DX LISTENING DIGEST 2-109, July 7, 2002 edited by Glenn Hauser, wghauser@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 afterwards at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd02.html For restrixions and searchable 2002 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 WORLD OF RADIO #1138: (DOWNLOAD) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1138.rm (STREAM) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1138.ram (SUMMARY) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1138.html (ONDEMAND ) http://www.wrn.org/ondemand/worldofradio.html WWCR BROADCASTS: Mon 0100 9475, Wed 0930 9475 RFPI BROADCASTS: Sun 0030, 0630, Wed 0100, 0700, on 7445-USB, 15038.6 ** AFGHANISTAN [non]. Hi Glenn, Can you supply me with the latest address [mail and e-mail] for Radio Afghanistan the one being relayed from Norway on 18940 kHz with a strong clear signal in Southern England. Best 73's (Nick Sharpe, UK, July 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Nick, Now that you mention it, I do not recall any addresses being reported, nor QSLs as yet. That is, of course, the official station in Kabul, but printed references from the last few years would have the Taliban station address, which may not be the same, or even if it is, might offend if not handled carefully. If addresses have been reported, they would be somewhere in the DXLD archives. Unfortunately, almost every issue has an AFGHANISTAN and/or AFGHANISTAN non entry, but you could try looking through them if you like. http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html 73, (Glenn to Nick, via DXLD) ** ANGOLA. Primeiros resultados com a nova antena K9AY, instalada na laje do prédio, 12 andares, onde moro agora, em Copacabana. Forma triangular, altura do mastro central 5 metros em PVC, base de 8 metros. Total cada loop cerca de 19 metros de fio. A caixinha é a mesma, da Wellbrook. Não posso usar o amplificador aqui: tenho vista ótica para a baía de Guanabara e Niterói aonde estão localizadas todas as antenas das locais. Condições muito favoráveis nos ultimos dias devido à forte atividade solar, que favorece normalmente a propagação E-W no inverno. 1484.54, 1940, Em. Prov do Kuanza-Sul, Angola. Programa evangélico Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus, sotaque de aqui, então produzido no Brasil ou com pastor brasileiro falando de lá. 1502, varios, 1950-2200, Em prov. de Benguela, Angola. Sinal forte mas modulação ruim. [He also reports with his new K9AY antenna a number of others from all over Africa, Europe, Middle East, as far as India 1566 and Taiwan 1557. `Varios` means several different dates; from late June to July 5 the other loggings were --- gh] (Rocco Cotroneo, AOR 7030+ Wellbrook K9AY, Rio de Janeiro, @tividade DX July 6 via DXLD) [Foreign gospel-huxters are taking over Argentine radio and TV, and causing great concern:] ** ARGENTINA. LA MÁQUINA TELERRELIGIOSA Con sólo 12 años en la Argentina, la Iglesia Universal del Reino de Dios, de origen brasileño, cuenta con más de 80 templos y es el culto que más creció en los últimos años. Su gran vehículo de llegada son los medios de comunicación. Aunque sus autoridades no lo admiten, sería propietaria de Radio Buenos Aires (AM 1350), lo que violaría la ley de radiodifusión. Crecen sus espacios en la TV abierta y en varias radioemisoras importantes El padre Guillermo Marcó, vocero de prensa del cardenal Jorge Bergoglio, dijo que las Iglesias históricas no están en favor de los telepastores En medio de la desesperanza, la perplejidad, el derrumbe de todas las certezas y la crisis como único escenario palpable, la búsqueda de contención espiritual crece en la gente, abriendo paso a la irrupción de alternativas religiosas, que no siempre responden a la permanente necesidad humana de conectar con algo que trascienda y sea más perdurable que nuestra propia finitud. Se le atribuye al escritor Aldous Huxley, autor de Un mundo feliz, esta reflexión: "La eficacia de una propaganda política o religiosa depende, esencialmente, de los métodos empleados. En condiciones favorables, prácticamente todo el mundo puede ser convertido a lo que sea". Desde que desembarcó en Buenos Aires, en vuelo directo desde Río de Janeiro, Brasil, convertido en "una entidad religiosa por resolución 53, del 4 de abril de 1990", según datos del Registro Nacional de Cultos, de la Cancillería, la Iglesia Universal del Reino de Dios (IURD) no ha detenido ni por un instante su expansión en la vida cultural ni en los medios masivos de comunicación argentinos. Sus ofertas más recientes, de las que LA NACION supo por fuentes oficiales inobjetables, así como por palabras de los propios interesados, fueron para comprar radio Rivadavia, de Luis Cetrá (en convocatoria de acreedores); el canal de aire América 2, de Carlos Avila (en igual situación jurídica), y una de las nueve emisoras AM y su correspondiente FM en manos del grupo mexicano CIE, que las explota sin aprobación del Comité Federal de Radiodifusión (Comfer). Aunque no confirmada, una versión apunta a la ex radio Splendid. La ofensiva pastoral de compra de medios locales se suma a una cuarta iniciativa que la IURD ha puesto en marcha: recuperar la FM que corresponde a Radio Buenos Aires (AM 1350), su radio insignia desde la que emite 24 horas de programación religiosa. Se trata de FM Millenium, de Santiago Pont Lezica, la más escuchada en frecuencia modulada y una de las radios más premiadas en el exterior. La ley de radiodifusión vigente impide a un culto extranjero ser dueño de un medio de comunicación en la Argentina. El proyecto de ley que procura proteger a los medios locales de quedar en manos extranjeras, en tratamiento en el Congreso de la Nación, vendría a fortalecer esa postura legal. Sin embargo, la IURD opera a través de socios o productoras locales, lo cual neutraliza los efectos de la norma vigente. Además, en la ley de radiodifusión vigente, dictada en tiempos de la dictadura militar, no se contempla expresamente la facultad del Comfer de investigar el origen societario de los titulares de medios hasta dar con la nacionalidad de la sociedad matriz. Sin control, todo vale Al principio, el crecimiento de la Iglesia Universal fue paulatino. Producciones radiales diseminadas en distintas emisoras locales, sin control alguno por parte del Comfer, hasta que dieron el golpe maestro, el 14 de septiembre de 1999, con la compra de radio Buenos Aires (AM 1350). Por la compra de las acciones de Luis Fernando Herrera, socio mayoritario, Jorge Civit y Aníbal Piaggio en Radiodifusora Esmeralda, titular de radio Buenos Aires, Ricardo Cis, representante de la IURD en la Argentina, pagó US$ 15 millones, según consta en el expediente 534 del Comfer, al que LA NACION tuvo acceso. En ese trámite, iniciado el 20 de marzo de 2000, Cis pidió que se aprobara la transferencia de acciones a su nombre, acompañando como toda justificación patrimonial una declaración de datos personales, de la que surge que nació en Bahía Blanca, vivió en Río de Janeiro y trabajó en comunicación visual en Brasil. Su estado patrimonial al momento de denunciar la compra por US$ 15 millones, era de $ 28.834,46 netos. Pero, posteriormente, denunció ante la AFIP que tenía en el país $ 8.173.559,05, lo que no le alcanzó para justificar una compra por casi el doble y en dólares. Aunque la IURD no admite públicamente que la AM 1350 les pertenece, apenas uno se comunica telefónicamente con su sede, en Lavalle 940, de esta ciudad, el contestador automático da tres opciones: dejar el nombre para el libro de oraciones, conectar con la radio o pasar por la librería. La radio no es otra que la AM 1350. Además de esta emisora, la Iglesia Universal tiene contratados espacios que van de la medianoche hasta el alba del día siguiente en las radios El Mundo, Splendid, Libertad y Rivadavia, así como sus respectivas ondas FM. En el caso de Rivadavia, los pastores se han instalado en la ex FM Uno, reconvertida en FM Alfa, un formato idéntico a Millenium, que emite 24 horas música y mensajes de este culto. Su presencia televisiva también fue creciendo sin pausa. Al segmento de la medianoche en Azul TV, se le sumó más tarde el horario de apertura y cierre de programación en América. Este año, alentados por el éxito mediático, le ofrecieron al empresario Carlos Avila, dueño de América, comprarle el canal de cable CVN, aunque posteriormente la operación no prosperó. Hasta el año último, las fuentes más conspicuas en el mercado de los medios señalaban que por todos los espacios en los medios, la IURD desembolsaba entre 500.000 y 700.000 dólares mensuales. Pero llegaron la devaluación, la pesificación y el corralito, aunque los pastores quedaron felizmente fuera de este último. Hoy, los valores que admiten algunos medios que los tienen como protagonistas son infinitamente inferiores. Por ejemplo, en América, fuentes de la gerencia comercial señalan que por los horarios de apertura y cierre de programación pagan hoy 25.000 pesos mensuales. Otras fuentes inobjetables señalan que la cifra rondaría los 100.000. En Radio Rivadavia Jorge Tassara señaló que la cifra que pagan por la FM y el segmento nocturno en la AM es de 30.000 pesos mensuales. Otros guarismos, suministrados por fuentes irreprochables, elevan el monto del contrato a 70.000, aunque "el año último era de 120.000 dólares". Mariana Fioroni, hija de Carlos Fioroni, director de El Mundo (adquirida por Gustavo Yankelevich, Constancio Vigil hijo y Víctor González), se rehusó a brindar cifras con el argumento de que "son datos confidenciales". Sin embargo, fuentes de la emisora indicaron que, el año último, los pastores desembolsaban entre 40.000 y 50.000 dólares mensuales por el horario nocturno. En esta radio, la IURD consiguió extender su presencia hasta las 7 de la mañana, cuando a la periodista Carolina Perín, que conducía el ciclo Amanece que no es poco, le restaron el amanecer y la Iglesia ganó una hora más. El informante dijo a LA NACION que la decisión de Fioroni obedeció a que "la Iglesia Universal es conocida por pagar al contado y con billetes chicos". Tampoco en Azul TV quisieron dar cifras, pero los valores hasta el año último rondaban los 80.000 