modern art declared that public money shouldn't go toward supporting private artists, and that was the end of that. The White House restored support and in 1964, Robert Rauschenberg, Jasper Johns, Claes Oldenburg, Frank Stella and others won acclaim at the Venice Biennale. The support was short-lived; Congress again declared the arts an elite waste of money and cut the funding. But that's because those painters were engaged in arts for art's sake. Art with a political purpose, well, that was something the politicians could wrap their vote-seeking heads around. Throughout the Cold War, the U.S. government, through the Central Intelligence Agency, channelled millions of dollars into cultural efforts designed to rebuff the communist threat and present America as a free and democratic place. Among the agency's beneficiaries was the Congress for Cultural Freedom, a group of anticommunist intellectuals who worked to discredit Stalinist apologists in the U.S. artistic community. The CIA also paid for the publication of more than 1,000 books (the full list is still classified), and operations such as Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty, which broadcast anticommunist messages into the Eastern Bloc countries. The CIA was removed from those activities in the late 1960s when their connection was discovered. Mindful of the image of the Ugly American abroad, those behind the new initiatives are trying to be more sensitive to the cultures they hope to engage. In some of the stricter Muslim countries, where gender segregation is the norm, Edison Research conducts separate focus groups for men and women. Sawa won't play unedited Eminem tracks, to avoid offending conservative listeners. "If we're trying to create a connection between ourselves and our audience, we have to be very sensitive to their cultural sensibilities," says Norman Pattiz. Still, Abdallah Schleifer scoffs at efforts such as Sawa. Schleifer, who grew up Jewish in Queens, N.Y., before converting to Islam, moved to the Middle East in 1970 as a reporter for NBC News. He is now the director of the Adham Center for TV Journalism at the American University in Cairo, where he teaches primarily upwardly mobile middle-class students with an affinity for Western lifestyles. "I don't think Radio Sawa is going to cut any ice with people who feel their culture and heritage is threatened by the West and by America, by those who would be sympathetic to Islamist movements," Schleifer says. "It'll cut ice with people who are already engaged by Western culture. The irony is, the fact that it engages them doesn't mean it's going to make them pro-American. Just because you go for American rap doesn't make you pro-American. "I don't want to fault them, they're spending all that money," Schleifer continues, "but those who like Sawa and say, 'Yeah, who wants to fight America? It's great, it's the future, I wish I could be American' -- they're not going to be in the vanguard of liberalism. They're going to be at the disco, dancing. So in a sense it gets nowhere. "Radio Sawa is not going to produce battalions marching to a political tune." Schleifer suggests a different tack. "What's always sold people here to America is the quality of American education, American medicine, American science and technology -- whereas MTV, which may get to their kids, appalls them. This is one of the weird things, to hear the U.S. administration -- which rests on a silent majority of churchgoers -- talking about American culture in its Hollywood and New York television manifestation, which is utterly devoted to undermining the values of a conservative Christian society." Like many others, Schleifer says the best thing America can do to convince the rest of the world of its beneficent intent is to expand scholarship programs to U.S. colleges and universities. But the country is instead going in the other direction, making it more difficult for foreign students to study in the United States, through visa restrictions and other bureaucratic hurdles. Maysan Marouf, a 23-year-old masters student in environmental sciences at the American University of Beirut, is frustrated by the fact that cultural diplomacy only ever seems to go one way. "Diplomacy implies dialogue," she writes in a recent e-mail exchange. "No dialogue is ever one-sided. I think the Americans should start to listen instead of telling us about their perspective, because their perspective is already widely known: We hear about it on the news, and Hollywood is a very powerful tool that markets the American view." Marouf recently sponsored a screening at the university of Michael Moore's Bowling for Columbine, which drew about 100 students. Though the film didn't receive theatrical distribution in Lebanon, its popularity on video spiked after Moore's anti-Bush screed at the Oscars endeared him to Arabs who were against the war. "Nothing can truly change things unless the U.S. changes its foreign policies. I don't think Arabs can be fooled so easily," Marouf writes. "MTV is very popular here. When I was about 12, such programs made me dream about going to the U.S. But then I grew up and realized how superficial these programs are." (Via Harry van Vugt, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, DXLD) ** U S A. PARANORMAL TALK SHOW HOST WHITLEY STRIEBER TAKES HIS ``DREAMLAND`` TO SHORTWAVE RADIO The best-selling author will return to radio later this month, when his ``Dreamland`` show debuts on IBC Radio Network — which provides ``niche programming not found on major networks.`` Strieber claims to have 17 million hits a month on his UnknownCountry.com website http://www.unknowncountry.com (Inside Radio Aug 5 via DXLD) Viz.: DREAMLAND NOW ON SHORTWAVE RADIO -- 04-Aug-2003 You can listen to Dreamland for free anytime, by clicking ``Listen Now`` on our masthead, and subscribers can burn it onto a CD, and listen anywhere. But if you still like radio listening best, you`ll be glad to know that Dreamland will be on LGPRN, Lou Gentile`s Paranormal Radio Network, which is part of IBC Radio Network. You can hear it on Shortwave 7.385 on Saturday and Sunday evenings at 11 p.m. EST. It will also air Monday-Friday from 3 to 5 a.m. [sic; means EDT = UT: Sun, Mon 0300-, M-F 0700-0900] DREAMLAND with Whitley Strieber -- Whitley Strieber is an author, producer and radio host. There are over 135,000,000 copies of his books in print worldwide. He is the author of many bestsellers, including the classics the Hunger, Warday, Communion and Superstorm with Art Bell. His website, http://www.unknowncountry.com, offers daily news of the edge, covering everything from crop circles to earth changes to cutting edge political news. It also has an outstanding bookstore of the highest quality books on edge and paranormal subjects in the world, and a special section for subscribers. (2 hours: Show may end at 90 minutes but continues with encore) (from http://www.ibcradio.com/radioschedule.htm via DXLD) ** U S A. FCC goes WiFi (Aug 4, 2003) -- The FCC has announced that it now provides free wireless Internet access for visitors to its Washington, DC, Headquarters (445 12th Street SW). ``When you come to the FCC, leave the cords at home,`` says FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell. ``We`re embracing the power of WiFi and the freedom and convenience of wireless Internet access it gives to consumers.`` Powell directed his staff last year to take the necessary steps to make the FCC one of the first federal agencies to provide public WiFi access. Visitors bringing their own hardware and software can use the service on the Twelfth Street, Courtyard, and Eighth Floor levels of FCC Headquarters. The system uses the IEEE 802.11a and 802.11b protocols--commonly referred to as WiFi. As for tech support, however, the FCC says users are on their own. For now, the FCC will not request personal identifying information prior to allowing access to the wireless network. If requested by outside authorities, however, the FCC will provide data from system audit logs to support external investigations of improper Internet use. In case of a system outage, users can call 202-418-WIFI. --FCC public notice (ARRL via John Norfolk, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. MEDIA-MERGER RULING IMPERILS DEMOCRACY (Op-Ed) Mort Zuckerman, Chairman & Co-Publisher of the New York Daily News Three anonymous political appointees to the Federal Communications Commission have delivered a body blow to American democracy. Large media companies are to be allowed to buy up more TV stations and newspapers, becoming more powerful and reaping a financial bonanza. Astonishingly, the FCC has done this without public review, without analyzing the consequences and without the American people getting a dime in return for their public airwaves. Under the FCC deal, big media companies must make no commitment to provide better news, or even unbiased news. Ditto local news coverage and children's programming. In fact, the new rules dramatically worsen opportunities for local news coverage, for diversity of views and for competition. "The public be damned!" was a robber barons' slogan from the Gilded Age. Seems to be just what the FCC is saying. Consider the enormity of the changes. The commissioners removed the ban on broadcasting and newspaper cross-ownership. They raised the national cap on audience reach by station-group owners to 45%. They allowed ownership of two stations in more markets, and even three in a handful of markets. There's more, but you get the idea. These FCC rules allow new merger possibilities without any public- interest review. The details are complicated, but basically, one company now can own UHF TV stations in 199 of the nation's 210 TV markets, which is pretty much the equivalent of owning stations in every TV market in every state except California. That means a single company could influence the elections of 98 U.S. senators, 382 members of the House, 49 governors, 49 state legislatures and countless local races. Employing another strategy now allowed by the FCC, that same company could own VHF stations in every TV market in 38 states, with the power to influence elections in 76 U.S. Senate races, 182 House races, 38 gubernatorial races and 38 state legislative races, along with countless local races. There are other scenarios. But again, you get the idea. Easing the rules on cross-ownership means that in many local markets, one company could own its leading daily newspaper - often, its only newspaper - its top-rated TV station, the local cable company and five to eight radio stations. Previously, no TV and newspaper mergers were allowed in the same market, except when a firm was failing. Now, the merger of the dominant newspaper and TV station could create local news monopolies in 200 markets serving 98% of Americans. One defense of this outrage offered by the big media companies is the diversity provided by the Web. Well, yes. But does anyone really think the Internet is anything like an organized political or media power, much less a counterweight to a claque of billion-dollar media behemoths? The good news is that the nation, finally, is waking up. The FCC has received hundreds of thousands of protests. Congressmen, both Democrats and Republicans, are alarmed. So are groups as diverse as Common Cause, the National Rifle Association and the Screen Actors Guild. Conservative columnist William Safire of The New York Times writes, "the concentration of power - political, corporate, media, cultural - should be anathema to conservatives." John Roberts in the Chicago Tribune deplores the "blatantly disingenuous, if not dishonest, explanations being given by FCC Chairman Michael Powell and his supporters for their actions." No prizes for guessing who supports the commission: the major media conglomerates that have coincidentally spent more than $80 million on lobbying, plus more than $25 million in political contributions, in the past three years and stand to gain enormously from this. Regardless of their political ideology, we cannot risk nonelected media bosses having inappropriate local, regional or national power. The FCC was created to ensure that the public interest is served by the media companies that use our airwaves. Everyone is entitled to a mistake sometimes, but the FCC is abusing the privilege. Congress must act now and reverse the FCC's irresponsible new rules (via August NRC DX Audio Service whazzup via DXLD) ** U S A. DORGAN GATHERS SUFFICIENT SUPPORT TO FORCE SENATE ACTION ON MEDIA RULES --- July 24, 2003 Senators Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), Trent Lott (R-Miss.), and Russell Feingold (D-Wis.) announced July 15 that they had enough signatures to force the Senate to vote on a resolution of disapproval to overturn the Federal Communications Commission's new media ownership rules. Force will not be necessary, however, because Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) has agreed to mark up the resolution in committee and report it out without a petition, Dorgan said. A resolution of disapproval is a little used procedure, created under the 1996 Congressional Review Act, that is the equivalent of a "legislative veto" of regulations. This would be only the second time the Senate had voted on such a resolution. The FCC adopted new rules June 2 that would increase the number of newspapers, television stations, and radio stations any one entity could control. "Many of us are very concerned about concentration in broadcasting and in the media," Dorgan said. "And the FCC rule moves in exactly the wrong direction in my judgment." If the resolution were signed into law, the new rules would be invalidated. "So if we overturn these rules, they're back at square one," Dorgan said. "They have the existing rules. They will, I assume, develop a process by which they determine what would be appropriate in terms of a new rulemaking." Dorgan said he was unsure of when the floor vote would occur, although the vote cannot be blocked. It is his preference, he said, to hold the vote prior to the August congressional recess; otherwise it would be held in September. Less House Support. Lott stressed that this issue was not regional or partisan, and that the resolution has broad support in the Commerce Committee. It could run into trouble in the House, though, where leaders are more inclined to support the Commission. Lott said he had spoken with House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman W.J. "Billy" Tauzin (R-La.) and House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas), who support the new rule. "They did not indicate any plans to move on this right away, and that's one of the reasons why I decided to go ahead and join this effort," Lott said. It is also unclear what the White House would do, although if the Senate disapproves the rules, it would put a substantial amount of pressure on both the House and the White House to follow suit, Dorgan said. "You never know," Lott said. "He [President Bush] hasn't vetoed any bills, he may want to make this the first one. But my position is, I feel strongly about the rightness of what we're trying to do." Dorgan noted that five Democrats and four Republicans had co-sponsored the resolution, but that more would join shortly. A separate petition to force the resolution out of committee contained the signatures of 28 Democrats and seven Republicans. Dorgan said there would have been more, but he quit collecting signatures after reaching 35. "I think there's going to be a fairly substantial amount of support to overturn this rule and say to the FCC, 'start over and get it right,'" Dorgan said. Co-sponsors of the resolution were Dorgan, Lott, Feingold, and Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Ernest "Fritz" Hollings (D-S.C.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), John Kerry (D-Mass.), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). Seven of the nine co-sponsors are members of the Senate Commerce Committee. Ferree Says Rules Sustainable In contrast, Kenneth Ferree, chief of the FCC's Media Bureau, defended the new rules, saying that the opposition to them was based on political concerns. At the bureau level, he said, staffers had tried to avoid politics and to focus on the facts and the law as cleanly and non-ideologically as they could. "And for those reasons, I think the rules are imminently sustainable in court," he added. "I think if we go to court on any of these, or all of them, we will win on most accounts if not all," Ferree said. Ferree said they were now moving ahead and leaving politics to Capitol Hill. "Whatever they do on the Hill, they do," he said. "That's a different process." (via August NRC DX Audio Service whazzup via DXLD) ** U S A. F.C.C. CHIEF PUTS LAW ABOVE POLITICS AND GETS REBUKED By Jennifer Lee, New York Times - Fri, 25 Jul 2003 The vote in the House today to derail media ownership rules was a setback for Michael K. Powell, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, who was guided by the laws, rather than the politics, constraining media conglomerates. Mr. Powell became chairman in 2001 with a broad mandate to deregulate, bolstered by a number of court rulings that had backed industry challenges to telecommunications and media regulation. But on both fronts in recent months, he has faced resistance, most recently with the building Congressional momentum to overturn the rules the F.C.C. approved in June allowing big media companies to get even larger. "This is a real dangerous spot for Powell," said Andrew Schwartzman, head of the Media Access Project, an advocacy group. "He is facing a kind of Congressional repudiation of a rare kind." Mr. Powell, however, serves at the discretion of one person, the president, who has threatened to veto the $37.9 billion spending bill if the provision reversing the media rules remains in it. The chairman, technically, does not need public or Congressional support once he is in office. At the same time, he has a bully pulpit that he can use to build support in line with a White House's agenda, and in this case, he failed to use it effectively. One problem is that Mr. Powell has approached his position like the antitrust lawyer he is - with subtle legalistic arguments that fail to stick in the public mind. He argued in June as the rules rolled out: "Keeping the rules as they are, as some so stridently suggest, was not a viable option. Without today's surgery, the rules would assuredly meet a swift death." The provision the House approved today would allow any one network owner to reach up to 35 percent of the nation's households. The F.C.C. rules had increased that to 45 percent, partially in response to court rulings that said the lower cap had not been justified. Today, Mr. Powell put out a statement from his vacation retreat (his office would not say where he was) defending the rules, which he said were mandated by Congress and the courts. "We are confident in our decision," he said. His statement also noted that in February a federal court had branded the previous commission's decision to maintain the existing rules, including the 35 percent cap, as "arbitrary and capricious and contrary to law." These may be true, but these are arguments that appeal to the dispassionate mind of a judge, not the emotional public fervor. What Mr. Powell failed to understand is that given a choice between big government and big media, the public often sides with the government. The F.C.C. - along with the Securities Exchange Commission and the Federal Trade Commission - is designed to be a bipartisan regulatory agency largely insulated from everyday politics. The F.C.C. is not allowed to lobby on Capitol Hill. But the number of 3-to-2 votes registered during Mr. Powell's term belies the politicization that has occurred on his watch. Not too much can be read into today's overwhelming 400-21 House approval of the appropriations bill, given that few members would be willing to hold up financing for government programs for something that essentially affects only four networks. A more provocative measure comes from Senator Byron Dorgan, Democrat of North Dakota, who is trying to invoke the seldom-used Congressional Review Act to overturn the entirety of the F.C.C.'s regulatory order. He has gathered more than 30 supporters so far, a number of them Republicans. "The Congressional reaction is not good for him, but it's not devastating," said Blair Levin, an analyst at Legg Mason who previously served as chief of staff at the F.C.C., referring to Mr. Powell. Mr. Powell has denied published reports that he is thinking of resigning. And, at least for now, he has the support of those who matter. "The White House is backing him up," Mr. Levin said. "At least threatening to do a veto is support for what Powell did." (via August NRC DX Audio Service whazzup via DXLD) ** U S A. FCC NOT INCLINED TO CHANGE POLITICAL ADVERTISING COMPLAINT PROCESS --- July 24, 2003 The Federal Communications Commission has a highly effective, if informal, way of dealing with complaints about political advertising, and the Commission will not change the way it handles those complaints unless and until a new mandate is signed into law, Kenneth Ferree, chief of the FCC's Media Bureau, told reporters July 15. "The short answer is, we are not looking at changing our political team in any way absent congressional direction that we do so," Ferree said. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) added an amendment to the FCC's authorization bill (S. 1264) that would require the FCC to develop new rules for broadcasters with regard to political advertising. Specifically, McCain is seeking new rules by Aug. 1, 2004, that would require broadcasters to better identify the purchasers of political advertising, and establish a formal complaint procedure at the Commission to handle violations of the rules on political advertising. Ferree, however, said it would be a huge mistake for the Commission to change its current process. "The folks that handle political complaints in the bureau are probably the most efficient group in the FCC. They handle 99 percent of the complaints literally within minutes, informally, on the telephone, with the stations and the candidate's representatives," he said. Ferree made his comments at a wide-ranging press briefing at the Commission July 15. The bureau chief's remarks on political advertising came in response to questions from reporters. Formal Process Time Consuming Right now, only the odd case is handled through a formal process, and like every other FCC process, it takes time to resolve, Ferree said. "I think if we had to do every one of them formally -- and we do lots of them -- it would be incredibly cumbersome, very slow, and I'm not sure ... the results would be any better," he said. Currently, both the stations and the candidates are usually pleased with the results from the more informal process, Ferree said. "From what I hear, it's one of the best operations in the FCC," he said. Later, Ferree said that FCC rules already require broadcasters to keep a public file with the name and a point of contact of all organizations purchasing political advertising. If someone provides credible evidence that the organization is a front or a fraud, then the broadcast station has an affirmative duty to investigate that claim, he said. However, if the station fails to adequately investigate the claim, an individual may call the FCC to complain about the station, Ferree said. "The question is, do you need a formal process then to go through?" he said. Currently, when the FCC receives this type of complaint, a staffer calls the broadcast station for answers, Ferree said. "And typically this is all kind of worked out, very informally, usually the same day," he said. During the campaign season, the Commission receives hundreds of these types of complaints, Ferree said. "And in an election cycle, a matter of days or weeks can make the difference," he said. "So it's not clear to me that a formal process to resolve these things would actually do anybody any good; in fact, it might do a great deal of harm," Ferree said. Additionally, asking broadcasters to investigate too closely the identity of political organizations could run into constitutional problems, Ferree added. "You'd have to draft the rules in a way to be very cautious about treading into the political speech arena," he said. Decline in Ad Spending Separately, the investment consulting firm Legg Mason July 15 issued a report cautioning that the growth in spending on political advertising in the upcoming election cycle is not likely to follow recent trends, which saw record-breaking spending on ads. The firm said that while the constitutionality of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform law remains to be seen, it appears that the new law is likely to reduce fund raising from some of the traditional campaign machinery. There are also other political dynamics that could restrain campaign spending on political advertising, the Legg Mason report concluded. "A key catalyst to increased spending, competitive parity, may be missing from even more races and the traditional funding gap between the parties will be widened by the fact that, for the first time in modern politics, the Republicans control the White House and Congress heading into a presidential election," the report said. Also, because control of the House or Senate does not appear to be in play, there is less incentive to spend money on political advertising, the report added. "Another factor that could dampen spending on broadcast political advertising is an emerging trend toward greater campaign budget emphasis on more targeted contacts designed to get out the vote," the Legg Mason report said. The report noted that President Bush was building a sizeable war chest that could boost broadcasters' revenues, and that the political landscape was always volatile. Even so, the growth in spending on political advertising was likely to be reduced from previous years, it said (via August NRC DX Audio Service whazzup via DXLD) ** U S A. BOROUGH FILES OBJECTIONS WITH FCC OVER WATER TANK SHOCKS By Cathy Mentzer, Staff writer - Public Opinion News The borough has hired a Louisiana attorney to try to force the owners of radio station WCBG-AM 1590 to cease operating long enough for workers to finish a 2-million-gallon water storage tank project in Chambers-5 Business Park. The attorney, who specializes in matters involving the Federal Communications Commission, filed objections with the FCC in late May to try to block WCBG's continued radio broadcasts, according to Borough Solicitor Tom Finucane. The FCC regulates the radio broadcasting industry. Radio station owner Verstandig Broadcasting, which is based in Greencastle, filed a response to the borough's objections. The FCC has not made a decision but in the meantime, the station is allowed to continue broadcasting, owner John Verstandig said. Construction of the borough's $1.75 million elevated water tank has been on hold since October when the builder, CB&I Contractors of Pittsburgh, pulled its workers off the job because they were receiving electrical burns from radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic waves being emitted by WCBG's four radio towers -- located across Tower Road from the water tank site. The borough has been unable to negotiate an arrangement with Verstandig that would solve the construction problems created by the proximity of the towers and the 150-foot-high water storage tank. Complicating the situation is the fact that the 150-foot-high water storage tank interferes with the radio signal. Despite the impasse between the borough and Verstandig over a long- term solution, radio station officials agreed to cease operating on June 26, giving CB&I workers an opportunity to remove metal forms the company had placed to pour the concrete column for the water tank. "The station agreed to do that so that the workers could get in there and remove the equipment," Finucane said. The station did not broadcast for 10 hours, according to Verstandig. He said the station notified its listeners in advance and absorbed the economic loss associated with the shutdown. "They asked if we would help them out of a jam," Verstandig said of borough officials. "We did it as a courtesy to them." When there will be further progress on the water storage tank, which had been scheduled for completion in September, seems anyone's guess. "Some discussions will be under way some time in July with Verstandig to see if there's any way to get this thing resolved that works for them and works for us," said Finucane. According to officials, possible solutions to the problem call for the borough to move the water tank, pay for moving WCBG's operation or buy the radio station. No cost estimates were available but all of the options would be costly, officials said. The cost of the borough's legal maneuverings to date was not available and Borough Council President Bill McLaughlin said he has not seen an invoice and doesn't know what the Louisiana attorney's and Finucane's fees might eventually cost. "Right now the approach that we're taking is less expensive than any of the other alternatives" McLaughlin said. He indicated that the borough might take legal action against whomever is responsible for the selection of the ill-fated water tank site in Chambers-5. "Within all these arguments, there are other legal issues that would go to culpability involved with others that were involved in the process," McLaughlin said. "That I can't comment on at this point because I'm not aware of all the issues that are going to come into play there. At this time all our options are open." The borough bought the 1.4-acre site from Chambersburg Area Development Corp. in February 1999 for $35,500. Borough Water Superintendent Carl Rundquist said last year that the borough, which used engineering firm Gannett Fleming Inc. to advise it on the project, is responsible for selecting the water tank site. The water storage tank is part of Chambersburg's $8 million water system improvement plan and is intended to boost water pressure in the south end of town and provide improved fire protection. "It improves the system, but we've operated over 100 years without it so a year's delay is not going to affect anything," McLaughlin said. "Nothing gets any worse. The pressure problem in the south end of town just doesn't get any better until it's done." (via August NRC DX Audio Service whazzup via DXLD) see 3-124 ** ZAMBIA. 4910. ZNBC, has English news at 06, has been very good here for weeks, as has Botswana 4820 (David Norcross, djnorx@fix.net, SLO CA, 7600G & DX-402, eve hung short wire Aug 4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 06 is pretty late, but I guess possible at mid-winter there (gh) UNIDENTIFIED. 5006: Amigo DXista Steve Waldee, San José, California! I have not heard anything on 5006.00 kHz for the last 5 years or more, but I do have the same carrier as you on that frequency. Not very strong and always unmodulated. I don´t think it is Radio L.T.C., Juliaca (Perú) which I noted the last time the 4th of April 2002-2355 UT on 5005.32 kHz. I have never heard Radio Jaén but could might well be that station with extremely low modulated signal. For a very long time I had an "unmodulated signal" on 5046.37v kHz. It took me a long time to hear the "first voice" but I know now that it probably is an Peruvian station with extremely low modulated signal. I will monitor the frequency. 73s from (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador (ARC - SWB América Latina), Aug 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 5924: Help wanted on signal. On Sunday night I was tuning around the 49 meter band and came across a numbers station broadcasting on LSB on 5924. The time was 1220 and initially thought the Language was Chinese but listening to a tape of it I think it may instead be Indochinese possibly Thai or Khmer. I can send a wav file on request.. The signal stopped abruptly at 1228.Noted also that prior to groups being sent heard English letters e.g. Aye, Bee , Haitch, Kay. Not given phonetically. Some numbers sounded like Leo or Liaow, sur, ban. 3/8/03 1220 5924 LSB UNID station with female reading/ singing three figure groups in possible Indochinese Language. SIO 434. The station naturally has aroused my curiosity. I again tuned in last night and they were there and lasted until 1236. There was a weak carrier and modulation on 5925 and it improved at 1300 and was broadcasting in Vietnamese. My QTH is northern Tasmania at 41.26 S 147.08 E (Robin L. HARWOOD rharwood@iprimus.com.au tai501@praize.com swl at qth.net via DXLD) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DRM +++ DRM FEEDS SOME DIGITAL NEEDS by Michael Hedges 08.01.03 http://www.rwonline.com/reference-room/iboc/02_arw_drm.shtml GENEVA -- Seven years in the making, Digital Radio Mondiale has arrived. Approximately 300 DRM proponents and international delegates to the International Telecommunication Union 2003 World Radiocommunication Conference gathered here for the flip of the digital switch in June. Voice of America was among them. Digital shortwave, medium-wave/AM and long-wave broadcasts launched when DRM chairman Peter Senger cued engineers at nearby Mount Saleve in France. Senger also is director of marketing, sales and technology for Deutsche Welle. Deliberate effort DRM founding members Thales Broadcast & Multimedia and Télédiffusion de France installed a Thales transmitter with DRM encoder/modulator on Mount Saleve, overlooking Geneva, for the launch broadcast. International broadcasters taking part in the event included BBC World Service, Christian Vision, Deutsche Welle, Kuwait Radio, Radio Canada International, Radio France Internationale, Radio Netherlands Wereldomroep, Radio Vaticana, Sveriges Radio International, Voice of Russia and Wales Radio International. National broadcasters DeutschlandRadio and Radio France; a local station in Nürnberg, Germany; and the Luxembourg-based RTL Group participated. Fraunhofer-Institut, Nozema, Telenor/Norkring, T-Systems Media & Broadcast and VT Merlin Communications also took part. The idea for DRM began in 1996 when several international broadcasters and technology companies began discussions. The participants felt something had to be done to improve broadcasting below 30 MHz as many international broadcasters were scaling back or ending such transmissions due to poor audio quality compared to FM. That mandate was set at a meeting in Guangzhou, China, in early 1998. Members of the DRM Consortium, now more than 80 broadcasters and technology companies, committed themselves to upgrading long-, medium- /AM and shortwave broadcasting below 30 MHz. Endorsement The ITU radio communication sector approved DRM specifications in April of 2001. The European Telecommunications Standards Institute published DRM technical specifications in September of that year. This cleared the way for broadcasters to test the system. DRM uses aaaPlus audio coding. This format is a combination of MPEG advanced audio coding developed by Fraunhofer and a spectral band replication bandwidth extension algorithm developed by Coding Technologies. The coder helps correct fading as propagation interference is minimized, DRM proponents say. Savings In a demonstration the week before the official launch at the European Broadcasting Union, transmissions from Russia, Canada, France, Portugal, the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom and Kuwait were switched from analog to DRM. Some broadcasters need to upgrade studios and facilities to take advantage of the digital framework, according to DRM proponents. Thales Broadcast Advanced Technologies Director Pierre Vasseur also said "content changes" were necessary for the full impact of DRM to be felt. However, the upgrade to DRM was quick, said Vasseur. "From order to on-the-air in Kuwait took less than six months," Vasseur said. The Ministry of Information of the State of Kuwait modified a 500 kW Thales shortwave transmitter at its Kabd Shortwave Center for DRM operation. An implementation bonus with DRM, proponents say, is cost savings on the transmission end. DRM transmission costs less than comparable analog broadcasting, according to the consortium. Energy cost, which can be substantial for high-power transmitters, can be cut by as much as 50 percent because, proponents say, stations can cover the same geographic area with a digital signal while using less power. Dr. Don Messer, chairman of the DRM technical committee, said cost savings are always an issue. Messer, head of spectrum management for the International Broadcasting Bureau, said, "It helps me move things around in the budgets." Messer said the interests of shortwave, long -- and medium -- wave broadcasters are similar. Quality is an issue for all, as consumers demand a sound at least similar to their local FM stations, he said. Optimum frequency Broadcasters have neglected upgrading frequencies below 30 MHz over the past decade, according to international broadcasting observers. In many parts of the world, FM broadcasting has surpassed shortwave, long -- and medium -- wave/AM services. Receivers for the DRM demonstrations were professional-level sets, although a software version of DRM can be downloaded from its Web site. Consumer-priced receivers are under development and slated for 2004 shipping. DRM can integrate audio with data and text, so additional content can be displayed on DRM-capable receivers. The units will be "smart" - once a station is tuned in, the receiver finds the optimum frequency. Messer predicts future digital receivers meant for overseas use will be multi-band, with DRM and Eureka-147 capabilities in the same receiver along with analog AM/FM. At the end of his brief remarks, just before using a cell phone to launch the inaugural broadcast, Senger asked WRC-03 delegates to work with regulators in their home countries to make DRM available. (via Kevin, NRC FMTV via DXLD) RECEIVER NEWS +++++++++++++ NEW HF RFID TAG LIMITS SHOULD NOT AFFECT AMATEURS NEWINGTON, CT, Aug 4, 2003 -- Little or no impact to the Amateur Service is expected at the low end of 20 meters in the wake of an FCC decision to raise the power limit for radio frequency identification (RFID) tags that operate in the vicinity of 13.5 MHz. The FCC agreed in a Second Report and Order (SR&O) and Memorandum Opinion and Order (MO&O) in ET Docket 95-19 released July 17 to allow 3.5 times the previous harmonic field strength in the range of 13.710 to 14.010 MHz. The joint SR&O and MO&O were in response to a Petition for Declaratory Ruling filed by M/A-COM Private Radio Systems Inc in 2001 and a Petition for Reconsideration filed by the Information Technology Industry Council in 1997.The FCC authorized an increase in the maximum allowed field strength of unlicensed Part 15 devices that transmit data -- specifically RFID tags -- in the 13.553 to 13.567 MHz band from 10,000 to 15,848 uV/m at 30 meters. Additionally, the FCC permitted an increase in the maximum field strength of harmonics from the devices in the range of 13.110 to 13.410 MHz and 13.710 to 14.010 MHz from the current 30 uV/m to 106 uV/m at 30 meters. All other harmonics of the devices must remain below 30 uV/m at 30 meters. While the increased strength in lower sideband harmonics of the RFID devices creeps into the lowest 10 kHz of the 20-meter CW band, ARRL Lab Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI says there is little, if any, cause for hams to worry about increased noise. ``The potential impact on amateurs from this rule change is minimal,`` he said. ``To meet the field strength requirements at and above 14.010 MHz, these systems, in practice, would typically exhibit less than 1 dB over current FCC limits. The signal rolls off to 30 uV/m at 14.010 MHz; there would be just a little more than that measured at 14.000 MHz.