dólares. Palabras de vida y Pare de sufrir son las propuestas televisivas de este culto en la televisión argentina. Todas las fuentes coinciden en señalar que la Iglesia Universal "siempre paga una parte de sus coproducciones o alquileres en negro". Lo que salta, de inmediato, cuando se procura obtener información sobre la IURD, es la reticencia de los interlocutores y los obstáculos por sortear. Aun en las esferas gubernamentales, la desconfianza dilata la obtención de datos. El año último, cuando el Comfer, a cargo por entonces de Gustavo López, llegó a la conclusión de que Ricardo Cis, quien admitió en el programa Telenoche investiga (Canal 13) "ser el representante en la Argentina" de la IURD, no podía justificar su capacidad patrimonial por la compra de AM 1350, le negó la transferencia de acciones. Pero cometió un error jurídico: tal decisión le correspondía al presidente de la Nación. Civit y Cis, hoy, respectivamente, presidente y vicepresidente de Radiodifusora Esmeralda (aunque a Cis no se le aprobó aún su ingreso en esa sociedad) reclamaron la derogación de la resolución del Comfer y la obtuvieron. Desde entonces, Cis ha procurado probar en el expediente su capacidad patrimonial para que se le apruebe esa transferencia de acciones. En ese expediente abundan los contratos de compraventa, de cesiones de acciones en sociedades off shore, celebrados en Uruguay. En todos ellos siempre aparecen compradores o cedentes de sugestivos apellidos brasileños. Aun así, con todos esos esfuerzos por acreditar solvencia y el origen del dinero, que de cualquier modo en el expediente sigue quedando confuso, Cis logra acreditar un patrimonio de $ 6.986.921. A pesar de que el expediente registró movimientos hasta comienzos de este año, al momento de la consulta de LA NACION hace un par de semanas, el expediente estaba curiosamente archivado. Y el Comfer, sin mover una foja. Tampoco fue sencilla la búsqueda en la Secretaría de Culto, de la Cancillería, hoy a cargo de Esteban Caselli, ex embajador ante el Vaticano durante la gestión de Carlos Menem. El director del Registro Nacional de Cultos, doctor José Cardozo, fue muy cauteloso al brindar información sobre la IURD. Al final del diálogo le preguntó a la cronista: "¿Usted cómo lo ve? ¿Le pareció objetivo?" Cardozo aclaró luego que estaba impedido de emitir algún juicio de valor sobre ninguna entidad religiosa. Señaló que, luego del programa emitido por Telenoche investiga, la Secretaría de Culto inició un expediente de oficio, en el que se le pidió a Canal 13 "el envío de los elementos probatorios, pero no los mandó, que yo recuerde. La Iglesia Universal inició otro expediente, denunciando la existencia de una campaña difamatoria en su contra por parte de Telenoche investiga". Marcelo Gómez Sin embargo, Miriam Lewin, actualmente a cargo del equipo de ese programa televisivo, dijo que no existía ninguna causa judicial contra el ciclo. "Recuerdo que se reactivó un expediente en los Tribunales de Neuquén, según nos informó un periodista de allá, a causa de nuestra investigación", dijo. En esa emisión, Cis señalaba sin pudor (registrado por una cámara oculta) que la religión, entendida en los términos de la IURD, "hoy es lo único que funciona, es el único producto que paga, que da de comer y que se consume". ¿En qué estado están los expedientes de la Secretaría de Culto?, se le preguntó al director Cardozo. "A nosotros nos pidieron fotocopias de la investigación desde la Fiscalía Nacional de Instrucción Penal Nº 41, a cargo del doctor Jorge Sacco. En febrero de este año mandamos la documentación, pero no tenemos nada concreto. Después aparecieron otros particulares, algunos sumando críticas contra la IURD y otros, sus adhesiones", dijo. Cardozo agregó que "hasta tanto no se expida la justicia no podemos tomar una decisión. En su expediente, la Iglesia Universal pide que se acredite todo su trabajo social. En esta dirección no tenemos ningún elemento para probar algo categórico contra ella". Cardozo puso de relieve que, a menos que haya una sentencia condenatoria firme, no se le puede retirar a una entidad religiosa su habilitación para funcionar en la Argentina. Eso podría ocurrir sólo en el caso de que "le comprobaran actos atentatorios contra la seguridad o la salud pública, o contra derechos de terceros, o bien que afectaran a otra entidad religiosa, o contra la moral y las buenas costumbres", señaló. La IURD tiene incluso personería jurídica para funcionar como una sociedad comercial en la Argentina. Efectos y azares Con apenas 12 años en la Argentina, la Iglesia Universal cuenta con más de 80 templos. Está en 46 países, incluidos los limítrofes, y es el culto que más creció en los últimos 20 años. Según diversas fuentes, entre septiembre de 2000 y agosto de 2001, hizo movimientos bancarios por $ 5.878.931 y adquirió inmuebles por $ 2.350.000. Tienen en Brasil una sede con capacidad para 14.000 personas, que está valuada en US$ 16 millones. Y, cuando organizan campañas, pueden llenar tanto el estadio Maracaná, en Río de Janeiro, como la cancha de River, en Buenos Aires. Sus máximas autoridades en nuestro país son los obispos Franklin y Paulo Roberto, antes destinado en Portugal, Estados Unidos e Israel, donde solía disfrutar momentos de solaz en máquinas tragamonedas, según un video emitido por la poderosa cadena Globo, que mantiene un feroz enfrentamiento con la IURD en Brasil. En la Argentina, ¿cómo se controla lo que ingresa por donaciones? ¿quién vela por la salud mental de los concurrentes a los distintos cultos religiosos? En suma, ¿quién se encarga de hacer cumplir las leyes vinculadas con el funcionamiento de las entidades religiosas? La preocupación tanto de la Iglesia Católica como de varios comunicadores cristianos y de médicos psicoanalistas está latente. El año último, cuando LA NACION comenzó esta investigación periodística, el padre Guillermo Marcó, vocero de prensa del cardenal Jorge Bergoglio, dijo: "Las Iglesias históricas no están en favor de los telepastores. Hay que ser muy cuidadosos a la hora de manejar las emociones de la gente. Dios no obra de ese modo. Nadie puede garantizar salud ni milagros automáticos. Sobre todo, en estas religiones, donde no está claro el compromiso de la persona". Y, hace unos días, el sacerdote reflexionó: "La Iglesia Católica observa con preocupación que hay una suerte de facilismo en el mensaje de este culto, que no es protestante tradicional ni evangélico. Su fuerte es la recaudación que ofrece la salvación a precio de liquidación y apuntando a la angustia, a la desesperación de la gente, sin otra exigencia que la del diezmo. La exigencia está centrada en el tema económico". El experto en sectas, Alfredo Silleta, cuenta que "en España y Francia, la IURD tuvo un tratamiento muy duro, porque en esos países se castiga a los cultos que manipulan el cerebro de la gente. La IURD está entre las 100 sectas más peligrosas del mundo". En la página web http://www.sectas.org.ar de Silleta hay una interesante investigación lrealizada por El Mundo TV, el canal del periódico homónimo, que detectó que la IURD se encuentra detrás de una "secta llamada la Oración Fuerte al Espíritu Santo", legalizada en España en 1995. Un año más tarde, en la Argentina, "la Secretaría de Culto frenó la apertura de seis nuevos templos en la Argentina a causa de un escándalo desatado en Brasil, cuando un video de Globo mostró al pastor Sergio von Helder destrozando una imagen de la virgen Nuestra Señora de la Aparecida". Silleta explicó a LA NACION que "en la IURD, las reuniones duran dos horas. La mitad del tiempo está dedicado a la Biblia y la otra mitad, a recaudar coercitivamente dinero. Por ejemplo, se le dice a la gente que si quiere salir de la miseria, o conseguir trabajo, o sanarse de una enfermedad, tiene que aportar su diezmo". Manipulación Para el psicoanalista y especialista en discurso religioso, Enrique Stola, "lo interesante de la IURD es ver cómo se produce la manipulación de las personas". Este médico atendió como pacientes a varios fieles de la Iglesia Universal que decidieron salir de ese culto. "En una ocasión vino a verme una persona a quien le habían robado. El pastor le decía que le había ocurrido porque no estaba dando el diezmo y le ocultaba a Dios lo que ganaba. El hombre sintió que no lo querían y que sólo querían su dinero. Esto agudizó su depresión. Otros dejaron la IURD cuando sintieron que ya no los podían contener". Según Stola, el común denominador entre los fieles de la Iglesia Universal es ser de nivel socioeconómico humilde, con un bajo grado de instrucción educativa y caracterizados por una profunda soledad. No se insertan en redes sociales y son personas muy cercanas a la anomia. Esto significa que no pueden identificarse socialmente." La crítica de Stola se asienta en que "el discurso de este culto pivotea sobre el miedo. Si no se cumple con el diezmo se le dice a la gente que le sobrevendrán la desgracia y el demonio. Se le ordena no confiar en nadie más que en el pastor, y eso facilita la manipulación y la pérdida de libertad. "El tema de la IURD -agrega el especialista- no es religioso, porque cada uno es libre de creer lo que quiera y no está en juego la creencia. Es un tema político, de salud mental y de derechos humanos. Por esa máscara religiosa, algunos se hacen los distraídos y otros no se meten por falta de información. Es un asunto grave y hay una responsabilidad política del secretario de Culto, cuya palabra ayudaría a que se investigue. Que un funcionario se calle la boca es sospechoso, sobre todo, porque esta Iglesia tiene mucho poder económico". Santiago Pont Lezica presentó el mes último una denuncia en el Comfer, a causa de "manifestaciones verbales de los titulares de Radiodifusora Esmeralda (la IURD) de interrumpir las transmisiones de FM Millenium en forma totalmente inconsulta y arbitraria". Consultado sobre el asunto, el empresario señaló que "de seguir la presión de los pastores para tener más espacios de programación, FM Millenium deberá mudar de frecuencia en un futuro, dejando la actual 106.3 Mhz, la que pasaría a integrarse a la programación de la Iglesia Universal". Quizás al tanto de la situación, el