`` Several comments filed with the FCC cited the potential to interference to the Radio Astronomy Service from 13.360 to 13.410 MHz, but the Commission determined that under the new limits, harmonic emissions from RFID tags would be too low to cause interference with radio astronomy operations. The FCC also said the new limits would not adversely affect existing RFID tag technology. The FCC said the changes would allow for improved operation and spur development of the RFID tag technology, as well as bring the standards in line with those in Europe and Australia. Copyright © 2003, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved (via John Norfolk, DX LISTENING DIGEST) `MONTREAL` TRAPS For more than 40 years, electronics manufacturers have been putting out these switchable combined traps on the Montreal market, which enables viewing of WCAX-3 and WPTZ-5, by cutting down the sound carrier of Channel 2 (CBFT) and the video carrier of Channel 6 (CBMT). Last week my good old "Montreal trap" (marked AUG 1980 inside!) gave out. I've been using it extensively this summer for getting more skip mainly on 3 and 4 (ch. 4 being also affected by the CBMT powerhouse). I was lucky enough this weekend to find a more modern version of the Montreal Trap at my local electronic shop and at a considerably reduced (and ridiculous) price (they sell less and less of these things) AND got the last one they had in stock! It is the "Tin Lee Electronics" (TLE) switchable notch trap, Model # MQ7-CH2SCH6P (ch. 2 sound, ch. 6 picture) with 40 db notches. Works like a charm, it also passes VHF-Hi and UHF when trap is "OFF", which was not the case with my old trap. Loss on UHF was horrible. Tin Lee is a Toronto based company and they have all sorts of neat goodies for MATV system. If you want to check them out, try this link: http://www.tinlee.com/ 73, (Charles Gauthier, St-Lambert, Québec, WTFDA via DXLD) MUSEA +++++ TAIWAN/JAPAN --- According to Japan Industrial News, CBC-Taiwan and NEC (Nippon Electric Company, Japan) agreed on July 31 to preserve 63 year old 100 kW MW transmitter which was in operation until 1995 and is still workable. The transmitter MB-15A was manufactured by NEC in 1940 using the technology developed by Bell Research, and delivered to Mingshiong transmitting station of "Taiwan Broadcasting Corporation" of that era, and began transmitting on 670 kHz. After the surrender of Japan in 1945, the transmitter was taken over to CBC. In 1951, engineers of NEC, who themselves developed, visited Taiwan and recovered the transmitter. MB-15A will be removed to National Broadcasting Museum of Taiwan and exhibited in workable condition as one of the longest aged living radio broadcasting transmitter in the world (Takahito Akabayashi, Japan, BC-DX Aug 1 via DXLD) W1TP TELEGRAPH & SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENT MUSEUMS Tom Perera, W1TP, presents these museum pages dedicated to the preservation of telegraph history, lore, and instrumentation. http://w1tp.com TRANSDIFFUSION NETWORK Run on a not-for-profit basis and staffed entirely by volunteers, Transdiffusion is dedicated to using modern methods of communication to educate and inform on broadcasting history. We do this by making available Transdiffusion's broadcasting archive for research and educational purposes. This is an incredible wealth of information for radio and television buffs. http://www.transdiffusion.org/ NADCOMM-NORTH AMERICAN DATA COMMUNICATIONS MUSEUM The North American Data Communications Museum (NADCOMM) is committed to the project of collecting, displaying, and operating the equipment that has powered the communications revolutions of the twentieth century, from telegraphy to digital telephony. The collection, largely donated by committed telecommunications workers and businesses, already encompasses a wide array of machines spanning the entire history of teletype and the transition to contemporary digital modem technology http://www.nadcomm.com/ (all via Sheldon Harvey, Greenfield Park, Quebec, Aug Radio HF Internet Newsletter via DXLD) ### ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-139, August 4, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser, ghauser@hotmail.com Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3h.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1193: RFPI: Tue 1900, Wed 0100, 0730, 1330 on 7445, and maybe new experimental 15115 ex-15039 [nominal times may be delayed] WWCR: Wed 0930 9475 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1193.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1193.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1193h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1193h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1193.html ** ARMENIA. Clash on 15270: see ROMANIA ** AUSTRALIA. AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION ANNOUNCES BUDGET CUTS | Text of report by Radio Australia on 4 August Radio Australia's parent body, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation [ABC], has announced budget cuts of 17m US dollars. The ABC's managing director, Russell Balding, says the cuts are due to the corporation's failure to secure additional funding by the Australian government in the last federal budget. Danuta Kozacki reports: [Kozacki] In his statement, Mr Balding says the ABC board has approved management proposals for cuts to programmes and non-programme areas. Included in the 26m-dollar figure [this and following figures are Australian dollars] is the already announced 7m-dollar cut to digital television services. A further 7m dollars will be lost in television advertising, schools production and live sport. Five million dollars in spending will also be cut from News and Current Affairs budgets in television and radio, with another 5m dollars coming from non- programme functions. Mr Balding says that although around 100 positions will be affected, redundancies will be limited to 20 to 25 jobs. Source: Radio Australia, Melbourne, in English 0800 gmt 4 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** BANGLADESH. Much improved modulation and the transmitter rumble is much less, making it a bit easier to listen. However, some days modulation goes down. English at 1230-1300 on 7185 and also 1815 on 7185. Although announcing // 9550 and 15520, only the 7185 transmitter is operational. Maybe they used the 9 MHz transmitter for parts for the 7 MHz transmitter; 15520 was last heard at least 2 years back, not since. The tropical band 4880 has also been off for a couple of years (Victor Goonetilleke, Sri Lanka, DX-plorer via BC-DX via DXLD) ** BELGIUM. This week`s RVi Radio World is about the Koreas, including a supposed English schedule for RKI, starting with: The schedule for the English language programmes is as follows: 0000-0059 15385am 0200-0256 9560as 11810as 15575na ??? There is no such broadcast at 0000, but that is obviously(?) Spain on 15385, not RKI. At 0200, 9560 is certainly RKI for Am via Canada, not As! This style looks suspiciously like Monitoring Times, tho not attributed, so I checked the July and August issues. Sure `nuff, the 0200 entry has the same error of As instead of Am, and the 0000-0059 listing does show South Korea on 15385 instead of Spain! Here`s what must have happened: alphabetically adjacent entries for South Korea and Spain got merged, and of the thousands of listings in Shortwave Guide, Frans picked these out to quote. I withhold my standard rant about getting schedules correct before broadcasting (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Corrected for Oct issue (Gayle Van Horn, MT, DXLD) ** BURMA [non]. BURMESE EXILE PAPER SAYS RADIO SALES SHOW FOREIGN MEDIA IS NEWS LIFELINE More Burmese people are turning to foreign-based radio broadcasts since the Rangoon government imposed a media blackout after the arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi, according to Bangkok-based exile publication Irrawaddy. The following is the text of a report in English by Thailand-based Burmese exile publication Irrawaddy web site on 1 August 1 August: Large numbers of Burmese hungry for news and entertainment are tuning in to Rangoon's City FM and several foreign broadcasts available via shortwave radio. Rangoon resident Khin Maung Shwe says he listens to BBC and other broadcasts every morning. "It is not unusual. People listen to radio for news because there is a complete blackout here," he said. Since the 30 May ambush on Aung San Suu Kyi and the subsequent detention of opposition leaders, many Burmese want to know what's going on in the country and the whereabouts of Suu Kyi. "Burmese citizens want to know how the international community is reacting to Burma," Khin Maung Shwe said. Stories by overseas Burmese and regional experts on the impact of US sanctions, ASEAN's concern over Suu Kyi and the ongoing debate on factionalism within the regime draw many grateful listeners. "We want to know what will happen to us since the US imposed sanctions on Burma," said Khin Maung Shwe. He witnessed "something unusual" as of late: regular joggers in the capital bringing along radios during their morning runs. "I have never seen that before," he said. Washington-based Voice of America (VOA) begins its broadcast at 6 a.m. [2330 gmt previous day], followed by BBC Burmese Service, Washington- based Radio Free Asia (RFA) and the Oslo-based opposition station Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB). Former opposition party member Myo Myint said, "When I stroll down the street in Rangoon [in the early morning] I can hear news because almost every house is listening to the BBC or RFA." However, he said, tea shops in Rangoon usually feature TV and radio cassette players but do not dare play news aloud, fearing a reaction from authorities. Listening to shortwave radio is not illegal in Burma but citizens know that the government does not approve of the activity. In some provinces, daring tea shop owners do not hide their support of Suu Kyi and the democracy movement and play the broadcasts at high volume as a sign of defiance. In addition to the programmes available via shortwave, City FM is hugely popular among Burmese. The station is managed by Yangon City Development Committee. Since late 2001, City FM has broadcast live interviews with Burmese celebrities and played popular music avoided by the state-run radio stations. A veteran journalist in Rangoon said, "People are thirsty for infotainment," adding that many young people regularly tune in to FM radio. Though there is no official survey of listenership, it is believed that millions of Burmese listen to shortwave. As more and more people listen, radio sales have increased. Ordinary Burmese cannot afford to buy popular brand names such as Sony or Aiwa but they do purchase Chinese-made radios like Tecsun and Kchibo, which range in price range from 10,000 (10 US dollars) to 15,000 kyat. The price for a digital radio is over 20,000 kyats. "They are affordable for many Burmese," said Khin Maung Shwe. In Mae Sot, on the Thai side of the Burmese border, many Burmese listen to shortwave news broadcasts. Most prefer a particular station. Ko Zarni, an activist and a former National League for Democracy (NLD) member said, "I only listen to the BBC." When asked why, he replied, "You don't get bored." Back in Rangoon, city dwellers and democracy groups are not unanimous in their choice of a favourite station. Ko Maung Maung Htin, who is in his early 30s, says he listens to BBC and RFA. "I am addicted [to these radio stations]," he said. "I have to listen to them every night." He also says people have more choices than they used to and can compare stations to determine which they prefer. A veteran journalist in Rangoon said he has to listen to all available stations as part of his job. "I prefer RFA because of its news and interviews," he said. But many in Rangoon say BBC is more accurate and professional. "I like BBC and RFA, they are well-informed," he said. "People are fed up with propaganda, they don't want to be cheated." The BBC tops in popularity, followed by RFA, he added. The editor of a weekly news journal in Rangoon said many listeners are drawn to the lively discussions, interviews about current events and news reporting. "If you think something is up, you must listen to them because the government won't say anything," he said. Though not significant in number, some mid-ranking NLD officials, veteran writers and political observers in Burma are joining the stations' lively discussion programmes, despite intimidation and threats of possible detention. A former broadcaster, who worked for a state-run station in the 1970s, said it was unlikely that the generals listened to any overseas broadcasts. He added that the government's monitoring service listens to almost everything, as they also did in the past. During the Gen Ne Win era, the socialist government monitored BBC, Radio Moscow, All India, Voice of America and as well as the Burmese Communist Party's radio station based along the China-Burma border. Each morning, news sheets were sent to high-ranking officials, especially those working for military intelligence. Such monitoring continues but the current junta is much more sophisticated than their predecessors. Thanks to the television and Internet technology, military intelligence officers and Burma's policy strategists at the War Office in Rangoon receive the latest news on Burma and the region on their desk within hours or minutes. "They have everything: satellite, cable TV and the Internet," said the former broadcaster. "They analyse news and come up with new strategies to counter domestic and international opinion." Senior government leaders, however, rarely address the public, even on the state-run television and radio stations. Nor do the generals appear to be big fans of the foreign-based broadcasts. "They think these radio stations are biased and only broadcast rumours and fabricated news," he said. Khin Maung Shwe thinks Burma's leaders could easily be irritated by listening to the popular overseas stations. Why? "Because they are telling you the truth," he said. Source: Irrawaddy web site, Bangkok, in English 1 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** CHINA. CRI TO START NEW HINDI TRANSMISSION FOR INDIAN SUBCONTINENT WEF 5th Aug CRI is starting an additional daily transmission in Hindi targeted towards Indian subcontinent - 1300-1400 on 11765, 13715 khz. CRI already has two transmissions in Hindi: 1500-1600 UT on 1323, 9690, 11675; 1600-1700 UT on 1269, 9690, 11675 Regds, (Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, Aug 4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COSTA RICA. The University for Peace has decided not to immediately evict the staff and volunteers on August 4th, as they have threatened to do. A meeting with the RFPI staff and University representatives (whose names were not made known) has been set up for August 11th. The email and telephone campaign seems to be working but should be continued and increased during these next seven days. Spread the word to media outlets, newspapers, radio, magazines, alternative sources (Chuck Scurich, Aug 4, http://www.saverfpi.org via DXLD) PETITION FOR THE WORLD TO CIRCULATE SPANISH AND ENGLISH http://www.saverfpi.org/article.php?story=20030804094302272 (via DXLD) Hi Glenn, Maurice Strong is a "famous" Canadian --- He was head of Ontario Hydro (the province's energy company) and was said to be involved in all sorts of stuff. This already included, many years ago, some supposedly shady dealings *in Costa Rica* (I'm not stating for a fact, because I wasn't there and because e-mails go through oodles of computers these days until they get to the recipient). It seems that he's had some affinity for the country for quite a while. He's not known to be very progressive, either... A cached page of Tico Times (from Google) (Costa Ricans are called Ticos, as you know, and it's a name by which even their soccer team is known) dwells over this in the last July issue: http://www.google.ca/search?q=cache:GZtA2WhY_EcJ:www.ticotimes.net/newsbriefs.htm+maurice+strong+costa+rica&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 [but that has been replaced by something about shark fins!] By going to http://www.ticotimes.net/archive/_vti_bin/shtml.dll/ocean.htm and searching for Maurice Strong, it finds 217 (!) documents. One of which is http://www.ticotimes.net/archive/07_31_03_nb.htm (btw, I was pleased that you mentioned Kofi Annan's e-mail address, as I also had guessed at his *unpublished* address when I wrote in a couple of times -- I guessed sg@ and it didn't bounce... This Tico Times shows it as annan@ and that probably works as well). Here's a piece on M. Strong's background: http://forests.org/archive/samerica/ecotour.htm Google News finds only one entry for Radio For Peace International: U.N.-backed School Threatens to Shut down Radio For Peace International http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=03/07/29/168226 It points to James Latham's recording, I believe. So your coverage is definitely needed and appreciated. Best regards (Carlos Coimbra, Ont., Aug 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) It took me quite a while to figure out what appears to be going on down in Costa Rica. Between listening too much to RFPI for days on end and reading the Tico Times and other sources, it still remains somewhat baffling. But, I think that I can move into the editorial opinion mode sufficiently so that I can respond to John's posting here. For some of what I think is happening I rely on my experience as a former college professor at 3 different universities, as well as my observations of other universities from the outside. It seems clear that when the University for Peace changed its chief administrators recently, it did not take long for an internal fight to break out at the University between its administrators and RFPI. The University spent a bunch of money in the capital budget to install various infrastructure around the campus, including internet connections and related expenses. They sent RFPI a bill for these expenses, which RFPI did not pay. Negotiations between RFPI and the University administrators did not go well. Then, one day about a week ago the administrators sent the campus police (apparently well armed in a place like Costa Rica) over to the station and they padlocked the entrance to the station parking lot with chains and locks. The university has served RFPI with an eviction notice. RFPI decided to fight rather than negotiate, and the daily broadcasts since then are a result of this. Most of what we are hearing on RFPI's SWBC shows is highly puzzling, since its production goal seems exclusively to broadcast the station's position in the dispute with the University, even though almost no listeners have any idea that there is an internal fight at the university, or what the basis of this fight is. As journalists in this particular news story, I give the lowest possible grade to RFPI's reporters. They have never even broadcast one sentence of the university administrators' version of the story. In fact, they don't make it clear that this is an internal budget argument at the college, even though that appears to be the entire basis for the dispute. So, RFPI gets black marks for completely missing a big SWBC news story in which they are one of the main participants. But, the University does not come out of this looking very good either. The Tico Times said that the college administrators were refusing to speak to the press at all, referring all inquiries to their lawyer. (Those of you who live in cities will recognize this tactic, which frequently is used by politicians who are guilty of something before they are hauled off to the slammer). The Univeristy's lawyer has a very poor sense of press relations. He claimed to the Tico Times that he had been trying for weeks to call RFPI to negotiate the dispute, but that he could not find out what their phone number was. The Tico Times says that the RFPI phone number is listed in the San José phone book, and is also posted on the RFPI web site. RFPI claims to be on international UN territory, and thus claims to be exempt from the Costa Rican government`s control of radio frequencies. The university administrators are attacking them for being unlicensed, and claim that their efforts to force RFPI to acquire a Costa Rican broadcasting license are a part of the unresolved dispute. I personally think that this is pretty much a red herring that has little or nothing to do with the dispute. RFPI claims repeatedly that the university administration has no authority to evict RFPI from their studios and transmitters, since RFPI claims to have completely financed the construction of these facilities with listener donations, apparently with no portion financed through the university. However, the Tico Times says that the university owns the real estate on which the facilities exist. I am not a lawyer, and I know nothing about Costa Rican real estate law, so this probably is a matter for local litigation. I don't know anything about Costa Rican law on nonprofit groups like RFPI and the University, but I assume that here is another issue for local litigation. This explains why RFPI is asking for donations to their "Legal Defense Fund." It is not at all uncommon for arguments like this to take place within universities, although it is somewhat unusual that this one has spilled out into the domain of the public press so openly. In the United States, things like this normally generate prominent press coverage only when the issues involve sports teams, such as the time recently when the scandals on the University of Georgia's basketball team caused the coach to quit and the team to withdraw from the NCAA basketball tournament. There are undoubtedly personality issues involved in the internal dispute at the university. In my experience, this is always the case. But, I have found out nothing about such things in the RFPI incident. We don't know the people anyway, so such details would not mean much to us, although I bet that they mean a great deal down in Costa Rica. The general manager of RFPI appears to have handled the situation poorly. He has not negotiated well with the college. He is not doing a good job of having his station cover the dispute as a news story. The former President of Costa Rica is now on the University Board of Trustees. He has been trashing the actions of the University administration in the Tico Times, so there is at least some dissension on the Board. I'll bet that the next Board of Trustees meeting at the University will be very interesting. I can't see much evidence that this is an issue of local Costa Rican politics, or as RFPI is claiming, that this is an issue of free speech rights. I could be wrong about he politics, but it looks pretty certain that the university is not picking on RFPI in censorship of the shows that they run. The whole thing appears to be an internal budget argument within the university. Neither side is acting with much distinction in the dispute. RFPI's format has become almost exclusively a crude imitation of fundraisers on local public radio stations in the United States. In a sense, they are copying the format used by the many right wing religious preachers and commentators that they frequently have criticized in the past on the RFPI shows. I think that this is ironic, but I don't think that RFPI will have a sense of humor about this one. I don't think that any of us have to apologize for spending so much time on this one, which is not exactly a hard core DX issue. But, except for the demise of the BBC, I think that this has been one of the most interesting programming developments on any SWBC station in the world since the fall of the Soviet Union. I say that despite the fact that if RFPI went off the air, I would miss it a lot less than I miss something like Swiss Radio International. I guess the resurrection of AFRTS might be up at the same level of importance from a programming and DX standpoint. I can't say that I want to defend RFPI in this, since their journalistic shortcomings have been huge. But, I can't defend the University administration, either. They are flubbing the situation fairly flagrantly. The Tico Times says that the UN has been criticizing the university for having allegedly substandard academic programming. So, as I see it, we have a lot of losers on both sides of this particular dispute (George Zeller, OH, DXplorer July 30 via BC-DX via DXLD) George apparently hasn`t been reading about Maurice Strong, or he would come to slightly different conclusions about this being solely an intra-university squabble over who pays for what (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA (Special Event). Look for special event station CO0R to be on the air from Santiago de Cuba City, August 9-10th, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Cuban national hero Jose Martí. Activity will be on CW, SSB and digital modes (bands of activity were not provided). All QSLs will be sent automatically via bureau (KB8NW/OPDX August 3/BARF-80 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** CUBA. Comentario de Zecchino: And the Yanqui running dogs of Imperiali'tas think they have the edge with IBOC. 590 Musical is now on more than off, South Florida's commercial free classical station. Command economy engineers melded the transfer case from the '48 Fordson Fieldmaster with some old Nehi bottles to produce a perfectly good water cooled tetrode, new life for the 'mighty 590'. Intelligence from Mr. Crawford confirms source of jamming of the VOA - Iran Broadcasts as originating from Bejucal, thirty or so miles south of Habana's Palacio del Fido. And to think, some thought the old Soviet radio complex south of Havana to be a cold war memory. Not one to neglect matters at home, Líder Máximo is bravely shifting his radio networks about on the fly. 1140 is ex-Ciudad Bandera and is now Cadena Habana with the added benefit of the jammer transmitter collocated with the satellite jammer at Bejucal now sporadically broadcasting Reloj. On the same frequency 1140. Look, this is Cuba, and El Commandante en Jeffe knows best, just ackse Oliver Stone. 1470 still bringing clarity of truth to the Americas with Ciudad Bandera. 1120 Cadena Habana is off the air for the moment, 1100 soldiers on. 1000 and 1020, both long R. Guamá, are silent but carriers appear, part of the valiant campaign to jam the US psyops C-130 counter- revolucionario flights, how the gringo dreams! Good news for lovers of 1260 Encyclopedia, its alluring format and 100 percent compressed modulation. Yes, just watch it sometime on the VU meter of the R-390, set VU for max at 100%, you'll never see the movement drop lower than 97%. And the gringos think they have it all with their Optimods and Solarizers. Ha. Chivatos! Yes, 1260 Encyclopedia is now buttressed by 1270, originating from Torriente about fifty miles south southwest of Habana and courageously fighting WNOG 1270 in Naples, Florida, as it forges ahead to the joy of appreciative connoisseurs of fine melody in Flo-ree-da, as the butthole surfers would so pronounce the name, now rumored to be playing for pesos in Ciego de Ávila, home to the 820 jammer (Paul V. Zecchino, Englewood FL, NRC IDXD Aug 4 via DXLD) ** GERMANY. Today a state-wide commercial radio program will cease to exist, for the very first time here in Germany as far as I know. The RPR network in Rheinland-Pfalz winds up its second program RPR 2 because the audience of its "Schlager" format (some special German kind of light music) was considered as too old and therefore not of interest for advertisers. At 0300 UT RPR 2 will be replaced by the youth-orientated bigFM program from Stuttgart. Repeat, the only state- wide commercial broadcaster of Rheinland-Pfalz will from today relay a program produced elsewhere, only with few self-produced stuff inserted. Live programming of RPR 2 ceased already on Friday at 1300 UT. A recording of the good-bye from the very last on-air shift should be downloadable from http://www.radioforen.de/attachment.php?s=&postid=62367 (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Aug 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. DEUTSCHE WELLE FROM BONN The German service of Deutsche Welle broadcasts since 0900 from Bonn now as it was planned. The 0800 and 0830 news were concluded with a remark that these were the last editions from Cologne. At 0900 another announcer read the first news from Bonn, finally at 0930 the lady who did the last shift at Cologne continued at Bonn. I guess the first thing broadcast from Bonn, i.e. no longer routed through the console at Cologne, was the interval signal at 0900. And indeed the studio mikes at Bonn do sound somewhat different even after the heavy soundprocessing on shortwave. [Recording:] Statement from head of security service at Cologne "who will be the last one to switch off the lights": No reason to be afraid, we are still present with two men, all alarm systems are still operational. Some melancholy because this is the end of an era in some way. One slip occurred, although not necessarily related to the move: The first edition of Funkjournal from Bonn started with a whole minute of only the stinger for whatever reason (technical problem or just announcer not ready in time). (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Aug 4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUANTANAMO BAY. Cory/N1WON and David/WA4ET will be active as KG4CM and KG4DP, respectively, from Guantánamo Bay, Cuba (NA-015), from August 14 to 21st. Activity will be 80-6 meters, SSB, RTTY and PSK. Please QSL KG4CM to N5FTR and KG4DP to WA4ET. Reminder: Please do not send cards for this event to the bureau. There is no KG4 bureau for Guantánamo Bay. Please QSL as directed to receive QSL cards (KB8NW/OPDX August 3/BARF-80 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** IRAQ [and non]. THE MEDIA IN POST-WAR IRAQ - 1 AUGUST 2003 New publications continue to appear in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Husayn's regime in April 2003. At the time of writing, more than 130 newspapers and other publications are available. Independent radio and TV stations, however, have been slower to emerge. The Iraqi Media Network, operated by the Coalition Provisional Authority, continues for the time being to dominate domestic broadcasting. International broadcasters such as the BBC, Radio Monte Carlo-Middle East and the US-run Radio Sawa are all available on FM in Baghdad and some other Iraqi cities. Internet services are on offer in the capital, and the state internet service provider, Uruklink, is back in operation after several months offline. The Paris-based organization Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF) on 23 July published a report on developments in Iraq's media in the last four months. The full report can be seen on the RSF web site, http://www.rsf.fr The following new Iraqi press and broadcast sources have been traced since the previous 15 July 2003 issue of "The media in post-war Iraq": NEW TV BROADCASTS IN IRAQ SINCE 15 JULY 2003 KTVS - Kurdish TV station available in Baghdad - sound frequency 668.75 MHz NEW IRAQI PRESS SINCE 15 JULY 2003 --- [lengthy list of publications snipped for DXLD; anyone really needing this may contact the editor] POST-WAR BROADCAST MEDIA --- RADIO FM BAND IN BAGHDAD (MHz) 89.0 - BBC World Service in Arabic 89.9 - Iranian Payam network in Persian 90.1 - Iranian Voice of the Mujahidin in Arabic 92.3 - Continuous US pop music 93.0 - Iranian Javan (Youth) network in Persian 93.5 - Radio Monte Carlo-Middle East 95.0 - Radio Freedom from Baghdad in Arabic (operated by the PUK) 97.4 - Continuous US pop music (as 92.3) 97.7 - Continuous US pop music (as 92.3) 98.1 - BBC World Service in English 98.3 - Iraqi Media Network, Radio Baghdad in Arabic 100.4 - US Radio Sawa in Arabic 101.6 - Iranian Javan (Youth) network in Persian 107.4 - Continuous US pop music (as 92.3) AM/MEDIUMWAVE (kHz) 531 - (Iranian) IRIB Radio Sarasarye network in Persian 540 - Radio Kuwait Main Programme in Arabic 558 - IRIB Radio Farhang network in Persian 576 - IRIB Arabic Service 585 - (Saudi) BSKSA General Programme in Arabic 612 - IRIB Arabic Service 630 - Radio Kuwait Koran Programme in Arabic 657 - Unidentified station "[Word indistinct] Iraq Radio" in Arabic and Kurdish 666 - IRIB Radio Sarasarye network in Persian 693 - US Information Radio in Arabic 711 - IRIB Ahwaz regional in Arabic 720 - Voice of the Mujahidin in Arabic 756 - Information Radio in Arabic 783 - BSKSA 2nd Programme in Arabic 819 - Syrian Arab Republic Radio Main Programme in Arabic 864 - Radio Nejat in Persian 900 - IRIB Radio Sarasarye network in Persian 909 - Radio Nahrain 936 - BSKSA Koran Programme in Arabic 954 - Radio Qatar in Arabic 972 - IRIB Radio Sarasarye network in Persian 1000 - Voice of the Worker Communist Party of Iraq 1026 - Iraqi Media Network, Radio Baghdad in Arabic 1053 - Republic of Iraq Radio, Voice of the Iraqi People in Arabic 1134 - Radio Kuwait Main Programme in Arabic 1161 - IRIB Arabic Service 1170 - (US-run) Radio Farda in Persian 1224 - IRIB Arabic Service 1251 - IRIB Radio Sarasarye network in Persian 1269 - Radio Kuwait Modern Arabic Music Service 1296 - Voice of Azerbaijan in Azeri - Radio Liberty relay 1314 - (US-run) Radio Free Iraq via Abu Dhabi 1341 - Radio Kuwait 2nd Programme in Arabic 1395 - Voice of Armenia in Armenian 1440 - BSKSA General Programme in Arabic 1449 - IRIB World Service in Russian 1467 - BSKSA General Programme in Arabic 1476 - Emirates Radio, UAE, in Arabic 1485 - IRIB Radio Sarasarye network in Persian 1503 - IRIB Radio Sarasarye network in Persian 1521 - IRIB Radio Farhang network in Persian 1539 - (US-run) Radio Farda in Persian 1548 - (US-run) Radio Sawa in Arabic 1566 - Radio of the Land of the Two Rivers in Arabic 1575 - Radio Al-Mustaqbal 1575 - Radio Asia, UAE, in Urdu 1593 - VoA English/Kurdish/Persian + Radio Free Iraq Iraqi Media Network, Voice of New Iraq - operated by the Coalition Provisional Authority. Has also identified as Republic of Iraq Radio from Baghdad and Voice of Free Iraq (Sawt al-Iraq al-Hurr). Broadcasts on 98.3 MHz FM in Baghdad. On 27 May 2003 the station was observed on 1026 kHz announcing as Iraqi Media Network, Radio Baghdad. Radio Nahrain Since the end of March 2003, Radio Nahrain, also known as Twin Rivers Radio, has been transmitting on FM on 100.4 and 94.6 MHz from a location south of Basra. It has also been monitored on 909 kHz mediumwave. The station is operated by British forces, but was due to be taken over at some stage by the Coalition Provisional Authority. Voice of Freedom, Voice of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan radio in Arabic and Kurdish is operated by the PUK. It broadcasts daily from 1000-1900 gmt on 95.0 MHz. The station identifies on air as "Radio Freedom". Turkomaneli TV and radio was launched in Kirkuk in April 2003 and broadcasts on behalf of the Iraqi Turkoman Front. Turkomaneli Radio opened radio stations in Talla'far and Mosul on 6 and 8 May respectively, the Iraqi Turkoman Front newspaper Turkomaneli reported on 11 May. Dangi Komal-Kirkuk radio broadcasts on 1341 kHz in Kurdish, Arabic and Turkish to Kirkuk on behalf of the Kurdistan Islamic Group. The Worker-Communist Party of Iraq's "Radio Bopeshawa" is reportedly back on the air. The internet site of the Worker-Communist Party of Iraq http://www.wpiraq.org reports that Ila al-Amam (Forward) Radio [usually rendered as Radio Bopeshawa, meaning "Forward"], voice of the Worker-Communist Party of Iraq, broadcasts for one hour a day on shortwave from 1100 gmt (half an hour in Arabic and half an hour in Kurdish), to the areas of Arbil, Kirkuk and Mosul. The same programme is repeated between 0500-0600 gmt the next day. Identifies on air as "Voice of the Worker Communist Party of Iraq". The following are among stations in operation before April 2003 that continue to be heard inside Iraq: Voice of the People of Kurdistan, operated by the PUK Voice of Iraqi Kurdistan, operated by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Radio Azadi, Voice of the Communist Party of Iraqi Kurdistan Ashur Radio - The station reportedly began operation in April 2000 and is operated by the Assyrian Democratic Movement, an opposition organization in northern Iraq. It broadcasts in Assyrian and Arabic on shortwave, reportedly from a transmitter in Azerbaijan. Voice of the Iraqi People, Voice of the Iraqi Communist Party - The station broadcasts from northern Iraq, possibly using Kurdish facilities. Voice of the Mojahed, the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization's radio, may still be located in Iraq, but this seems unlikely. This radio broadcasts via shortwave, satellite and with archive audio files on the internet. Studios were believed to be located in Baghdad. Following the fall of Saddam Husayn the station was observed to have ceased broadcasting for a few days in April. The station recommenced broadcasts only via satellite with archive audio files on the internet and its studio location is unconfirmed. The web site of the radio station is at: http://www.iran.mojahedin.org and the satellite is Telstar 12 at 15 degrees west. Al-Mustaqbal [The Future] radio is operated by the Iraqi National Accord. TELEVISION The Iraqi Media Network launched on 13 May. The Washington Post reported on 11 May that the US planned a nationwide Iraqi TV network to succeed the airborne Towards Freedom TV. The programme, initially for two hours but projected as a 24-hour full-service network, includes 30 minutes of news each night, including a local news segment, the report said. The station began broadcasts amid squabbling between its US and Canadian advisers, and complaints from its Iraqi journalists about "American censorship", international agencies reported. Since around 20 June the Iraqi Media Network TV has broadcast to Iraq from Eutelsat W1, located at 10 degrees east. Karbala - a local TV channel was launched on 16 April, according to United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi TV on 6 May. Similar small-scale local channels are reported to be operating in Najaf and Kut, according to BBC News Online reporter Tarik Kafala, who visited the stations in June 2003. Ninawa TV was launched in mid-July 2003. The Baghdad newspaper Al-Ittihad reported on 14 July that an independent radio station called Ninawa Radio also operates in the city. Freedom TV [Al-Hurriyah TV] is a PUK-sponsored television station that began test transmissions from Baghdad on 30 April. A PUK statement said viewers can access Freedom TV on UHF channel 38 from 1700-2200 gmt. Mosul TV was the "first station" to resume transmission in Iraq after the overthrow of Saddam Husayn, Dubai-based news channel Al-Arabiya TV reported on 10 May. Kirkuk TV channel started broadcasts on 23 April "under the supervision of the coalition forces", according to a report by the Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) newspaper Brayati on 25 April. Turkomaneli TV and radio was launched in Kirkuk in April 2003 and broadcasts on behalf of the Iraqi Turkoman Front. Turkomaneli Radio opened radio stations in Talla'far and Mosul on 6 and 8 May respectively, the Iraqi Turkoman Front newspaper Turkomaneli reported on 11 May. The Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization's (MKO) "Vision of Resistance TV" (Sima-ye Moqavemat) which was relayed by the former Republic of Iraq Television before and after normal broadcasting hours has not been reported on the air recently. Reportedly the studios were in Ashraf, north of Baghdad in Central Iraq. The only MKO TV programmes being traced at present are via satellite on the station "Simaye Azaidi Iran National TV" (Vision of Freedom National Iran TV), which is not located in Iraq but which the sat-address.com web site gives UK-based contact details. The web site is http://www.iranntv.com and satellites are the trans-Atlantic Telstar 12, Telstar 5 for North America and Atlantic Bird 3 covering all of Europe and the Middle East. KurdSat, the television station of the PUK, has expanded its broadcasts to Kirkuk and Khanaqin. The KDP's television station Kurdistan TV now beams its programmes to Kirkuk and Mosul. The Iraqi newpaper Al-Qabas reported on 3 June that eight million satellite dishes would be imported from the United States, Japan, Korea and China. TV BAND IN BAGHDAD (sound frequencies in MHz ) VHF 194.75 - Iraqi Media Network Television 222.75 - Iranian Television First Channel UHF 484.75 - Iraqi Media Network Television 508.75 - Iranian Television First Channel 532.75 - Iranian Television Regional Service 604.75 - Iraqi Media Network Television 644.75 - Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Radio (in parallel with radio transmission on 4025 kHz) 668.75 - KTVS - Kurdish TV station IRANIAN BROADCAST MEDIA ACCESSIBLE IN IRAQ --- TELEVISION The Iran-based Al-Alam TV channel in Arabic and English is a 24-hour news channel transmitted on four satellites (Arabsat, Asiasat, Telstar and Hot Bird satellites) and can be received in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and America. Al-Alam broadcasts into Baghdad from a powerful transmitter about 150 km away, just over the Iran-Iraq border. It is the only foreign channel that can be viewed by Iraqis without a satellite dish. That has sent its viewership soaring among Iraqis, who cannot afford a satellite dish and receiver. The Arabic channel began broadcasting in February 2003. English content currently is limited to horizontal news subtitles or news tickers. The station has a web site at http://www.alalamnews.com Sahar Universal Network 1 and 2 television, Iran's external satellite TV service on the Hot Bird 1-6 satellites, is viewable across Iraq and includes Arabic programming. It broadcasts on the 13 degrees East Hot Bird 1-6 satellite daily from 0500-2300 gmt. Its web site is located at http://www.sahartv.com. Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran television in Arabic is based in Tehran and sponsored by the state-run Vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It broadcasts daily to Iraq on the satellite parameter 11172 MHz V (6.8 MHz) 62 degrees East Intelsat 902. Al-Thaqalayn TV --- This channel, affiliated to an Iranian cultural institute of the same name, is targeted at viewers in Iraq and broadcasts religious programmes, the Tehran Times newspaper reported on 14 July. People in Iran's Ilam Province can watch the programmes as well, the report noted. Resistance Channel - this TV channel is called "Al-Estiqamah TV" in Arabic; in April 2003 it was reported to be using the facilities of Iranian radio and TV, including the aerial of Iran's Education Channel, to broadcast to Iraq. The station was inaugurated in early April 2003 by Ayatollah Baqr al-Hakim, the head of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq [SCIRI], according to the Tehran- based Baztab web site. The channel was untraced when checked from 5-7 July 2003, and may no longer be operational. A search of internet sites on 6 July revealed that the channel has left Intelsat 902, Hot Bird and Arabsat. RADIO Voice of the Mujahidin First observed on 17 April and broadcasting in Arabic, the station's content suggests that it is operated by the Iranian-backed Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI). In addition, the station is transmitting on one of several frequencies used by Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting for its external transmissions. Has been heard on 90.1 MHz FM, in parallel with 720 kHz. The content generally parallels that of the main SCIRI web site located at http://www.majlesaala.com. Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran (VIRI) external service in Arabic can be heard on mediumwave and shortwave inside Iraq as well as via the Internet at http://www.irib.com. Voice of Rebellious Iraq - broadcasts in Arabic and supports the Iranian-sponsored Shi'i group, the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI); believed to transmit from Iran. The station was untraced when checked from 5-7 July 2003. INTERNATIONAL MEDIA Major international radio and television stations, such as pan-Arab satellite television stations, the BBC Arabic and World service radio, US Radio Sawa, the Paris-based Radio Monte Carlo-Middle East and US- sponsored Radio Sawa and Radio Free Iraq are available in Iraq. BBC World Service is now 24 hours a day in Arabic on FM in Baghdad and Basra. The FM frequencies are 89.0 MHz in Baghdad and 90.0 MHz in Basra in Arabic. In Basra, the World Service can also be heard in English on FM on 88.0 MHz and 98.1 MHz. Radio Monte Carlo-Middle East is now on FM on 93.5 MHz in Baghdad for 24 hours a day. Radio Sawa is on FM in Baghdad (100.4 MHz), Arbil (100.5 MHz) and Sulaymaniyah (88.0 MHz), as well as on 1548 MW. Since mid-May 2003, Libya has been broadcasting specifically to Iraq in Arabic. The shortwave broadcasts carrry the following announcement: "This is the general centre for broadcasts beamed from the Great Jamahiriyah: A message to the people of the two rivers [Iraq]." Libya broadcasts to Iraq daily on 17600 kHz at 1200-1300 and on 7245, 9605, and 11660 kHz at 1800-1900 gmt. Syrian Arab Republic Radio is the Syrian state-owned radio's external service. It broadcasts on shortwave on 12085 and 13610 kHz. It has also been heard in Iraq on the MW frequency of 819 kHz between 1100 and 1145 gmt. Its satellite parameters are 11572 MHz H (7.2 MHz) on 16 degrees East Eutelsat W2, and 3803 MHz LCHP 40.50 W NSS 806. Its broadcast times are from 1100-1145, 1350-1450, 1830-1915 and 2215-2315 gmt. Radio Kuwait is the state-owned Kuwaiti radio. It can be received in Iraq on the MW frequency of 540 kHz 24 hours. Voice of Israel is Israel's state-owned radio. It broadcasts daily in Arabic on shortwave from 0300-2115 gmt on 5915 kHz and 12150 kHz. Access to all broadcast media is limited by the availability of electricity, radio and TV sets and the satellite equipment. INTERNET Uruklink, the Iraqi state internet service provider, was observed back in operation on 12 July after several months offline. The web site at http://www.uruklink.net includes links to live audio streams from the BBC Arabic Service, Radio Sawa and Radio Monte Carlo-Middle East. The US-led Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) that is administering postwar Iraq has a web site http://www.cpa-iraq.org The web site carries transcripts of speeches by CPA administrator L. Paul Bremer and other officials, fact sheets on Iraqi ministries, public service announcements, press releases and official documents such as regulations and orders issued by the CPA. An official source at the Ministry of Transport and Communications announced at the end of June 2003 that internet services to private subscribers in Baghdad would be resumed soon, and would be "free of charge", Al-Shira newspaper reported. Source: BBC Monitoring research 1 Aug 03 (via DXLD) ** IRAQ [non]. IRAN-BASED VOICE OF THE MUJAHIDIN RADIO STEPS UP ANTI- US RHETORIC The radio of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI), Voice of the Mujahidin, has escalated its anti-US rhetoric, calling the US "terrorists" and accusing the US of "helping its agent Saddam". At the same time, the radio has praised the new Governing Council and even appealed to the Council to help Iraqis against the "occupation". Since 25 July, the radio has broadcast a programme in Iraqi Arabic dialect called "Tales of the Countryman," which has labelled the US "a terrorist country" and denounced the US presence in Iraq. Political commentaries in the radio's newscasts have also regularly condemned the US. - On 29 July, "Tales of the Countryman" accused the United States of being "a terrorist country sponsoring world terrorism". Commenting on the "occupation" of Iraq, the programme added: "America is an invader, unfair and a criminal. [Passage omitted] US forces have occupied Iraq and are here to stay. Occupation is an injustice, and injustice will make people explode and destroy what is around them." - On 28 July, the programme accused the United States of "violating democracy" through its "repressive treatment of Iraqis, isolating Iraqis from the rest of the Islamic and neighbouring countries, and Bremer's representation of the Iraqi people at international arenas". - In one political commentary, the radio accused the United States of "helping its agent Saddam so as to frighten the Gulf states," adding that "the United States is not concerned with liberating Iraq, but with controlling its resources" (25 July). Voice of the Mujahidin has steadily intensified its anti-US rhetoric since it began broadcasting in mid-April 2003. In June, the radio frequently warned that US "failing" policies in Iraq would eventually lead to a "battle for liberation" against the "enemy", without actually calling for armed resistance (16, 17 June). Although denouncing the US and its presence in Iraq, the radio has voiced support for the new Governing Council, on which SCIRI is represented. - The radio called the Council "the first brick in building the Iraqis' dream of a free and democratic Iraq" (19 July). It has also regularly led its news broadcasts with statements by members of the Governing Council from all political, ethnic and religious sides. - On one occasion, the radio appealed to the Governing Council to "urge the occupation forces to observe proper procedures when conducting search operations to avoid offending citizens and harming their properties" (29 July). Source: BBC Monitoring research 4 Aug 03 (via DXLD) ** IRAQ. IRAQ/USA/IRAN: US HARASSING AND CENSORING - TEHRAN TIMES SAYS | Text of report in English by Tehran Times web site on 4 August U.S. forces in Iraq are following a policy of harassing and censoring journalists covering the occupation. Under the current circumstances, it seems that the realization of the U.S. slogan about the free flow of information has become a great nuisance for U.S. officials. Every day we hear a new story about media censorship and intimidation of reporters in occupied Iraq. It is a month since two Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) journalists who were in Iraq making a documentary were detained by U.S. forces. No information has been provided about their whereabouts. Kazo Takasao, 47, a Japanese reporter who was brutally beaten up and detained after filming burnt bodies of Iraqi civilians said, "U.S. forces do not want the general public to find out about the killing of Iraqi civilians, and this is the reason they are detaining the reporters." He emphasized that repression and harassment of reporters is the same as suppression of freedom of speech and censorship of the news. He was set free some hours after his arrest when members of Western media organizations protested. Following the arrest of reporters of the Turkish daily Hurriyet, the Turkish deputy foreign minister referred to such measures as violations of international law on freedom of speech and freedom of the press. The director of the Al Jazeera television network, due to its in-depth coverage of Iraq, was threatened and accused of inciting Iraqis to commit violent acts against U.S. forces. It seems that U.S. officials are stuck in a quagmire and are trying to externalize their problems in order to conceal their casualties, he said. Although the Turkish, Japanese, and Al Jazeera reporters were released some time after their arrest, the U.S. invaders' refusal to provide explanations is unusual. It is also not clear why the Islamic media are silent about the arrests of reporters. Al Jazeera and Al Arabi, two Muslim satellite TV networks, have not objected to the arrest of the IRIB documentary filmmakers. Could it be that they are not concerned about the fate of the Iranian journalists? Of course, we should not forget the Al Jazeera reporter who seriously objected to the U.S. invaders' measures and demanded that all Muslim reporters unite to call for the release of the Iranian journalists. Jalal Sadatian, an expert in international affairs, said that he and his supporters are defending the reporters' rights according to international law while the U.S. interprets international law in a unilateralist way. He stated that if Russia's military power, Japan's economic power, and Europe's political power is taken into consideration, the United States can not be regarded as the ultimate hegemonic power, thus the U.S. attitude, particularly in regard to the attack on Iraq, illustrates that international mechanisms have broken down. "Under the present circumstances, talk about defending nationals of countries in occupied Iraq according to the Geneva Conventions, although it seems logical, is impractical," he said, adding that the U.S. does not deign to respond and takes no responsibility. He stated that the U.S. is trying to make Iraq appear insecure and is using the need to establish security as a pretext to limit and censor media activities. U.S. forces attacked and killed many reporters during the war, with the U.S. attack on the hotel in Baghdad where many journalists were staying being one of the worst incidents. U.S. troops will probably continue intimidating journalists in order to suppress the truth about the current situation in Iraq. How long will the Islamic media and the so-called free press of the West continue to be silent about this? Source: Tehran Times web site in English 4 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** ISLE OF MAN. Manx Radio has a history which makes it unique in broadcasting within the British Isles. It first went on air in June 1964, before commercial radio became part of everyday life in Britain. This was made possible because the Isle of Man has internal self-government: it is a Crown Dependency and is not part of the United Kingdom. But Manx Radio did need a licence from the UK authorities and this was eventually agreed to with reluctance, suspicion and not a little alarm. Remember these were the heady days of pirate radio ships anchored just outside the 3 mile limit! See http://www.manxradio.com/ (do a search of "radio") for an audio report Thu 31st Jul 2003 A new member of Manx Radio's board of directors believes developing the internet service is one way forward for the station. Former Government Minister, David North, says new technologies will play an important part in bringing the station to a wider audience. David North's appointment to the Manx Radio board was announced this week. The other new board member is chartered surveyor Mark Grace (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** LAOS. Sorry, no more 7145 Lao external service. Not heard for at least 3 months. Domestic Service still heard around 1300 on 6130 (Victor Goonetilleke, Sri Lanka, BC-DX via DXLD) ** LIBERIA. 5100, 26/07 0208, Rádio Libéria Internacional, Monróvia, locutor e músicas em inglês, 45333 (RFP) 5100 27/07 0413 Rádio Libéria Internacional, Monróvia, entrevista com mulher, identificação, 45333 (RFP) (Rubens Ferraz Pedroso, Bandeirantes (PR), Sony ICF SW 7600GR, Telescópica + indutor + 1/4 de onda para a banda dos 31 metros; @tividade DX Aug 3 via DXLD) Really? I`d very much like to know the text of the ID, since at these times, 5100 is far more likely to be WBCQ on its newest frequency (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MALAYSIA. 1475, RTM Sabah, Kota Kinabalu - Tentative ID based on frequency and precision direction finding. First noted AUG 28, 29, 30 with a huge carrier 1046-1059. Big carriers also SEP 23, 29, OCT 13, NOV 14, then reappeared MAR 3, 5, 21, 31, APR 3, 29. APR 29 produced audio for first time with voice and music down in the noise 1040-1044. This is going to be a tough one for us tape DXers to pin down with its weak modulation and lack of a shortwave parallel. Needless to say, this would be a new country for me (Ray Moore, N. Fort Myers FL; Drake R8 and homebrew receivers, 23-in spiral loop, homebrew preamp. rsmcomm@usa.net NRC IDXD Aug 4 via DXLD) ** MARSHALL ISLANDS. 1098, V7AD Majuro - Identified here in previous seasons. Easily spotted as bearing is half way between "down under" and Far East. Produced marginal audio on nine mornings during October and November. Easily the most consistent TP with at least a weak carrier 90% of mornings. Often noted with open carrier. This season another carrier has been drifting around this frequency on occasion, probably a Latin American (Ray Moore, N. Fort Myers FL; Drake R8 and homebrew receivers, 23-in spiral loop, homebrew preamp. rsmcomm@usa.net NRC IDXD Aug 4 via DXLD) ** MEXICO. ZAPATISTA ARMY OF NATIONAL LIBERATION TO START SHORTWAVE STATION According to the Web site http://www.fzln.org.mx/ of the Mexican opposition group Zapatista Army of National Liberation, a shortwave station will begin broadcasting shortly. In an English language press statement, the group says inter alia: "The famous (in the mountains of the Mexican southeast) and slippery (on the dial) "Radio Insurgente. Voice of the EZLN" will soon begin operating on short wave, in its galactic transmission. The Sup will have a special one-hour musical program, and it will be transmitted, by law, at dawn. No, the Sup will not sing, but he will be presenting musical pieces accompanied by stories and tales. We're not sure about the "Durito DJ" program, because the beetle has his back up, and he hasn't signed a contract (he wants a daily 24 hour program)." An Associated Press report dated 30 July quoted a spokesman for the organisation as saying that that the frequency will be around 5800 kHz, and that broadcasts will begin on 9 August. No exact time has been announced, but the above statement indicates that broadcasts will be on the air in the early morning. However, the EZLN has been warned by the Secretariat of Communications and Transport (SCT) that it cannot operate outside the law. In an interview with the newspaper El Sol de México, a representative of the Secretariat said that if the station operates without a licence it will seize the equipment and fine the organisation. But the Secretariat admits that it will be difficult to locate the transmitter. In fact, "Radio Insurgente has already been operating for two years on FM in Chiapas using several FM transmitters at different locations. Broadcasts are on the air between 0600 and 1800 local time in several indigenous languages as well as Spanish. The majority of the staff are female (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 4 August 2003 via DXLD) Previous stories about this: DXLD 3-136, 3-137 ** MEXICO. 1570, XERF Cd. Acuña, APR 1 - Per a visit to the station, operating with 30 kW, U-1 (not 250 kW as listed in WRTH). Studios are downtown in the second floor of a building on the main north/south street about one mile from the border crossing (Ernie Wesolowski, TX, NRC IDXD Aug 4 via DXLD) ** MOLDOVA. Re "MOLDOVAN-ROMANIAN DICTIONARY PUBLISHED IN CHISINAU": I guess then also US English and British English are two different languages, judging from how many US - British English dictionaries have been published over the years ;-) The discussion "Romanian/ Moldovan" is politically motivated, and is as old as Romania and Moldova forming separate state entities. The (revised) Moldovan constitution speaks of a "Moldovan language" while the Moldovan massmedia are divided in this issue, some are using the term "Romanian", others "Moldovan". (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Aug 4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEW ZEALAND. 1503, R. Sport, Wellington. Assumed; this is almost certainly one of the R. Sport stations based on sketchy direction finding, the accented English language, and the fact that it comes in when other known New Zealand channels are producing carriers. Produced audio AUG 15, MAR 14, MAY 20, 21, 25, 28, JUN 3, 4, 13, 22, 24, 25, 27, JUL 25, 26, 28 and 30. Mostly threshold level except JUN 27 when occasional words and phrases in English made it through (Ray Moore, N. Fort Myers FL; Drake R8 and homebrew receivers, 23-in spiral loop, homebrew preamp. rsmcomm@usa.net NRC IDXD Aug 4 via DXLD) ** NIGERIA. STATE BROADCASTER NEEDS 48M DOLLARS TO ACHIEVE ITS OBJECTIVES | Excerpt from report by Nigerian newspaper The Guardian web site on 2 August At a cost implication of about 900m naira [7.2m dollars], the Voice Of Nigeria (VON) has, in the last four years, pursued the turnaround process of the external radio outfit effectively in order to accomplish its objective. However, the VON director-general, Mr Taiwo Alimi, disclosed yesterday in Lagos that the nation's only external broadcast by radio would still require about 6bn naira [48m dollars] to get to its promised land. According to Alimi Nigeria now has a voice which travels wider, clearer, louder and stronger. He, however, identified most critical challenges for the government owned outfit in the areas of corporate and transmitting infrastructures in Abuja, news and programming structures in strategic centres in Nigeria and Africa, signals transmission facilities and empowerment of joint ventures for revenue generation. At an interactive session with the media, the VON boss reiterated that "voice of Nigeria is the nation's only external broadcaster by radio and VON is critical to Nigeria's image, our foreign policy initiatives and to African development, peace and understanding. "Voice of Nigeria is to Nigeria and Africa what BBC is to UK and what Voice of America is to the United States. "Today, the battle for Nigerian and African mind has never been more intense. Western external radio broadcasting networks have established FM Radio stations in almost all African countries. Many radio stations in Africa, including Nigeria, now relay at prime time, news and programmes from these foreign broadcasting networks, daily, for hours," he said. Mr Allimi insisted that "it is not enough for Nigeria to accuse foreign media of imbalance and inaccuracy in their reportage of events in Nigeria. They have only one mind set; the thinking that nothing good can come out of Nigeria and Africa". [Passage omitted] Source: The Guardian web site, Lagos, in English 2 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** PERU. Today received a nice e-mail letter for my taped report from this station, Radio Ilucán, Cutervo [5678]. V/S was JOSE GALVEZ SALAZAR, GERENTE RADIO ILUCAN-CUTERVO. His e-mail was radioilucan @ hotmail.com (no spaces in correct address!). (Jyrki Hytönen, Kannus, Finland, Aug 4, dxing.info via DXLD) Alfredo "Spacemaster" informa que a Rádio Ilucán emite, de segunda a sexta, entre 1000 e 1300 e de 2200 às 0200. Nos sábados e domingos, 24 horas. Emite em 5678 kHz (Célio Romais, @tividade DX Aug 3 via DXLD) ** PERU. I also want to mention that yesterday morning (around 0945 to 1000) at exactly 4746.84 R. Huanta was coming in extremely well, with listenable programming consisting of splendid native Peruvian music; I assume the language was a local dialect, and it sounded like a very chatty "morning" show. Most entertaining! My first logging of this station, and great fun to hear. I checked this morning at the same time, and there wasn't a TRACE of Huanta. Strange propagation in the tropical bands: one day a signal is there; the next day it's gone. I've never done any trop listening before putting in the dipole; with a longwire the region below 5 MHz was always hideously noisy here in San José. I am a longtime amateur astronomer, and trying to snare faint intermittent signals in the trop band region is pretty much like looking for 14th magnitude galaxies with an eight inch aperture telescope south of San José, where I used to observe; sometimes they're THERE, sometimes not! Rx: Icom R75; antenna: 350 foot dipole. Location: San José, CA. Best, (Steve Waldee, Aug 4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Mohrmann shows: 4746.87 PERU * R Huanta 2000, Huanta [*0909-1155/2000-0230](46.4- 56.58) Jul 03 P *0930/1020-0100/0138* 300 watts (d) (r)AM1160 0220 (gh, DXLD) ** ROMANIA/ARMENIA. This Sunday morning woke up at 0820 UT!!!! and discovered a tremendous mess on 15270 kHz, surrounded by a number of EMPTY channels in the 19 mb: it's a pity SUNDAY only services of Armenia and Romania signals fighting each other. ROU 0800-0856 15270 15370 17790 17805 17860 21530 Sunday only. (wb, Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, BC-DX July 27 via DXLD) And re 15270 - Armenia is very good until ROU arrives with their Sunday only service. It is another ridiculous situation when so many other channels are empty. Yes, there seems to be indications that the 21 MHz band is losing some of its usefulness, but may yet "perk up" during the autumn (Noel R. Green, UK, BC-DX July 28 via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. Re 3-138: Glenn, Some hours of the VOR Chinese and Korean services are produced in Khabarovsk. This fact has been mentioned from time to time in the DX press (Olle Alm, Sweden, August 4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SERBIA & MONTENEGRO. ORLIC CALLS FOR PRIVATISATION OF STATE MEDIA | 22:30 | Beta From Radio B92, 3 August BELGRADE -- Saturday -- Slobodan Orlic, Director of the Serbia- Montenegro Council of Ministers' Information Directorate, has said that all state-owned print and broadcast media should be privatised. In an interview for Belgrade daily Danas, Orlic said this did not merely apply to Borba and Politika, but also shares held in Vecernje novosti and Yugoslav Overview. According to the official, television channel Info 24, formerly YU Info, has filed for bankruptcy and the Trade Court will decide its fate. However, he argued that Radio Serbia-Montenegro [sic], formerly Radio Yugoslavia, should have a changed name but remain on a short-wave frequency with a state budget "radio is not a big expense and the country must invest in its image". http://www.b92.net/english/news/index.php?&nav_category=&nav_id=24021&order=priority&style=headlines 73 (via Kim Elliott, Aug 4, DXLD) ** SUDAN [non]. 17630 and 17660 station: Is this http://www.dotcomalliance.org/newsletter/sudan.html ? (Jerry Berg, Dxplorer via DXLD) Viz.: Information for All: The Sudan Independent Radio Service (SIRS): dot- EDU More than twenty years of cyclical conflict has taken its toll on the lives of Sudanese people. The Machakos Peace Process, now in its sixth session, is attempting to resolve disputes between the North and South and begin a process of reconstruction. Sudan, characterized by arid lands in the North and a mix of agrarian communities and nomadic herders in the South, is also an area with little access to regular, impartial news. The pieces of news people do receive come from sporadic BBC broadcasts and reports spun out from political groups. Until now, unbiased, independent radio has not been available and consequently people's knowledge of their country's Peace Process has been compromised. The Sudan Independent Radio Service (SIRS) With support from USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI), the Sudan Independent Radio Service (SIRS) was developed by the Education Development Center (EDC) through the dot-EDU initiative. The SIRS will provide Sudanese living in the country and in the East African region with information containing no bias toward race, nationality, religious or political affiliation, opinion or gender. Strict political neutrality and independence in program development and partner selection are its credos. Multilingual programming in at least eight languages (Dinka, Bari, Nuer, Zande, Shiluck, Arabic, Juba-Arabic and English) will increase its reach, and subjects like nutrition, civic rights, agriculture and culture will promote livelihood improvement. Furthermore, non- governmental organizations working in Southern Sudan will be able to use this radio service to provide information and training to the disparate population. The Challenges of Sudan However, such good ideas are not without their challenges. According to Mike Kuenzli, Chief of Party for EDC based in Nairobi, the primary constraints on information flow in the region are "the scarcity of communications and transport, illiteracy and the societal control exercised by political groups". The lack of media infrastructure has not allowed qualified people or potential producers to utilize and build skills in radio. Due to unstable conditions in Sudan, EDC is establishing an office in Kenya in the interim. The SIRS will be transferred to Sudanese ownership once sufficient capacity is built and local conditions are favorable. Overcoming the Challenges: Broadcasting from Washington, DC As EDC works to establish its Nairobi offices, they'll begin broadcasting from Washington D.C. via an international, short wave transmitter that will reach much of East Africa, including Tunisia, Egypt and Madagascar. Jeremy Groce, Nairobi-based EDC Radio Programming Advisor provides the rationale: "Even though we're not entirely ready to start programs in Nairobi, we feel it's important to stick to our timeline in order to provide some news about the Sudan Peace Process and other issues of importance to Sudanese people. We also need to begin building our audience, and with short wave radio it can take time." As for personnel needs in Kenya, Lisa Slifer of EDC explains: "We will recruit two to three key Sudanese radio producers as we start up this new service. At the same time, we're going to the Sudanese community in Nairobi to recruit people and train them in media production and journalism. Stringers within Sudan will also provide in-country, up- to-date information." Building local capacities in radio production is an integral part of the SIRS' long-term sustainability, as is the establishment of a high quality production facility. The SIRS is establishing a Board of Trustees and has already developed a scope of work for the producers, administrative and marketing staff. Equipment is on its way to Kenya and training is soon to follow. If successful, the SIRS broadcasts may make the most significant near term impact on the capacity of Sudanese to improve their livelihoods. dot-EDU was awarded the Sudan Independent Radio Service (SIRS) Project for two years from March 2003 to March 2005 (Award No. HDA-A-03-00105- 00 under the dot-EDU Leader Award No: 520-A-00-02-00109-00). For more information CONTACT Mike Laflin, Director, EDC, mlaflin@edc.org Tel: +1 202 572-3700 Mike Kuenzli, Chief of Party, EDC Email: mkuenzli@edc.org Jeremy Groce, Radio Programming Advisor, EDC Email: jgroce@edc.org Gaelle Simon, Research Development Assistant, EDC gsimon@edc.org (via Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** TAIWAN. Informação veiculada na programação da Rádio Taiwan Internacional dá conta de que, a partir de 2004, a emissora passa a enviar os cartões de verificação aos ouvintes com sua nova denominação. A informação é de Arnaldo Slaen, desde Buenos Aires, Argentina (Célio Romais, @tividade DX Aug 3 via DXLD) So using up the old Taipei cards the rest of 2003y ** THAILAND. 1575, VOA Ayutthaya --- Easily heard even on Sony 2010 with 23-in loop when coming in. Runs VOA Burmese service 1130-1200 parallel Sri Lanka 9890 kHz and then, on some days, into VOA News Now in English 1200-1230. Best reception JAN 6 1146-1205 and JAN 17 1146- 1202, both times got tape, "This is the Voice of America, Washington, DC, signing off," at 1159:30. This station is on a bearing of 359 degrees from Florida, directly over the pole. This megawatt station has a directional antenna pointed in this direction giving it an effective power of several megawatts. My DX season runs from August 1 through July 31 and as the current season has ended I've submitted a summary of one of the worst seasons ever. I listen seven days a week during the half hour before local sunrise year round. If you wonder how I can listen through the thunderstorm season here in Florida it is mainly due to the IF noise limiter in my homebrew receiver which can be set to clip static crashes and sideband splatter without distorting the desired signal. The Drake R8 is used to run down the DX channels searching for carriers. It is set in the CW mode with 500 kHz selectivity. Tuning is offset 400 Hz to produce a very distinctive 400 Hz tone on any carrier. To tune to 1575 kHz, for instance, the receiver is set to 1575.4 kHz for the lower sideband or 1574.6 kHz for the upper sideband. The passband tuning is adjusted to select the desired sideband. In this way I can pick up very weak carriers. When a carrier is strong enough to produce audio I switch to the homebrew receiver which allows me to extract the maximum audio without wrecking my ears, which, at age 79, have seen better days (Ray Moore, N. Fort Myers FL; Drake R8 and homebrew receivers, 23-in spiral loop, homebrew preamp. rsmcomm@usa.net NRC IDXD Aug 4 via DXLD) See also MARSHALL ISLANDS, MALAYSIA, NEW ZEALAND ** TIBET. I have been hearing a very weak signal during the past three days on 11860 around 0630, and note that Lhasa is registered, but not listed in the latest Tibet schedules I've been reading. For that matter, neither is 11950. When I hear 11860, I cannot hear 11950 due to splatter from TUR 11955/ROM 11940 to compare. Do you hear anything? I thought it might be a 'spur', but am not sure of what. The channel is otherwise clear, but audio too low to even guess the language (Noel R. Green, UK, BC-DX July 27 via DXLD) Normally Tibet on 11860 is MUCH weaker than 11950. I can trace 11860 if 11950 is strong. Usually I also have another weak signal on 11860 in the late morning. 11950 is beamed our way, 11860 the other way round (Olle Alm, Sweden, BC-DX July 27, ibid.) ** U K. PUBLIC TRUST IN BBC PLUMMETS Julia Day, Monday August 4, 2003, The Guardian Trust in the BBC has been so deeply damaged by the weapons dossier affair that the corporation has lost the faith of a third of the British public in less than a year. Just nine months ago the corporation's main news channel, BBC1, commanded the trust of 92% of the public. A new survey by Mori, however, has put trust in the BBC at only 59% - a massive 33% drop. The report is believed to be the lowest ever level of trust recorded for the BBC, which has traditionally been the nation's touchstone for truthful and accurate news. A joint survey published by the independent television commission and the broadcasting standards commission, published in October 2002, revealed BBC1 was the most trusted of all news providers. The report said 90% of the public trusted ITV to tell the truth and 80% trusted Channel 4. But BBC1's 93% rating put it on top in the survey, which was undertaken a year after September 11 but before the war in Iraq. The new Mori poll shows the BBC is still held in higher regard than the government, which has the trust of only 41% of the public. But the BBC's poor trust rating is a damning indication as to how far and how fast the corporation has lost the confidence of the nation. "The two polls are not comparing like with like but there is one consistent point and that is that people trust the BBC more than any other organisation," said a spokesman for the BBC. He pointed out an NOP report in the Independent last week reported 54% of the public trusted the BBC much more than any other organisation and 28% were somewhat more likely to. The bitter row with the government over Radio 4 defence correspondent Andrew Gilligan's report about the "sexing-up" of the Iraq weapons dossier has badly eroded faith in the BBC. Although Gilligan commands more of the public's trust - 32% - than the defence secretary, Geoff Hoon, at 25%, the confusion surrounding the story is apparent, with 30% saying they did not trust Gilligan. MediaGuardian.co.uk © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2003 (via Dan Say, DXLD) ** U S A. VOA-Bethany: For picture of station historical marker, and other interesting Bethany-related photos ("Photo Album"), go to http://www.wc8voa.org/modules.php?set_albumName=album26&id=Marker_8&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php (John Vodenik, IBB, DX-plorer via DXLD) hundreds of them ** U S A. PHONE-RECORDING STALWART DIES AT 74 Hi Glenn, From the Seattle Times, July 28. Although not mentioned here, Ms Barbe's voice was also used on the WWVH time announcements. (Bruce Portzer, WA, Aug 4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Full story: http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=voice28&date=20030728 By Elaine Woo, Los Angeles Times Jane Barbe, whose voice was familiar to millions of telephone users across the country who ever dialed a wrong number or had to "Please listen to the following options" in a voice-mail system, died July 18 in Roswell, Ga., of complications from cancer. She was 74. Mrs. Barbe was the queen of telephone recordings. Her friendly but authoritative voice was heard an estimated 40 million times a day in the 1980s and early 1990s on everything from automated time-and- weather messages to hotel wake-up calls. During her unusual 40-year career, she articulated immortal lines including, "At the tone, the time will be 7:22 and 40 seconds," "I'm sorry, the number you have dialed is no longer in service," and "Please press one for more options." Her voice was everywhere, but especially, as Ted Koppel once noted on a segment of "Nightline" devoted to the topic, in "voice-mail jail." She was not the only person who recorded voice mail and other automated phone messages, but she likely did it longer than anyone else. "I think she was probably one of the first," said Pat Fleet, who has been in the telephone voice-recording business for 25 years and is known as the AT&T Lady for her work for the telecommunications giant. Mrs. Barbe did most of her recordings for Atlanta-based Electronic Telecommunications, which at one time produced as many as 2,000 voice- messaging systems for businesses and government agencies, and for Octel Communications, which is now a part of Bell Labs/Lucent. In the 1980s and '90s, Mrs. Barbe was the voice on 1,000 of Electronic Telecommunications' systems, according to recording-services manager Michael Miller. She was heard on 90 percent of "intercept messages" --- the recording played when something is wrong with a phone number --- and 60 percent of automated time-and-temperature calling programs. "You hear my voice in more than 1,000 cities in the United States, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, South America, Canada. ... Vocally, I get around," she told The Chicago Sun-Times years ago. People wrote her letters, some saying they called a certain number to hear her voice when they were lonely. When she appeared at business conventions, sometimes hundreds of people would line up for her autograph. Mrs. Barbe, a Florida native who grew up in Atlanta, studied drama at the University of Georgia. There she learned how to remove the Southern inflections from her voice. "You haven't lived until you've heard 'Antigone' in a Southern accent," she once quipped. In 1963 she began working for Audichron, the unit of Electronic Telecommunications that pioneered the time-weather telephone-message industry. She had to deliver her lines in clear, measured tones, without any regional accent. Barbe is survived by her husband, John, a musician and composer of advertising jingles; a daughter; a son and seven grandchildren (Seattle Times, via Bruce Portzer, DXLD) ** U S A. Will begin extensive testing of our new antenna to South America. Our 150 degree azimuth antenna. As you are aware, the Patriot Programming, and various other non christian programs are on the way out We are removing this programming and sending to other stations. We are adding additional solid Christian programming in various languages such as Polish, Arabic, Spanish, Romanian. We are converting our shortwave operations to non profit 501C3 tax exempt status (Dave Frantz, WWRB, Aug 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I still see logs of ``WWFV`` on 6890, etc., a station which has not existed for a couple of years. Those who pay attention to DXLD might know this (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. IBOC AM transmission equipment can be seen here: http://hawkins.pair.com/wor.html And did you ever hear about the PERKI system of 50 kW longwave transmitters once planned by the US government? See http://www.conelrad.com/perki.html (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Aug 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. LEGAL STATIONS FIRE BROADSIDE AT PIRATES By Joseph Mann, Business Writer, Posted August 3 2003 http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/local/sfl-sbpirate03aug03,0,7779477.story?coll=sfla-business-front Steve Fisher, a real estate appraiser who lives in Oakland Park, likes to tune in to two Christian radio stations, one based in Miami the other in Boynton Beach, while driving to work. But broadcasts by an unlicensed -- or pirate -- station operating on a frequency close to those of WMCU, FM 89.7, and WRMB, FM 89.3, interfere with both stations, sometimes blocking out one or two of the signals completely. "This has been going on for over a year and it's pretty constant ... I notice it every day," Fisher said. "I've contacted the FCC several times, and it's my experience that they do little or nothing to shut down pirate stations. I don't really care about them, except that they interfere with what you're trying to listen to." Fisher is one of many South Florida residents who feel the impact of pirate radio operators. Pirates, who can work out of an apartment, an office, a garage or a van, abound in South Florida. They are a plague to legitimate AM and FM broadcasters, making it difficult or impossible for thousands of listeners to hear programming on their favorite stations. They sometimes broadcast obscene language and at times cut into advertising revenues of commercial stations or donations to public radio. At other times, pirates stop broadcasting at one frequency and start up again at another. They can also interfere with airport frequencies and block public service announcements during a hurricane or other emergency. Although the Federal Communications Commission, the agency in charge of enforcing broadcasting rules, is well aware of the problem, it is hampered by a lack of personnel, complicated rules governing the closing down of unlicensed operators and the fact that even stations they shut down often begin broadcasting again a few days later in a different location. "The pirates are all over the place," said David Ross, vice president of Clear Channel South Florida, which operates 27 radio stations covering audiences from Fort Pierce to Key West, some of which are affected by pirate transmissions. "They're destroying the ability of listeners to hear what they choose and our ability to serve advertisers," he added. "It's a form of squatting. They don't pay any taxes, they're breaking the law, they don't need to meet any licensing requirements and they affect all of us, from the biggest to the smallest operator." "Pirate operators are a problem all over the country, but South Florida is the capital of pirate radio in the U.S.," said C. Patrick Roberts, president of the Tallahassee-based Florida Association of Broadcasters, a trade group. While there are no clear figures on the number of pirates, he said, the association has heard complaints of about 60 cases of interference with radio stations in the tri-county area over the last 18 months. "This could be 60 different people, or as few as 15 to 20 people operating multiple stations." Bandwidth buccaneers The FCC has shut down about 900 illegal radio stations throughout the United States since 1999, but does not have a figure for stations closed in Florida, said Lisa Fowlkes, an attorney with the FCC's enforcement division. The agency does not discuss its enforcement operations. But, she added, "We take pirate broadcasting very seriously, and we spend a lot of time on the problem in the South Florida area." Pirate operators often broadcast to some of South Florida's large Caribbean communities -- especially Jamaicans and Haitians -- offering Caribbean music, talk shows (in English or Creole), advice and even advertising. A few local pirates broadcast their phone numbers for callers and potential advertisers, but none could be reached for comment. Someone with about $1,000 can start up a station with a computer or mixer, a small transmitter and an antenna. "Transmitters can be