senador Jorge Busti presentó en abril último un proyecto dirigido al Comfer para que informe sobre las actuaciones existentes en el organismo respecto de la "fuerte presencia de la IURD en numerosos medios de radio y televisión argentinos", así como si "se ha evaluado la dimensionada presencia" de ese culto en el país, entre otros puntos. Cuando LA NACION inició la recopilación de datos para esta investigación, a mediados del año último, Luis Herrera, vendedor de las acciones de Radiodifusora Esmeralda a Ricardo Cis, dijo: "Yo le vendí a este señor Cis, que no es conocido como empresario en los medios. Es un hombre común que trabajó en la radio en Brasil, tenía espacios religiosos. Yo le vendí en US$ 15 millones, incluido el edificio (donde la IURD ya construyó sus estudios para FM Alfa). Pagó con plata religiosamente. No tenía por qué desconfiar. Fue pago contra entrega". También sorprendido por la consulta inesperada, en aquella oportunidad, Jorge Civit agregó: "No sé cuál es el origen de los fondos con los que compró Cis. Creo que son recursos genuinos". El dueño del Bingo Lavalle mira, por estos días, con desasosiego el templo de la IURD. Según fuentes inobjetables, hace unas semanas comentaba: "Si yo hubiera sabido que por cada acto religioso podía sacar entre $ 18.000 y $ 20.000, te aseguro que no ponía el bingo". Como alerta, el escritor Sam Keen, en su libro Himnos a un Dios desconocido, dice: "Una cosa es permanecer abierto y maravillado ante el verdadero misterio, y otra muy distinta, renunciar a nuestra racionalidad y aceptar las mistificaciones religiosas de la secta y de la tribu. La mejor esperanza que tenemos de crear un futuro cuerdo provendrá del hábito renovado de hablar entre nosotros esas cosas que nunca pueden decirse del todo". Por Susana Reinoso, De la Redacción de LA NACION http://www.lanacion.com.ar/suples/enfoques/0224/nota.asp?pag=p02.htm [but the article linked is not the same one as above --- gh] (via Arnaldo Slaen, Conexión Digital via DXLD) Estimado Henrik: En la revista 3 puntos que se edita aquí en la Argentina, hay un informe sobre la IURD, son más de 10 páginas de investigación las que trataré de transcribir. En su página de internet http://www.3puntos.com se reproduce parcialmente el artículo. Cordiales 73s (Nicolás Eramo, ibid.) ** ARGENTINA/BRAZIL. Correction to my earlier post [COLOMBIA]: R. Nacional, Argentina is actually on reasonably stable 6059.94 kHz. I mistakenly assumed from memory that the unid on 6060.84v was Argentina. The unid station on 6060.84v is possibly R. Tupi, oscillating approx +/- 16 Hz every 2 minutes or so (Brandon Jordan - Memphis TN - Icom R75 - Palstar R30C - Quantum QX Pro - Wellbrook ALA 330 hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. The Coast Radio Melbourne website has been updated. For information about Victoria's new maritime coast station and other coast radio stations around Australia, click to http://coastradiomelbourne.cjb.net Feedback is appreciated and when there, why not take our webpoll! Rgs, Monitoring Services (via Mike Terry, July 6, DXLD) The page claims: ``Coast Radio Monitors VHF Channel 16, 4125 kHz, 6125 kHz & 8291 kHz``. I should be very surprised if 6125 be used for maritime communications, within the 49m ISWBC band; tho possibly in daytime only, as one sometimes hears such anomalous 2-way even in the USA. Do they mean 6215??? Yes, another page, Frequencies to Monitor, does show 6215 for ``Ocean Grove has been selected for the new HF transmitting and receiving station`` (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRIA [non]. Checking out the 17920 Sackville mixing product, Sunday July 7 at 1550, not heard here, but its computed co-instigator, 17860 had something in Russian with a low het mixing with Austria in English, which faded up to dominate by 1557 closing. So what`s the Russian and why is it blocking Austria in its target area? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) see also CANADA ** BHUTAN. Bhutan Broadcasting Service Corpn, 6035, full data QSL card via snail mail. With a personal letter for the delay in reply. V/S: Dorji Wangchuk, station engineer. The QSL describes "This card is printed on traditional Bhutanese handmade paper. The paper is made from daphne plant which is widely found in Bhutan". The QSL card, covering letter and envelope are made by the same paper (Swopan Chakroborty, Kolkata, India, July 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. Radio Fides continues to expand its nationwide network. This historic network, operated by the Jesuits out of La Paz, is one of the most respected stations in Bolivia and Latin America. New transmitters are found in Copacabana, Riberalta, Tupiza, and Punata, but no frequencies are given, not even at the Radio Fides website. Their website has been completely redone and has a new address: http://www.fidesbolivia.com/ While you are there, you can listen to the standard Radio Fides network online, or to its La Paz FM geared to the young, Laser 98. National Network/Cadena Nacional: Radio Fides: La Paz CP29 760 AM, CP72 4845 khz, CP12 6155 khz y CP-- 9625 khz y 101.5 FM; Cobija, FM; Cochabamba 95.1 FM, Oruro 89.1 FM, Potosí CP82 1300 AM y 88.9 FM, Tarija 88.9 FM, Trinidad 98.3 FM, Yacuiba 97.1 FM; Copacabana, Riberalta, Tupiza, Punata—new; frecuencias desconocidas. [another station with SW:] San José: CP172 Radio San José 1490 AM (1,000 wats) & 5580 kHz (250 wats). Congregación Oblatos de San José. Plaza Principal. Oeste Wames. Casilla 15. San José de Chiquitos, Santa Cruz. Sr. Fabian Eugez Franco, director. AM 7 am-8 pm; OC 7 am-1 pm y 7 pm-10 pm (Mike Dorner, Catholic Radio Update July 8 via DXLD July 6) ** BRAZIL. De acordo com Luiz Octávio de Mello Pena, apresentador do programa Caixa Postal Zero a Zero, a Rádio Inconfidência, de Belo Horizonte(MG), está "em época de crescimento". A emissora adquiriu novo transmissor. Tem sido captada, com bom sinal, no Sul do Brasil, na freqüência de 6010 kHz, após às 2330 (Célio Romais, @tividade DX July 6 via DXLD) ** BRASIL. A Rádio Nacional, de São Gabriel da Cachoeira(AM), opera em 3375 kHz das 0900 às 0200. É uma emissora da Radiobrás, da qual retransmite os noticiários. Na programação, muita música, informação e prestação de serviço, voltados para a Amazônia. Destaque para o programa da Federação das Organizações Indígenas do Rio Negro, feito pelos próprios índios. Esse pequeno perfil da emissora foi elaborado pelo radioescuta Paulo Roberto e Souza, que reside em Tefé(AM). Ele acrescenta: "É bom lembrar que o Alto Rio Negro, onde está localizada São Gabriel da Cachoeira, tem uma das maiores concentrações de povos indígenas no Estado do Amazonas." (Célio Romais, @tividade DX July 6 via DXLD) ** BRASIL. A Rádio Novas de Paz, de Curitiba(PR), firmou acordo com a Livraria Estrela da Manhã, com o objetivo de disponibilizar a venda de receptores de ondas curtas a seus ouvintes. Podem ser adquiridos dois receptores robustos, da marca Motobrás, ao preço de 150 e 160 reais. Mais informações podem ser obtidas pelo telefone: 0 xx 41 257.5488, com Luciana. A Novas de Paz emite em 6080, 9515 e 11725 kHz (Célio Romais, @tividade DX July 6 via DXLD) ** BRASIL. A Rádio Anhangüera, de Araguaína(TO), permanece como afiliada da Rede Sonzoon Sat. Foi sintonizada, em Porto Alegre(RS), em 23 de junho, às 2234, na freqüência de 4905 kHz, com transmissão das festas juninas da cidade pernambucana de Caruaru. Recentemente, a emissora havia sido ouvida com programação feita em Araguaína (Célio Romais, @tividade DX July 6 via DXLD) ** CANADA. Hi Glenn- Regarding the mixing product I'm hearing on 17920, you are absolutely correct about it being CBC 1 on 9625. I was unable to get any audio this weekend (July 6 or 7) on 17920, but did hear a CBC 1 ID at 1500. Also heard the 17800 freq you mentioned. I guess that will teach me to write presumed or tentative on the English broadcasts I hear, like I do for the foreign language ones in which I don't hear an ID! 73s- (John Sgrulletta, Mahopac, NY, DX LISTENING DIGEST) see also AUSTRIA non ** CHINA BANS COUNTY-LEVEL TV PROGRAMMES IN BID TO STRENGTHEN MEDIA CONTROL | Text of report by Fong Tak-Ho and Loretta Leung, published by Hong Kong newspaper South China Morning Post (Business Post supplement) on 6 July Beijing has banned all county-level television stations from broadcasting their own programmes in an apparent bid to strengthen its control over the media in the run-up to the 16th Communist Party Congress, scheduled for this autumn. The move follows three successful attempts by the banned Falun Gong sect to hack into local television broadcasts. The policy took effect on Monday [1 July]. It stipulates that all county government-run stations can only broadcast their own programmes through newly established channels run by the provincial governments, said senior media official Li Bin, who works for the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, which oversees broadcasting policy. County television stations must use China Central Television (CCTV) channels, or other channels run by provincial or municipal bodies. Pan Huiming, vice-president of Southern Television - a provincial- level cable TV broadcaster - said the move was a part of the government's bid to put all county television stations under provincial broadcasters. "The county television stations must change their roles from operators to content providers," Mr Pan said. The policy comes during the countdown to the 16th Party Congress, when a central leadership reshuffle is expected to take place. It also comes in the wake of a spate of broadcasting blunders at county-run channels. Since January, the Falun Gong has successfully hacked into three local cable TV stations and broadcast footage promoting the banned spiritual movement in Chongqing, Jilin and Heilongjiang. Source: South China Morning Post (Business Post supplement), Hong Kong, in English 6 Jul 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** COLOMBIA. La Voz de su Conciencia coming in well on 6064.54 kHz at 0800 7/5 with SP talk and vocals. Per email from Russ Stendel, rms05001@neutel.com.co they will be off the air for the next few days or weeks as adjustments are made to the transmitter and licenses formalized for operation on probable 6060 kHz. They have held off on making QSL cards and pennants until the frequency assignment is finalized, although both will be available soon. He also asked if I had time recommendations for their English broadcasts, and I advised of Radio Nacional Argentina on 6060.1v [but see ARGENTINA/BRAZIL] until listed 0300 and suggested he may want to wait until after the sign-off (Brandon Jordan - Memphis TN - bjordan@nachash.com Icom R75 - Palstar R30C - Quantum QX Pro - Wellbrook ALA 330 July 5, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** COSTA RICA. RFPI goal for next month is to move the antenna for 7445 from the 100 foot tower over to the 200 foot tower, when funds to do this become available. At that time, 7445 can be switched from USB to AM; the transmitter is ready to make this change. 21815-USB had a tube failure so is off the air; was producing very low power from the very old tube; reception reports were drying up; sunspot decline is affecting 21815 more, so not getting much out of it. Needs new tube costing about $500, and not available in CR, to revive transmitter at 3 kW, SSB, and in next year or two, probably move to a lower frequency, such as 17 MHz range. Both remaining frequencies are `twins` now operating at same hours, 2200-0800. Turning on 7445 a bit earlier to favor Europe, where is heard from at least 2300, and very strong by 0000. 7445 is currently running full power, producing a good signal. Tim Hendel, traveling in the NW USA finds 15040 putting in a very usable signal there as it does in the SE (RFPI Mailbag July 6, notes by gh for DXLD) ** ECUADOR. HCJB has found some QSL cards from the 35th anniversary of HCJB in 1966, and they are available to those who request them when sending reception reports. One photo on the card depicts an engineer from the early days of HCJB with a crystal radio, which HCJB made available in Ecuador in the early 1930s so that people could hear the station. Another photo shows a 1966 transistor radio assembly line. Just ask for the 1966-C QSL card, but supplies of these cards are limited, so you should request one soon. The current 2002-D card is also available. Reports may be sent to Allen Graham dxpl@hcjb.org.ec or at: DX Partyline ** HCJB ** Casilla 17-17-691 ** Quito ** Ecuador (DX Partyline July 6, notes by Marie Lamb for W9WZE site via DXLD) ** ESTONIA [and non]. Here is a page about radio jamming by the USSR http://www.okupatsioon.ee/english/mailbox/radio/radio.html (James Welsh, July 7, BDXC-UK via DXLD) Long text, plus antenna diagrams, forbidden photos of transmitters (gh, DXLD) ** GUAM. UT Fri July 5 before and after 1400, K57 streaming featured only the raucous background noise, no Jim Bohannon Show as had previously been heard. Further chex are needed, but it may well be that station has been ordered to turn it off during this show, possibly as a result of the publicity from us. At another time of day, we found it working, and also UT Sat July 6 around 1400 when some other show was on. We merely wanted to availablize a good program to more listeners and this is the thanks we get? BTW, the station is really KGUM on 567 kHz, so why don`t they call it `K567`, `K-Guam`, or even --- wait for it --- KGUM??? This also raises the disturbing question of whether we should *not* publicize such finds (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDONESIA. NOT monitored anymore in the Philippines: v3105 RSDPT2 Halmahera Tangha. 3214.8 RRI Manado 3395.8 RRI Tanjung Karang 3905 RRI Merauke 3987.1 RRI Manokwari 4003.2 RRI Padang 4606.3 RRI Seuri 4777.1 RRI Jakarta 4789.1 RRI Fak Fak v6070 RRI Jayapura 6154.2 RRI Biak 7171.3 RRI Seuri 9680 RRI Jakarta (Roland Schulze Mangaldan, Philippines, June 24, [P-mail to] BC-DX July 8 via DXLD July 7) ** JORDAN. R. Jordan spurs. R Jordan in Arabisch am 1.7. von mir gehoert zwischen 1850 und 1915 UT auf 10000 kHz \\ 9830 mit "Zuhoerer am Telefon"-px und guter Qualitaet (0=3/4). (Herbert Meixner, Austria, July 2, BC-DX via DXLD) Jordan R heard again on 10 MHz even !! Should also be on air on 9660 too ?? I have noted the 10 MHz freq being reported lately - and have heard it myself in the past. I guess it's symmetrical spurs which this station often radiates. I also noted that 11960 and 11810 were not on air during their morning transmission until c0715 s-off recently, but both have now returned. I haven`t checked to see if 11690 is back on (Noel R. Green-UK, July 3, BC-DX via DXLD) ** KOREA SOUTH [and non]. R. Korea International, Seoul, has advised that it has made some schedule changes for its English transmissions. The service from 0200-0300 to China on 7275, and to SAm on 11725 and 11810 have been cancelled. This broadcast is now carried only on 9560 to NAm, via the Sackville relay, and to NAm on 15575, direct from SK. The morning transmission to Europe at 0800-0900 is now on the additional frequency of 7550, in \\ with 13670, and on 9570 omni- directional. The evening service to Europe from the Skelton-UK relay station has been retimed, and is now available one hour earlier from 2130-2200 on 3955, instead of 2200-2230 (EDXP July 4 via BC-DX via DXLD) GVG is on RKI MWF this week as well as last (gh, DXLD) ** LATVIA. See UK [non] ** LUXEMBOURG. Some further research revealed now that both shortwave outlets from Luxembourg (6090 as well as 15350) were closed down by the end of 1994, not 1993 as my memory suggested without being contradicted previously. I found a couple of loggings for 15350 from 1994 (carrying RTL Radio German then), and Wolfgang researched his archive. By the way, the source of this item is pure nostalgia, too: Radioropa is history as the "Radiotreff" programme (until 1994 "DX- Report") is (Kai Ludwig, July 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) That's nonsense to allocate adjacent SW frequencies to two neighbouring and powerful stations for non-directional transmissions. Another such nonsense - RUI 6020 and R. Budapest 6025. Unfortunately, the second RTL freq 15350 kHz is occupied by TRT almost all the day. (Alex. Yegorov, Ukraine, BC-DX July 3 via DXLD) I guess the 15 MHz antenna towards Quebec Canada was scrapped in 1995. According to Ludo Maes list, the 50 kW CSF transmitter scrapped in 1975, and replaced by a 10 kW RIZ Croatia unit (Wolfgang Büschel, ibid.) Re Luxembourg 6090 - this one was always a very strong signal here [at Blackpool, UK], but suffered very badly from fading and distortion. And there was always some splash from 6085 - especially at night time. Possibly this was due to the type of antenna used. We SWL's might listen, but I don't think anyone used to hearing FM will like it! And similarly 1440 - it was (still is!) certainly a stronger signal here in northern UK than LW via domestic receivers, but quality of audio suffered due to skywave propagation, and the station could no longer reliably reach the UK in daytime all year round, so the popular Sunday afternoon transmissions were dropped. The 15350 channel was not always audible - there was QRM, but also propagation into the UK was not reliable. [15 MHz signal towards CAN skipped over their heads, ed.] As the 6090 transmitters are two sesquidecades old, maybe the cost of operating and maintaining them will prove too much? But perhaps - as has been hinted - they ultimately have DRM in mind from new or converted equipment? (Noel R. Green, UK, BC-DX Jul 6, via DXLD) Just a further one, concentrating on R Luxemburg (i.e. the German program), here is the page with audio: http://www.radiochronik.de/rtl/oton.htm Especially nice for me was http://www.radiochronik.de/rtl/news.ram I still had the drop they inserted between the news literally in my ears! Well, four or six of the Wertachtal transmitters are as old as the 6090 ones; they are of the same Telefunken design, just 500 instead of 250 kW models. But I am somewhat sceptical about the reported idea to modify these old transmitters for DRM operations (Kai Ludwig-D, BC-DX July 6 via DXLD) http://www.bce.lu/services/bc/radio/ Or look to other 'Radio Luxembourg' pages in the Yahoo or Google options. I think there are some pictures and explanations. The SW unit is 2 x 250 kW Telefunken unit, the old 15 MHz 50 Kilowatt unit towards Quebec-Canada, went to scrap some decade ago (wb July 3, ibid.) According to information from technical director Eugene Muller, Broadcasting Center Europe S.A. plans to reactivate 6090 kHz for a one day propagation test. The 500 kW will be on the air throughout the day 0600-2100 UT in Germany. The company plans to go into digital bcing and considers rebuilding one of its SW txs for DRM. BCE is in charge of CLT-UFA radio txs in Luxembourg. These include the high-power AM txs in Beidweiler and Junglinster, the bc center in Marnach, FM txs in Hosingen as well as in Dudelange. With these long waves, medium waves and FM txs, BCE is able to offer broadcasting of radio programs in numerous European countries. BCE broadcasts the radio programs of RTL R Letzebuerg (first radio stn in Luxembourg with a market share of 75%), RTL R France (leader of the Fr radio sector), RTL Radio-die Groessten Oldies (German radio specialised in hits of the 60s, 70s and 80s), 100.7 Radio Socioculturelle (from Luxembourg), as well as a number of religious programs. BCE is currently developing into digital radio on long and medium waves. http://www.bce.lu/services/bc/ (Nico Scheer nico_scheer@bce.lu Head of Maintenance Transmitters Broadcasting Center Europe S.A. in an e-mail to Dr Hansjoerg Biener; see also http://www.DRM-Info.de 3.7.2002) (Dr. Hansjoerg Biener via WWDXC, July 3 via BC-DX via DXLD) I checked this morning, Jul 4th, and 6090, the frequency to be used by Luxembourg on Jul 10, was blocked by Anguilla to 1000*. They were there at 0730, and I see that PWBR has them as using the freq at 2200- 1000. If that is correct, query whether Luxembourg, even with 500 kW, will be heard at its scheduled start at 0600. Conceivably they might be heard before their scheduled close at 2200, but that would be early for 49 mb. at this time of year. This afternoon (Jul 4) at 2217, Dr. Gene was already holding forth on 6090; the freq was clear an hour earlier, but there were few signals on the band (Jerry Berg, MA, DXplorer Jul 4 via BC-DX via DXLD) I have this note in a general history file: "The 2 x 250 kW txer on 6090 was on the air in December 1970. Closed down 31/12 1994." The closure date is also confirmed by DX magazines in early 1995 (Olle Alm, Sweden, BC-DX Jul 6 via DXLD) ** MAURITANIA. Dear Glenn, Good day! With reference to the item in DXLD 2016 [correct], is it possible to get the full e mail address of Radio Mauritania (which was truncated by yahoogroups)? Thanks for your kind attention, 73s, Sincerely, (Harjot Singh Brar for GRDXC, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Samuel, O Harjot Singh Brar quer saber o endereço-E que perdimos no yahoosite. Eu também... Pode ajudar? 