as small as a shoe box or a big briefcase, and can generate from 30 to 60 watts up to 1,000 or 2,000 watts," said Max Sitero, director of engineering at Clear Channel. The antenna, which may be only a few feet long, can be mounted on a house, a building roof or a tower. More sophisticated operations use high-tech equipment and send signals from a studio to a transmitter by microwave. These setups can cost about $20,000. A small, 10-watt transmitter with an antenna on top of a house might cover a radius of several blocks, while a 100-watt transmitter with no opposing signal could reach a few miles in each direction. Buying this equipment is not illegal, Sitero added. "But it's illegal to turn it on without an FCC license." Jerry Carr, station manager at WXEL, FM 90.7, the National Public Radio affiliate based in Boynton Beach, said that two pirate stations that until recently operated on either side of its broadcasting frequency endangered his listener base. "People call to say they can no longer support us because they can't hear our signal." The station relies on public contributions to operate. Except for a recent respite, when the two pirates went off the air after being shut down by the Broward County Sheriff's Office, Carr said, WXEL has suffered interference from one or two unlicensed stations for over three years. WXEL and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel are news partners. In Fort Lauderdale, a privately owned station, WSRF, AM 1580, has also been hurt by pirate operators, who sometimes sell advertising. "They're not affecting our signal, but they're affecting our revenue," said Julian Wright, operations manager at the station, which broadcasts Caribbean, reggae, rhythm and blues, and American gospel music. "The pirates talk to some of our clients and undersell us by maybe 50 percent. They don't have the overhead and upkeep that a licensed station has. Their overhead is a room with a mixer, a transmitter and an antenna. We've lost 5 to 10 percent of our clients to pirates over the last year." Slow road to justice While station owners generally credit the FCC for trying to attack the problem, they believe the agency is seriously undermanned, considering the scope of the problem in South Florida. Moreover, the agency must follow a complicated and time-consuming procedure once it has identified a pirate. This begins with an inspection of the site, verbal and written warnings, and fines that start with a "base amount" of $10,000, which can effectively be higher or lower. This fine can be appealed and in some cases is never paid. To close down a pirate operation, the FCC must take a formal complaint to a federal attorney, who then seeks a warrant from a federal judge. Only then can federal marshals be called in to shut down the pirate operation and seize its equipment -- if it hasn't relocated. In most of these cases, the perpetrators do not face prosecution, even though they may be subject to civil and criminal penalties. A Florida man was sentenced to nine months imprisonment in May for multiple counts of operating an unlicensed FM station in Orlando, raising hopes among some licensed operators that the agency was finally cracking down on offenders. However, justice in this case was hardly swift. Licensed stations in Orlando began complaining to the FCC about the pirate in February 1999. In South Florida, some broadcasters -- including Clear Channel and WXEL -- have sent out their own engineers with electronic triangulation equipment to locate the source of a pirate broadcaster and pass information along to the FCC and local police. For example, late last year Clear Channel sent a team with a spectrum analyzer to triangulate several pirate stations operating in Lauderdale Lakes that were interfering with Clear Channel transmissions, Sitero said. The team found the antennas, took photos of them perched on a commercial building at 3500 N. State Road 7, noted the broadcast frequencies and advised the FCC. "They were running four or five stations from the building," he said. "They just disappeared. We don't know if they were shut down by the FCC or got scared and took off. Just as fast as they come down, they'll come up somewhere else." Stiff penalties needed The Broward Sheriff's Office recently lent a hand to WXEL when the police found that two pirate stations in Broward County were interfering with the Boynton Beach station, said Capt. Larry DeFuria, commander of criminal investigations at the BSO. After meeting with representatives of WXEL and the FCC, the BSO sent officers, accompanied by a city code enforcement officer, a city fire inspector and electric and building inspectors to two sites in Lauderdale Lakes and Fort Lauderdale and shut them down for municipal code violations and failing to prove ownership of radio equipment. Even though the local police don't have jurisdiction over federal law, DeFuria said, "We have jurisdiction in other areas. If pirates are operating illegally in one venue, they're probably operating illegally in another. We're shoveling against the tide, but where we have the time and ability, we'll do this in the future." DeFuria suggested that the state broadcasters' association work to pass new legislation that would make pirate operations illegal under state law. Roberts, of the Florida Broadcasters Association, agrees, and the group is already moving toward this goal. "A slap on the wrist doesn't work," he said. "Unless people get put in jail, they'll keep coming back." (Ft Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** UZBEKISTAN. Foreign stations relayed via Tashkent A03 5945 1430-1530 200 Bible Voice Broadcasting 7430 1500-1530 200 BBC 9445 1115-1630 200 TWR 9445 2315-0200 200 TWR 9530 1700-1800 200 RFI 9865 1330-1445 100 RNW 11850 0100-0400 100 Voice International 12065 1330-1425 100 RNW 12065 1430-1600 100 Vatican Radio 12075 1430-1625 100 RNW 13630 0500-0800 100 Voice International 13745 0100-0130 200 BBC 17540 0100-0200 200 Hmong Lao Radio (Fri only) 17540 0200-0330 200 Bible Voice Broadcasting 17695 1200-1230 100 R. Vlaanderen Int. 21780 0800-0830 200 BBC 13 mb* 1215-1300 100 Voice Of Tibet 16 mb* 1430-1515 100 Voice Of Tibet *various frequencies changed to avoid jamming (Nikolai Rudnev, Russia, NASWA LN Update via Al Quaglieri, Aug 4, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 531 kHz: I wonder if anybody can help me ID a test tone being heard on 531 kHz. It has been heard during the evenings with varying strength across the UK. By DF'ing the signal it is believed that it may originate from Switzerland, but this is by no means confirmed. Here in Guernsey, Channel Isles, (UK) I am monitoring a signal with a steady tone on a frequency very slightly above 531 kHz. SIO: 333. (Icom IC-R75 30m copper wire ant.) Any suggestions welcomed. Cheers. 73's (Robin Banneville, Aug 3, hard-core-dx via DXLD) Hi Robin, This might be the DRM test transmission "531 digital" from Burg, Germany, which is running 24 hours with a power of 2 kW on this frequency. Best wishes, (Michael Bethge, Germany, WORLDWIDE DX CLUB, SWBC via DXLD) Hi again everybody. With reference to the 531 kHz test tone query; thanks for the replies and suggestions. Originally I'd read about the test tones on http://www.anoraknation.com/ so being curious, I thought I'd have a listen myself, to see what all the fuss was about. Radio Suzy are, as you say Guido, starting transmission on the 17th of August, but I think that they can be eliminated. One of the 'Suzy' staff members who contributes to Anorak Nation appears to be as curious anybody about the whole thing. The Switzerland suggestion seems to be more likely. Finally, the DRM test is a possibility, Michael, although the DRM signals that I have heard in the past (albeit monitoring them on normal AM or Sideband), have always sounded totally different to this. Also, I don't believe that the test tone is on for the whole 24 hrs. I monitored it on and off yesterday (3rd, Aug. 03), from about 2015 UT but could not detect it at 2330. It would only appear to be on during the evenings and not all night. Meanwhile I'll just log it as unID with these suggestions alongside. RAO for now, (Robin Banneville, Guernsey, (Chan. Isles), SWBC via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. I logged an apparent Chinese language program on 4993.9 that I could not identify with any of my resources. Rx: Icom R75; antenna: 350 foot dipole. Location: San José, CA. Best, (Steve Waldee, Aug 4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Presumably around 0900-1000 as below UNIDENTIFIED. 5006.0: Curious about carrier --- Glenn: On most mornings I am getting a fairly decent, unmodulated carrier at exactly 5006.0, which is evident after 0900. I can seldom stay awake beyond 1000 to 1030 Z to see if it 'comes alive' with modulation, but it is DEFINITELY not on earlier in the morning. I have been trying to get Nepal at 5005 but instead of picking that up, have received this unmodulated carrier many times -- I've logged it at least a dozen times in the last several weeks. Any ideas? I have found an obscure article on the web that lists 5005.0 RTM Kuching, Sibu, Malaysia and wonder if they could be off that frequency, and perhaps signing on early without modulation. And I see in WRTH that there is a "Radio Jaen" in Peru with 2 kW on 5006, but otherwise have not found them in any online database like AO3 or Bierwirth or ILGRadio. The blank carrier at 5006.0, though, really fascinates me. I have taken great pains to make sure it is not an image or heterodyne; it is absolutely a steady carrier. I have heard it over a period of time between about 0900 and nearly 1100 --- could it be an unmodulated ute doing tuneups or tests? Rx: Icom R75; antenna: 350 foot dipole. Location: San Jose, CA. Best, (Steve Waldee, Aug 4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Steve, when Latin America is a possibility, you must check Mark Mohrmann`s current LA Logs listing at http://www.sover.net/~hackmohr/sw.htm which shows around here: 5005.66 PERU R LTC, Juliaca [0917-1036/2230-0150](.28-.66) Mar 03 P ex5032/6011 Quechua But it`s unlikely it would happen to vary to exactly 5006.0. I`d go with the utility theory, as that`s what 60m is primarily for outside the tropics. But if it`s *absolutely* steady, I would suspect a birdie, something internally generated in your receiver, or at least something very close to you. Have you checked this on a second receiver or by disconnecting the antenna? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Actually I have checked. It is not there at, say, 0200 or earlier. But every time I've stayed up really late to try to get Indonesian stations, I've also checked 5006. I have twelve entries in my log for the carrier being present but with no modulation. I have two antennas and have switched them. It's there but of course the longwire is much noisier than the balanced dipole. Usually I use ECSS for confirming exact frequencies and this one is right on the noise at 5006.0. No modulation; and it will still have no modulation an hour or ninety minutes later. No TRACE of modulation either; so it's not a case of the carrier being received but the modulation in the noise (Steve Waldee, Aug 4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RECEIVER NEWS +++++++++++++ DEGEN DE1001 / KAITO KA1101 Glenn, in case you don't know about this radio: You'll soon be able to get the US version of the Degen DE1101, re-named as the Kaito KA1101. This radio has an excellent price/feature/performance ratio. It costs about $70 and this is a Dual Conversion, PLL Synthensized, Dual Bandwidth receiver. It even comes with AC adaptor and NiMH batteries! Passport to World Band Radio has a review: http://www.passband.com/pages/receivernews.htm Directly from Kaito, the US distributor (about $70 + about $8 shipping) (Available end of August): http://www.kaitousa.com/KA1101.htm Radios4you (about $65 + about $8 shipping) (Available September) http://www.radios4you.com/kaito-ka1101.html I have nothing to do with this radio or any of the companies above... and have never seen or heard the radio... I haven't heard much about the US version of the 1102, (which is supposed to include SSB and I think (according to radiointel) more memories)... From Radio Intel - both these on the home page http://www.radiointel.com : "Degen DE1102 --- Our friend HongKongRadioer sends along the following great news. The DE1102 will be the successor to the DE1101. The DE1101 was a Chinese market only digital readout radio that did not have SSB Mode. The new DE1102 will have 190 memories, SSB, and an English front panel. Its nearest competitor will be the Sony ICF-7600GR." Actually, I just noticed that they posted the information I've given above! "The Degen DE1101 Is Coming To America As The Kaito KA1101. Lucky I picked up a Chinese version of the DE1101 on ebay a few months ago and have been meaning to write about it. This is a very impressive inexpensive portable; however PBWR beat me to the punch and did a very good favorable review on the radio. [read the PWBR review] Loaded with features, this will be the inexpensive digital portable to beat for 2003. Radios4You.com and Kaito will be offering this radio and no doubt other vendors will pick this model up as well. Aug 1" The Degen website talks about the DE1101 at: http://www.degen.com.cn/english/product_1101.html A few more pieces of info: The KA1101 is approximately: 5 1/2" x 1" x 3" Is has 10 kHz MW/AM steps only. It probably will eventually have a 9/10 kHz switch. The KA1102 should be available in the US approximately 4-6 weeks after the 1101 is available. Besides the known SSB and additional memory features, the following is also added. 1 kHz tuning steps in SW 9/10 kHz MW/AM switch Size approximately the same as the 1101 Price under $100. The side of the radio shows an analog interpolator knob for SSB fine tuning (Daniel Rosenzweig, tri-State area, Aug 4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ JAPAN Japan's PLC problem surfaced again. Last year the Government Committee held series of discussion regarding proposed expansion of PLC frequencies up to SW band. Based on hearings from various SW users including SW listening community and JARL (Japan Amateur Radio League) and experimental data using candidate PLC equipment, the Committee concluded the use of SW band by PLC would be harmful due to serious interference to existing radio and broadcasting stations and advised not to expand the PLC frequencies higher. By this conclusion we thought there would be no more worries about PLC by SW users. But it was recently revealed that the new e-Japan Priority Plan 2003 of the Cabinet Office had PLC as one of the priority subjects and invited public opinions. All SW users sent in their opinions against the Plan to the Cabinet Office by due date of July 28. We expressed clearly that PLC would be harmful to SW users and it should be removed from the Priority Plan. Many SW users are having great concern that PLC industry has not shown their test data at any academic society and proceeding their development secretly. We also expressed that any test of PLC should be conducted in shielded area in order not to give any interference to existing stations (T. Ohtake of Japan Shortwave Club via Takahito Akabayashi, Japan, BC-DX Aug 1 via DXLD) ### |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-138, August 3, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser, ghauser@hotmail.com Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3h.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1193: RFPI: Mon 0030, 0630, 1230, Tue 1900, Wed 0100, 0730, 1330 on 7445, and maybe new experimental 15115 ex-15039 [nominal times] WBCQ: Mon 0445 [or 0415?] 7415 WWCR: Wed 0930 9475 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1193.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1193.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1193h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1193h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1193.html WORLD OF RADIO WATCH: WRMI: classical music fill again heard at 1823 check Sat Aug 2 on 15725. Sunday Aug 3 at 1801 check, 15725 inaudible, but IBC Radio webcast had WOR already in progress, and ending at 1803, so must have started about 1734! But after IBC commercials, WOR 1193 restarted at 1807. I guess the previous run replaced Dan Roberts` SW Report. WINB: confirmed OK UT Sun (not Sat as I once showed) 0030+ on 12160. RFPI: WOR missing both at 0530 and 0600 UT Sun on 7445. 15115 nor any other 19m frequency has returned since the Thu-Fri test. WJIE: carrier detectable on 13595, in the 1630 semihour Sun Aug 3, but no modulation. If there were it would no doubt have been WOR 1179 from 14 weeks ago. ** ALASKA. Esquema de la KNLS, The New Life Station, vigente desde el 27/07/2003 al 31/08/2003: HORA UT KHZ IDIOMA 0800-0900 11765 Ingles 0900-1000 11765 Ruso 1000-1100 11765 Mandarin 1100-1200 9615 Ruso 1200-1300 11765 Mandarin 1300-1400 11870 Ingles 1400-1500 11870 Mandarin 1500-1600 9615 Mandarin 1600-1700 9615 Mandarin 1700-1800 9615 Ruso QTH: KNLS, P.O. Box 473, Anchor Point, AK 99556, USA. Web: http://www.knls.org (Marcelo A. Cornachioni, Argentina, Conexión Digital Aug 2 via DXLD) ** ALASKA. 136 KHZ BEACON IN ALASKA Laurence Howell, KL1X - formerly GM4DMA - in Anchorage, Alaska, has started a 136 kHz-band beacon. WD2XDW, located in BP41XD, became operational on the 28th of July. This experimental licence allows very slow - or QRSS - Morse beacon transmissions of up to 2 watts ERP. At present the transmit carrier frequency is 137.77389 kHz and on low power, testing into a 32-metre vertical with top capacitive loading and an earth system covering a number of acres. The beacon is being used for propagation experimentation within the US, and transpolar propagation to Europe on paths over the high Arctic. As the aerial is very short relative to the wavelength the output power into the aerial will be around 300 watts, but even so the ERP is likely to be less than 1 watt (Radio Society of Great Britain GB2RS News Script for August 3, 2003 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** ANGUILLA. Hi Glenn, Radio Anguilla now has streaming audio; see http://www.radioaxa.com which also has a detailed program schedule (Kevin Kelly, Arlington, Massachusetts, USA, PublicRadioFan.com http://www.publicradiofan.com/ August 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. Large carrier on 4765: see UNIDENTIFIED ** AUSTRALIA. HCJB Australia is using 15420 Urdu 0100-0130, English 0130-0330 again. 1700-1730 Urdu 15405 a bad frequency splattered by VOA Net B 15405 (Victor A. Goonetilleke, 4S7VK "Shangri-La," 298 Madapatha Road, Kolamunne, Piliyandala. Sri Lanka, Aug 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 6090, 0203-0232, Aug 2. R. Bandeirantes, male announcer in Portuguese with long talks. Finally at TOH, 4 time pips, then to a football ad which was interesting. Rapid talk which I think was part of the ID. Usually this frequency is occupied by University Network but off tonite. Lucky find. S 6 level but rapid frequent fades (Bob Montgomery, PA, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** CANADA. CJRS were the historic calls of 1510 in Sherbrooke, QC, which has been dark for several years (but the 1510 in Boston still has to protect its pattern). This new "CJRS" seems to be web only, per some discussion on the Boston Radio Interest Group mailing list (Kevin Kelly, publicradiofan.com DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. PUBLIC RADIO GAINED MORE LISTENERS BETWEEN 1998 AND 2002, SAYS STATSCAN --- Canadian Press, Thursday, July 31, 2003 OTTAWA (CP) - Public radio - CBC English and French - rose to third place among listeners by the fall of 2002 from sixth place five years earlier, Statistics Canada says. Its attraction increased with the age and higher education. "English- and French-language Canadian Broadcasting Corp. stations rose from 9.5 per cent of audience share in 1998 to nearly 11 per cent in 2002, taking third place overall," the agency reported Thursday. "This spot was the longtime domain of country music, until it was pushed out by talk radio in 2001." The CBC also attracted more young and older listeners, although teenagers' share of listening time remained low, increasing to two per cent in 2002 from 1.5 per cent in 1998. "An aging population and an increasing number of people with a postsecondary education are among the reasons for public radio's gain in listeners," Statistics Canada said. "Its popularity increases by age group, reaching 22.1 per cent of listening time among men aged 65 and older, and 23.5 per cent among women of the same age. Attraction to public radio also increases with level of education." The agency recommended that its data be interpreted with caution. "The results . . . are based on a survey of 82,344 Canadians aged 12 and older. The data on listening cover seven specific days and were collected using a log-type questionnaire over an eight-week period from Sept. 2 to Oct. 27, 2002. While the return rate, at 44.4 per cent, is modest by Statistics Canada standards, it is in line with Canadian and international broadcasting industry practice for audience measurement." The survey also found that: - CBC audience share grew in all provinces except Prince Edward Island, where it declined, and Newfoundland and Labrador and Saskatchewan, where it remained fairly steady during the survey period. - Country music lost more than a quarter of the market share it had in 1998, falling to 9.5 per cent of total listening from 13 per cent, a decline observed in every province, although to differing degrees. - P.E.I. residents continued to make country music their No. 1 choice. - U.S. stations accounted for three per cent of Canadians' total listening in 2002, the same proportion as in 1998. - Stations offering a music format captured the lion's share of total listening, at 70 per cent. - In the fall of 2002, Canadians spent an average 20.2 hours a week listening to radio, a figure which had not changed in five years. - The adult contemporary format, with 25 per cent of total listening share, continued to rank first, but the gap between that format and the No. 2 gold-oldies-rock at 18.3 per cent narrowed during the five years covered by the survey. (c) Copyright 2003 The Canadian Press (Via Harry van Vugt, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, and Mike Cooper, DXLD) PUBLIC RADIO SEES BOOST IN LISTENERS --- by ALLISON DUNFIELD Globe and Mail Update POSTED AT 12:44 PM EDT Thursday, Jul 31, 2003 CBC radio has a reason to gloat over the naysayers who say public broadcasting has had its day. A Statistics Canada report released Thursday shows the number of listeners who tuned into both French and English CBC radio stations has steadily increased over the past five years. By fall of 2002, CBC radio stations rose to third place among Canadians' radio listening choices, up from sixth place five years earlier. The public broadcaster took over the third-place position from country radio stations and more recently, talk radio, which pushed country out of the third place spot in 2001. "English- and French-language Canadian Broadcasting Corp. stations rose from 9.5 per cent of audience share in 1998 to nearly 11 per cent in 2002, taking third-place overall," the agency said. CBC radio's audience share rose in every province except Prince Edward Island, where it declined. Its audience share remained steady in Newfoundland and Labrador and in Saskatchewan. CBC still remains more popular with older listeners than younger ones, although it did attract slightly more teenage listeners in 2002. The number of teenagers tuning in increased to 2 per cent in 2002 from 1.5 per cent in 1998. But Statistics Canada said the main reason for the boost in listening was an older, better-educated population. "An aging population and an increasing number of people with a postsecondary education are among the reasons for public radio's gain in listeners," Statistics Canada said. "Its popularity increases by age group, reaching 22.1 per cent of listening time among men aged 65 and older, and 23.5 per cent among women of the same age. Attraction to public radio also increases with level of education." The most popular radio stations in 2002 remained adult contemporary, which has been tops since 1998, followed by golden oldies stations and CBC radio. Rounding out the list was talk radio in fourth place, country in fifth and contemporary in sixth. Statistics Canada based the data on a questionnaire survey of the listening habits over eight weeks of slightly more than 82,000 Canadians ages12 and older. It was conducted between Sept. 2 and Oct. 27, 2002. The agency warns that the return rate of the data was 44.4 per cent, but it said that figure is in line with other international and Canadian audience measurement surveys. With reports from Canadian Press (Globe & Mail July 31 via Bill Westenhaver, Gerald T. Pollard, Mike Cooper, DXLD) Here`s the study referred to in the Globe and Mail piece I sent you earlier: THURSDAY, JULY 31, 2003 RADIO LISTENING FALL 2002 Access the full text and charts of this article at: http://www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/030731/d030731a.htm 73- (Bill Westenhaver, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. SATIRICAL PIECE UPSETS FIRST NATIONS WRITERS Sheri Block, The Leader-Post, Saturday, July 26, 2003 A group of First Nations writers are launching a human rights complaint against CBC Radio over a satirical piece they believe portrayed aboriginal poet Pauline Johnson in an offensive manner. . . http://www.canada.com/search/story.aspx?id=8544abb3-b339-4dea-a723-78d5f49d310c (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** CONGO DR. Escuchada Radio Okapi por la frecuencia de 6030 kHz el dia 26-7-2003 a las 2250 Horas UT, en el momento de la escucha emitiendo música pop Africana, muchas identificaciones. El formato escuchado de esta emisora es como una emisora de FM, buena escucha de esta emisora en el Sureste de España. Estaban emitiendo en lengua local (José Hernandez Madrid, España, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** DENMARK. AMATEURS IN DENMARK GET 70 MHZ Stewart Cooper, GM4AFF, reports that radio amateurs in Denmark have recently been given permission to operate on the 70 MHz band. Quoting Bo, OZ2M, three frequencies are available: 70.025, 70.050 and 70.100 MHz, and individual applications have to be filed for the relevant frequencies. The maximum power is 25 watts, but there are no other restrictions: that is, 70 MHz is available to all licence classes in Denmark, all modes may be used and any antenna at any height from any location. Darrell Mawhinney, GI4KSO, is claiming what is probably the first GI to OZ contact on 4 metres, when he worked OZ3ZW on 70.100 MHz SSB at 0955 UT on the 22nd of July. He also reports reception of the beacon OZ7IGY on 70.021 MHz on the same day. Derek, G8TOK, reports that S53X worked OY9JD in the Faeroe Islands on 4 metres on the 19th of July, so the permission obviously extends to Danish overseas territories including, presumably, also Greenland (Radio Society of Great Britain GB2RS News Script for August 3, 2003 via John Norfolk, DXLD) As of the 19th of July 2003, Denmark (OZ) became the latest country to gain access to the 4 Metre / 70 MHz band. They have been allocated the 3 spot frequencies of 70.025, 70.050 and 70.100 MHz. The only mode allowed is CW. Outside of the UK and Ireland, Denmark is only the second European country to have issued 4 metre licences. Slovenia (S5) issued their 4 metre licences back in 1998. On the 21st of July, John Desmond, EI7GL worked OZ3ZW for the first EI to OZ QSO on 4 metres. EI7GL operated spilt by transmitting on 70.200 MHz and listening to OZ3ZW on 70.100 MHz. (irts via Wireless Institute of Australia Queensland Q-News script for August 3, 2003 via John Norfolk, DXLD) RGSG says all modes are allowed; WIA says CW only. Which is it? (John Norfolk, DXLD) ** ECUADOR. A LOOK AT THE LIFE OF AN HCJB ENGINEER'S LIFE AND FAMILY Phillips [Wisconsin] grad and family live in Ecuador -- Renee Lind Zook is wife of short-wave mission radio transmitter engineer Cathy Peterson, THE-BEE, Last Updated: Thursday, July 31st, 2003 From [illustrated]: http://www.phillipswi.com/placed/index.php?sect_rank=3&story_id=148011&refer_url= A 1986 graduate of Phillips High School, Renee Lind Zook, her husband Tim, and their three sons are happy to be back in the United States for a few months. They have been living in Pilo [sic], a city in north central Ecuador for five years. "Pilo [sic] supposedly has a population of 20,000 but it doesn't really seem to be that big," Renee said. She said the weather is perfect, "like spring all year," in the Andes Mountains of South America where they are located. She has noticed some changes in the weather patterns however, and said the lack of expected rain the past few years has affected the crops grown by farmers in the region. Tim is a transmitter engineer for HCJB World Radio. The short-wave radio network he works with has 13 transmitters and 32 antennae. "For a while, I helped at the radio station and taught a Kid's Club class," Renee said. Now that the boys are older, I am busy being a full-time mom." The Zooks live with several other families in a compound located nearby. Tim is home most evenings, but may be gone overnight when working at other sites or helping with other broadcasts. Before moving to Ecuador, the Zooks lived in Alaska. Renee had been traveled with a mission group for a year following her high school graduation, then went to Alaska to work at a mission radio station. "That's how I met Tim, who grew up in Kansas," she said. "We were married in Phillips in 1989, but returned to Alaska to live." In 1996, the couple and their three sons, Jeffrey, Joshua and Jordan, came back to Phillips for a few months to raise money for their support while they attended language school in Texas. In May 1998, after completing a year of intensive training to learn Spanish, the family moved to Ecuador. "The call letters of our station, HCJB, stand for Heralding Christ Jesus' Blessings in English and have a similar meaning in Spanish," said Tim. "Our short wave broadcasts can be heard in both South and North America since most of our transmitters are 100 kilowatt and we have one that is 500 kilowatts." He said the station, based in Quito, which is about 45 miles from Pilo [sic], also has seven AM/FM radio sites that carry Spanish language broadcasts. Short wave programs are offered in English, Spanish, Portuguese, German and numerous native dialects and people proficient in these languages speak from studios in several locations. "The main programs are religious ones and many are translations of those broadcast on Christian radio stations in the United States," Tim said. "There is a lot of complicated, coordinated computerized technology that makes the broadcasting work." According to Renee, the ability to speak and understand Spanish helped them to be well accepted in the community. Because of their light skin, she said, people thought the Zooks must be wealthy. "Going back for centuries, it has been ingrained in people that the lighter one's skin color, the higher their class," she said. "There are some very wealthy people in the country but the majority are quite poor." She said many of the native people specialize in a specific skill or trade, like making leather goods, tapestries, jewelry, wood crafts or even making taffy. These items are sold at places where tourists are likely to visit. "Most people live in very crowded conditions and public services leave a lot to be desired," Renee said. "Many private homes do not have plumbing facilities and people who use public toilets have to pay for a sheet of tissue or bring their own." Ecuador's overall economy is very poor, in spite of the nation having its own oil wells with fuel prices about the same per gallon as they are in the United States. Although government officials are elected, many are corrupt, coups are common and numerous residents migrate to other countries. "New York City is said to have the third largest population of Ecuadorians of all the cities in the world," Tim said. "It is estimated that more than 150 of them were killed in the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center." The economic situation since then has affected their missionary outreach efforts, too, he said. Due to the reduction in donations, they have reduced the number of people working at the stations and eliminated their sports reporting. When the Zooks moved to Ecuador, they planned to return to the Phillips area every three years. When their sons were younger and being home-schooled, that plan worked well. However, their next visit home will probably be shorter and take place in two years. Since the boys will be missing classes this fall while the family is visiting in the States, Renee will be home-schooling them until the family returns to Ecuador. "Last year, the boys attended a missionary academy in Quito which has about the same schedule as schools here at home," she said. "The 45 mile trips twice a day were possible because we were able to car pool with other parents. However, driving was a whole new experience." There are few rules of the road, the couple said, except that vehicles must stop before entering a traffic circle. Even then, they noted, motorists in Ecuador's capital city tend to use their horns instead of their brakes to determine who goes first. The Zooks will be staying in the Phillips area for several more weeks, then travel extensively to visit family members, relatives, friends and others who have provided assistance with their missionary endeavors. "Almost all of our support comes from people who know us or about us and believe in what we are doing," Tim said. "We will be speaking at the First Baptist Church in Phillips Aug. 3 at 7 p.m. and the First Baptist Church in Prentice on Aug. 17." They will also speak at the Spirit Baptist Church November 23 and spend Thanksgiving with Renee's family before going to Colorado for Christmas with Tim's relatives. The Zooks plan to return briefly to the Phillips area before returning to Ecuador in January (via Ulis R. Fleming, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** ECUADOR\PERU. Amigos Dxistas Henrik Klemetz y Otros en la lista! Siempre he sostenido que lo más apasionante para un Dxista devoto es buscar la clave de una radiodifusora no identificada. Henrik por otra parte siempre ha trabajado con el concepto ``nunca deja una estación huérfana solita en la calle``. Bueno, es fascinante que hayan tantos lados de nuestro pasatiempo maravilloso. La historia comenzó el 20 de Mayo el año presente cuando tuve una estación andina desconocida en 1610.10 kHz. Temprano en la noche programación religiosa y después a las 7/8 música del tipo cumbia y ``rocolera`` ecuatoriana a veces interrumpida por comerciales por empresas en la ciudad de Cuenca. El 26 del Mayo la identifiqué como ``La Voz del Portete``, Cuenca (Ecuador). Cuando estuve en punto de enviar la información a ARC/SWB Suecia llegó un email desde Suecia y Hasse Mattisson/SWB que me informó sobre una estación andina no identificada en 1610.10 kHz! Supusimos Hasse y yo que haya sido la misma estación pero Hasse me mandó una grabación y comprendí directamente que era otra estación probablemente del Perú. Controlé la frecuencia de nuevo y un poco más tarde grabé ``Radio Radio Radio Sabor...``. ``La huérfana`` ahora tuvo un nombre pero todavía faltaba darla un hogar, un QTH. Los dos DXistas peruanos Alfredo Canote y Cesar Pérez Dioses colocaron Radio Sabor en la localidad de ``Paucarpata`` decididamente y sin duda. Alfredo y Cesar correctamente pusieron Radio Sabor en la provincia de Arequipa. Pero, Sabor no tiene su QTH en Paucarpata. Después mucho trabajo me informa Henrik Klemetz que Radio Sabor no está ubicada en Paucarpata sino en el núcleo de la ciudad de Arequipa! Pueden recibir más detalles sobre la estación directamente de Henrik. Gracias Henrik Alfredo y Cesar ahora podemos dejar 1610.10 kHz y dormir mejor! 73s de (Bjorn Malm, ARC SWB América Latina, Quito, Ecuador, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ERITREA. ERITREA REJECTS VOA EDITORIAL ON STRINGER AS "BASELESS ALLEGATION, FABRICATION" | Text of statement issued by Eritrean embassy in Washington DC, published in English by Eritrean ruling PFDJ party's Shaebia web site on 31 July The embassy of the State of Eritrea presents its compliments to the Voice Of America and has the honour to inform the latter that the embassy of the State of Eritrea categorically rejects the baseless allegation and fabrications aired on the VOA's editorial of 25 July 2003. It is true, like all Eritreans, Mr Aklilu Solomon [VOA correspondent in Eritrea] has completed the regular 18-month national service programme. However, when in 1998, the minority regime in Ethiopia invaded Eritrea, every able-bodied Eritrean was recalled and mobilized to defend the sovereignty of the nation, regardless of records of completion of national service obligations. Utilizing deception and other methods, Mr Aklilu has been ignoring and dodging his national obligations until he was caught not too long ago. Currently, Mr Aklilu is not detained in the military camp, but is performing his national obligations. The embassy of the State of Eritrea avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Voice Of America the assurances of its highest considerations. [Signed by] Embassy of the State of Eritrea, Washington, DC. Source: Shaebia web site, Asmara, in English 31 Jul 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) Well, why don`t they allow Mr Solomon at least to communicate directly with VOA to explain his situation? (gh, DXLD) ** GUINEA-BISSAU. RTP AFRICA BROADCASTS TO RESUME PENDING "LOGISTICAL ISSUES" | Text of report by Portuguese TV for Africa on 30 July RTP Africa in Bissau may resume broadcasts any moment. Politically, all problems have been overcome and now remains logistical issues for RTP. The minister of the Presidency, Nuno Morais Sarmento, made this announcement today after meeting with Guinea-Bissau's media minister. [RTP reporter Carla Adao] RTP Africa in Guinea-Bissau will soon resume its broadcasts. Guinea-Bissau media minister and Portuguese minister of the Presidency today met for nearly two hours to discuss this issue. After the meeting they said the channels should be opened immediately. [Guinea-Bissau Media Minister Juliano Fernandes] The reopening or the connection to RTP Africa and other transmissions from Bissau should happen as soon as possible. If this could happen today, it would be welcome news. [Sarmento] We are looking at the possibilities and this is a decision that only RTP is able to take to see whether or not it will be possible for an RTP technician to follow the minister on his return to Guinea-Bissau tomorrow. It is now a logistical issue to guarantee the delegation's immediate opening, thus it is just a logistical issue to know whether or not we have the conditions to send a technician tomorrow to follow the minister's return, thus an immediate resumption of the normal operation of the RTP delegation will be done with much pleasure. [Adao] Having overcome the political disagreement that led to the station's closure in November and consequent suspension of journalist activities in the country, both ministers are now seeking projects to reactivate the media in Guinea-Bissau. Morais Sarmento announced he would advance the CPLP assistance programme for Guinea-Bissau. [Sarmento] Regarding other media bodies in Guinea-Bissau during this time frame leading to the October elections, we were asked if in addition to RTP, RDP Africa coverage, we could also offer technical assistance to the media agencies in Guinea-Bissau. We responded positively and this agreement must now be discussed with RTP, RDP and Lusa to avail the technical means that will otherwise just remain an intention. [Adao] The relation between the coming elections and freedom of the press is one of the new media minister's concerns. Juliano Fernandes recently appointed in this position believes this understanding with the Portuguese government is a guarantee that RTP Africa will not be closed down again. Source: RTP Internacional TV, Lisbon, in Portuguese 0430 gmt 30 Jul 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) What are they actually talking about? Radio and TV from Lisbon via GB FM and TV transmitters? Satellite? Shortwave? It`s amazing how RTP can go on and on and never make this clear (gh, DXLD) PORTUGUESE TV'S OFFICE IN GUINEA-BISSAU REOPENS | Text of report by Portuguese TV on 1 August [Presenter] RTP [Portuguese state TV] has resumed its work in Guinea- Bissau today. The offices were closed in November 2002, following an order from the then secretary of state for the media. He alleged that reports filed by RTP-Africa about Guinea-Bissau called into question the country's and President Kumba Yala's credibility and image abroad. The problems have since been resolved and eight months later RTP' delegation has resumed its work and journalists are already out reporting. Source: RTP Internacional TV, Lisbon, in Portuguese 1200 gmt 1 Aug 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** ICELAND. I'm hearing AFN from Iceland on 13855 USB at 1105, \\ with 6350 USB out of Hawaii. Not much of a signal, but audible. So they are still there, at least for the time being. August 3, 2003 (Steve Lare, Holland, MI, DX LISTENING DIGST) ** INDIA. AIR`S PRIMARY CHANNEL RULES THE WAVES Tanvir Siddiqui Ahmedabad, July 31: The primary channel of the All India Radio (AIR) has earned more revenue than Vividh Bharati during the year 2002-03. This is contrary to popular belief that Vividh Bharati being the Commercial Broadcasting Service (CBS) of Prasar Bharati, is the major revenue earner. According to the Central Sales Unit (CSU) of Prasar Bharati, CBS has earned only Rs 42 crore, 40 per cent of total revenue of the AIR. The remaining 60 per cent has earned by the primary channel. The earning in Gujarat region, which has FM channels in four cities, three high power transmitters and three local radio stations, was around Rs 4.5 crore. Sadhana Bhatt, station director CBS here, admits that the share of CBS was Rs 2 crore while that of primary channel was more than Rs 2.50 crore. This is remarkable considering the fact that primary channel's main task is to produce quality programmes for medium wave coverage, keeping in mind the needs of rural and semi-urban audience. But why was CBS left behind? ``We don`t have any team that go into the field and do marketing for us... all marketing, or whatever you may call it, is done from this office on phone,`` said Bhatt. But she asserts that the revenue generation even on the CBS (except on FM metro channels) is linked to products advertised catering to common man instead of high end products meant for the élite. Primary channel is being popularised without venturing out of the set format of programmes which is commendable, according to Bhatt. A new programme being launched from next month drives home the point. Under the programme `Lok Samasya ni Sansad` (parliament of people`s problems) the station director will invite public to write to them about their grievances against government departments and they will be aired on the primary channel with possible solutions. ``Such live contact with our audiences is lacking in commercial broadcasting services and this is perhaps why primary channel develops instant rapport with people who serve as a reliable client base for advertisers and sponsors,`` said Manubhai Jani, AIR station director of primary channel. He admits that screening of commissioned programmes, contractual formalities of sponsorship and billing, etc., are taken care of by the CBS. In-house programmes are the forte of primary channel which covers a wide variety compared to commercial channel. One reason for better acceptability of primary channel over the CBS is that programmes of the former are need-based while the latter has no other utility than entertainment or film music. ``We can perform still better,``' says Jani referring to higher revenue, ``if we get a separate marketing set up parallel to CBS or at least CBS strengthened with more marketing staff.