73, (Glenn to Samuel Cássio via DXLD) OK Glenn, o endereço é: rm@mauritania.mr Um abraço (Samuel Cássio, Brasil, July 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MÔNACO. UTILITÁRIA. 22768 3AC - Monaco Radio, Monte Carlo - 22 dias Recebida carta QSL partial data (mencionando apenas escuta em 22768 kHz), dois belíssimos cartões postais e dois cartões com as freqüências e horários usados pela estação. V/S: ilegível. QTH: Monte Carlo Radio, 1 Chemin du Fort Antoine, BP 377 MC 98008 Monte Carlo, Mônaco. Obs: IR e carta em francês e enviado disquete com a gravação da escuta. Escuta de transmissão em radiotelefonia (USB). Site da emissora: http://www.monaco-telecom.mc e e-mail: monaco-telecom@m... [truncated by yahoogroups] (Rubens F. Pedroso, Bandeirantes-PR, @tividade DX July 6 via DXLD) One must ask, is the transmitter site for this one really inside Monaco? (gh, DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS. One time program of Theremin Radio from the USA. They will be relayed in Europe but will be aired on 15070 // and somewhere nearby or on 6290. Both in AM. QSLs will be forthcoming for accurate reception reports to PO Box 69m Elkhorn NE 68022 USA. It will be aired next week or this week starting around 2300 or 2230 this Saturday. A repeat also might be aired on this or next week, Sunday morning, firing up around 0700 UT on the same frequencies. When the transmissions start up there will be a message sent to the SW pirates group. Info below. Greetings from the SW pirates moderator And are you already a member? SW pirates group!!! Receive the latest SW-Pirates info Simply subscribe by sending a blanc email to: SWpirates-subscribe@egroups.com More info at: http://www.egroups.com/group/SWpirates (Alfa Lima International, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** SOMALILAND. Yesterday, July 2, heard R, Hargeisa on 7530 USB with news in English 1920-1930 UT. I heard the station until 2000 when it went off the air. Before 1900 there is no reception possible due to the continuous Chinese music on the same frequency (Erich Bergmann, Germany, BC-DX July 3 via DXLD) ** SOUTH CAROLINA. Almost 1515 UT July 6. I called the courthouse on July 3. They told me that nothing is scheduled in Brother Stair's case until late July. They didn't know anything about Sister Stair's e-mail (which I forwarded to you) in which she said there was to be a hearing later that day, I think it was July 2 or some such. Supposedly nothing happened on this case July 2. Don't know what Sister Stair was talking about. I am confused needless to say. But the courthouse seems to be kind enough to answer questions when I call. Now I'm even more confused. When I talked to the courthouse on July 3, the woman there knew nothing of any hearing July 2. But on July 3 Sister sent this message, which I just received now as I dispatched my message to you. Dunno what to say. (Robert Arthur, DX LISTENING DIGEST) === God bless you all today, in the name of Yahshua, is my prayer for you. The Lord is good... the Lord is good. Blessed is the man that puts his trust in HIM. The Lord is good... the Lord is good. Taste and see that, the Lord, He is good.... Taste and see that, the Lord, He is GOOD!!! Mighty is our God! Mighty is our King! Mighty is our Lord! He's Ruler of EV'RYTHING! His Name is Higher - Higher than any other Name. His Power is Greater, for He has created everything! There shall be no end to the increase of His Government, or of His Peace. When the Government shall be upon His Shoulders - then there shall be no end to the increase... WONDERFUL, COUNSELLOR! When the Government shall be upon His Shoulders - then there shall be no end to the increase! The Lord showed Himself STRONG yesterday in court. What a Great, Great GOD we serve. We are on the LORD's side... and we are just standing STILL, in awe of HIM, and seeing the Lord's SALVATION. Glory be to the King! Keep praying, Saints. The prayers of the saints are going straight up unto the mercy seat, NO DOUBT!!! The Magistrate dismissed two out of four charges yesterday during the hearing. Joenathan Chaplin and Matthias Chaplin (Brother Stair's lawyers) were truly anointed by our mighty God; the anointing breaks the yoke. Two yokes are gone! Halleluyah! The magistrate laughed at the other two charges when our lawyer presented the facts. He actually stated that the women involved sound like their confused... Let GOD be true and EVERY man a LIAR. God's Truth will prevail. It was SO evident in that small court hearing yesterday. Thank GOD!!! Rejoice in THE LORD, ALWAYS, And AGAIN, I say, REJOICE!!! He alone is worthy to be praised. Brother Stair is in jail still... I believe the end of his bondage is very near... Yet SEVEN DAYS. Oh Yes! And then the FLOOD will come...! God knows how to DELIVER His own. May we all be in the ARK, wherever that may be... In Yahshua. He is the ARK of Safety. He that dwelleth in the secret place of the MOST HIGH. You are my hiding place... YAHSHUA...! Oh, how He loves you and me! Write soon...pray for ME also, please. So much to carry on here without Brother Stair around...Pray also for the other brethren who are a tremendous help here with the radio broadcasting...Brother Peter, Brother Will. Brother Mark Hodges, Brother Jonathan, and Brother Chip. They are working diligently to keep the ministry reaching out under Brother Stair's directions. Thank GOD! May our MIGHTY GOD show HIS STRONG ARM ... SOON! In Yahshua's Name. It will be so. I love you with the pure love of God. God bless you and keep you, always. Don't give up, my Brother... THE END IS IN SIGHT. Sister Teresa Grace Stair (via Robert Arthur, DXLD) ** TIBET. Ohne Probleme war die Sendung ab 1630 UT in Englisch und ID auf 6110 am besten (0=2) und nicht berichtsreif auf \\ 4905, 4920 (0=1) zu hoeren. Auf 6130 aber um 1650 (nicht mehr En) noch besser mit 0=3. Wobei ich nun 'annehme' - zumindest haben Musik und Sprecher gleich geklungen - dass da die selbe Station taetig war ;-) Um 16.52 anscheinend s/off (Herbert Meixner, Austria, A-DX July 3 via BC-DX July 8 via DXLD) ** U A E. Surprised to find Dubai, Arabic at 0230 July 6 on *both* 15395 and 15400, better on the higher one (Joe Hanlon, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Reverse here, and with considerable flutter under the circumstances. Presumably the same for English an hour later, but both were poor by then (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) NOTE: Following items concern two entirely different stations using `Laser` in their name. I, for one, have always found this odd, extremely faddish, and inappropriate, since broadcast stations are extremely far from laser wavelengths. But what do they know? (gh) ** U K [non]. Laser Hot Hits: Traditional News now and Laser Hot Hits have shifted slightly LF to 9385 for their 31mb outlet. I expect reports have been received long distance. The 31m outlet makes 4 !! in //. 6220 7465 3970 9385 (Ken Baird, Unofficial Radio, July DSWCI E-SW News via DXLD) If that [what?] e-mail address does refer to the current Laser radio then yes, that station is an Irish pirate. If you want to take a listen it is currently operating on 9385.0, 7464.8 and 6218.85 at 0830 - that's as close as I can get to the exact frequencies. But, I think the mail refers to the old Laser pirate (aboard a ship), which used to operate at the low end of the MW band. I could be wrong - of course - but this seems most likely. (Noel R. Green, UK, BC-DX July 5/6 via DXLD) 558 kHz I think? See what the webpage at http://laserradio.net/ says. Not much so far, I will include the whole text [as below?], but it makes clear that this is indeed meant as a revival of the old offshore station. The Riga-Ulbroka site in general still exists as the recent R Caroline tests via both MW transmitters (or rather two of them, I found that Ulbroka once had a third MW outlet on 1071) proved, so it is very well possible that they also kept the Sneg SW rig since the R Caroline tests on 5935 a couple of years ago. The original announcement claims that "100,000 watts" will be used, so Ulbroka indeed would be the likely origin (Kai Ludwig, Germany, BC-DX Jul 6 via DXLD) ** U K [non]. RADIO CAROLINE MUSICAL TRIBUTE KICKS OFF TEST TRANSMISSIONS FROM LASER The Laser Radio group is experimenting with high-powered shortwave transmissions beamed into the UK and Europe. An hour-by-hour cross-country analysis of signal strength and viability commences on Sunday (July 7th) between 1400 and 2200 UT on 5935 kHz, with actual programming starting in a few Sundays time, subject to the results of two week's test transmissions. This week's tests are intended to include music from a number of different styles, and to spice things up rare jingles from Caroline and RNI will feature alongside short extracts of offshore programming. This is to set the tone for the future broadcasts. When regular operations commence, the plan is to provide a full 'anorak' service for 'radio and technology enthusiasts who love good music'. A spokesman said, "We are not about being the same as everybody else. When Laser first appeared in the 80s it kicked butt by being different and making people stop to catch their breath. In this new millennium, we will again dare to be different. We have attitude. Not only will we champion and campaign the cause of technological cross-boundary freedom, but we will not stand idly by when things are obviously wrong. So many radio stations are just boring and complacent, toeing the party line and fully accepting whatever the authorities tell them to do. Whilst other stations have become old, predictable and have lost their smile, we won't be afraid to speak out in a brash way that hasn't been enjoyed since offshore radio first came to the UK." A team is currently being put together with a brief to experiment and have fun. If all goes to plan, they'll be slowly introduced on the air every Sunday from the end of July (via Mike Terry, July 7, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** U K [non]. To our knowledge, UK-based Radio Caroline is going to lease airtime on AM 1386 kHz channel at Kaliningrad (Bolshakovo) 1200/2500 kW radio station of Russian Federation.Let us to remind you, that according to the ITU Geneva Plan of 1978, AM 1386 kHz frequency is assigned to Lithuania's station in Kaunas. In March 2002, Vilnius- based Radio Baltic Waves International (RBWI) has been awarded with licence to broadcast on 1386 kHz medium wave with 32.1 dBkW (1622 kW) EIRP. At the time of this writing, final preparations are going ahead to launch a 750 kW nighttime (2000-0300 UT) station in Kaunas on 1386 kHz. Usage of this channel by any other station, including re- broadcasting of foreign radio programmes, is a violation of international broadcasting laws and a subject of legal prosecution. On-air tests of RBWI are undergoing to determine the station's coverage and level of interference from Russian station in Kaliningrad area. Instead of having a 1000 kW transmitter allowed by the Geneva Plan, Russia operates 1200/2500 kW transmitter. Instead of having a non-directional single-mast antenna with 2.1 dB gain allowed by the Geneva Plan, Kaliningrad (Bolshakovo) station uses a SV4+4 type antenna, beamed to Western Europe (azimuth 275 degrees, 8-mast directional array with 12.7 dB gain), resulting in much greater radiated power (EIRP) than allowed by international agreements (Rimantas Pleikys RBWI Project Coordinator, via Kai Ludwig, July DSWCI MW SW News via DXLD) ** U K. Was listening to BBCWS webcast via Radio 4 at 0100 UT July 6, when time checks were given for several world cities; including ``19 hours in Washington`` !! Just two hours off. If you can`t do it right, why do it? The others may have been wrong too, but I wasn`t paying attention (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. DON'T FINE US, WE'LL FIRE STAFF, SAYS BBC CHIEF [by] Matt Wells, media correspondent Wednesday July 3, 2002, The Guardian The BBC chairman Gavyn Davies enraged his staff yesterday when he said the corporation's board of governors should be able to fire employees for lapses in programme standards. Mr Davies said that instead of the corporation facing fines for breaching broadcasting regulations - which he argued would be a misuse of licence payers' money - editors and producers should be sacked or demoted. "Firing the people is a much better remedy than fining the public," he said during a debate at the Radio Festival in Cambridge. His remarks stunned the audience of senior radio figures. Among those who heard the comments was the Radio 1 controller Andy Parfitt, who was at the centre of the row over a controversial outburst by the spoof rapper Ali G on the Sara Cox breakfast show. Mr Davies admitted that the Ali G incident, when the comic repeatedly made offensive remarks on air, was a severe lapse in standards. He said: "I'm not claiming that it was public service broadcasting at its peak." He suggested that the board of governors should hold programme makers accountable for such breaches - although any punishment would only be carried out with the approval of the director general, Greg Dyke. But Mr Davies added: "If the director general didn't agree, ultimately we could get rid of him too." Many BBC staff were left reeling by the comments: others in the audience included the Radio 4 controller Helen Boaden, Radio 2 controller Jim Moir, director of radio Jenny Abramsky and the director of drama and entertainment, Alan Yentob. One BBC executive who heard the remarks said they contradicted Mr Dyke's attempts to encourage risk taking. "I don't see how this fits in with Greg's 'cut the crap and make it happen' campaign. That's meant to cut through the BBC's risk-averse culture and encourage people to be creative. Are we then going to hang them out to dry when things don't work out?" The issue of fining the BBC is the subject of a government consultation: from next year BBC programme standards will be regulated by Ofcom, the new communications industry watchdog, which will also oversee independent broadcasters. Ofcom will be able to fine commercial stations and many believe the BBC should face the same sanctions. Mr Davies said he did not believe the BBC should be fined in the same way as commercial broadcasters: "How logical is it really to fine the public for mistakes made by the management? It shouldn't be the general public that suffers the consequences. Instead we should impose sanctions over careers." Asked whether he was suggesting the governors should have the power to fire the editor of the Ten O'Clock News if he or she broke the rules, he said: "Yes." Richard Hooper, chairman of the radio authority, which will become part of Ofcom, rejected the idea and said the BBC should be fined for lapses in standards; the corporation already faced penalties if it lost a libel action or was fined for health and safety breaches. Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2002 (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** U K [and non]. BLACK PROPAGANDA WEBSITE A group of parents from Emerson Valley school in Milton Keynes have been researching World War Two Intelligence activity in their area, apart from the well known Bletchley Park operations. They have a website at http://clutch.open.ac.uk/schools/emerson00/ It was from the Milton Keynes area that the various black propaganda stations to Germany and occupied Europe in World War Two mainly operated. It is a very extensive website with audio and video material, for example an interview with an engineer who worked on the Soldatsender Calais transmitters. Grindewald Productions http://www.grindelwald.co.uk/html/main.htm have done a two part documentary on the activities of the black propaganda radio stations during World War Two based on the website. The documentary will be aired on Six TV Oxford and then will be made available to for sale later this year, click on Latest for details (Mike Barraclough, UK, July 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [and non]. MORE EME DX-TV IN AUSTRALIA Tony Mann (Perth, Western Australia) has so far detected 19 US and 1 Aus UHF TV carriers via EME. See forwarded message below. Tony suggests others could try for DX-TV EME. I need to obtain a low noise wideband UHF TV preamp. High gain is not needed, since the coax lead length is not long. I gather the UA-900 is(was) the best amp available. Has anyone tried building a low noise UHF TV preamp? Does anyone recommend any commercial low noise UHF TV preamps? Regards, Todd Emslie. Fwd: From: Tony Mann ag-@physics.uwa.edu.au; Subject: uhf tv moonbounce update 28 June Hi folks, Here is an update on my moonbounce experiment. Twenty UHF TV carriers have been detected so far, including one from Australia: 1 WNDU-16 South Bend, IN 483.2505 ? 41.6N, 86.2W 5MW Z H 2 KWBT-19 Muskogee, OK 501.2482 35.8N, 95.8W 5MW Z H 3 WAPT-16 Jackson, MS 483.2510 32.3N, 90.3W 5MW ZdH 4 KUPB-18 Midland, TX 495.2512 31.8N,102.5W 5MW Z H 5 KXTX-39 Dallas, TX 621.2496 32.6N, 97.0W 5MW Z E 6 KPTM-42 Omaha, NE 639.2595 41.1N, 96.2W 5MW + H 7 KPPX-51 Tolleston, AZ 693.2494 33.3N, 112.0W 5MW Z 8 KUVS-19 Modesto, CA 501.2401 38.1N, 120.7W 5MW -d 9 KDTV-14 San Francisco, CA 471.2603 37.5N, 121.9W 5MW +d 10 WFTT-50 Tampa, FL 687.2497 27.8N, 82.3W 4MW Z H 11 KWEX-41 San Antonio, TX 633.2596 29.3N, 95.3W 5MW +d 12 CTC-35 Mt. Ulandra, NSW 576.2496 34.8S,147.9E 1.6MW Z H 13 WLTX-19 Columbia, SC 501.2589 34.1N, 80.8W 5MW +dH 14 WXIX-19 Newport, KY 501.2598 39.1N, 84.6W 5MW +dH 15 WAND-17 Decatur, IL 489.2499 40.0N, 88.8W 5MW ZdH 16 KTVG-17 Grand Is., NE 489.2489 40.7N, 98.6W 5MW ZdH 17 KXVO-15 Omaha, NE 477.24995 41.1N, 96.2W 5MW ZdH 18 KXAN-36 Austin, TX 603.24956 30.3N, 97.8W 5MW Z E 19 KTWB-22 Seattle, WA 519.25982 47.6N,122.3W 5MW + H 20 WBBH-20 Ft. Myers, FL 507.25995 26.8N, 81.8W 5MW +dH Last column is: power (MegaWatts); channel offset (Z=zero, +10 or -10 kHz); d = directional antenna (blank = omnidirectional); polarization, H = horizontal, E = elliptical. I emphasize that the signal-to-noise ratio is very poor, typically 5-8 dB in a bandwidth of ~ 2Hz. The strongest signal one night was 12 dB from KWBT-19, but I can follow signals down to 2 dB above the noise. There is a small chance txs 13 and 14 are the other way around - they were received nearly simultaneously. Tx no 12, at Mt. Ulandra (QTH of ABMN0), was also measured at 1210 UTC on 21 June by Todd Emslie. He obtained 576.249653 MHz, which is very close to my measurement the previous day of 576.24966 MHz. Todd is only 200 miles from this tx and receives it via scatter. 