`` (Indian Express - 1 Aug 2003 via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, DXLD) ** INDIA. AIR TO LAUNCH EIGHTH CHANNEL TO MARK ANNIVERSARY Wednesday, 30 July, 2003, 23:31 New Delhi: All India Radio's Broadcasting House in the capital, which entered its 60th year, will get an anniversary gift in the form of an eighth channel that will broadcast programmes in 15 languages. Announcing this at the launch of the diamond jubilee celebrations of the heritage building that began functioning 60 years back broadcasting programmes for a few hours on just one channel, Prasar Bharati CEO K S Sarma said the new channel, named `Bhasha Bharati, will go on air on November 12, the `Lok Prasaran Divas. The channel, which will be the Broadcasting House`s eighth channel, will broadcast programmes in 15 languages, seven hours a day, Sarma said. A commemorative book `Sakshi, which comprises photographs and write- ups chronicling the 60-year-long history of the building, was released on the occasion by Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ravishankar Prasad. Releasing the book, Prasad said the Broadcasting House was more of a `sahyatri (fellow traveller) than a `Sakhshi because its 60-year-long history is also the history of the country`s progress. He said the public broadcaster faces new challenges in this age of globalisation. "The public broadcaster has to bridge the digital divide and take information to all, with 74 per cent of the rural population relying on radio for information." Artistes belonging to the All India Radio, including its `vadya vrind orchestra and popular thumri singer Sharda Sinha performed on the occasion (source? via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, Aug 3, DXLD) ** INDIA [and non]. Re `Hamstrung`, 3-137: Speaking with VU2RBI, Ms. Bharathi of the National Institute of Amateur Radio NIAR, I understand the article also appeared in the Hindustan Times of the 1st August? Going through the article I wonder whether one gets the idea that Ham Radio just opens up the world just like that! Unfortunately not really so in practice. Some people would get the wrong idea that it is a way to circumvent the telephone service and a cheap way of getting information. This is very wrong and is not what Ham Radio is all about. On the other hand, today, it is much easier and more reliable to get on the Internet and get your information. Certainly, one can make friends with people via ham radio and they could help you obtain information. Ham Radio is really an experimenters` laboratory. It gives legal status to an electronics experimenter to build and operate a transmitter, to use it to experiment with radio waves, circuits, audio processors and so much more. Having been an active radio ham since 1983, working all bands including CW (Morse), what I like most about it is that one gets to meet people over the years from various countries and cultures WHO SHARE THE SAME INTEREST. In that respect there is an instant bonding of two people. I have had many ham friends visiting me and staying with me over the years, just as much as I have on visits abroad. As a shortwave radio listener and avid BC Dxer what thrilled me most was the ability to transmit having been a listener for many long years. I have been able to use my knowledge of propagation gathered as a BCDXer to beam signals and contact people all over the world. It has also opened ways to experiment with radio waves, including bouncing signals off zones covered by solar eclipses and make contacts at times not possible otherwise. Make antennas and really test them. It gives a ham really great satisfaction of establishing contacts with people all over the world using his home brew transmitter. However, today technical standards are so high and technology has advanced so much that it is not possible to enjoy all branches of ham radio with home brew equipment. Anyway without digressing too much from the topic, what I want to say is that we must neither give nor get the wrong idea about amateur radio in our enthusiasm to propagate it. I would tell any BC DXer to study up for a ham licence and get it and enjoy both hobbies. The knowledge one gathers from one can supplement the other (Victor Goonetilleke, Sri Lanka, dx_india via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL INTERNET. In addition to satellite broadcasts, websites are also blocked as they attempt to cross national boundaries. Rep. Christopher Cox (R-CA) introduced legislation to create a new bureaucracy, the Office of Global Internet Freedom. Details at http://www.businessweek.com/technology/cnet/stories/1026690.htm This topic has also been addressed by the World Press Freedom Committee at its Internet Press Freedom Conference held in June in New York. A report from that conference is at http://www.wpfc.org/index.jsp?page=Internet%20Press%20Freedom%20Conference (Kim Elliott, Net Notes, Aug NASWA Journal via DXLD) ** IRAQ. GET MEDIA-WISE IN IRAQ 7/31/2003 By TRUDY RUBIN Here's a suggestion for saving American lives in Baghdad: soap opera. I'm not joking. One of the most inexplicable and dangerous failings of U.S. occupation authorities is their failure to communicate with the people. Ordinary Iraqis don't know who's in charge or what U.S. officials are doing. This breeds suspicion and hostility along with false and vicious rumors about the actions of American troops. Just last week, an anti-American mob of 10,000 gathered in Najaf on the basis of a rumor that Americans had arrested a prominent cleric. The rumor wasn't true, just like popular rumors that U.S. troops look through women's clothes with night-vision goggles. So you might think the Coalition Provisional Authority would be seeking new ways to get its message out. You might think the CPA would be brainstorming with Iraqis about creative TV programming. You might think that - but you would be wrong. The Iraqi Media Network - the CPA-funded operation that dominates domestic broadcasting - is dull and repetitious, with little original programming and limited news programs. Iraqis are far more likely to tune in to foreign TV channels, like those of Iran, which has 24-hour news programs that blast U.S. occupation. Or a Lebanese network run by Hezbollah, a group labeled as terrorist by the U.S. government. Iraqis with the money buy satellite dishes that bombard them with Arab channels like Al-Jazeera, with its endless anti-American talk shows. Since most Iraqis are currently jobless, they sit at home listening to a diet of anti-American news programs. Meantime, the CPA shows little sign that it knows how to overcome its isolation from Iraqis. The Pentagon has yet to put enough money or staff into coalition television to produce original programming or expand its meager news shows. This isn't a problem that can wait. U.S. officials must have a means to get the facts out. They must have the means to keep Iraqis informed about plans to move toward elections - and end the occupation. They must give the new Iraqi interim government - which is supposed to be the first step toward elections - a way to publicize efforts to draft a new Iraqi constitution and set up a new judicial system. There are plenty of good suggestions about how to do this, if the CPA is finally ready to finance a serious Iraqi media operation. No signs yet that it is. "Radio and television programming are the most critical means to getting the message out," said a new report by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, which just assessed U.S. reconstruction efforts. The report prescribes a massive effort to establish more local TV stations and to set up a national "headline news"-type program. Frederick Barton of the CSIS also suggests that coalition TV set up a crime watch show so that Iraqis can phone in tips about looters and share information. All-day news shows on radio and TV could combat Iranian misinformation. Several Iraqi friends say that TV or radio talk shows would give Iraqis a chance to air their grievances. Why not have a fresh-faced Iraqi TV host haul in Coalition Provisional Authority and Iraqi officials to be questioned by callers, so they could feel a personal connection with their interim rulers? As the CSIS report noted: "Without seeing or hearing (CPA head Paul) Bremer and others, disinformation will continue to prevail over truth." But my favorite suggestion comes from Timothy Carney, a former U.S. diplomat who just spent spent three months with the CPA in Baghdad. He thinks one way "to capture Iraqi popular interest would be a soap opera with a select few characters." Imagine a show, with fine Iraqi actors (there is a theater tradition in Baghdad) who dramatized Iraqis' suffering under Saddam, and their struggles to cope with the new situation. Through soap operas, Iraqis could see actors resolve their problems, could feel they weren't alone, could even watch as CPA officials did (or didn't) do things right. There might even be a U.S. soldier-hero - like some of the young officers I met who are building schools or setting up new city councils. And in between the soap segments, bulletins could keep Iraqis apprised of real news (The Philadelphia Inquirer Aug 1 via Fred Waterer, DXLD) ** IRAQ. Steve, OM3JW, informs OPDX that his son Mike, OM2DX, has obtained from the Iraqi PTT (thanks to Fred Matos, W3ICM) his personal callsign YI/OM2DX and the special callsign YI2X only for contests. He will be active for the next three years from the Slovak Embassy in Baghdad. Mike has with him two transceivers: TS-850SAT and IC-706. Also, a power amplifier, L4B, is on the way to Baghdad. He is currently only using 100 watts and a FD4 antenna. Mike has also erected a 20m high vertical for 80 and 160 meters and a 8 element LP for 20-10 meters. He will be active on CW/SSB/RTTY/PSK31 on 160-6 meters. He was heard over the past week on 40/30/17 meters CW between 1345-1800z. QSL for both callsigns (also his activity as YI1BGD) is via his father OM3JW (KB8NW/OPDX August 3/BARF-80 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** IRAQ. Plenty of activity from here over the last week. Willie, YI/KV4EB, provided some SSB QSOs on 17 meters and some SSTV pictures on 20/15 meters. Activity is on at various times. QSL via K0JN. Operator Abel, YI/KC0LEK, near Baghdad was active mainly on 15 meters SSB (between 21250-21302 kHz), again at various times. Also, active was YI/AD8DY, YI/NG5L, YI/SM7WZA, YI1EM and YI1BGD (KB8NW/OPDX August 3/BARF-80 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** ISRAEL. Voice of Peace / Arutz Hatchelet The previous issue of the Jerusalem Report had an article about "Arutz Hatchelet" - a relatively new (1 year old) "Jewish" cable TV channel in Israel. http://www.techelet.co.il/ Unfortunately, the article isn't available on-line. A friend of mine explained it to me as similar to a Jewish version of the U.S. Pax Network. That is, it's not a channel which broadcasts religious classes all day (although they do broadcast some of those too). Most of the time, they broadcast TV shows with Jewish values. http://www.techelet.co.il/aboutEn.asp "At Ha'Techelet channel, Israel's new Jewish-content television channel, we aim to create a new public space for dialogue on Jewish issues, to deepen a shared sense of history and commitment to Israel and Jewish peoplehood, and to celebrate and foster Jewish creativity, achievement and diversity. In August 2001, the Israel Knesset's Committee for Cable and Broadcasting awarded Ha'Techelet channel the license to establish the only Jewish content television channel in Israel. Now fully funded for launch, Ha'Techelet channel will start broadcasting in 5th april 2002 with a full daily schedule, including 5-7 hours of original programming every day. Mindful that our mandate is to be a Jewish, and not simply religious channel, Ha'Techelet channel's programming is designed to give voice to Jewish expression in its widest sense. Our staff brings together the best of Israel's technical and creative professionals and many of its most respected and dynamic Jewish thinkers, to produce a range of innovative quality programs in five key areas: Youth and children - to develop an appreciation of the relevance of Jewish values, and pride in taking part in the Great Jewish Story; History - to deepen a shared understanding of the Jewish narrative as a key to deepening commitment to a purposeful Jewish future; Faith and Teaching - to celebrate the Jewish people as a community of learning, and encourage viewers of all backgrounds to reclaim the wisdom of their heritage Drama and entertainment - to establish a stage for vibrant contemporary Jewish expression, with special emphasis on drama and humor; Current Affairs - to create a forum for discussion and debate on current Israeli and Jewish issues in a culture of integrity, commitment and respect. Additionally Ha'Techelet channel has special departments focusing on Jewish music, foreign language broadcasts, and programming features to reflect the rhythm of the Jewish year. At Ha'Techelet channel we strive to operate on a commercial basis with high production values and in accordance with Jewish ethics, in an authentic Jewish atmosphere imbued with joy, sensitivity, tolerance and respect." (via Daniel Rosenzweig, DXLD) ** ISRAEL. VOICE OF PEACE RADIO STATION RETURNS FROM BOTTOM OF THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA --- Popular Station Remembered By Kibbutz Volunteers And Foreign Journalists During 70's and 80's --- By Michael Ireland, Chief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service, Tuesday, July 29, 2003 ISRAEL (ANS) -- After a decade of silence, the Voice of Peace is about to make itself heard again in a joint Israeli-Palestinian venture to put peace back on Middle Eastern airwaves, according to an article on http://indymedia.org.il by Lydia Aisenberg. "For twenty years music and peace orientated programs were beamed throughout the region from a pirate ship anchored 3 miles offshore belonging to veteran Israeli peace activist, Abie Nathan. Broadcasts began in l973 and ceased when Nathan, broke and bitterly disappointed at not being able to carry out pumping peace over the air, scuttled the Peace Ship 'somewhere in the Mediterranean,' " Aisenberg wrote. Aisenberg said the popular station is remembered fondly by Israelis, hundreds of thousands of kibbutz volunteers from different countries and foreign journalists who spent time in Israel during the Seventies and Eighties. "The jingles from the peace ship became so much part of the local lingo that many still today associate the Voice of Peace with Sadat's message of his announcing, 'no more war, no more bloodshed,' being beamed out many times a day as well as Nathan announcing, 'We are the Voice of Peace, broadcasting from somewhere in the Mediterranean.' " The ship's crew, broadcasting technicians and DJ's were a multi-ethnic mix who volunteered in the main to keep peace afloat for nothing more than a narrow bunk, food and the opportunity to calm the stormy waters of conflict in the region, Aisenberg said. Although the new Voice of Peace will be beaming the same messages as did the nowadays physically ailing pioneer peacenik Abie Nathan from l973-l993, the new station will be manned by landlubbers and the studios operated by both Israelis and Palestinians, said Aisenberg. "The main station will be physically situated in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Jerusalem. Relay stations in both Israel, West Bank and Gaza will carry the beat of peace to a very wide and diverse audience with the targeted age group being 20-40," she wrote. Unlike the Peace Ship's English only broadcasts, the new Voice of Peace -- a joint venture between Israel's Givat Haviva Jewish-Arab Center for Peace and the Palestinian English language Jerusalem Times publisher and businessman Hanna Siniora -- will be broadcasting in Hebrew, Arabic and English, Aisenberg said. "The focus will be on popular and classical music as well as that of the different cultural backgrounds of the regions peoples in a quest to create a stereotype-breaking wavelength leading to better understanding of each other. Interviews with personalities from the peace camp on either side and updates on activities of Israeli and Palestinian NGO's are also on the agenda. "To the strains of the late John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band pleading to 'Give Peace A Chance' coming from a small cassette player propped up in the corner of the Beit Agron press center in Jerusalem, the Israeli and Palestinian partners this week launched the Voice of Peace, with the blessing of Abie Nathan who has donated all his memorabilia to Givat Haviva's library and archives," Aisenberg wrote. "Our goal is to promote understanding, tolerance and coexistence between the two peoples," Mossie Raz, Deputy-Director of Givat Haviva and Palestinian partner Hanna Siniora jointly announced at the Beit Agron press conference this week. "Sitting together facing a battery of foreign and local media folk, the Jewish and Palestinian partners in the radio venture, backed with 600,000 euros from the European Union and substantial amount from the Japanese government, proved that they were on the same wavelength of understanding by translating everything that was said for each other into English, Arabic and Hebrew!" Aisenberg wrote. The Israeli and Palestinian coordinators of the project, Shimon Malka and Maisa Baransi have spent a great deal of time over the last year researching the needs of the people on either side of the divide, she said. "We do not have fantasies such as within a few weeks we will have brought about a lasting peace in the Middle East, but on the other hand we are certainly aiming to build a new trust, to encourage each side to see the other side as people with needs and that we all have, and should be entitled to have, dreams," said Malka, who has also been working with Israeli, Palestinian and Jordanian youth for the last 3 years producing an English language magazine, 'Crossing Borders.' Givat Haviva and Hanna Seniora are also partners in the magazine project involving hundreds of young writers and a new group that began to work together last week. "The media is a very powerful tool and the radio will offer the opportunity to reach far more people and we hope, slowly, slowly to build up confidence amongst the listeners and lead them toward listening to each other," explained Mossie Raz, a former member of the Knesset and well known public speaker for Peace Now in Israel. Slated to press the 'On the Air' button on November 4, 2003, Seniora explained why that specific date had been chosen. "November 4 is the eighth anniversary of the assassination of the late prime minister Yitzhak Rabin. Arafat always called Rabin his partner in peace and we want to find a way to let people know that Rabin's assassination did not kill off the peace process but that peace is possible," he said. Asked if Arafat was aware of the new station, Seniora said not only did Arafat know about the project but that had also given his blessing, Aisenberg said. Both Seniora and Raz made the point a number of times that there is a silent majority on either side that supports peace but that the tone was set by those who wanted to derail the peace process. Speaking in Arabic, Hebrew and English, Palestinian coordinator Baransi, an attractive thirty-something, commented: "Everybody is suffering and everybody wants peace. The question is how and we are here to try and explain to people what peace means – to tell them more about each other's culture, education and daily lives and, of course, about coexistence." Aisenberg said that ten years ago Abie Nathan stood on the deck of a boat and watched as his much loved Voice of Peace ship was scuttled. That day was for him and many others, the day that a rather special type of music and peace message mix really died. During the last decade of horrific violence in the region, the Voice of Peace lay locked in Davy Jones' locker on the floor of the Mediterranean, she said. Aisenberg concluded: "Hopefully, the Voice of Peace of the new millennium will have sufficient volume and support from both the Israeli and Palestinian side to drown out those intent on sending its message back down to the bottom of the sea." (Assist News Service via Bruce Atchison, AB, DXLD) Yesterday I found a short message in the main German Newspapers about VOP return plans. This is the story in detail: ISRAELI, PALESTINIAN PEACE ACTIVISTS TO OPEN JOINT "VOICE OF PEACE" RADIO STATION by haaretz via gehrig (No verified email address) Current rating: 0 28 Jul 2003 [?] Palestinian and Israeli peace activists signed an agreement Monday to open a radio station called "Voice of Peace" which would broadcast from the West Bank town of Bitunia, near Ramallah. The agreement was signed between the Jewish-Arab Center for Peace in Givat Haviva, northern Israel, and the Palestinian Jerusalem Times daily, in cooperation with the European Union. Maissa Seniora, the Palestinian director of the radio station, said its aim was to rebuild trust and narrow the distances between the two peoples. It also aimed at fighting stereotypes presented in the media about the Palestinians and Israel, she added. She stressed the station would not relay political programs, nor would it be funded by any party. Instead, it would mainly broadcast Arabic and Hebrew music as well as entertainment programs for children and youth. Hana Seniora, a journalist and supporter of the station, said he hoped it would enhance international peace efforts. "It will not focus much on news or current political issues. It will mostly be about the cultures of the two peoples, their similarities and differences, in order to shorten the distances between them," he added. The new station is scheduled to begin broadcasting on November 4, the anniversary of the assassination of former prime minister Yitzhak Rabin, who was gunned down at a peace rally by right-wing extremist Yigal Amir. The original "Voice of Peace" was a legendary pirate radio station run by Israeli peace activist Abie Nathan. It broadcast from a ship anchored just outside Israeli territorial waters and its slogan became something of a catch phrase in Israel: "from somewhere in the Mediterranean, we are the voice of peace." Nathan shut down the station in late 1993. Source: http://www.ucimc.org/newswire/display/12918/index.php (via Thorsten Hallman, Germany, DXLD) ** KOREAS. From http://www.yonhapnews.net/Engnews/20030802/200000000020030802162520E1.html Seoul, Aug. 2 (Yonhap) Sunday, Aug 03, 2003 South Korea told North Korea Saturday that the sides should discuss whether to discontinue propaganda broadcasts directed at each other after forming a study group to review the issue. At the latest round of inter-Korean Cabinet meeting in Seoul in early July, North Korea proposed that the two Koreas stop airing propaganda broadcasts effective Aug. 15. Both sides agreed to have the issue handled by a new inter-Korean committee to be formed later (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** LIBERIA. VOA CAREYSBURG With the start of the rainy season in the Country, the shelter situation of IDPs at the VOA refugee camp is becoming appalling. The transit buildings are leaking causing extensive flooding inside the buildings. About 2,000 IDPs are residing at four of the VOA buildings, which are being used as transit centers. The IDPs are forced to remain awake at night when it rains and it is likely many of them could fall sick if the situation is not addressed. ICRC has constructed a transit center at the camp, which has capacity to accommodate some 400 IDPs. From http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/0/0e9eabbe441c4c3a49256d47000c0cc4?OpenDocument That's of course the VOA station near Careysburg, overrun by Charles Taylor in September 1990. I think back in 1997 there were reports about the station buildings being locked, but this appears to be no longer the case. Anyway, locked by whom? (Kai Ludwig, Germany, August 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) IDP never explained in the original. I guess Displaced Persons? Intentionally? (gh, DXLD) ** LITHUANIA [non]. Lithuanian President Rolandas Paksas has asked the US Congress for assistance in keeping Lithuanian language broadcasts on Radio Free Europe. In a letter he says the broadcasts continue to help the Lithuanian people to receive objective information, follow events in Europe and the rest of the world and understand today`s challenges. The US administration cites changes in foreign policy priorities in seeking to halt funding for RFE/RL broadcasts in Bulgarian, Croatian, Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian and Slovakian as well as VOA broadcasts from 2004. The proposed 563 million dollar budget for foreign broadcasts includes $30 million for Arab satellite television and $3.5 million for boosting broadcasts to Indonesia, which has the largest number of Muslims in the world (Radio Vilnius newscast 17/7 via Jonathan Murphy, Ireland, Aug World DX Club Contact via Mike Barraclough, DXLD) ** MACEDONIA (Special Activity). Look for stations from this country to be active using the special prefix "Z3100" during the month of August to celebrate 100 years of Macedonia. Here is a list of some of the operators that will be active: Z3100A (Z31A), Z3100B (Z31B), Z3100C (Z32UC), Z3100D (Z32DY), Z3100E (Z32AU), Z3100F (Z33F), Z3100G (Z33A), Z3100I (Z31CZ), Z3100K (Z34M), Z3100M (Z35M), Z3100O (Z36A), Z3100R (Z33AA), Z3100S (Z32ZM), Z3100T (Z31CQ), Z3100W (Z35W), Z3100X (Z32XX), Z3100Z (Z33Z), Z3100IL (Z37M), Z3100KR (Z32BF) and Z3100MK (Z37FAD) (KB8NW/OPDX August 3/BARF-80 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** MALI. There is a small window from Mali towards Europe 0800-0830, heard June 28th on usual 9635 0800 but drifted down 50 hertz every ten minutes, parallel to 11960 (Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany, Aug World DX Club Contact via Mike Barraclough, DXLD) ** MEXICO. Re R. Huayacocotla, http://www.sjsocial.org/Radio/huarad.html This page is definitely worth visiting. The initial page is in Spanish, which we will translate and publish soon, perhaps next week, but there are links to articles about the Mexican government`s sudden closure of the station in 1994 and reopening in 1995, in English. I urge all to visit these sites (Mike Dorner, Catholic Radio Update August 3 via DXLD) ** MYANMAR. I heard Myanmar last night after several months since I first logged it on 5040 kHz. Myanmar Radio, Yangon, 1152-1231, 02/08, Typical songs at 1152 and then YL in Burmese (?). Perhaps ID at 1200 by the same YL and then several songs with some breaks with OM and YL. Not very easy to understand but the program style and language are the same as previously heard on the same frequency. 33333 (Marcelo Toníolo, Auckland, New Zealand, NRD 545 DSP Longwire 10 meters + MFJ 959B, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** NEPAL. Hi Glenn, Just heard Radio Nepal, Kumaltar closing down at 1715 UT. Reception was good even with my Sony 7600G and a five meter reel on apple tree. {WTFK? 5005?} Turku is full of events every summer. The biggest event this year is the Cutty Sark Tall Ships Race and it`s taking place this week-end. 500,000 people have witnessed this event, the 100 beauties of the seas. The biggest one is a 120 meter Sedov from Russia. 73 (Jouko Huuskonen, Turku, FINLAND, Aug 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PALESTINE. Hi Glenn: Re the BBCM Palestine/Sawa item, http://www.radiosawa.com shows an FM outlet on 94.2 MHz serving "Bethlehem/Jerusalem/Ramallah." Perhaps that report refers to this (Kim Elliott, DC, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PARAGUAY. Hola Amigo DXista Arnaldo! Gracias por darnos una buena noticia. Parece que haya sido un chiste Radio América. He probado todas sus frecuencias sin ningúna señal de vida. 73 de (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, Jul 29, Conexión Digital via DXLD) Así es, pero como todo buen radioescucha, hay que saber tener paciencia. Saludos (José Alba Z., ibid.) Hola Björn y José! Realmente es muy dificil la escucha de Radio América. Aquí la he reportado desde Buenos Aires en un par de ocasiones y con colegas en DX Camps en otras dos oportunidades. Lo cierto es que llegaba mejor en sus frecuencias de 41 metros: 7370 y 7737 kHz. Yo tengo una comunicación muy fluida con Adán Mur, a cargo de la parte técnica de esta estación. Hay que soslayar que más que una emisora de onda corta, es un proyecto de estación de SW. ¿Porqué? Porque se están haciendo pruebas, en una etapa netamente de experimentación, modificando permanentemente las frecuencias (que tampoco son definitivas) en aras de poder alcanzar, en principio, la zona de Buenos Aires y alredores, donde viven más de un millón de paraguayos. Pero en estos intentos, se lucha, me contó Adán Mur, con condiciones climáticas adversas (fortísimas tormentas, etc); dificultad en grado sumo para conseguir distintos elementos y componentes (que se deterioran con mayor frecuencia que en otros sitios con condiciones más favorables), etc, etc. La pretensión de los directivos de la estación es seguir testeando en la onda corta, mientras se consigue aumentar la potencia, merced a conseguir transmisores más, valga la redundancia, potentes. Lo positivo para los DXistas es que la emisora opera las 24 horas del día en las dos frecuencias de onda corta que ahora emplea: 9905 y 15483 khz, por lo que podemos intentar la escucha en diferentes momentos del dia. 73's y 55's (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentina, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** PERU. 3172.8 tentative, Radio Municipal seems active at 0020-0040 (Bob Wilkner ~ NRD 535D ~ Pompano Beach, Florida, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU\ECUADOR. 1610.10 stations: see ECUADOR ** POLAND. An article about the radio mast of Gabin (Poland) http://lwca.org/mb/msg/3145.htm Posted by Harald on August 01, 2003 at 01:02:56: It is largely unknown that the tallest structure mankind ever built was the 646 metre high guyed radio mast of the 2000 kW longwave broadcast transmitter of Gabin (Poland), which worked on 227 kHz (later 225 kHz). This mast was completed in 1974 and collapsed during maintenance work in 1991. Afterwards, the transmissions on 225 kHz were performed by an old transmitter near Warszawa. Since 1998 a new facillity near Sojec Kujokoski is used for this purpose. I have got an article about this mast, unfortunately in Polish language, from the Polish Broadcasting Service. I cannot translate this article into English, (but) I suppose that there are some Polish speaking people active in the message board! (Longwave Message Board Editor's Note: The image file is too large to post here, but if you would like to take a crack at translating it for the rest of us, please post a reply below. The Webmaster will gladly e-mail you the file, and you will have our eternal gratitude. Or at least, our very long-term gratitude.)(via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** RUSSIA. A handwritten letter to George Glotzbach, Santa Fe NM, is reproduced on page 29 of August NASWA Journal, QSL Report. It`s from ``Voice of Russia, Chinese Section, Dom Radio, Room No. 504, Lenina St 4., Khabarovsk 680620, Russia.`` Does this mean the VOR Chinese programs are produced in Khabarovsk rather than Moscow??? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN [non]. New "target station" for Sudan 17660/17630: I guess is a MERLIN brokered transmission, coming from Woofferton, England. 73 wb df5sx (Wolfgang Büschel, Germany, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SWITZERLAND. My favourite programme from the past has to be a SWISS RADIO INTERNATIONAL programme called "The Name Game". Bob Zanotti in this 20 minute programme aired once a month travelled to a town in Switzerland - most often off the tourist trail - never mentioning its name. He would speak to locals about their home town, its history and present state. Any notable landmarks or famous personalities were given which might give the listener a clue or two about the identity of the place. The prizes included a Swiss watch and always winners came from around the world. I myself won this first prize in 1999 and still have the watch wearing it from time to time. For me this experience of learning about another country is a fine example of what shortwave radio at its best can offer to listeners. Sadly, the SRI management decided to end the programme in their move towards a news only line up (Jonathan Murphy, Aug World DX Club Contact via Alan Roe, DXLD) Postponed from last issue tho cross-referenced under CANADA Switzerland (though not sure of transmitter site), Swiss Radio, now as "Swiss Info" on 15515 kHz in English from 1745, in the middle of a fascinating program on Malaria in Africa. SINPO 44444 At 1758, ID, web site as http://www.swissinfo.org while the e-mail is english@swissinfo.ch Mailing address: Swiss Info, English Department, 3000 Bern 15, Switzerland. Into news in French at 1800. Checking the web site, there is a 13 part series there on Malaria, surely everything (and then some) that one would want or need to know on the topic. Also links to audio programs. Maybe I am an old reactionary, but while this information is interesting, it still does not compare to the program coming through the ether over an old fashioned radio, with Swiss music between programs. Remember the old programs of 75 minutes, with mailbags, and music, and SW Merry-go- Round? Another station that seems to be on the verge of abandoning short wave, and going mostly high tech, internet (Roger Chambers, Utica, NY, Drake SW 8 with 1 meter whip, August 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAIWAN. 7129.87, R. Taipei Int'l, 1222-1300 8/1. "Taipei Magazine" programm, interviewing Minister of Health about SARS; noted later with Chinese language lesson; into Japanese at 1400. Good signal (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Drake R-8, 100-foot RW, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** TURKMENISTAN. Just heard 2035 UT Turkmen Radio, Asgabat in English on 4930 kHz. Reception was good, as it use to be. 2045 UT programme in local language. 73 (Jouko Huuskonen, Turku, FINLAND, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TURKMENISTAN. HARD LINE ON DOING ANYTHING ELSE BUT DRIVING News Central Asia reports that the government of Turkmenistan has banned not only the use of cell phones while driving but other potential distractions. The prohibitions would be certain to take the fun out of driving for many Americans. According to the news report, a presidential order --``Rules of Traffic for Turkmenistan``-- forbids drivers from eating, drinking smoking, listening to loud music or using their cell phones. That certainly leaves little room for operating ham gear while on the road. Penalties are aimed at encouraging compliance and must be paid within 12 hours -- or by 8 AM the following day if the ticket was issued after 6 PM the previous day. Fines double if not paid on time. The rules were set forth by the Ministry of Defense (ARRL July 30 via John Norfolk, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. HOLIDAY NET ON 80 & 40 METRES Tim, G4DBL, is intending to run a `Holiday Net` on 80 and 40 metres during the summer holiday season. With the plethora of mobile and portable rigs today, many operators can be heard from holiday locations in the UK and Europe, or while travelling. Tim thinks it would be fun to condense some of this activity into nets which he therefore intends to run on most Monday and Friday evenings around 3744 kHz at 9.00 pm, and on Wednesdays around 7050 kHz at 1.30 pm, all times being BST. The nets will run throughout August and in the first half of September. Non-holiday-makers, and home base stations, are also welcome to call in, but Tim says preference will be given to Mobile and Portable stations. Tim himself expects to be `on location` for some of the nets. He also reminds everyone please not to let mobile operation distract you from driving (Radio Society of Great Britain GB2RS News Script for August 3, 2003 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** U K. PIRATE RADIO TURNED OFF http://www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/news/localnews/display.var.399478.0.pirate_radio_turned_off.php (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** U K [non]. BIBLE VOICE BROADCASTING (Revised schedule w.e.f 4th Aug'2003) To : Indian Sub Continent Time Freq Language Days 0030-0100 7210 Bengali Daily 0200-0230 9610 Hindi Daily 0200-0245 17540 English Sat 0230-0300 11805 English Sat/Sun 0230-0300 17540 English Sun 0245-0300 17540 English/French Sat 0300-0330 17540 Hindi Sun 1530-1545 17655 Hindi Wed 1530-1600 17655 English Mon/Thurs/ Fri 1530-1600 17655 Urdu Tues 1545-1600 17655 English Wed 1600-1615 17655 Hindi Mon-Fri To : Central Africa 1900-1915 13725 English Mon-Thurs 1900-1930 13725 English Fri/Sun 1900-2000 13725 English Sat To : East Africa 1630-1700 13810 Amharic Tues/Fri/Sat/Sun 1630-1730 13810 Amharic Mon/Wed/Thurs 1700-1730 13810 Tigringa Tues To : East Europe 1800-1815 5970 English Mon-Fri 1800-1830 5970 English Sun 1800-1900 5970 English Sat 1815-1830 5970 Russian Mon/Wed/Thurs/Fri 1815-1830 5970 English/French Tues 1830-1845 5970 English Tues/Wed/Thurs/Fri 1830-1900 5970 Russian Sun 1900-1930 5970 English Sun To : Middle East 0500-0530 13840 Arabic Mon-Fri 0845-1015 17595 Arabic Fri 1515-1800 15680 English Sat/Sun 1530-1700 15680 English Mon/Tues 1530-1715 15680 English Thurs 1530-1800 15680 English Wed/Fri 1615-1730 15750 Arabic Mon-Fri 1700-1715 17660 Arabic Mon-Fri 1700-1745 15680 Russian Tues 1700-1800 15750 English Sat/Sun 1800-1815 13845 English Sat 1800-1900 13845 Farsi Sun 1815-1900 13845 Farsi Sat 1900-1930 13710 Arabic Thurs 1900-2000 13710 English Fri/Sat/Sun To : China 1130-1145 13590 English/French Fri 1130-1200 13590 English Thurs/Sat/Sun 1145-1200 13590 English Mon-Fri 1200-1215 13590 Vietnamese Mon/Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun 1200-1245 13590 Vietnamese Tues/Wed 1215-1230 13590 Cantonese Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun 1215-1245 13590 English Mon To : Vietnam 1400-1430 5945 Vietnamese Sat 1430-1500 5945 English Sat (From : Bible Voice Website, http://www.biblevoice.org via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, Aug 3, DXLD) Somewhat uncertain under which country to file BVBN as a non, I see their contact info lists a North American E-mail address in Canada, and for Europe a 44 phone number in Britain ---- but no postal or physical addresses! Where are they hiding? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. NATIONAL NEWS: ORDEAL IN STORE FOR BBC AND GOVERNMENT By Bob Sherwood and Jean Eaglesham, Financial Times; Aug 02, 2003 The Hutton inquiry will be an even tougher ordeal than expected for the government and BBC. Lord Hutton outlined his plans for a two-stage inquiry yesterday - and it is the prospect of a bruising, and potentially career-threatening, second stage that will most worry Tony Blair, Geoff Hoon, Alastair Campbell and Andrew Gilligan. At his preliminary hearing, the law lord stressed his inquiry would not be a trial between the government and BBC. "I do not sit to decide between conflicting cases - I sit to investigate the circumstances surrounding Dr [David] Kelly's death." . . . http://tinyurl.com/iwqg (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U K. Re Byford, 3-137: "Let me tell you that what is interesting in Iraq is that (toppled President) Saddam Husayn used to listen to the BBC Arabic Service. In fact, the entire Iraqi people tune in to the BBC." What an absurd statement. Government spin is nothing in comparison to the BBC management's (Mike Barraclough, UK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. BBC WORLD SERVICE ACHIEVES RECORD NUMBER OF LISTENERS IN UK | Text of press release by BBC World Service on 31 July One and a half million people now listen to BBC World Service in the UK, according to figures released today by RAJAR (Radio Joint Audience Research). The figures, which cover the period April to June 2003, show a rise in World Service UK listening of 0.1 million over the last quarter, the first time RAJAR recorded World Service audiences in the UK. Alan Booth, BBC World Service's Controller, Marketing, said: "With many more ways to listen, people are finding it easier to tune into the World Service and enjoying the international news and analysis and landmark programmes they find there. "These figures show how significant listening through television and the Internet has become - something that would have been almost unimaginable a few years ago. "It's now possible to listen to the World Service in the UK - via Freeview (digital terrestrial television - channel 80); on Sky digital satellite (Channel 865) and cable channels; as well as online and via digital radio." BBC World Service is funded through Grant-in-Aid from the Foreign Office. The grant for 2003/4 is 220m pounds. - In the UK, World Service in English is available on 648 MW in southeastern England. In addition, overnight on BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Ulster and via digital radio, digital satellite and the Internet. The English Network can be heard on the BBC's digital multiplex in the UK, Freeview digital channel 80 or in Europe on the Astra satellite, channel 865. BBC World Service Extra - a new radio service broadcasting in the key languages of Afghanistan and the surrounding region - is available on digital satellite channel 902. - Outside the UK, BBC World Service is available on shortwave; on FM in 140 capital cities; and selected programmes are carried on almost 2,000 FM and MW radio stations around the world. - The BBC World Service web site - http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice contains extensive, interactive news services available in English, Arabic, Chinese Russian and Spanish, with audio streaming available in 43 languages. It also contains detailed information about World Service broadcasts, schedules and frequencies in all languages. Source: BBC World Service press release, London, in English 31 Jul 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** U S A. FEDERAL RADIO, TV NETWORKS AIM TO CHANGE ARAB HEARTS AND MINDS --- By Shane Harris July 31 Mouafac Harb, a veteran television and print journalist, says the United States` ability to steer policy in the Middle East comes down to one axiom: ``You cannot be present anywhere in the world unless you have a media presence.`` Harb, a Lebanese-American who worked for ABC News` ``Nightline`` and was the Washington bureau chief for the Arabic newspaper al-Hayat, is the news director for Radio Sawa, a federally sponsored Arabic news and music program beamed via satellite, Internet and over the airwaves across the Middle East, a region populated by about 170 million Arabic speakers. Now he`s undertaking an effort to launch a new 24-hour news and entertainment network --- known for now as the Middle East Television Network (MTN) --- that will be beamed across the region... http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0703/073103h1.htm (via Kim Elliott, DXLD) ** U S A. WHITE HOUSE: BETTER PR CAN REVERSE ANTI-AMERICAN SENTIMENT By Michelle Orris, WASHINGTON BUREAU, Friday, August 1, 2003 WASHINGTON --- With anti-American sentiment rising worldwide, Bush administration officials say they are stepping up efforts to market America throughout the world. Polls indicate that international opinion of the United States has plummeted in the last year, and worldwide sympathy for the United States after Sept. 11, 2001, attacks has all but dissipated. The Bush administration spent more than $70 million after the attacks to expand broadcasts of U.S.-sponsored international news services, but such expenditures have returned to previous levels and critics say they are not enough to counter the growing tide of anti-American sentiment. . . http://www.statesman.com/nationworld/content/news/080103/0801antius.html (Austin American-Statesman via Kim Elliott, DXLD) ** U S A. AMERICA'S CULTURAL OFFENSIVE Washington hopes to ease foreign-policy woes in the Middle East by wooing hearts and minds with a new Arabic-language radio network, satellite TV channel and glossy monthly magazine. It's the funky side of the war on terror, SIMON HOUPT writes. . . http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20030802.diplomacy/BNStory/International/ (via Kim Elliott, DXLD) ** U S A. WHKT, 4950, full-data `certificate` with frequency as 4950 kHz on the QSL. Quite surprised that a US station would admit a harmonic reception (Sam Barto, CT, Aug NASWA Journal QSL Report via DXLD) ** U S A. Heard KIPM this afternoon around 2100 UT (didn't check the clock) on 15040 USB. First time I've heard them here, so it's worthwhile monitoring this frequency. They were on last night on 6925 as well (Walter (Volodya) Salmaniw, MD, Victoria, BC, Canada, swpirates Aug 2 via Jem Cullen, ARDXC via DXLD) Picking up where RFPI left off He's on 6925 right now (0436z)... (Paul Ormandy, NZ, Aug 3, ibid.) 0615 now, SINPO 33333 and improving with lots of early Pink Floyd music (Jem Cullen, Australia, ibid.) I stumbled onto a Very Weird Pirate Station tonight --- KIPM Voyage of the Illuminati. Here's the Details: KIPM Voyage of the Illuminati, 6950 USB, Aug/03/03 0210-0240 UT, VG EE. Male Announcer named Alan Maxwell with 30 Minute Long Tirade about Drugs and other Intergalactic Jive, all over some Bizarre ElectroAcoustic Music. Most of the Time I had no Idea what he was on about --- Guess I'm a Little outta tune with the World Today?? HIHI. Gave Address for Full colour 8 1/2" X 11" QSL as: Box 69, Elkorn, Nebraska, 68022 USA. Gave Webpage address as http://homepage.mac.com/kipm I checked out the Homepage and they have done a Nice Job on it!! They have some pretty neat Looking QSL Sheets --- although somewhat bizzare --- so I think I'll fire off a report. They played a 2nd program at 0240 --- right after the first show ended. Haven't done any Pirate Listening in some time. So nice to find these guys by Accident! (Robert S. Ross, VA3SW, London, Ontario CANADA N6A5K1, ODXA via DXLD) KIPM was on 15040 yesterday afternoon, then last night they were on 6925 USB for a while, then later last night they fired up on 6925 USB (which is where I`ve heard them before). Probably more than one transmitter rebroadcasting these programs. Wish I had an HF direction finder. Would be fun to find out where these broadcasts are coming from. 73, (Barry N4IJN, Aug 3, ODXA via DXLD) ** U S A. RESTRUCTURING: NCVEC FILES TO END CW TESTING IN THE USA The National Conference of Volunteer Examination Coordinators has filed a Petition for Rule Making before the FCC to end Morse testing in the United States. In its July 29th request, the NCVEC asks the FCC for an immediate end of CW testing of applicants. The NCVEC request is based primarily on the action taken in Geneva at last months World Radiocommunications Conference. At that time, Morse testing as a world standard was abolished, leaving it to individual nations to decide whether or not to continue to administer CW exams. The NCVEC petition concurs with the WRC findings. It notes an appearance that most of today`s radio amateurs want to communicate using voice. Because of this, the NCVEC says that it makes no sense from a regulatory standpoint to require hams to be Morse proficient when the greater majority of radio amateurs show no desire to use the mode. The petition also notes that the future of the hobby now encompasses many new modes that were undreamed of only a few short years ago. It adds that while manual telegraphy is a noble part of Amateur Radio`s past, it is no longer the service`s prime emission mode. The NCVEC approach will still requires all applicants for an Amateur Service license or upgrade to pass the current written exams. Only Morse testing would be eliminated. As we go to air no Rule Making designation has been assigned to this request by the FCC. The full text of the petition can be found on our website at http://www.arnewsline.org (ARNewsline(tm) from NCVEC release August 1 via John Norfolk, DXLD)) ** U S A. HAM SPECTRUM: ARRL & CQ PRESENTS A PRIMER ON 5 MHZ Want to know just about everything there is to know about how to operate legally in this new 5 MHz spot frequencies? Walk, run or drive to your news stand and buy a copy of the August issues of both QST and CQ Magazines. Then go home, settle down and read the articles titled 60 Meters Frequently Asked Questions by Rick Lindquist N1RL and Ed Hare W1RFI in QST and Getting Ready For 60 by Gordon West, WB6NOA. Both are a wealth of information on how to approach this rather specialized allocation and handily compliment one another. We asked Gordo to explain what readers will find in his: West: ``One of the things that my CQ Magazine article talked about was the Amateur frequencies And tuning in. There was a lot of confusion about what exact frequency one uses for upper sideband on the 60 meter band. As long as everybody remembers that 60 meters --- 5 MHz --- .5 -- all of the upper sideband frequencies end with .5.`` And why did he write the article? West: ``When I first heard about the band it immediately came to mind as channelized operation that many new hams are not used to. Well, growing up on 10 meter FM as well as 6 meter FM, I knew what channelized operation was all about. And the key word is ``sharing.`` There`s no QSY`ing --- at least not easily on the 60 meter band beyond the 5 channels, so its going to be up to all hams to sort of take turns in using this exciting 60 meter == 5 MHz band.`` Where Gordon takes the story telling approach, Lindquist and Hare present their material in pure Question and Answer form. A style of writing that computer enthusiasts call a FAQ. That`s an acronym for the words ``Frequently Asked Questions`` and the answers that they provide is fact filled, precise and right to the point. Taken together, ``60 Meters Frequently Asked Questions`` and ``Getting Ready for 60`` are the most complete operating guide for the 5 MHz band penned to date. Hams contemplating operation on the five channels that make up the 60 meter allocation would be well advised to read both before hitting the transmit switch. For more information about subscribing to CQ, visit http://www.cq-amateur-radio on the world wide web. You can join the ARRL, support its work and begin receiving QST by signing up at http://www.arrl.org. (ARNewsline(tm) August 1 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** U S A. ENFORCEMENT: TRUCKING COMPANY WARNED ABOUT UNLICENSED 10 METER OPERATION Receiving a letter from the FCC is the Tidewater Transit Company, Inc. of Kinston, North Carolina. This one warns the company to stop using the 10 meter ham band for its communications or face some rather severe consequences. In his letter to Tidewater, the FCC`s Riley Hollingsworth notes that information before the Commission indicates that a 2002 Volvo truck belonging to Tidewater and bearing North Carolina license plate LK 4130, was the source of radio transmissions on the Ten Meter Amateur Radio band on July 8th. This while it was driving on Interstate 20 near the city of Lexington, South Carolina. The Letter warned Tidewater that continued unlicensed operation could bring with it a fine of up to $10,000. The owners of Tidewater Transit were also instructed to contact Hollingsworth to discuss the matter with him (FCC via Amateur Radio Newsline Aug 1 via Joihn Norfolk, DXLD) FCC WARNS TRUCKING FIRMS ABOUT ALLEGED UNLICENSED 10-METER OPERATION The FCC Enforcement Bureau has sent Warning Notice letters to three highway transportation firms asserting that drivers of some of their vehicles may have transmitted without a license on 10 meters. The notices allege the unlicensed operations took place July 8 on Interstate highways in South Carolina. Letters went out July 14 from FCC Special Counsel Riley Hollingsworth to Jolly Roger Capital Ltd of Columbia, South Carolina, Tidewater Transit Company of Kinston, North Carolina, and Shuford Lumber of Marion, North Carolina. He warned all three firms that operation of radio transmitting equipment without a license could lead to fines of up to $10,000, equipment seizure and even imprisonment. Hollingsworth asked all three firms to get in touch with him to discuss the allegations. He told ARRL that one of the companies already had responded and required its driver to remove all radio gear from his truck (ARRL Letter Aug 1 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** U S A. Talking House Radio, 1610, Bristol CT, photo QSL: I figure if I can get close enough to get a photo, I`m close enough to hear the station (Sam Barto, CT, Aug NASWA QSL Report via DXLD) ** U S A. On business trip to Norcross, GA ICF-2010, internal ferrite loop, Delco car radio: TIS AND OTHER: 1700 kHz, Billboard, GA Atlanta - 7/28 2135 - Radio Cadillac was noted getting out well along I-75/85 just north of the I-20 junction (TRH-GA) Another quick business trip with 15-hour workdays and not much time to DX. The hotel where I was staying had tons of electrical noise which seemed to alternate about 1 minute on, 2 minutes off (when I nulled the noise source, I was more or less aiming at Kentucky). Conditions outside were lousy too. 73, (Tim Hall, Chula Vista, CA http://www.inetworld.net/halls/dx/index.html amfmtvdx at qth.net via DXLD) ** U S A. EXPLANATION FOR CBS CHANNEL 42 MESSAGE This was on the broadcast list digest this morning. Some insight as to why the "CBS Network Channel 42 (or 43)" message is heard by DXers sometimes. || I would often come in to for maintenance around midnight at the transmitter and hear a tone punctuated by "IDB Transponder 23,Channel 5" or something. This had been the AM programming for 4 to 6 hours.|| Heh, heh. I've run into that when the network doesn't send an end of game tone/closure. WW1's longform channels send a tone with "CBS Network channel 42" when there's no programming. I've since connected an input closure to a silence sense (set with a long enough delay so as not to cause it to dump in mid-game if there's an un-filled break for some reason) --- if this closure fires, the automation returns to regular programming. Usually, there's a long enough delay before networks feed other programming down the line so this works. Actually, the need for this came up a couple years ago. For some reason ESPN did not use the "end of game" closure on anything other than its main sports channel (even though there were closures for it programmed into the SG relay card. PD called ABC after a couple of late-night games that we never saw an EOG and was told that they didn't use that one. Sigh. Apparently enough affiliates complained because they seem to use them now. When I complained, I was told that this was an engineering problem and that I should find a way to have the automation switch the receiver. Besides, since nobody complained it must not be that serious. - The second comment is the scary part. If a tree falls in the forest... (via Bob Foxworth, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** U S A. CHARLIE MORGAN ON HD RADIO STANDARDS --- He's confident Ibiquity will get its act together: http://www.radioworld.com/reference-room/special-report/02_rw_page_4_aug_1.shtml But will the 750,000+ subscribers to XM (like me) even care by the time IBOC is finally ready? (Harry Helms W7HLH Las Vegas, NV DM26, Aug 1, NRC-AM via DXLD) Also criticised for excluding press ** U S A. ALLIANCE ON THE AIRWAVES From a Times staff writer July 31 2003 In an unusual alliance between commercial and public broadcasters, classical station KMZT-FM (105.1) and news-and-talk outlet KPCC-FM (89.3) said Wednesday that they will promote each other on the air. "Classical music and public radio news share a lot of listeners," said KPCC President Bill Davis. "This agreement allows both KPCC and K-Mozart to inform listeners about other radio services they value. It's a great opportunity for both stations." The cross-promotion also will involve KMZT's sister station, KSUR-AM (1260), which plays pop standards. Copyright 2003 Los Angeles Times (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) What about KUSC, the NON-commercial classical station? (gh, DXLD) ** VATICAN [non]. ROME PULLS PLUG ON BROADCASTER THAT COVERS VATICAN AND THE POPE --- The Associated Press, 8/1/03 3:12 PM ROME (AP) -- The city has pulled the plug on the tiny private Italian broadcaster that covers all of Pope John Paul II's public activities over concerns about electromagnetic waves from transmission towers on a Roman hillside. Telepace went off the air Thursday after {sic} the city took down the transmission tower on Monte Mario, a Roman hillside, following a court order. Parents of children who attend schools on Monte Mario had battled for years to have the hillside's transmission towers removed because they fear that the electromagnetic waves could harm children's health. A regional administrative court ruled in favor of the parents. Monsignor Guido Todeschini, who runs Telepace, has vowed to push for another tower to be erected soon in Rome, so that Romans can follow live the papal activities as well as tune in again to a daily morning Mass, popular with elderly and homebound Catholics. "The word of God can't be chained," the Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano quoted Todeschini as saying. While not affiliated with the Vatican, Telepace's camera crews always have their eyes on the pontiff when he's in public, often providing the only live coverage of many of the activities. Il Messaggero, a Rome daily, reported Friday that authorities had suggested a new location for Telepace's tower, but that residents in the area also were opposed. Other small, local broadcasters use transmission towers on Monte Mario that have been taken down or are slated for removal. The hillside also serves two TV networks in Premier Silvio Berlusconi's private media empire, but the networks have other towers in the city (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. Saludos, colegas diexistas. Esta noche estuve dándome un paseíto por el dial y he sacado estas noticias bastante cortas. El Observatorio Naval Cajigal en 5000 kHz está fuera del aire otra vez. Radio Táchira en 4830 kHz está fuera del aire; sigo sin escucharla. Atte: (José Elías, Venezuela, Aug 2, Cumbre DX via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. Re 4765: Open carrier at a huge level here just now, so certainly a local (Australian) source (Craig Seager, 1510 PDT Aug 1, ARDXC topica group via DXLD) This morning (Sunday) the potent signal on 4765 was turned off. At times it was 30dB over 9. A good contact of mine in TX Australia informs me that the shortwave transmitters at Bald Hills (Brisbane) were removed 10 years ago (ABC 4920 / 9660 kHz) and he cannot shed any light on 4765 carrier. It sure was strong and I believe coming from Brisbane. The only other HF stuff I know of is at Algester/Willawong in military base. The Telstra gear (marine) at Ningi was removed last year. Will keep my ears on. Cheers (Chris Martin, Aug 3, ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED. 463.825 MHz: unID station at 1658 31 July. OM tells the other, "Holler 'Zeus!' at him and see if he gives you a weird look." This is why I'm into radio (Liz Cameron, MI, MARE Tipsheet via DXLD) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ NATIONAL RADIO CLUB I posted a few more airchecks of WNRC at http://www.nrcdxas.org/wnrc/2000 I'll post more as soon as I have the time. Might be until after the convention. These are better quality (Fred Vobbe, NRC-AM, July 31 via DXLD) The 70th US National Radio Club convention http://www.nrcdxas.org/convention/03nrccon/ will be held in Dallas, Texas, Friday August 29 through Sunday August 31, 2003. A guest speaker will be Steve Eberhart, who runs the History of KLIF website http://www.historyofklif.com/ Steve will: "Talk about KLIF, the legacy of its founder Gordon McLendon, and the incredible influence the Mighty 1190 had on not only Dallas/Fort Worth but as a pioneer of Top 40 radio in the United States." ...and of course KLIF, being the template for Radio London, also had a big influence on Top 40 radio in the UK. (from http://radiolondon.co.uk/kneesflashes/happenings/current/hapcurr.html via Mike Terry, DX LISTENING DIGEST) POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ RSGB RESPONDS TO BBC TV REPORT ON POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS The RSGB has contacted the BBC to point out its objections to an item on the BBC TV 6 o`clock News on Thursday the 24th of July. The item referred to the use of the electricity supply as a medium for Internet access. This is variously referred to as PLT, PLC or Powerline Communication. The following is a quote from the e-mail sent to the BBC TV News: ``The news item was unbalanced in that no mention was made to the very serious problems of radio interference inherent in Powerline technology. At the present time there is strong disagreement as to how much radio interference should be permitted. Needless to say radio interests, which besides ourselves, include the BBC and many other organisations are anxious that radio interference should be minimised.`` The e-mail went on to point out the difference between the systems based on ADSL technology, which are currently being deployed in considerable numbers, and the proposed PLT systems. Further information can be found in the article `PLT and the Future of the HF Spectrum` published in the February 2003 RadCom. An electronic copy of this article and other items of interest can be found by clicking on `Powerline Telecommunications` on the RSGB website [at] http://www.rsgb.org (Radio Society of Great Britain GB2RS News Script for August 3, 2003 via John Norfolk, DXLD) AMATEUR COMMUNITY RESPONDS TO POTENTIAL BPL THREAT Members of the Amateur Radio community have responded to the potential threat posed by Broadband over Power Line (BPL) by opening their wallets in a most generous fashion. ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH, says BPL has hit a major hot button with amateurs, but more help is needed. ``We`re now up to nearly $193,000 from more than 3690 donors,`` Hobart said as July drew to a close. The goal for the special Spectrum Defense campaign is $300,000 by August 31. Possibly equally significant is the fact that the number of donors to the BPL campaign substantially exceeds the number of individuals and organizations -- approximately 1900 -- who filed initial comments in response to the FCC`s Notice of Inquiry (NOI) on BPL earlier this year. While the deadline for initial comments has passed, the FCC this week extended the reply comment deadline to August 20 http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-03-2590A1.doc The League filed a 120-page package of comments and technical exhibits [at] http://www.arrl.org/announce/regulatory/et03-104/ on July 7, and it plans to file reply comments. A form of power line carrier (PLC) technology, BPL would use existing electrical power lines to deliver high-speed (ie, broadband) Internet services to homes and businesses. Because it would use frequencies between 2 and 80 MHz, HF and low-VHF amateur allocations could be affected if such systems are deployed. Proponents -- primarily electric power utilities -- already are testing BPL systems in several markets. Although FCC rules already allow BPL, industry proponents want the FCC to relax radiation limit, which could further increase the interference potential to Amateur Radio operations. ARRL Lab Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, is continuing his efforts to assess and quantify the effects of BPL on HF amateur allocations. Just back from a more than 1300-mile trip to evaluate the effects of BPL systems now in the testing stages, Hare described the interference he monitored on the HF bands as ``devastating.`` Meanwhile, ARRL President Jim Haynie, W5JBP, and members of the ARRL Technical Relations Office staff have been working to build the Amateur Radio case against BPL in Washington. In a recent solicitation focusing on the BPL issue, ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, said no prior threat has posed a challenge more serious. ``The threat is as close as the power lines right in your neighborhood,`` Sumner said in issuing a call to action to all amateurs. ``Only by joining forces financially will we be able to educate government officials quickly and effectively on the impact of this new threat to Amateur Radio spectrum.`` BPL technology already has been deployed in some European countries, and amateurs there have experienced interference from the systems. Responding in part to concerns expressed by its amateur community, Japan last year decided not to adopt the technology because of its interference potential. For additional information on BPL, visit the ARRL ``Power Line Communications (PLC) and Amateur Radio`` page http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/plc/ Hobart invites donors to visit the ARRL Spectrum Defense campaign page https://www.arrl.org/forms/development/donations/bpl/ (ARRL Letter Aug 1 via John Norfolk, DXLD) RECEIVER NEWS +++++++++++++ KAITO KA1101 SHORTWAVE RECEIVER I don't know if you mentioned this radio already. The radio will cost $69.99. From http://www.kaitousa.com/KA1101.htm This high quality world receiver was made in the best radio factory in Asia and it receives all the stations in shortwave spectrums. The special designed circuit is a high sensitivity one, but no noise. FM STEREO/FML/MW/SW1/SW2 This unique digital radio starts FM from 70.0 MHz, most of Campus radio station can be tuned in with this range. Thanks to the dual conversion technology, this radio has a super sensitivity in shortwave bands. This radio comes with 3 Ni-MH rechargeable batteries, the AC adaptor not only works as DC power source, it charges the batteries automatically, the built-in charging system gives you full protection on the batteries and Radio itself. DUAL CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY FM: 70.0-108.0 MHz MW: 522-1710 MHz [sic!] SW: 3.00-26.10 MHz 50 MEMORY PRESETS ALARM / SLEEP MANUAL TUNING/SCAN/PRESET/DIRECT ENTRY CLOCK/SLEEP/LOCK TWO ALARM MODES: BEEPER AND RADIO MONO / STEREO SELECTABLE TONE SELECT: MUSIC AND NEWS BATTERY POWER INDICATOR BATTERY CHARGE AUTO BACKLIGHT SCREEN LOCAL / DX SWITCH LINE OUT JACK BUILTIN SPEAKER: D66MM EXTERNAL ANTENNA JACK (via Mike Peraaho, USA, DXLD) ### ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-137, August 1, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser, ghauser@hotmail.com Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits HTML version of this issue will be posted later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3h.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1193: WWCR: Sat 1030, Sun 0230 5070, 0630 3210, Wed 0930 9475 RFPI: Sat 0130, 0800, 1400, 1730, 2330, Sun 0530, 1130, 1830, Mon 0030, 0630, 1230, Tue 1900, Wed 0100, 0730, 1330 -- nominal times subject to delay, on 7445 and maybe new experimental 15115 ex-15039 WINB: Sat 0031 12160 WJIE: Sun 1630 13595 7490 [or #1179] WBCQ: Mon 0445 [or 0415?] 7415 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1193.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1193.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1193h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1193h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1193.html NETS TO YOU August 1 edition by John Norfolk: http://www.worldofradio.com/nets2you.html ** AUSTRALIA. We are having some difficulties with one of our antennas and both the Chatback and Your Voice programmes have been affected. We will remain off air for a few more days yet but hopefully we will resume transmission again sometime next week on 13685 and 13665 kHz. We thank you for your patience and hope you will be able to join us again soon for these two shows. When Your Voice returns, I will be asking the Big Question:- "Who do you think Jesus is?" If you would like to answer this Big Question, simply email me at:- Yourvoice@voice.com.au I hope to hear from you again soon. Be Well & God Bless, Fee --- Fiona Cameron, Your Voice Presenter / Producer Tel: +61 (0)7 5477 1555 Fax: +61 (0)7 5477 1727 http://www.VOICE.com.au yourvoice@VOICE.com.au fionacameron@VOICE.com.au (via Alokesh Gupta, India, July 31, DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA [non]. Weird interference to 9580: see UNIDENTIFIED below ** BOPHUTHATSWANA. RADIO BOP CLOSES DOWN The former South African homeland broadcaster, Radio Bop, closed down on Thursday. The Cabinet decided in May that the station, located in the former homeland of Bophuthatswana, should be closed because of high running costs. Chief executive of the South African Broadacsting Corporation, Peter Matlare, said in a statement that the closure was a last resort. "Every attempt was made over a number of years to keep the broadcaster open, but its losses of R8 million a month showed it was not sustainable. Bop's losses have already cost the corporation some R120 million to date." Matlare said the station had been a breeding ground for broadcasting talent. "Many of its alumni are now household names across the country." Radio Bop broadcast from a 100 kW mediumwave transmitter at Ga-Rakuwa on 540 kHz (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 1 August 2003 via DXLD) ** BOUGAINVILLE. Hello and greetings from Meekamui Government hardliners in Solomon Islands [Honiara]. Francis Ona still remains the wild card in the eyes of the P.N.G Government and their surporters and funders. We are still fighting for the self determination or Independance with not going through step by step, meaning Atonomy or State Government than Independance. We believe that through the system of going to step by step will not get anyway or at last we will go back to P.N.G. Therefore, our stand is anybody or Government wants to negotiate with us must negotiate Independance no more no less. The Radio Independance Meekamui is back on air again after been out of air for sometime. I bring across the parts in tthe middle of last month, it is very clear here in the Solomons. Clive Porabou, on behalf of the Meekamui hardliners (via M. Watts, Australia, Jul 19, 2003 for CRW via DXLD) sic; source? personal correspondence? (gh) ** CANADA. Canada is celebrating a civic holiday on Monday and so 9.625 MHz will likely carry the full CBC Radio One schedule. (Seems like the Canadians have more holidays than they have things to celebrate so they just call it "Civic Holiday." That means everybody gets a day off with pay for no reason at all. Apparently it once was called Simcoe Day. I am curious to know why it was changed.) (Joe Buch, DE, swprograms via DXLD) ** CANADA. My favourite programme from the present would be "The Maple Leaf Mailbag" from RADIO CANADA INTER-NATIONAL. The presenter, Ian Jones, puts together a packed half hour every week. Every week "The Burning Question" where a listeners question is answered in depth often including opinions from experts to explain the answer. Also every week, "Canada Calling" where Ian telephones a listener and asks about his or her radio listening. A bonus segment is the president of the Canadian DX Club, Sheldon Harvey, every fortnight answering DX questions. Whilst "Canada Today" is the flagship programme for RCI the Maple Leaf Mailbag has an excellent website with archived programmes and a pen pal service which make it a favourite of all RCI listeners. Ian never fails to deal with questions regarding RCI programming, regularly following up with interviews with the presenters in question. There is always an air that RCI does care about its listeners from the Maple Leaf Mailbag. All these reasons make "The Maple Leaf Mailbag" my favourite programme. JM (2414) (Jonathan Murphy, Aug World DX Club Contact via Alan Roe, DXLD) see also SWITZERLAND {in next issue} ** CANARY ISLANDS. Yoido Full Gospel Church: On 30 July (Wednesday) at 2008 UT on 6715U, Korean preaching heard with fair summer reception here in Finland. 73 (Jari Savolainen, dxing.info via DXLD) ** CHINA [and non]. Dear friends, I inform you that International China Radio [sic] (CRI) from Tuesday 5th August 2003, will start a substantial amplification of its Italian language transmissions that will pass from 30 to 60 minutes. During all month of August the programs of the half hour will be repeated. From September the next, a new transmission has been preannounced, interesting for the radiolisteners. I remember that CRI transmits daily for two times: At 1800 UT on 9,945 and 11,850 kHz; At 2030 on 9,965 and 11,810 kHz. The Italian section in CRI will appreciate your comments and suggestions to the postal address: Radio Cina Internazionale, Red. Italiana, p.o. Box 4216, CRI 37, 100040 PECHINO (CHINA). E-mail: criita@sina.com For adjournments on the situated website of CRI : please visit : http://www.cri.com.cn. Thanks (Alfredo Gallerati - IK7JGI, hard-core- dx via DXLD) More and more CRI languages are having their airtime doubled (gh) And the English service of RTI has a survey on its website to reduce English programming to one hour a day. Shereen Wang should never have left (Daniel Say, swprograms via DXLD) ** CHINA [non]. World Falun Dafa Radio Although here in the center of North America KWHR on 9930 is weak by 1500 UT and there's usually a lot of noise, the similarity between the program World Harvest Radio refers to as "Dafa Hao" and World Falun Dafa Radio led me to again check the WFDR website: http://www.falundafaradio.org/ It now lists the 9930 broadcasts along with those on 9625 and 5925. Although poor reception has made IDs difficult to understand (today, Sunday, 27 July, is the first time I was able to hear the entire 1500 to 1558 broadcast), two things made me suspect World Falun Dafa Radio. The formats are similar --- mostly a woman talking, often with instrumental music in the background. And "Falun Dafa Hao" (Falun Dafa is good) is often mentioned in Falun Dafa literature and on their websites. Perhaps World Harvest Radio's desire to keep a low profile on their broadcast of a Falun Gong program has led them to simply list it as Dafa Hao (W. Craighead, KS, Jul 27, 2003 for CRW via DXLD) ** COSTA RICA. STATEMENT FROM RADIO FOR PEACE INTERNATIONAL, 31 JULY Radio For Peace International has approached the University for Peace Council members to propose a meeting with the Radio For Peace International Board of Directors to seek a peaceful resolution so both organizations can continue with their important work. We are awaiting their response. Radio For Peace International's mission has not changed in the last 16 years during which time we have been broadcasting harmoniously alongside the University for Peace, an organization also dedicated to peace. As we have never experienced any problems with the previous five administrations that presided over the University for Peace over the last 16 years until the current administration headed by Maurice Strong, it begs the following question: how has the mission of the University for Peace changed to such a degree that it now claims that "Current activities at RFPI are inconsistent with the international emphasis currently being developed by the University." Tico Times, July 25th 2003. Maurice Strong wears many hats. He is a billionaire businessman, who is Senior Advisor to the United Nations, former senior advisor to the President of the World Bank, and a director of the World Economic Forum Foundation, whose stated aim is to promote entrepreneurship in the global public interest. Today there appears to be a conflict of ideology between RFPI`s unchanged philosophy and the latest University for Peace administration. The programming on the RFPI airwaves takes a critical look at globalization and its social consequences. Doubt and confusion have been caused by the letter to Radio For Peace International delivered by an official of the University, asking RFPI to vacate the building that it owns (built by RFPI listener donations) in two weeks time on August 4, 2003. The letter is signed not by the Rector of the University for Peace but by a lawyer who does not indicate who he represents or who authorized him to send such a letter. No resolution from the University for Peace Council has been presented as confirmation that this has the sanction of the University's Council members, even though two individuals from the University have indicated that a Council resolution is the basis for this action. Also this letter does not constitute an eviction, as it does not come from any Costa Rican or international authority. On August 4th, on the supposed deadline given to RFPI to vacate the buildings it built and owns, Radio For Peace International plans to remain in their building, peacefully conducting business as usual and continuing attempts to negotiate with the University. Our peace radio station calls on the University to act in a manner befitting a fellow peace organization and on the University for Peace Council members to meet with our Board of Directors (from http://www.rfpi.org via DXLD) RFPI tried a new in-band frequency, 15115, first noted by Tim Hendel around 1600 UT July 31, and by gh after 1630. Fair, about like 15039 was this time of day, weakish and fading. Unfortunately, IBB has various broadcasts northeastward from Morocco on 15115, weak here but enough to disrupt RFPI after 1700; and from 1900 to 2300, smashed by REE Spain on 15110. After that in the evening, 15115 OK for RFPI, except for some adjacent from Nigeria on 15120 until 2305, and by China via Cuba 0002-0100. RFPI was still on 15115 when rechecked Aug 1 at 1245, about equal level to HCJB which still uses this frequency only at 1100-1300, when I advise RFPI to turn it off if they keep it. But then RFPI disappeared a bit later Friday morning. I understand there was a brown-out causing some more damage to the ailing transmitter, so problems like that may knock it off rather than hostile action. But keep checking 15115 for a comeback, or the other frequencies I suggested, 15190 (after BBC closes), or maybe 15175. Meanwhile, 7445 is still running, fading in when checked at 2320 Aug 1. I don`t see another story about RFPI at the Tico Times yet, but the previous story now has this permanent URL: http://www.ticotimes.net/dailyarchive/2003_07/Week4/07_24_03.htm#story_one (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COSTA RICA. 6105, Universidad de Costa Rica (Cf. DX-Window no. 224). I suspect they are not using their SW outlet on a daily bases. A while ago I tried for them day after day, but most of the time not even a carrier was noted. On other days, reception was quite good at s/off 0600 (Harald Kuhl, Germany, DSWCI DX Window July 30 via DXLD) ** CUBA. IS CUBA JAMMING U.S. BROADCASTS TO IRAN? Satellite television signals that bring American programming to Iran are being blocked, allegedly by Cuba. Roxana Saberi reports on how that's affected the dissident community in Iran. . . http://www.npr.org/dmg/dmg.php?prgCode=DAY&showDate=31-Jul-2003&segNum=10&mediaPref=RM (NPR Day to Day July 31 via DXLD) ** ECUADOR [and non]. I happened to be driving around just before 2000 UT Thursday July 31, so tuned in 15825 on the DC-777. Fortunately, the short skip was working allowing WWCR to be heard quite well, but with some deep fades. I wanted to be ready to confirm half an hour later that the correct WOR 1193 was aired. Promptly at 2000, DX Partyline started as scheduled, but instead of being the final repeat of last week`s show, it was the first airing of this week`s ``first weekend in August`` show! So DXPL has been produced early enough to get to WWCR in time for this airtime; may we count on this? BTW, I see on their moved webpage the wrong frequency given, 15390, for the Tue 0830 Australia broadcast (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FINLAND. IT'S BIKINITIME ON SWR Times in schedule Finnish Summertime (UTC+3H) Hello! It's Hot hot hot... on studios of Scandinavian Weekend Radio this weekend! Programmes coming irrespective of weather our DJ's and studiogirls are with or without bikinis there! Listen and enjoy summersounds coming from north! So programmes starting at 21 hours UT today Friday 1st August. And frequencies are wellknown 11690, 11720 or 5980, 5990 and 6170 kHz. Programmeschedule here (times are Finnish Summertime UTC +3 hours): 00-01 Tune-up show by Esa 01-02 Science corner by Esa. Latest news from NASA. 02-04 Tricky Trev Show 04-06 SWR Jukebox by Esa 06-08 Radio Demo 08-09 Virrat Tänään dj Häkä 09-11 Progressive rock and other strange things by Esa. 11-12 RarioJaskalla on asiaa. Keskustelua mm. kesän enneistä ja tulevista leireistä. 