73s Tony Mann, 32S, 116E (via Todd Emslie, NSW, July 2, WTFDA via DXLD) Fanastic! Earlier reports on this were under OKLAHOMA since KWBT-19 was initially DXed. Will separate EME and terrestrial distance-record categories now have to be established by WTFDA? (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. Treating Viewers as Criminals Digital Renaissance By Henry Jenkins July 3, 2002 NETWORKS SAY WATCHING TV WITHOUT THE ADS IS THEFT. WILL BLIPVERTS BE NEXT? Remember blipverts? The 1980s science fiction series, Max Headroom, depicted a society "twenty minutes into the future" ruled by powerful television networks locked in ruthless competition for viewer eyeballs. Concerned by the growing trend towards channel surfing, the blipvert was developed as a rapid-fire subliminal advertisement which pumped its commercial messages directly into consumers' brains before they had a chance to change the channel. Unfortunately, the blipvert had the unanticipated side effect of causing spontaneous combustion in a certain number of overweight and chronically inactive couch potatoes. This outcome was viewed as an acceptable risk by the networks, even though it potentially decreased the number of viewers for their programs. I could not help but think about blipverts the other day when I stumbled across the recent comments of Turner Broadcasting System CEO Jaimie Kellner, who asserted that television viewers who skipped commercials using their digital video recorders were guilty of "stealing" broadcast content... http://www.technologyreview.com/articles/wo_jenkins070302.asp (via Jeff Kadet, July 3, WTFDA via DXLD) ** U S A. Next week, Nightline will begin a second broadcast, called "Up Close," that will air in the old Politically Incorrect timeslot until the end of January. That's when a new comedy show will debut. Ted's first guest on the new show will be David Letterman, the first interview he has done in years. In the wake of what we here now call the "recent unpleasantness," it just seemed like the right thing to do. So again, "Up Close" will air after Nightline. The two will be separate broadcasts, sometimes linked thematically, but usually not. The plan is to put out a separate email to all of you about each night's "Up Close." And of course, Nightline will continue as it always has. So I hope you are all enjoying your holiday weekend, and I hope that you'll join us tonight for a little bit of fun. Friday, July 5, 2002 (Leroy Sievers and the Nightline Staff, Nightline Offices, Washington, D.C., Nightline mailing list via DXLD) ** U S A. KOMU Goes Digital, [by] Jordan Yount COLUMBIA, MO (2002-06-28) KOMU T-V 8 is now also channel 36. The station is the first in central Missouri to broadcast in digital. KOMU-TV8 began broadcasting in digital during the six o'clock news last night. General Manager Marty Siddall says viewers won't notice any difference unless they've purchased a digital television or a conversion box to pick up 36. He says it's been an expensive conversion, and they're not done. Siddall says the station can broadcast either high definition television, or it can multi-cast anywhere from four to seven different programs at the same time. KRCG- TV plans to begin broadcasting digitally in August, while KMIZ-TV expects to make the transition by the end of the year (© Copyright 2002, KBIA, Missouri Radio Message Board via DXLD) One of the engineers at KSDK/5/St. Louis recently confirmed sharply higher utility costs for their digital equipment which also required adding a substation of some sort. KOMU-TV/36 is licensed to operate with a megawatt [1,000,000 watts] and the side-mounted antenna hangs just below the top of the mast. HAAT is 738 ft. Adding the antenna must have been a do or die proposition because the standard story over the years has been that the 1953 Blaw-Knox tower was already overloaded and there were concerns about its stability. Below it of course is the composite studio-office-transmitter building, potentially housing upwards of 100 or more people. The tower is an anachronism, height-limited by the proximity to Columbia Regional Airport which opened in 1967 and flight patterns work around the tower. About that time, KRCG/13 bought property in Moniteau County and secured FAA approval for a 2,000-ft. stick and hoped to interest KOMU in co-locating. At the time when CATV was just being developed in Boonville, Mexico, Jeff City, etc., both stations' enlarged coverage would have created a larger market, higher national ranking and increased revenues. Obviously, the tall tower never came to pass and by 1987, the acreage was back on the market. In last Sunday's Columbia "Tribune," there was a story about some of MU's television "adventures" that began more than fifty years ago. During the 1948-1952 television "freeze" when the FCC exhaustively examined its TV rules, MU was an early proponent of setting aside a channel in Columbia. One FCC commissioner -- that body's first woman, Freida B. Hennock -- wanted 10% of all the thousands of VHF/UHF channels set aside for non-commercial, educational purposes. In the FCC's March 21, 1951 "First Report and Order," channel 8 was allocated to Columbia but with a condition -- an asterisk meaning it was non- commercial. MU balked and asked for a 50/50 commercial/non-commercial mix. Meanwhile, another applicant -- MFA Insurance [now Shelter]-- was interested. When the freeze was finally lifted in April, 1952, channel 8 went to Columbia and its non-commercial status was lifted. With applications on file from both MU and MFA, the former argued it would mingle educational/instructional programming with programs from the four networks. The proceeding never got to the hearing stage because MFA knew it was licked by what amounted to a con-job by MU where with skimpy network service at the time, educators could bore the public with classroom lectures, demonstrations and "talking-head" shows. Whether the State of Missouri should own and operate a commercial television station was debated during the early-1950s in the state Legislature and Senate. Iowa State College [now University] was first educational institution to build a commercial TV station, going on the air in 1950, after grabbing its CP for channel 5 before the freeze and WOI-TV enjoyed the TV monopoly in the Des Moines market for several years. ISU has since sold WOI-TV. Springfield businessman Lester Cox was given credit for turning things around in Missouri while MU president Frederick Middlebush was battling for the station. In contrast, Illinois legislators only reluctantly supported the U of I's TV plans building WILL-TV/12 and forebade any sale of time. Channel 12 operated for years with low power and a short stick at one end of Memorial Stadium until the 1000-ft. tower went up near Monticello. MU's TV station operates as an "auxiliary business enterprise" with separate books and its own budget. The station was built with loans since repaid and MU officials claim it is "self-supporting." It was widely reported that surplus funds have been recently drawn providing some relief -- albeit tiny -- for MU and the state's budget shortfalls. There's been talk over the years of the state selling Channel 8 and when serious chatter got going in 1967, there was a chorus of wailing from J-School alums around the world. Then there was the time in the mid-1970s when KCBJ/17 [now KMIZ] filed an FCC rulemaking petition to add a UHF channel and make KOMU move there and convert Channel 8 into a non-commercial/educational station. It was never spelled out who would operate this non-commercial channel though the irony was KOMU's new UHF home was to be Channel 36! Maybe just as ironic is that MU -- which claims to be the state's premier institution of higher education is in the commercial television business while Warrensburg's CMSU carries the non- commercial PBS-television torch. Ironic too because in terms of their towers -- KOMU's puny 775-foot "stick" is a pigmy compared with the KMOS/6 2000-ft mastadon, also funded in part by our tax dollars (Posted by al germond on 7/2/2002, 12:45 pm Missouri Radio Message Board via DXLD) ** U S A. Following is an exemplar of the extraordinary measures the commercial broadcasting establishment will go to, in order to move yet another frequency into a metro area already saturated with FM signals, in pursuit of the almighty dollar. This has happened again and again, notably in the Texas/Oklahoma area, but we do not propose to cover this nonsense routinely in such detail. As for LPFMs being innocuous, it all depends on relative signal strengths and where you are. Long before the LPFM concept developed, we were incensed by equivalent-power translators springing up in Enid, one after another, blocking our access to public radio stations in the closest possible cities: 89.5 blocked KWGS Tulsa. 89.1 blocked KMUW Wichita. 90.3 partially blocks 90.1 KCSC Edmond and KHCC Hutchinson. Adding insult to injury, the public radio stations now lost were unwilling or unable to do anything to prevent this --- who cares about service to outlying areas??? A city of 46K with *no* public radio of its own? A low-powered but non-translator Enid station KBVV 91.1 blocked another Wichita non-commercial station, later converted to religious, so that no longer matters. An additional gospel-huxter translator in Enid on 88.3 (Family Radio) blocks numerous DX possibilities, and all of these are strong enough at my location, about a mile from the transmitter site, to cause significant damage to adjacent channels, leaving very little open in the so-called educational FM band. If translators can do this, so much worse a proliferation of LPFM. On the other hand, 99% of commercial FM stations are garbage, anyway, so LPFM may as well block them when possible (Glenn Hauser, Enid, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) KNIGHTS OF OUR LADY LPFM IN CAMERON IN LIMBO AS NEW KANSAS CITY MOVE- IN FM THREATENS ITS SIGNAL Cameron, Mo. (CRU)— By all rights the Knights of Our Lady in Cameron, Missouri, a small town 52 miles northwest of Kansas City, ought to be excited about getting its new low-power FM station, KOFL-LP, up and running on 97.3 FM. It had sought and was awarded a permit, last December, on its own initiative (see Catholic Radio Update #153, December 17, 2001). But then, last November, just two weeks before, the FCC had issued an order permitting Best Broadcasting`s KCSX 97.3 FM in Moberly to move into the Kansas City area and upgrade to a Class C1 powerhouse. Since Kansas City and Cameron are only about 54 miles apart, and KCSX will run 55,000 watts off an antenna 1,171 ft above average terrain at Blue Summit, Missouri, near the intersection of Interstate 435 and US 24, little KOFL-FM at Cameron with only 64 watts off a 123-ft tower is going to have a tough time being heard. The Moberly move-in is an extraordinary piece of engineering, in that it affects 14 stations in three states. Here is the FCC in its Order (Docket #00-129): ``To accommodate the allotment at Lee`s Summit, the following substitutions will be made. All of the respective licensees