12-13 Radio related songs by Esa 13-15 Studiossa RarioJaska ja Peeveli 15-17 Tricky Trev Show 17-19 Program information not available 19-20 Kantoaaltoa Suomirokilla höystettynä by Esa 20-21 Saunan lämmitessä dj Häkä 21-23 Radio Demo 23-24 Closing seremony by Häkä Our web-pages: http://www.swradio.net Stay tuned! (Alpo Heinonen, Scandinavian Weekend Radio, Aug 1, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** GUATEMALA. Hola Glenn, Saludos desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA. Una guatemalteca en 4052.47 kHz: Radio Verdad. Emisora evangélica que anunciaba un apartado postal para recibir donaciones de los oyentes. Programas religiosos. Captada el 29/07, a las 0441 UT. SINPO 45333. 73's y buen DX (Adán González, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ICELAND. AFRTS 13855-USB: On Jul 17 at 0525 is was completely faded out. No signal at 1745 on Jul 26. According to Danish press reports, the USA intends to close Keflavik Air Base, because of the no-longer existing Soviet air threat towards NATO, but the Government on Iceland do not agree on such a closure! I have visited that large, but lonely Air Base twice and all the local population depend on that (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window July 30 via DXLD) ** INDIA. HAMstrung! by Radhika Sachdev Can you imagine chatting for hours with a German student whom you have never met and probably never will, over a radio link, swapping information on the latest courses available in his university, admission procedure, visa formalities -- all free-of-cost? The communication will take place not over an ISD line, which can cost you the moon but, a wireless link established over the amateur radio bandwidth. All this and more is possible, if you are a member of the world's most fun loving, scientific club of three million licensed 'HAM' operators. Unfortunately, in India, their strength is only 20,000. . . http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/674_322989,00310004.htm (via Mike Terry, DXLD) {See 3-138} ** INDONESIA. 6067.63, RRI Jayapura (presumed), 1045-1115 July 31. Initially noted a carrier here without any audio present. At 1100, theme music followed by comments from a woman probably in Indonesian language. Signal was always threshold during period (Bolland Chuck, Clewiston, Florida, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Nom. 6070 ** IRAQ. IRAQI MEDIA NETWORK TV CONTENT SURVEY | Survey of the Iraqi Media Network [IMN] carried out between 16 and 30 July The Iraqi Media Network has replaced the former Iraqi Information Ministry - which was led by Comical Ali, Muhammad Sa'id al-Sahhaf - and which was dissolved by Paul Bremer. The Iraqi Media Network is operated by the USA through the Coalition Provisional Authority [CPA]. The Iraqi Media Network TV targets Iraq and the Iraqis and broadcasts via terrestrial and satellite transmissions for the lucky Iraqis with a dish. The Iraqi Media Network TV broadcasts from Al-Sahliyah transmission tower in Baghdad and plans also to broadcast from Arbil in the north and the port of Umm-Qasr in the south. The TV news bulletins try to depict an image of Iraq returning to normal with the resumption of services, such as postal service or the reopening of entertainment facilities such as a zoo. The TV highlights the US contribution to the refurbishment of hospitals. One news item said that the coalition contributed with a budget of 230m dollars for this purpose. The TV regularly broadcasts news and press releases of the Iraqi Governing Council. The TV generally starts at 0600 gmt with a picture of the Iraqi flag then readings from the Holy Koran. The TV then presents prayers with pictures of nature and rivers in the background. After this the TV shows a programme for children. The TV continues with a typical day's programming containing documentaries and films, including a large number of Egyptian films and soaps. [Typical afternoon and evening programming as follows]: 1500 Egyptian song 1504 Second episode of Iraqi soap. 1546 Songs 1600 News: 0026 News headlines. [a minute-by-minute, or rather video counter reading log snipped] Towards Freedom TV signed off with the following announcement: "With this programme, our programmes for today come to an end. Dear viewers, we have presented these programmes to you from Towards Freedom TV from London. May peace be upon you. Goodbye. This was followed by the following caption: "Towards freedom: Daily programme in Arabic produced in London and transmitted to Iraq. This broadcast lasts one hour [2300 to 0000 gmt] and is composed of news and information issued by the international coalition working with the Iraqis for the reconstruction of the country". Closing announcement by Towards Freedom TV presenter. When closing, the TV shows a caption with the email of Towards Freedom TV: (al-hurriah@world-television.com) 0000 Iraqi Media Network TV programmes for 16 July closing with readings from the Koran [Current programming from Towards Freedom TV is broadcast just before the close of Iraqi Media Network signal on 11105 MHz, Horizontal Polarization, Eutelsat W1 at 10 degrees east, thus sharing the TV channel]. Observations about the Iraqi Media Network TV: Amateurish presentation: On one occasion, instead of having the studio presenter presenting the programmes to come, she just appears, without saying anything for a second, then the TV presents the call for prayers and at the end she appears again and presents programmes. In the news, the TV tries to portray a good US image. It wants to show that the troops are in Iraq to help the Iraqi people and are working with them, not against them. In the news, they broadcast an item showing a visit by US troops to an orphanage. The TV showed video pictures of US soldiers holding Iraqi children and interacting and playing with them. In another instance, the TV showed Iraqi police working alongside US troops and saying that both forces worked together to ensure security for the Iraqis. The TV also focuses on "good" things done by the Americans, such as helping the refurbishment of damaged installations, particularly in the field of oil. The TV also highlighted in a news item the help given to hospitals. In news bulletins, the TV carries interviews with US soldiers; however, the trend seems to be changing as the TV over time seems to rely less on interviews with US soldiers and instead gives the floor to Iraqis to air their views about problems facing them in their daily lives. At times, in news bulletins, the TV tries to put forward a balanced view by airing the views of those who are for and against US and coalition measures, such as random searches at checkpoints. One unusual and striking observation is that the TV carried one evening the same news bulletin, word for word, as the news bulletin of the day before. Thus, one can say that the TV updating of the news is quite poor. The TV wants to remind people and shock them by showing regularly programmes with gruesome pictures of atrocities committed by Saddam's regime. In comparison, Towards Freedom TV is better presented, as the TV presenter presents the one-hour long programme, listing items included and sticks to the order presented. The TV also relies on interviews with various experts and officials. Iraqi Media Network TV screens many entertainment programmes such as songs, programmes on Iraqi music, plays, films, mostly Egyptian, but also some American ones with Arabic subtitles. On 19 July, the TV relayed after the 1600 gmt news bulletin Bremer's address to the Iraqi people. It is worth mentioning that on several occasions there were losses of signal of varying duration. Radio A radio station identifying itself as the "Iraqi Media Network" is on air daily on 1026 kHz and 98.3 MHz. The radio has identified itself as follows: "You are listening to the Iraqi Media Network on 1170 KHz mediumwave." [Please note this frequency has changed and the radio is now using the two above-mentioned frequencies, i.e. 1026 KHz and 98.3 MHz. The radio was also broadcasting on satellite but this has now stopped, with only terrestrial transmission remaining.] Recently it has been using the following ID: "Dear listeners, you are with the Iraqi Media Network from Baghdad. Greetings to you". It is worth mentioning that the reception of the radio is often worthless in parts. The radio, like the TV, carries many entertainment programmes such as songs, programmes on music and plays. The radio also focuses on security and reconstruction and reminds listeners of the atrocities and violations of human rights committed by the former Iraqi regime against the Iraqi people and issues related to Iraq's Governing Council. In addition to the TV and the radio, the Iraqi Media Network publishes an Arabic weekly newspaper, Al-Sabah [The Morning], produced in Baghdad. The first issue of Al-Sabah was published on 17 May. [Headlines of Al-Sabah on 31 July were as follows]: Governing Council elects presidential structure and approves statute, nine members will preside over a monthly rotating presidency...Flights between Kurdistan and Europe...USA welcomes Japan's decision to send troops to Iraq...Iraqis begin era of mobile phones...Electricity expected to be distributed throughout Iraq...UAE denies appointing Al- Sahhaf to any post in its institutions...Pentagon: Unconfirmed speculations about Saddam's arrest. Source: BBC Monitoring research in English 31 Jul 03 (via DXLD) ** IRAQ. PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY HAM LICENSING INFORMATION AVAILABLE Information on obtaining permission to operate Amateur Radio in Iraq now is available on the ARRL Web site, thanks to Assistant Affiliate MARS Coordinator for Europe (and ARRL Life Member) Daniel Wolff, KA7AGN, of the radio licensing management office. Applicants must obtain permission to operate from Iraq through the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Coalition Provisional Authority, which has been issuing amateur licenses. Applicants must have a valid Amateur Radio license issued by their home country and must complete and forward an application form with a copy of their Amateur Radio license. Details are on the Regulatory Information Branch page [at] http://www2.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/io/recip-info_i.html#yi US amateurs on military duty in Iraq need more than simply the permission of their commanding officer. See the guidance ``US Military, Civilians and Their Dependants Under the Jurisdiction of the US Status Of Forces Agreement (SOFA)`` on the ARRL Web site [at] http://www2.arrl.org/FandES/field/regulations/io/SOFA.html (ARRL July 30 via John Norfolk, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISLE OF MAN. Manx Radio 1368 has expanded to 24 hours a day. They also now have separate programmes on AM/FM Monday to Friday 0630-0700, 1630-1700, Saturday 1100-1700 and Sunday 1800-2100. The Sunday programmes are sponsored religious ones. (Jack Fitzsimons via John Williams, Medium Wave Circle, via Mike Barraclough, Aug World DX Club Contact via DXLD) the times you quoted in DXLD 3-136 for Sunday religious were local (Barraclough, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KASHMIR [non]. Voice of Jammu Kashmir Freedom, 5102, 1350-1430*, Jul 28, now strong signal on this frequency with English program at 1400-1411. English ID at 1400 (Wakisaka in DX Window Jul 29, 2003 via CDX-ML via CRW via DXLD) ** KOREA SOUTH. RKI OPENS SPECIAL 50TH ANNIVERSARY WEB SITE Radio Korea International, the overseas service of the Korean Broadcasting System, is opening a special Internet web site to mark the 50th anniversary of RKI on August 15, 2003. Since first transmitting its inauguratory signals as the Voice of Free Korea on August 15, 1953, RKI has been serving as Korea's external broadcaster for the past half century, proudly fulfilling its mission to bring Korea to the rest of the world. The web site will feature the yesterday, today and tomorrow of RKI, its vision for another half century of broadcasting excellence, and congratulatory messages from dignitaries from home and abroad and worldwide listeners. Regds, (via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA SOUTH [non]. NORTH KOREA ENDS RADIO BROADCASTS TO SOUTH AS "NEW CHAPTER" OPENS The North Korean-run Voice of National Salvation, a clandestine pro- communist radio station broadcasting to South Korea, announced on 31 July that it was ending its broadcasts to South Korea, adding that "a new chapter of reconciliation and unity has opened between the North and South". The station carried the following announcement at 0700 gmt, repeated at 1000 gmt: "Notice conveyed to people from all walks of life who enjoy listening to the Voice of National Salvation. Notice conveyed to people from all walks of life who enjoy listening to the Voice of National Salvation. [sentence repeated twice, as heard] "Since the day that it made its first step as the Voice of the Revolutionary Party for Reunification [t'ongilhyongmyongdang moksori pangsong], our Voice of National Salvation broadcast has been faithful to its mission as a disseminator of truth [chilliui chonp'aja], correspondent of change [pyonhyogui p'abyonggun] and a mouthpiece of the people [minjungui taebyonja] amidst all your special affection and active support over the past 30-odd years. "Our Voice of National Salvation combines (?its voice) together with the hearty cheers that all of you cry out by being fascinated by great leader [widaehan suryong] Comrade Kim Il-song's image as a peerless great man and the respected and beloved Comrade Kim Chong-il's image as a heaven-sent brilliant commander. We have also kept pace with the swift flow meandering toward a plaza of independence, democracy and reunification. "Our nation is now welcoming the 15 June era of reunification in which the fellow countrymen will become one under Great General Kim Chong- il's military-first politics based on love for the country and people. "A new chapter of reconciliation and unity has opened between the North and South in full swing under the milestone of reunification that General Kim Chong-il provided, and the song `We are One' sung by all the fellow countrymen is calling the 70 million people to create a reunified fatherland while shaking all of Korea. "At such an overwhelming time of rapid change, the North side, on the occasion of the 15 August Independence Day, proposed to stop all broadcasts that slander the other party at the 11th North-South ministerial talks. "This historic proposal by the North side is a proposal based on the love for the country and people, which reflects the fellow countrymen's aspiration to achieve reunification by the united efforts of our nation as soon as possible by ending mistrust and confrontation between the North and South and by further promoting reconciliation, unity, exchange and cooperation. "The Editorial Bureau [p'yonjipkuk] of the Voice of National Salvation, while extending full support to as well as fully sympathizing with the North's proposal, in response to such a proposal, inform all you that we will actively and totally end [chudongjoguro chonmyon chungjehage toemul] our broadcast starting 1 August. "From the bottom of our hearts, we extend our thanks to all of you who gave unsparing support to our broadcast and earnestly enjoyed listening to it and wish that greater results are seen in the future struggle. "Good-bye everyone." [Since 1970, the North Korean-run Voice of National Salvation carried anti-South Korean broadcasts almost around the clock. The radio station favoured the reunification of Korea from the North Korean point of view. North Korea maintained that the station was based in South Korea, but Seoul said it was located in Haeju, a city close to the border with South Korea. On 29 July, the Voice of National Salvation announced that it would stop airing anti-Seoul propaganda broadcasts from Friday 1 August. South Korea also broadcasts to the North, but Seoul says the content is mostly information about the South rather than criticism about the North. The South Korean-run Voice of the People radio station is believed to broadcast on shortwave from transmitters in South Korea, although it claims in its announcements to broadcast from Pyongyang. This station has been on the air since 1986.] Source: BBC Monitoring research 31 Jul 03 (via DXLD) Voice of National Salvation does appear to be off as they said they would do. See below article for the reason why perhaps. Untraced on 3480, 4120, 4450, and 4557 when checking at 1240. But: Stations from South Korea to North Korea continue. Voice of the People was heard on 3912 and 6600 at 1245. Echo of Hope was heard on 3985 and 6348. Both stations were jammed (Hans Johnson, WY, Aug 1, Cumbre DX via DXLD)) North Korea announced it would stop airing the anti-South Korean broadcast ``Voice of National Salvation`` beginning Friday (Aug. 1), ending a 33-year run that began in 1970. The North previously claimed that the pro-communist radio station was based in Seoul, with few believing the assertion. During inter-Korean ministerial talks earlier this month, the North proposed that the two Koreas stop airing propaganda broadcasts, including loudspeaker broadcasts along the border, beginning August 15. The unconditional halt of propaganda radio broadcasts is interpreted as a significant step by the North toward inter-Korean rapprochement. At the same time, the North's recent move appears designed to prompt the South to follow suit, a unification official said. Pyongyang also allowed the entry of Seoul buses to Gaeseong for the second round of working-level economic talks on Tuesday. It was the first time that a South Korean delegation crossed the border without requiring clearance procedures or vehicle transfer. After returning to Seoul later the same day, the mission reentered Gaeseong via the same route. Pyeongyang also indicated on Wednesday it is ready to accept the multilateral talks format to settle the ongoing nuclear dispute once the survival of its regime is guaranteed, giving in to international demands for a multilateral settlement. ``If this matter is fundamentally resolved, we are not too bothered about the format of talks, about whether they will be bilateral or multilateral talks,`` an Australian broadcast company quoted North Korean Foreign Affairs spokesman So Chol as saying. Launched in 1970, the Voice of National Salvation has found an audience with a number of South Korean dissidents during past military governments. But as South Korea became a democracy, the North's broadcast has lost much of its intended propaganda effect in the South. Meanwhile, analysts in Seoul point out the North is seeking more effective propaganda tools, scrapping the old-fashioned media. According to the South Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff, North Korean authorities recently instructed their propaganda machine to make full use of the Internet to appeal to the youth. Source: http://www.korea.net (via Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) The Voice of National Salvation announced on 30th of July 2003 that they would stop their transmission from August 1 and has just stopped their audio modulation at 24:05 JST(=KST) on July 31, or 00:05 August 1 as I just confirmed. They normally broadcast until 02:00 JST. They insisted that this broadcast was from their friends in South Korea, but finally they admitted this from North. They started their broadcast in June 1967 and the air time at the end of July 2003 was 11.5 hours in Korean language and 30 minutes in English. The last transmission at 24:00 JST as I monitored were on 1053, 3480, 4120, 4450 and 4557 KHz (Toshi Ohtake, JSWC, Japan, via GIB, Argentina, DXplorer, via BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** LIBERIA. 4760, ELWA, Monrovia, 2015-2055, Jul 23, 24 and 26, English religious programmes, hymns, 24232 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window July 30 via DXLD) ** MEXICO [non?] This is a comunicado by German Zapatista support groups on Radio Insurgente, the radio station of the Zapatista movement in Chiapas planning to broadcast on SW. If anybody wants to translate this: it's worth doing so as it's a piece of best zapatista humour. Unterstützt "Radio Insurgente - die Stimme der EZLN"! - Aufruf an alle Chiapas-Solidaritätsgruppen & Interessierten in Europa - Seit dem Aufstand der EZLN am 1. Januar 1994 blicken nicht nur viele MexikanerInnen, sondern auch Teile der Weltöffentlichkeit nach Chiapas. Die Zapatistas haben die Welt verändert. Sie haben in Millionen von Köpfen neue Hoffnung geweckt, neue Vorstellungen von Demokratie, Gerechtigkeit und Würde entwickelt. In ihrem Geist haben sich auch in der gesamten westlichen Welt unzählige neue Gruppen und Bewegungen zusammengefunden. Die ZapatistInnen aus dem mexikanischen Chiapas gehören zu den BegründerInnen des Widerstands gegen den Neoliberalismus. Ende Juli 2003 hat Subcomandante Marcos in einem Communiqué angekündigt, dass demnächst mit "Radio Insurgente - die Stimme der EZLN" ein zapatistisches Kurzwellenradio auf Sendung gehen wird. Es wird auf dem gesamten amerikanischen Kontinent zu empfangen sein, und mit ein bisschen Glück auch in Europa. Eine Frequenz wurde bisher noch nicht bekanntgegeben. Gerüchten zufolge soll Radio Insurgente demnächst auch über Internet gehört werden können. Marcos wörtlich: "Der Sup wird eine einstündige Musiksendung machen, die wie es geboten ist, im Morgengrauen gesendet werden wird. Nein, der Sup wird nicht etwa singen, sondern er wird Musik, Märchen und Erzählungen vorstellen. Das Programm `Durito DeeJay' startet vorerst noch nicht, weil der Käfer sich noch mit Schleifchen schmückt und außerdem keinen Vertrag unterzeichnet (Er will es unter 24 Stunden täglich nicht machen)." Marcos fordert die mexikanische und internationale Zivilgesellschaft in dem Communiqué auf, sich für den 8., 9. und 10. August 2003 nichts vorzunehmen. Ob damit nur der Start des neuen intergalaktischen Radios gemeint ist oder die EZLN noch weitere Überraschungen plant, darf spekuliert werden. Gleichzeitig warnt der Subcomandante vor einer Anspannung der militärischen Lage: "Vor allem im Hochland in den Gemeinden Chenalhó, Pantelhó und Cancuc entfalten Paramilitärs fieberhafte Aktivitäten, die auf einen bevorstehenden Angriff hindeuten. Die Militär- und Polizeigarnisonen in dieser Gegend haben sich völlig abgeschottet, sicherlich um später sagen zu können, sie hätten nichts gehört. Die Stimmung ist dieselbe wie kurz vor dem Massaker von Acteal, als 45 Männer, Frauen und Kinder mit exzessiver Grausamkeit von Paramilitärs ermordet wurden." Es scheint also geboten zu sein, die Weiterentwicklung der Situation vor Ort auch aus Europa mit besonderer Aufmerksamkeit zu verfolgen und schon rechtzeitig über hiesige Medien und das Internet deutlich zu machen, dass die Augen der Weltöffentlichkeit wieder einmal auf Chiapas gerichtet sind. Seit zwei Jahren betreibt die EZLN-Basis bereits ein eigenes Radio in Chiapas. "Radio Insurgente - La voz de los sin voz" sendet auf UKW von mehreren Standorten aus 12 Stunden täglich, von 6 bis 18 Uhr. Täglich werden Nachrichten nicht nur auf spanisch, sondern auch in verschiedenen Indígena-Sprachen gesendet. Alle Programme werden in mindestens drei Sprachen übersetzt, sei es zur Gesundheitserziehung, zu den eigenen Traditionen, Hörspiele oder Hintergrundinformationen zu den Forderungen der EZLN und den aktuellen Strategien der Aufstandsbekämpfung. Radio Insurgente ist damit in der ganzen Gegend der einzige Sender, der auch von dem Großteil der lokalen Bevölkerung verstanden wird, dessen Spanischkenntnisse unzureichend sind. Damit ist Radio Insurgente für die Menschen in Chiapas ein einzigartiges Fenster zur Welt, das den Blick auf andere Kämpfe und Konflikte eröffnet. Und es ist eine Waffe: Wie manche der vielen täglich eingehenden Hörerwünsche und Zuschriften beweisen, wird Radio Insurgente auch von Soldaten und Paramilitärs gehört. Zuweilen wendet sich das Radio deshalb direkt an diese Hörer, um sie zu demoralisieren oder sie zum desertieren aufzufordern. Die Studios von Radio Insurgente werden hauptsächlich von Frauen betrieben. Sie haben im Umgang mit der Technik neues Selbstvertrauen erworben, und genießen als Radiosprecherinnen in der gesamten Gegend großes Ansehen. Sie haben auch dafür gesorgt, dass Themen wie die Gleichberechtigung von Mädchen und Jungs, Gewalt gegen Frauen oder geteilte Verantwortung in der Kindererziehung und Hausarbeit im Radioprogramm angesprochen werden. Die Botschaft der ZapatistInnen ist im entwickelten Norden des Planeten wesentlich schneller angekommen als in Chiapas selbst. Dort ist der soziale Fortschritt zwar deutlich spürbar, aber langsam. Das Medium Radio kann diesen Lernprozess erheblich beschleunigen. Deshalb sind vier weitere Radiosender geplant, um einen Großteil von Chiapas mit einem Programm abzudecken, das die zapatistische Politik zur eigenen Basis zurückträgt und den konstanten Belagerungszustand unterläuft. Die ZapatistInnen haben sich dieses Radio erkämpft. Gegen die Soldaten, aber auch gegen Lehrer, die ihnen als Kinder nichts beigebracht haben und gegen Machtverhältnisse, die Indígenas wie sie allenfalls als Arbeitstiere existieren lassen. Sie machen ihr eigenes Programm, und sie betreiben und warten ihre eigenen Sendeanlagen. Was sie in ihrer derzeitigen Lage nicht selbst machen können, ist Geld erwirtschaften, um weitere Studiotechnik und Sendeanlagen finanzieren zu können. Und sie sind darauf angewiesen, dass die internationale Öffentlichkeit sie weiterhin kritisch solidarisch begleitet und dadurch vor militärischen oder paramilitärischen Angriffen schützt. ***** Hier seid deshalb Ihr gefragt! ***** * Bitte verbreitet diesen Aufruf in allen Publikationen, die ihr erreichen könnt! * Schreibt, falls die Lage sich weiter verschärfen sollte, Emails an die mexikanische und die chiapanekische Regierung! * Bitte spendet und helft damit, das Radionetzwerk weiter auszubauen! * Wir garantieren, dass Euer Geld ans Ziel kommt. Richtet eure Überweisung an: Nachrichtenpool Lateinamerika e.V., Konto Nummer 162 641 08, Postbank Berlin Bankleitzahl 100 100 10, Verwendungszweck: "Spende Radio Chiapas" (via Thorsten Hallmann, Muenster, Absurdocratistan, DXLD) There was a similar announcement about ten years ago that turned out to be a QSL hoax (G. Zeller, USA Jul 31, 2003 in DXplorer-ML via CRW via DXLD) ** MOLDOVA. MOLDOVAN-ROMANIAN DICTIONARY PUBLISHED IN CHISINAU A 19,000-word, 340-page Moldovan-Romanian dictionary authored by Vasile Stati went on sale in Chisinau on 24 July, Flux reported. Stati is also the author of the "History of Moldova," published in Chisinau last year. In his introduction to the dictionary, the author harshly attacks Romanian authorities, including Prime Minister Adrian Nastase, for claiming that Moldovan and Romanian are one and the same language ("RFE/RL Newsline," 25 Julyvia RFE/RL Media Matters August 1 via DXLD) {See 3-139} ** OKLAHOMA [non]. HAM-PIANIST WAY AHEAD OF SCHEDULE IN MARATHON RUN Concert pianist and cancer survivor Martin Berkofsky, KC3RE, is well ahead of schedule in his Celebrate Life Run http://www.celebrateliferun.com/ from Tulsa to Chicago to benefit cancer research. Berkofsky reached Chicago July 27 with a final goal of Zion, Illinois. His initial schedule had called for him to complete his cross-country jog on August 11. ``What a beautiful view, and what a wonderful sense of accomplishment,`` he said of running to the shore of Lake Michigan. Berkofsky has some 35 miles left to finish up the trip and perform a grand finale concert in Chicago as well as a private encore performance in Zion. ``Maybe,`` he mused in his journal, ``there will be a chance to add a few more miles (up to Wisconsin and back?).`` This week, he needs to get in some practice time for the two concerts. Berkofsky, who`s been carrying ham radio along on his run, reports he`s met hundreds of amateurs along his route, and he set a daily record of 23.1 miles on July 16. ``Went through the wall, as runners would say,`` he told ARRL. ``Could have continued even longer had it not gotten dark!`` He`s still planning on an August arrival in Zion and hopes some local hams can run along or spot him during the last few miles. Berkofsky`s QSL manager, Murray Green, K3BEQ, says he talked to him via EchoLink through the Chicago WA9ORC 146.760 and the Washington, DC, KD3VR 146.610 repeaters as he got into the Windy City. ``I cannot begin to tell you about the many e-mails I have received from hams along the approximately 700-mile route who stated how much they enjoyed meeting Martin, listening to his many experiences and piano concert performances along the way,`` Green said. ``I was also impressed with how many hams helped Martin in providing directions, places to sleep, eat and, in general, took him under their wing from town to town. It says a lot of good things about the ham fraternity.`` (ARRL July 30 via John Norfolk, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PALESTINE. WEST BANK AND GAZA/USA: PNA DENIES LEASING AIRWAVES TO US BROADCASTER | Text of report in English by Egyptian news agency MENA on 30 July Ramallah, 30 July: The Palestinian information ministry denied on Wednesday that Sawa, the Arabic service of Voice of America, had leased a radio wave from the Palestinian [National] Authority. The US broadcaster leased the wave from a Palestinian local radio in contravention of Palestinian regulations in force, the ministry said. "The Palestinian radio waves and frequencies are deemed a national wealth that cannot be used or leased by anyone," said Hani al-Masri, the ministry's director general of publications. Source: MENA news agency, Cairo, in English 1827 gmt 30 Jul 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** PERU. Tentative. There was better than usual reception of the religious broadcaster using a frequency which seemed close to 6020.2 today [Aug. 1st] at 0630 tune in. There were many Portuguese 'sounding' words, but I couldn`t recognise what the whole language was. Maybe a mix of Portuguese and Spanish as reported elsewhere? No ID was heard before the signal faded --- just a long exhortation from a male with some music in the background. I could also hear a similar sounding transmission on 9720 below a stronger Radio Rossii broadcast. An offset frequency was not being used as far as I could tell. My guess is that the station is Radio Victoria from Lima. Regards from (Noel R. Green [Blackpool, UK], Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** PHILIPPINES. 9581, PBS, Marulas, Valenzuela, 0700-0917*, July 11, active again while the English programme from Tibet that day was off the air. Programme in Filipino and English with ID: ``PBS, DZRB Radio Ng Bayen``. 45544. It was also heard when BBC signed off 0100, Jul 12 with 25432 // 576 MW (Roland Schulze, Philippines, DSWCI DX Window July 30 via DXLD) ** PUERTO RICO [non]. Glenn, I thought you might get a kick out of this. http://mywpages.comcast.net/billqsl/cards/afn_puerto_rico_npr_7507.jpg I guess the guy thinks I am a DXer. What do you think? (Bill Harms, MD, DX Listening Digest) Rather snide reply from Jeff Rosenberg, NPR Worldwide, indicating they are interested in program listeners, not DXers, but keep the r.p. as donation (Glenn Hauser, DX Listening Digest) Viz.: PUERTO RICO, Roosevelt Roads, AFN Relay. 7507 Received a p/d Letter (no freq or time) in 14 days from National Public Radio (NPR), 635 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC, 20001-3753. V/s Jeff Rosenberg, Director, NPR Worldwide. Mr. Rosenburg stated that "As we do not own nor operate a transmitter, we do not issue QSL cards. Our interest is exclusively in the programming and the impact we can have with the content of the shows." He astutely concluded that I since could pick up the station in high quality FM audio simultaneously on a local station I must be more interested in picking up distant stations than in the actual content of the programming. NASWA Country Number 165 (Bill Harms, Elkridge, MD, USA, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. My friend Alexander Beryozkin (he is a well known Russian DXer from St. Petersburg too) just informed me that Russian International Radio is a joint project of our Voice of Russia and our Russkoye Radio (latest one is a world's biggest FM network including more that 700 local FM transmitters here in Russia and in the CIS). It seems RMR (the Russian abbreviation) is our local broadcasting project for an International audience. No information about their postal/e- mail addresses yet (Mikhail Timofeyev via Dxplorer via DSWCI DX Window July 30 via DXLD) ** SAO TOME & PRINCIPE. While President Fradique de Menezes was in Nigeria, many press agencies reported that there was military coup d`état in São Tomé and Príncipe at 0300 on Jul 16, led by major Fernando ``Cobo`` Pereira, the commander of the Armed Forces Training Centre. The rebels took control of Government buildings, State TV and Radio, the Central Bank and the International Airport with some shooting in the streets of the capital, but without casualties. Major Pereira made a speech on national radio ordering all members of the government and parliament to report to police stations. The Prime Minister Maria das Neves, National Assembly President Dionisio Dias, Defence Minister Fernando Daqua, Natural Resources Minister Rafael Branco, Health Minister Claudina Cruz and Justice Minister Justino Veiga, as well as about 30 lawmakers out of the 55 who sit in Parliament, were seized and detained in military barracks. Mr Branco is considered a key member of the government as he handles the important oil portfolio. . . On Jul 23, after negotiations with Western and African diplomats, the coup leader accepted to release the politicians. He also accepted the return of the President to his office, but not the ministers whom he regards as corrupt and useless. New democratic elections will be held as agreed upon (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window July 30 via DXLD) TROTS ** SOMALIA [non]. 'A COMMUNITY EVENT': Radio program is a hit with Somalis --- Greg Bluestein - Staff, Wednesday, July 30, 2003 Every Saturday afternoon, about 50 people pack the Dunkin' Donuts on Memorial Drive in Clarkston, intently listening to the radio. From 2 to 4 p.m., the transplanted Somalis in the eatery have their ears tuned to what Dunkin' Donuts clerk Ali Gani calls "a community event" --- one of three weekly broadcasts of Sagal Radio Services (SRS), Atlanta's Somali language radio station. The station, based near Decatur, caters to the 4,000 or so Somali refugees resettled in the metro area after fleeing the civil war in their homeland. "People want to hear good news --- such as there's a government," quipped SRS director Hussien Mohamed. The radio program is staffed by volunteers and student interns. It runs only six hours a week on a noncommercial radio station, WATB-AM (1420). SRS was born when Mohamed, who works at the Atlanta affiliate of the international aid group World Relief, saw that his fellow Somalis lacked a basic understanding of the United States. "The people didn't know minor things," he said. So in 1998, Mohamed and a few volunteers started the program "Sagal," named after the Somali word for sunset. "They may not know English, may have no money, and most have never rented an apartment or set up utility bills," said Lexi Malkin, an SRS intern. "It's already hard enough to do all this. If you don't speak English, it's even harder." Shows have featured information on fire safety and health specials on SARS and West Nile virus. Volunteer correspondents in Somalia and Brussels, Belgium, keep listeners updated on international news. Malkin and three other Emory University students are working with SRS this summer. They're also trying to find sponsors. The $30,000 grant from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development that funds the program is in the second year of its potential three-year term. Mohamed plans to add more broadcasts of English lessons, pending funding. He's also planning more shows dealing with American culture, like the one that aired before the Fourth of July this year warning listeners not to fear the booming fireworks. "They might have thought a war had started," he said. (c) 2003 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (via Mike Cooper, Atlanta, DXLD) ** SUDAN [non]. 17630, 1622-1700*, August 1, Tuned in to hear continuous music in a variety of styles and languages; Horn of Africa music with chorus and drums, ballads in unidentified language and English ballad with YL singing about "Hallelujah, home across the sea". At 1630 "tinny" sounding strings (guitar?) were noted. I believe this was a test loop as music at the end of the hour (1630) sounded very similar to the end of the 1700 hour. Abruptly off at 1700 with no ID or announcements. I quickly tuned to 17660 for 1700 sign-on and heard the same "tinny" strings followed by the same ballad as followed on 17630. Does anyone have anymore info as to where this comes from other than the US government OTI / Education Development Center? 73, (Scott R Barbour Jr., Intervale, NH, DX LISTENING DIGEST) {See 3-139} SITE? 17630, EDC service for Sudan, 1600-1700, local music, no talk. Switched to 17660 at 1700 same music, no breaks, fade by 1725. Keep playing the same song by a woman about every 10 minutes or so, otherwise seemed like different songs. Fair reception, clear channels (Hans Johnson, WY, Aug 1, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** SWEDEN. RADIO SWEDEN--Coming up on Radio Sweden: Thursday: Feature on ice cream Friday: Our weekly review Saturday: "Network Europe" Sunday: Minorities in Sweden and debate over sports in "In Touch With Stockholm" (SCDX/MediaScan July 30 via DXLD) ** TAIWAN. RADIO TAIWAN INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATES 75TH ANNIVERSARY 2003/8/1 I-wei J. Chang, TAIPEI, Taiwan, Special to The China Post http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/detail.asp?onNews=1&GRP=D&id=19955 Central Broadcasting Station's Radio Taiwan International (CBS/RTI) yesterday celebrated 75 years of broadcasting the voice of the Republic of China (ROC) to the rest of the world, spanning major historical developments from its founding in mainland China in 1928 to its present location in Taiwan today. Founded on July 31, 1928 by the Republican government based in Nanjing, CBS followed the government to Hankou and Chongqing during the Anti-Japanese Resistance campaign, and back to Nanjing after the end of World War II. At the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, CBS moved with the Kuomintang to Taiwan. CBS was known to the U.S. as the "Voice of Free China" during much of the Cold War. The broadcasting system began relaying its news to mainland China as early as the 1950s, and was "an important entity in creating a breakthrough in the cross-strait stalemate," said CBS Chairman Lin Feng-jeng. Lin, a former human rights lawyer who took over the position in July, said that this momentous occasion was "to celebrate the birthday of a national radio that belongs to the 21 million people of Taiwan." President Chen Shui-bian sent a congratulatory message hoping that CBS under Lin would "continue to fulfill its duties as the media ... to monitor government policies in order to build a better Taiwan." Although Lin has received complaints from Taiwan citizens that they cannot hear the programs, Lin pointed out that RTI does not just transmit information, but more importantly, "has taken on the mission to propel an intimate connection between Taiwan and the international community," stated Lin. RTI fulfills President Chen's desires for Taiwan to upgrade its international status by continuing to be "the mouthpiece of democracy, liberty, human rights, and peace," said Lin. At the 75th anniversary celebration, Lin signed three protocols of cooperation with representatives from Burkina Faso, Panama, and Japan to strengthen bilateral ties with counterpart organizations in those countries. CBS is currently a member of several radio broadcasting organizations, including Radio Free Asia, National Association of Broadcasters (Washington, D.C.), and Association for International Broadcasting. RTI's worldwide listeners that cross all major continents can tune in to its various news, educational, arts, and entertainment prorams by shortwave radio, the Internet http://www.cbs.org.tw and AM/FM radio. Much of its English programs are done through shortwave radio. RTI broadcasts in Mandarin, five other dialects ¡X Taiwanese, Hakka, Cantonese, Tibetan, and Mongolian ¡X as well as 12 other languages to its global audience: English, German, French, Russian, Spanish, Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Indonesian, and Burmese. It has daily programs that introduce the multifaceted nature of Taiwan to the rest of the world, including "Discover Taiwan," "Formosa Outlook," "Let's Learn Chinese," "News Talk," and "Taiwan Today." (via Ulis R. Fleming, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) See also CHINA ** UGANDA [and non]. Missionssenderexperte Dr. Hansjörg Biener bewertet die Mitteilung kritisch: ``In den vergangenen drei Jahrzehnten hat High Adventure Ministries mehrfach Senderpläne aufgelegt, die nie verwirklicht wurden. Solche Senderpläne sind natürlich immer ein guter Anlass für Öffentlichkeitsarbeit und Spendensammlung. Wenn es nur um Sendungen ginge, könnte High Adventure angesichts der weltweiten Verfügbarkeit von Kurzwellensendezeit von zahlreichen Standorten aus jederzeit mit Sendeblöcken für West- oder Ostafrika bzw. den Nahen Osten beginnen. So hat FEBA-Radio erst kürzlich seine Kurzwellenstation auf den Seychellen aufgegeben und kauft je nach Zielgebiet Sendezeit an verschiedenen Standorten`` (Dr Hansjörg Biener, NTT Aktuell August 2003 via DXLD) ** U K. BBC EMBROILED IN BITTER DISPUTE OVER IMPARTIALITY By ALAN COWELL, New York Times LONDON -- Its tones, by tradition, are measured, and its voice untainted by partisan hectoring. Indeed, the nicknames by which Britons have come to know their public service broadcaster seem to evoke demure respectability: the Beeb or just Auntie. But in recent weeks the British Broadcasting Corp., arguably the best-known public broadcaster, has been embroiled in one of the most bitter rows of its 81-year history, pitting its sense of independence and impartiality against a government that has accused it of misreporting why Britain joined the United States in the war against Iraq. . . http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/atlanta_world/0703/31bbc.html (via Artie Bigley, Don Thornton, Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** U K. WORLD SERVICE HEAD AFFIRMS BBC INDEPENDENCE, SAYS NO PLANS FOR ARABIC TV Director of BBC World Service Mark Byford has said that the recent controversies with the British and Israeli governments confirm BBC journalistic accuracy and independence. In an interview with London- based newspaper Al-Sharq al-Awsat, Byford said that the BBC faced regular pressure from many sources, not just governments, but that its main concern was not to succumb to this pressure. He said that the BBC currently had no clear plans to launch an Arabic television channel, but that it would in future be defining a strategy for reaching the Middle East audience. Asked if the BBC would broadcast a tape from the former Iraqi president, Byford replied that it would be broadcast only if editors were convinced of its authenticity after careful examination. The following is an excerpt from the interview with the director of the BBC World Service by Khalid Mahmud in Cairo, date not stated, entitled "'The BBC stands firm despite pressure from governments,' says head of BBC World Service"; published by London- based newspaper Al-Sharq al-Awsat on 25 July; subheadings inserted editorially: [Mahmud] Let us start with the controversy surrounding the report on Israeli nuclear weapons. [Byford] It was part of a series of reports, broadcast within a programme called "Correspondent". Editorially speaking, it is part of BBC journalism and in conformity with the mission of the corporation. [Mahmud] But the Israelis were angered by the report. How did you deal with this situation? [Byford] Naturally, there was an angry Israeli reaction to what we did. But this programme was already broadcast last March. It is part of our journalistic and broadcasting mission. It was broadcast throughout the world, not only to the Middle East. BBC-British government relations [Mahmud] Can you explain to our readers the current crisis between the BBC and the British government? [Byford] The origin of this crisis is the BBC's coverage of the issue concerning the evidence put forward by the British government with regard to the alleged Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. It goes back to last September and then later, to last May. [Passage omitted] [Mahmud] Did you deliberately broadcast this report? [Byford] We were just carrying out our duty. [Mahmud] What was the reaction of your listeners and viewers to this crisis? [Byford] Well, I do not know the reaction of the viewers and listeners around the world. However, I can tell you that they attach a great importance to the integrity of the BBC, its accuracy and objectivity. This is something of which we are very proud. However, the Board of Governors, which is the main council that manages the BBC, has confirmed that our coverage was fair, objective and accurate. Pressure on BBC [Mahmud] Is it difficult for you to resist such pressure? [Byford] The issue is not limited to the British government. In my capacity as the official in charge of the international operation of the BBC, I can tell you that we are subjected to pressure from governments all over the world. However, the pressure does not only come from governments. There are also lobbies involved. But the bottom line is for us to stand firm and to be always accurate, balanced and objective on a journalistic level. Our main concern is not to give way to any sort of pressure. The independence of our journalistic work and its impact are the main reasons why the listener or the recipient tunes in to the BBC. [Passage omitted] Plans for the Middle East [Mahmud] Are you planning to launch an Arabic television channel? [Byford] We do not have any defined plan with regard to this matter. Clearly, we have a strong broadcasting service. In fact, the coverage we are providing has gone beyond all expectations in terms of responding to the demands [of listeners and viewers]. We have BBC World, which is an English-language channel. Therefore, we are present in the three media [radio, television and Internet]. However, we will think in the future of a strategy for the Middle East, about the best way to get to the biggest number of recipients, listeners and viewers whom we would like to reach. Naturally, we have to admit that the importance of television is on the increase, as it has become an essential medium for conveying information in all parts of the Arab world. But we do not have any clear plan for the time being. Naturally, the situation depends on the means available. [Mahmud] Are you subjected to pressure from Arab governments because of the nature of your programmes and the material you broadcast? [Byford] I said that we are sometimes subjected to all sorts of pressure, not only from governments. Besides, it is not limited to a particular region of the world. Nor does it occur every day. It can be the case regarding a news item or coverage, but what matters to us is to offer to the world a reliable and truthful news service in a fair and objective manner. We recognize that we need to have roots here, and this is why, for instance, we expanded our presence here, in Cairo. However, I believe that our main mission is to continue offering news coverage based on objectivity and fairness. Let me tell you that what is interesting in Iraq is that (toppled President) Saddam Husayn used to listen to the BBC Arabic Service. In fact, the entire Iraqi people tune in to the BBC. Saddam tape [Mahmud] What would you do if you received an audiotape from the toppled Iraqi president? [Byford] We would not broadcast it straight away. We would examine it and if we believed that it was a genuine one and if we were convinced that it came from him, then we would air it. But we would carefully think about it first, and if we were certain that it was in fact the voice of Saddam Husayn, then we would broadcast it. However, we would need to be sure and certain, because it is a very important matter. During the war on Iraq, we used to air Saddam's statements and speeches. The bottom line is to check. Imagine that you sent me an audiotape with a sticker saying, "From Saddam". Naturally, we would not easily believe it. Source: Al-Sharq al-Awsat, London, in Arabic 25 Jul 03 p 11 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** U K. NON-BELIEVERS ABANDON LEGAL CHALLENGE TO THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Stephen Bates, religious affairs correspondent Tuesday July 29 2003, The Guardian The National Secular Society has abandoned an attempt to make the BBC invite humanists on to Thought for the Day, the three-minute slot on Radio 4's Today programme. The society yesterday announced it had given up a legal challenge to the policy of using only religious speakers, while the BBC's governors also published their rejection of the secularists' complaint of unfair discrimination. It ends a year-long wrangle after the society had claimed its right to propose speakers when the producer of Thought for the Day's sought more challenging contributors. The slot, shortly before the 8am news bulletin, is the most high-profile pulpit in daily broadcasting. It remains controversial by being reserved for speakers from faith groups, whose views are delivered without questioning. Any attempt to introduce different speakers, or drop old ones, achieves publicity, with the BBC most recently firmly telling contributors it had not treated Lavinia Byrne shabbily, as she claimed after being taken off the programme. In an email to regular contributors, seen by the Guardian, producer Christine Morgan said Ms Byrne, a former nun, "simply ceased to meet the slot's exacting standards at a time when we are making way for some sharper and more fluent voices". But not secularists. The governors declared that, "taken as a whole", BBC Radio 4's output provided balance and a fair opportunity for those not holding religious views to express their opinions; the balance of programming allowed them to disseminate their points of view. Last year the society achieved more publicity than for some time when it demanded the slot accommodate non-believers. It wrote to the governors and then initiated legal action under human rights legislation. In an earlier response from Glenwyn Benson, former head of factual programming, the society was told: "A short religious slot...on an issue of the day from a religious perspective cannot be considered discriminatory, as speakers from a non-religious perspective have ample opportunities to have their voices heard at other times and places in the BBC's schedules." As the slot is meant to be non-polemical, some Thought for the Day contributors have argued secularists would have difficulty speaking for three minutes without attacking religion, since that is their main raison d'être. In a letter to the BBC's lawyers dropping the case "due to difficulties in funding further steps in the litigation", the society's lawyers claimed the corporation's decision was defective, arguing: "The governors should have considered whether the decision and policy were the right ones, not whether they were reasonable." Keith Porteous Wood, the society's director, said: "They have decided to perpetuate discrimination against the non-religious in a way that they would not against another minority. "It is as if the BBC considers that non-religious ethical views are of much less validity than those given each day on Thought for the Day." Copyright Guardian Newspapers Limited (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** UK. CHARIOTS OF FIRE SPECIAL ON BBC RADIO The British public radio station BBC Radio 4 will broadcast a special on the ``Chariots of Fire`` movie, next Sunday August 3 at 11.15 local British time [1015 UT]. As we all know, Vangelis won an Oscar for its music, and since this film is said to owe much or even most of its success and fame to the ground breaking film score, it is inevitable that the topic of music comes up in the conversation. The BBC brought together producer David Puttnam, screenwriter Colin Welland, director Hugh Hudson and actors Nigel Havers and Ben Cross to reminisce about the making of the movie. For anyone who's interested, BBC Radio 4 can be listened to online at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4 Thanks to Stephen Cairns for the BBC tip (http://www.elsew.com a web site dedicated to the music of the Greek composer Vangelis, via John Norfolk, DXLD) {See 3-140} ** U S A. ENFORCEMENT OF A DIFFERENT KIND: AMATEUR RADIO HELPS HUNT HAM WHO KILLED MICHIGAN COP Hams in Michigan were called on to help track down a cop killer after what should have been a routine arrest became a gruesome homicide scene. It happened on July 6th. Amateur Radio Newsline`s David Black, KB4KCH, is here with the rest of the story: Never in Michigan`s ham radio history has there been a case like Scott Woodring`s. It began July 6th. That`s when Woodring, KC8JNG, a member of the Christian Identity movement and described as a survivalist, shot and killed a Michigan state police officer. It happened while Woodring was being arrested for solicitation of a minor. A stand-off ensues and lasts nearly a day. During a law enforcement shift change, Woodring manages to escape, triggering an extensive manhunt throughout western lower Michigan. That`s when ham radio operators became involved, since it was suspected that Woodring had been using amateur radio equipment to communicate with other members of his group. James Wades, WB8SIW, is Michigan`s RACES Officer and Section Emergency Coordinator: Wades: ``I directed the EC for Newago Co. to establish an intercept operation in the area and monitor seldom used frequencies in and about the VHF 2 meter band. And, additionally, we sent out a broadcast announcement to selected areas to selected area RACES members throughout Michigan, essentially asking them to listen for conversations between Mr. Woodring and whomever else he might speak with.`` That paid off. A ham in Holton, Michigan reported monitoring Woodring and another operator talking on the air. The intercept was reported to state police they then asked government agencies including the FCC to provide direction finding assistance to find Woodring. But it was a Friday night and police couldn`t get any response from the federal agencies. So Wades says investigators turned to radio amateurs for help: Wades: ``We deployed amateur radio teams from several counties in the area, and had pretty much a continuous radio direction finding occurring throughout the weekend, with teams from from Kent, Ottawa and Musquogen Counties. We also had teams on standby in Kalamazoo County as well as the Civil Air Patrol team ``which weren`t utilized, but it was reassuring to know that they were there.`` Hams and the police knew the general area where Woodring was believed to be hiding. Wades says it was an eyewitness who ultimately led to Woodring being found: Wades: ``Mr. Woodring was discovered through a tip from a citizen who saw him essentially taking shelter in a non working vehicle. When Michigan state police officers approached, he leveled an assault rifle at them and he was subsequently shot to death when he refused to comply with orders or lower the rifle.`` Wades says police were hesitant at first to work with radio amateurs. But he says the hams` efforts made a powerful and positive impact with law enforcement agencies. Wades: ``When all was said and done the feedback has been incredibly positive. Tremendously good comments about the professionalism and the skills of the radio amateurs involved. And basically I think that they were somewhat ``almost shocked at the capabilities and the skill level of our ARES and RACES members in Michigan, which, of course was highly complimentary.`` Around 40 radio amateurs took part in the effort to help find Woodring. Wades says the hams involved coordinated their work with police carefully, even establishing a dress code for hams reporting on scene with investigators. The professionalism Michigan hams showed has given law officers a new appreciation for the kind of help radio amateurs can provide when it`s needed. From Birmingham Alabama, I`m David Black, KB4KCH, reporting for the Amateur Radio Newsline. In all, RACES members provided 494 staff-hours to the man hunt. Most of this was contributed during the 36-hour period when radio direction finding activities to locate Woodring were being conducted. (ARNewsline(tm) from lead provided at http://www.qrz.com August 1 via John Norfolk, DXLD) ** U S A. Alex Chadwick is keeping an online diary http://slate.msn.com/id/2086123/entry/2086165/ for Slate about the launch of Day to Day, the new NPR newsmag that is being produced in partnership with ... Slate. Smell the synergy! Revelation: Chadwick made an intern cry. Who knew he was such a meanie? http://slate.msn.com/id/2086123/entry/2086276/ (Current July 31 via DXLD) ** U S A. During some sporadic E openings lately, I have noticed semi- local KFOR-TV OKC channel 4 get snowy, which is a sign of DTV interference, but whence? I see in http://dxworld.com/tvfmlog.html that Pat Dyer has also noticed this on his local KMOL-4 San Antonio; another poster, Jeff Kadet? refers to http://www.nab.org/Newsroom/Issues/digitaltv/DTVstations.asp as the current NAB list of DTVs on the air. Yecch, it`s in order by market size, but an awful lot of entries, many of which, I suspect are not yet actually in use. Looking thru the entire list I find only three DTV on channel 4, all of which would be quite possible by sporadic E skip distance here: WHP (analog 21), Harrisburg PA WDKY (analog 56), Lexington KY WMAZ (analog 13), Macon GA (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** WESTERN SAHARA [non]. ARGELIA, 7460, Radio Nacional de la República Arabe Saharaui, 2025, Música árabe, cánticos religiosos. 24322. (Julio 29). (Manuel Méndez Reinante, costa de Lugo, España, Grundig Satellit 500, Grundig Yacht Boy 400, Sony ICF 7600 G, Antena de Cable, 8 metros, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** ZAMBIA. 4910, ZNBC, Lusaka. After many reports during many years now I received a QSL card after 4 weeks. V/s: Patrick Nkula, e-mail: pnkula@yahoo.com Website: www.znbc.co.zm Patrick asks to try also 6165 (Max Van Arnhem, Netherlands, DSWCI DX Window July 30 via DXLD) ** ZIMBABWE [non]. 4880, SW Radio Africa. On Jul 18 arrived after 9 days a full data paper QSL-card (except for transmitter location), and the information below. I sent my report in a letter to P. O. Box 243, Borehamwood, Herts, WD6 4WA, UK with an IRC. V/S: S. Surrey. They wrote: ``Short Wave Radio Africa broadcasts from London, and transmits to Zimbabwe via satellite and short wave at 4880 kHz on 60 m band. The signal is also streamed on the internet to the Diaspora, and archived for 2 weeks on our website http://www.swradioafrica.com The station began as a result of the Zimbabwe government`s refusal to allow independent broadcasting, which had earlier been given approval by the country`s Supreme Court. Whilst the legal battle continues, the station was set up in London, to broadcast 3 hours each evening. Its mission is to present news in a balanced form without the addition of propaganda, to give the people of Zimbabwe a platform to have their say without interference and to assist in the promotion of democracy and human rights. It has a large and loyal following, especially in the rural parts of the country, and amongst the opposition party members. It began in November 2001 and employs eight ex Zimbabweans, all of whom have been stripped of their Zimbabwean citizenship by Mugabe, the self imposed president. The station is non commercial. Transmission by shortwave from a transmitter in southern Africa is normally on 6145 kHz, but moves to 4880 kHz during the June-September period. The hugely popular website is updated with news of Zimbabwe, daily, and hosts chatroom, discussion group, feedback, sound archives and provides links to many other Zimbabwe-related sites.`` (Ekblom, Ishii and Petersen, DSWCI DX Window July 30 via DXLD) I usually send an e-mail or a postcard with ``Thank you for the QSL`` to the station, and in this case an e-mail arrived back from ``simon`` at tech2@swradioafrica.com with the text: ``Dear Mr Petersen, I thank you for your interest in our station, and also for publishing the brief overview. Any additional spotlight that can be directed at the gross human rights abuses that are happening all the time in Zimbabwe is most welcome. We urge your members to visit our website from time to time and to encourage others in positions of influence to do so too. Zimbabwe is in a man-made crisis.`` Then followed some anti-South Africa comments which give me doubts that they book airtime from Meyerton (Anker Petersen, Denmark, ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED. 4765, Brisbane or Honiara? I have noticed a strong open carrier on 4765 for 24 hours now. Any clues with this. Could it be something to do with Solomon Islands situation? Is Broadcast Australia conducting tests on this shortwave frequency?? Cheers (Chris Martin, Brisbane, Australia, August 1, ARDXC via DXLD) More and more lately I have been hearing interference (I suppose data transmissions) to regular SW broadcast signals that are comfortably inside the allocated broadcast bands. What is going on with this? Why would some data-transmitting organization that could use any frequency anywhere in the spectrum choose to transmit co-channel with an international broadcaster? I don't mean jamming -- these are sporadic signals that don't prevent listening but just annoy the listener. Examples: During the North American night, say 0700 UT on to 1000, when I am awake, I often tune R. Australia. Especially on 9580 kHz there are these periodic tones that come and go and irregular intervals. It seems an unmodulated solid tone, not a data burst. Luckily, they don't seem as prevalent later in the morning when 9580 has a good strong signal into here (central US) and I am listening to some of their programming more intently. (I'm usually trying to fall back asleep at 3 AM! :-) R. Netherlands on 9785 kHz, the transmission that begins at 0930 UT: There's some data-burst signals that either last continually during this transmission or come and go. I suppose it is some RTTY-type signal. Who is this and why are they there? Does the Netherlands have a secret-service agency that could send an agent and blow up whomever is doing this transmitting? (I always felt that the BBC should get the British government to send an SAS squad to destroy transmitters that interfered with BBC transmissions; that was back when I thought they cared about their SW-listening audience. :-) There's also interference heard during the morning-Eastern-US RN transmission on 5965 kHz. That's weak and fading enough already here in the mid-US that the added noise is particularly annoying. (I always felt that RN picked the wrong formerly-BBC frequency to take over for thius transmission; they'd have been far better off keeping 15220 kHz instead!) This, too, is data-burst crud, I think. Anybody else have their "favorite" in-band interference to report and gripe about? I can understand the out-of-band broadcasters getting this interference to their signals, like the aviation-weather SSB that hits RFPI now and then. It is what you have to put up with to operate outside the allocated broadcast bands. But who, what, and why this inside-broadcast-band garbage? Irritated, (Will Martin, MO, July 30, swprograms via DXLD) I do not know what receiver you are using but if it`s a single conversion cheapie, you might be experiencing image interference from out-of-band stations. Assuming that is not the problem, I will make one more suggestion. The military and other US federal agencies use a technique called ALE. That stands for Automatic Link Establishment. Transmitters jump frequency periodically announcing their presence on a frequency in some obscure digital mode. If nobody calls them, they move on. Like the 800 pound gorilla, the US government lies down anywhere it wants to. Sure the FCC has jurisdiction over SW broadcast frequencies in theory. The FCC's enforcement of this dividing line is no better and probably worse than the FCC's enforcement of any other provison of the Communication's Act. Civil servants especially do not want to pick a fight with another US government agency. [Later:] I listened to R. Australia at 0900 this morning and the reported interference was heard. It is definitely not an image problem in your radio. The signal sounds like it could be an ALE marker. I am no expert on such matters and you will probably have better luck identifying the signal type if you check the folks at WUN who specialize in utility interception. The interference weakened here as the sky brightened so I conclude the emitter is southeast of my QTH in Delaware. ~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-., (Joe Buch, DE, ibid.) -*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^ I'm getting the interference here, too. Really quite annoying. With the sunspot cycle and geomagnetic instability added in, it is really making listening to RA difficult at the moment (Rob de Santos, Columbus, Ohio USA, Chairman of the Board, Australian Football Association of North America (AFANA), ibid.) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ [Followup to UNIDENTIFIED above:] This morning I watched a movie on one of the pay channels called, "The Recruit" a pretty good spook picture starring Al Pacino with all the plot twists one would expect from one of those old Robert Ludlum spy novels. A central focus of the story was a computer virus the CIA had developed which would propagate via the power lines throughout an entire country via the interconnected power grid to screw up every electronic device connected to that grid. Sound familiar? Are you reminded of the current Broadband via Power Line (BPL) discussion? Could BPL just be a cover for some sinister plot by the spooks? I have read that the Echelon system does a good job of monitoring the Internet, wired and wireless telephone, and international satellite traffic, but I have never read that Echelon has a good ear for the HF frequencies. Knowledge that Echelon exists will naturally force the bad guys to use channels that Echelon does not monitor. What if coded messages are being sent to bad-guy operatives in the USA via unencrypted shortwave broadcasts? Could BPL simply be a way for the FCC, acting on behalf of Homeland Security, to covertly jam the ability of anyone to access foreign broadcasts or contact people outside the country via HF radio? Could the government have found a covert way to finally defeat all those mysterious numbers stations that may be relaying messages to bad-guy operatives? Could BPL simply be a distributed jamming system which the government is encouraging private industry to build? Could the power companies be unknowing dupes of the US Government, investing big bucks of their own money in a project the administration could never get past the green-eye-shaded watchdogs in the Congress? Has the US Government found a way to covertly censor what we can hear on shortwave without treading on the constitution? Now what did I do with those Lithium pills? ~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-., (Joe Buch, Buch, DE, swprograms July 31 via DXLD) -*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^ The Recruit: Quickest 2-1/2 hours I ever spent. It's on DVD and I highly recommend it. Incidentally, the mock-up of the front gate of the Warrenton Training Center was uncanny, although I understand none of it was actually filmed here in Virginia. Well --- that's not too far fetched. Power companies have had a user- directed power regulation system for years. The system would monitor your power consumption and automatically brown out your house during preselected time periods. Meant primarily as a power savings device, it was promoted as a way that you could lower your power bills by simply participating in the program. The medium used to transmit the control signals was via the same power lines. Take the concept one step further: One facet of Information Operations is the ability to disrupt the infrastructure (e.g., power grid) of an entire country. Hmmmm (Mark J. Fine, Remington, Virginia, USA, ibid.) THE FIGHT FOR OUR SPECTRUM: HAM RADIO VS. BPL If you think that the term Broadband Over Powerlines and its acronym BPL will never affect you, guess again. BPL could effectively spell the end to ham radio as we know it. This, if it is ever approved by the FCC and popularized across our nation. Just how real is the challenge to the survival of the Amateur Radio Service? ARRL Southwestern Division Director Art Goddard, W6XD, gave some graphic details at last weeks Fort Tuthill Hamfest in Arizona based on test data collected by Ed Hare, W1RFI, of the ARRL Lab: Goddard: ``If you are an engineer, anywhere from 33 to 63 decibels increase in the noise level that you will see at your receiver due to BPL run in the power lines in your neighborhood. If you are into S- Meter readings, that`s somewhere between an S-6 and 10 over S-9.`` For those unaware, Broadband over Powerlines is a scheme to give consumers and businesses high speed Internet connections using the existing power distribution grid. This would put the power providers in the position of also being broadband internet providers as well. The problem is that powerlines are not shielded. They will act as much like giant antennas as they will a closed carrier of the broadband connection. In other words, whatever is on the power lines will be radiated and heard by your ham band receiver. And Art Goddard says that the Broadband Over Powerline signals will occupy the spectrum from 2 through 80 MHz, meaning every band from 75 meters through 6 meters will be affected. According to Goddard, BPL has the backing of the White House which views the increased use of unlicensed devices as being good for the US economy. He also notes that the FCC ``which is supposed to be neutral and regulating in the public interest, is`` in this case -- acting like cheerleaders for the proposed service. Goddard says that this is an issue that the ARRL is keeping a very close eye on. He also indicates that the League may soon be asking ham radio operators to lend their voice in opposition to BPL. (ARNewsline(tm) August 1 via John Norfolk, DXLD) I don't know how they are about this in Canada, but in the U.S. the FCC has been clamping down on power line leaks (as I pointed out in my comments on the BPL proceeding...) If you visit http://www.arrl.org and click on any of the news stories related to FCC enforcement letters, you'll find the text of what they've sent to various electricity utilities. If you're having trouble getting satisfaction from the cable operator, I'd try writing a polite letter detailing your problem. Send it to the Department of Communications, with copies to the CRTC and the cable operator. (if someone in the States is trying the same thing, send it to the nearest FCC Field Office instead & don't worry about copying the CRTC!) Be sure the letter *says* who you're sending copies to - you want the utility to *know* the regulators are about to get involved. If this is strong enough to interfere with any of your locals I would consider sending a copy to the station too. I know when I've had problems with my telephone service, this kind of letter got *instant* results - and both the company and the government contacting me to be certain I was satisfied (Doug Smith, TN, NRC-AM via DXLD) Re: FCC/ARRL & Power Company QRM The ARRL as well as the FCC are both paper tigers when it comes to resolving amateur/SWL power line QRN complaints. Here in my area we have TECO. Two plus years ago I developed a severe powerline QRN problem after several lightning strikes to local pole mounted lightning arrestors, aging hardware and increasing current load due to more customers. At one time TECO employed one very good RFI investigator with all the latest equipment. He came out quickly identified all of my problems but that's where the good news ended. No repairs were attempted for two plus years and eventually I had to drop out of the MARS radio program and then move away from an otherwise excellent radio QTH. Another local ham radio friend experienced similar but even worse problems also to no avail. As members of the ARRL my friend and I contacted the in house ARRL RFI guy who promptly began communicating with the power company and the FCC. The ARRL was stonewalled in communicating with key lower level TECO personnel and ended up dealing directly with the company CEO. To make a very long story short, the CEO flat out lied to the ARRL and the FCC, saying that they were on top of the problem and repairs were being made. As I said this went on for two plus years and eventually the CEO just blatantly defied the FCC and stopped communicating with the ARRL, FCC and my friend and I. Bottom line is that the QRN problems still exist for my friend and even the ARRL and FCC no longer respond to my friend. Also during the 2 year nightmare TECO fired their expert RFI guy for doing his job and replaced him with a nobody with no training knowledge or initiative. The original RFI guy has also disappeared off of the face of the Earth and we fear that he may be wearing cement shoes. Also during the two plus year period of battling the power company my friend and I suffered many strange power failures, surges, polarity changes, etc. that caused damage to our appliances and homes. We suspect that the strange goings on was the power company intentionally causing us problems. Kind of a look what we can do to you for complaining. When the ARRL and FCC came to realize that this very wealthy power company had good attorneys representing them and had no intention of fixing anything and could afford to pay any FCC levied fines due to inaction, the ARRL and FCC just gave up. By the way TECO lost a lot of money in the Enron scandal and has since laid off the majority of its work force including meter readers, billing clerks, engineers, linemen, etc. 73, (Thomas F. Giella, KN4LF, Plant City, FL, USA, EL87WX, NRC-AM via DXLD) RECEIVER NEWS +++++++++++++ This was released today: " *Pages 1--1 from Microsoft Word - 29879* PUBLIC NOTICE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 445 12th STREET S. W. WASHINGTON, D. C. 20554 News media information 202/ 418- 0500 Fax-On-Demand 202/ 418- 2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov DA 03- 2550 Released: July 29, 2003 OFFICE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY DISMISSES SAFETY CAST CORPORATION APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL TEMPORARY AUTHORITY FOR EXPERIMENTAL RADIO STATION File No. 0183-EX-ST-2003 On April 18, 2003, Safety Cast Corporation filed an application for Special Temporary Authority (STA) in the Experimental Radio Service (File No. 0183-EX-ST-2003). By its experimentation, Safety Cast seeks to test its technology that, it states, uses ``an extremely low power, non-commercial, mobile transmitter that will broadcast `All Hazard` alerts, Amber Alerts, and/or emergency `alert` messages from authorized public entity vehicles (Police, Fire/Rescue, etc.).`` By Public Notice, DA 03-2109, released June 30, 2003, this application was given ``permit-but-disclose`` status under the Commission`s ex parte rules, 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.1200 et seq., and comment was sought, with initial comments due July 30, 2003. By letter dated July 29, 2003, the Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) dismissed the Safety Cast application without prejudice to the applicant`s right to file an application (Form 309) with the Media Bureau pursuant to Part 74 of the Commission`s rules. As a result, comment is no longer being sought on this application. By the Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology 1" I *think* this just means the proposal is *temporarily* dead. I seem to recall an action a few years back where it was decided applications for experimental broadcast stations (as opposed to experimental stations in other services) were to be considered by the Media Bureau - so the Safety Cast application basically was filed with the wrong department & must be refiled. – (Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View (Nashville), TN EM66 http://www.w9wi.com July 30, NRC-AM via DXLD) MUSEA +++++ DUTCH RESISTANCE MUSEUM, AMSTERDAM ALLAN CUMMINGS (who writes via Mike Barraclough) recently went to the Dutch resistance museum in Amsterdam mentioned in June Contact and found it a very enjoyable visit. The museum is located at Plantage Kerklaan 61. 1018 CX Amsterdam close to Amsterdam Zoo. Wartime radio broadcasts by Queen Wilhelmina, Max Blokzeil, Adolf Hitler and Josef Goebbels may be heard and there are examples of concealed radios the populace used as the Nazis forced them to hand in their sets and loop aerials used to null out German jamming of resistance broadcasts. The museum website is http://www.verzetsmuseum.org (August World DX Club Contact via Alan Roe, DXLD) BLETCHLEY PARK, UK Bletchley Park has a special event on the 16th and 17th August called Wireless Waves around Bletchley. The event celebrates the importance of the Y Service in relation to Bletchley Park during the Second World War. Bletchley Park was provided with information by a number of wireless receiving operations whose prime role it was to intercept the enemy's radio communications. "Wireless Waves around Bletchley" will commemorate the significance of the Y Stations and explain their contribution to the war effort. This special event will feature: A special display of Y stations and spy sets in the Mansion which will explain the use of the information supplied from Y Stations. Vintage radios and comm-unications equipment will also be on display dating from wartime to the present day. A temporary radio station will be in operation outside. Special lectures on both days: John Pether will speak on "The History of the Y Service from WWI" and David White, curator of the Diplomatic Wireless Hut, will talk about the "Secret Intelligence Service and their communications". A German Field radio station will be set up on Faulkner Green by Bletchley Park's German re enactment group. The Diplomatic Wireless Service Museum in Hut 1 will open for viewing. You can see original wireless and landline communications equipment as used at Bletchley Park during World War II. The wireless stations received and transmitted secret Bletchley Park ULTRA and diplomatic messages to our overseas outposts and bases. Bletchley Park is situated only 200 yards walk from Bletchley Rail Station with frequent services to Euston, Birmingham and Bedford and is just off the M1 Junction 13 or 14. The core heritage site covers 30 acres. It is open from 10.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For full details telephone 01908 640404 or visit the website http://www.bletchleypark.org.uk (Mike Barraclough, Aug World DX Club Contact via Alan Roe, DXLD) That Final Item: WHERE RECORD SPEEDS CAME FROM And finally this week, ever wonder why the first successful disk phonograph records ran at 78 revolutions per minute? Well, a posting to one of the audiofile remailers explains it this way. Up until the 1920's recordings were made at a variety of speeds from 75 rpm to 84 rpm, and sometimes outside this range. The minimum acceptable speed was governed by the quality of the sound from the innermost grooves of the record. By trial and error this speed was found to be around 78 to 80 rpm. The speed of records is based on the American electricity AC standard of 60 hertz. When engineers wanted to standardize the speed of recording equipment in the studios they started using synchronous electric motors. These are motors that are locked on to the 60 hertz power and run at precisely 3600 rpm. If you use simple gear ratios then 3600 divided by 46 is 78.26 rpm. And all other phonograph record speeds came from the same source as well. 3600 divided by 80 gave us the popular 45 rpm record that helped to make the rock and roll revolution. 3600 divided by 108 is responsible for the L-P 33 1/3 rpm record and divided by 216 made the somewhat rare 16 2/3 rpm disks. Of course most vinyl albums have been replaced by digital compact disks, but the history of grooved disks is an interesting one and now you know how it all came about (via: The Hi-Fi Remailer via August NRC DX Audio Service whazzup via DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ CUMBRE DX PROPAGATION REPORT Two short M class flares have been noted in the past week, one on each Jul 29 & 30. Conditions were fairly quiet for the first few days of the week; however a coronal hole windstream started to cause activity in the earth's geomagnetic field from around Jul 26. This has led to occasional active storm levels at high latitudes. This current activity is now declining and expected to finish in the next day or so. Conditions should then be fairly quiet before a possible increase in activity on Aug 7. A new sunspot area may be coming visible on the solar disk, preliminary indications are that it could be quite a complex region. Prepared using data from http://www.ips.gov.au (Richard Jary, SA, August 1, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ### end of DXLD 3-137 |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| end of DX LISTENING DIGEST AUGUST 2003 ARCHIVE