or permittee have consented to the substitutions and the Joint Parties have reached an agreement with respect to reimbursement with each of the stations required to make changes to accommodate the allotment at Lee`s Summit. We shall substitute Channel 233C for Channel 247C at Topeka, Kansas, and modify the license for Station WIBW-FM accordingly. A staff engineering analysis confirms that Channel 233C can be allotted to Topeka in compliance with the spacing requirements at its current site. The coordinates for Channel 233C at Topeka are 39-00-19 and 96-02-58. To accommodate the substitution at Topeka, we shall also make changes at Junction City and Humboldt, Kansas, and Auburn, Nebraska. At Junction City, Kansas, we shall substitute Channel 248C1 for Channel 233C1 at its current transmitter site and modify the license for Station KJCK-FM accordingly. A staff engineering analysis confirms that Channel 248C1 can be allotted to Junction City at its current site. The coordinates for Channel 248C1 at Junction City are 39-00-53 and 96-52-15. Channel 237C3 can be substituted for Channel 232C3 at Humboldt, Kansas, with the authorization for Station KINZ modified to specify Channel 237C3 at a new transmitter site to which the licensee, Sutcliffe Communications, Inc., has consented. The coordinates for Channel 237C3 at Humboldt are 37-43-21 and 95-33-41. To accommodate the substitution at Humboldt, we shall substitute Channel 249A for Channel 237A at Burlington, Kansas and modify the license for Station KSNP(FM) accordingly. Channel 249A can be allotted to Burlington in compliance with the spacing requirements at its current site. The coordinates for Channel 249A at Burlington are 38-10-08 and 95-39-07. In order to substitute channels at Topeka, Kansas, Channel 276C3 will be substituted for Channel 234C3 at Auburn, Nebraska, with the license for Station KNCY(FM) modified to show operation on Channel 276C3. Channel 276C3 can be allotted to Auburn in compliance with the spacing requirements at its current transmitter site provided a substitution is made at Marysville, Kansas. The coordinates for Channel 276C3 at Auburn, Nebraska, are 40- 27-57 and 95-45-38. Channel 238C3 can be substituted for Channel 276C3 at Marysville, Kansas, at a new transmitter site for Station KNDY-FM. The coordinates for Channel 238C3 at Marysville are 39-56-06 and 96- 47-33. The licensee of Station KNDY-FM, Dierking Communications, Inc., has consented to the site change. To further accommodate the allotment at Lee`s Summit, we shall substitute Channel 280C3 for Channel 248C3 at Malta Bend, Missouri, and modify the license for Station KRLI accordingly, as was proposed in the Notice. The channel can be allotted to Malta Bend at Station KRLI`s current transmitter site. The coordinates for Channel 280C3 at Malta Bend are 39-21-59 and 93-24-12. In order to make changes at Malta Bend, it is necessary to change the channel and transmitter site for Station KCHI, Chillicothe, Missouri. Joint Parties have requested the substitution of Channel 253A for Channel 280C3 at Chillicothe which can be accomplished at a new site in compliance with the Commission`s spacing requirements. Channel 253A can be allotted to Chillicothe at coordinates 39-43-40 and 93-35-43. The licensee for Station KRLI has consented to the channel and site change. To further accommodate the allotment at Lee`s Summit, we shall substitute Channel 249C2 for Channel 246C3 at La Monte, Missouri, and modify the license for Station KPOW accordingly. Channel 249C2 can be allotted to La Monte in compliance with the Commission`s spacing requirements provided additional changes are made. The coordinates for Channel 249C2 at La Monte are 38-48-23 and 93-09-08. The licensee, Sedalia Investment Group, LLC, has consented to a site change for Station KPOW. In order to substitute channels at La Monte, we shall also substitute Channel 246A for Channel 249A at Warsaw, Missouri, at a new transmitter site and modify the license for Station KAYQ accordingly. The coordinates for Channel 246A at Warsaw are 38-20-41 and 93-23-10. The licensee, Valkyrie Broadcasting Company, Inc., has consented to the transmitter site change. To allot Channel 246A at La Monte, we shall substitute Channel 248A for Channel 249A at a new transmitter site at Nevada, Missouri. The coordinates for Channel 248A at Nevada are 37-52-06 and 94-20-01. The license for Station KNMO will be modified to specify operation on Channel 248A at Nevada in compliance with the Commission`s spacing requirements. Harbit Communications, Inc., licensee for Station KNMO, has consented to the channel and site change. As requested, to accommodate the new channel at Lee`s Summit, we shall change the transmitter site for Station KNIM, Channel 246C3, Maryville, Missouri. The coordinates for Channel 246C3 at Maryville are 40-21-06 and 94-52-17. Nodaway Broadcasting Corporation, licensee for Station KNIM, has consented to the change in transmitter site reference coordinates.`` LPFM stations are not protected from any interference caused by improvement of an authorized commercial or noncommercial FM station, nor from any new stations resulting from new assignments. So the Knights of Our Lady LPFM station is not named in the above Order and receives no compensation, monetary, engineering, or legal, as the result of the KCSX move-in to Kansas City. Ronald G. Heckadon, president and director, is trying to save the station. ``I cannot believe Our Lady has let us come this far and we are not going to be able to get on the air,`` he told the editor in a phone call several months ago. Under FCC rules, LPFM`s have 18 months from the date of their construction permit to get on the air. The Knights of Our Lady received theirs last December 6th; already, one-third of the time to construct and get on the air has passed. Recently, I dropped an e-mail note to him, asking how things were coming. ``We are working on it,`` was his terse reply. Database: Cameron: KOFL-LP 97.3 FM, Class L1 (64 watts ERP, antenna 37.3 meters [123 ft] AHAAT). Cameron Knights of Our Lady, Inc., P.O.Box 17, Cameron, MO 64429. Tel.: (816) 632-1138; fax (816) 632- 2568. e-mail: CKOL@catholicweb.com. Website: http://knightsofourlady.catholicweb.com/index.cfm/contact Ronald G. Heckadon, president and director; Barry R. Arthur, treasurer-director; John P. Farnan, secretary-treasurer; Joseph Sueferling, Jr., director. CP issued 12/06/01. (In the Diocese of Kansas City-St Joseph). Commentary: THE KNIGHTS OF OUR LADY NEED A KNIGHT OF THEIR OWN The way you heard it from the powerful commercial broadcasters lobby was that low-power FM (LPFM) stations, the United States version of community FM stations spreading around the world, were going to threaten commercial broadcasting as we know it. LPFM signals, to hear them tell it, would interfere with the commercial FM signals on which so many people depend for news, information, music, and commercials. Even the mighty National Public Radio, forgetting its grassroots, proclaimed that the new LPFM stations should not be allowed in the 88- 92 MHz band because these upstarts would interfere with the multiplex services of reading for the blind and handicapped piggy-backed on NPR signals. Exactly how 100-watt and 10-watt stations were going to do all this against 3,000 to 100,000-watt stations was not made clear. The commercial broadcasters, particularly through the powerful trade association the National Association of Broadcasters, began lobbying Congress. A recording purporting to show clearly just how LPFM interference would cause havoc to existing radio signals was given out freely, until someone discovered that the alleged ``interference`` was created, not off the actual airwaves using test transmitters in real situations, but inside a recording studio. Meanwhile, NPR, shielding itself mightily against criticisms from community broadcasting groups and groups that support it, lamely said that it was not against the concept of LPFM stations, but that it wanted to protect the blind. But it did not budge from its position. The National Federation of Community Broadcasters (NFCB), however, supported the LPFM proposal from day one. The NFCB is composed of mostly modest and small-sized stations that are staffed largely with volunteers and clearly match what community FM stations do, albeit with much greater power. The politicians in Congress meanwhile, succumbed to the NAB and NPR efforts, and the FCC was mandated to eliminate its regulatory 0.6 MHz separation (3 channels) for LPFM stations from existing commercial and noncommercial stations, and maintain it at the regulatory 0.8 MHz (4 channels) separation required among existing commercial and noncommercial stations. If LPFM stations must remain at least four channels from existing stations, and new commercial and noncommercial regular stations can be assigned no closer than four channels in the same locality, then clearly, any possible vacant channels that can be found for local LPFM`s run the real risk of being seized upon by engineers looking for vacant channels on which new commercial stations can be built. The sole provision is that other, existing, stringent separations from stations on adjacent frequencies must be maintained when a new channel is found for allocation, or an existing station and its channel are moved into a new area, such as we see with Moberly and Kansas City. Thus it is that, at least in the realm of potentiality, any LPFM license can be threatened at any time with such a move-in or new drop- in. If you think this is far-fetched or I am being an alarmist, reconsider: Who would have ever thought that a station in a rural central Missouri town would be moved 130 miles west into a major metropolitan area, displacing 13 other stations in the process, and causing a major headache for an LPFM? But look for that on the FCC website! Go to the LPFM pages http://www.fcc.gov/mb/policy/lpfm/ and particularly the LPFM FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page at http://www.fcc.gov/mb/policy/lpfm/lpfmfaq.html and look for the clear statement, ``LPFM stations are not protected from interference from new stations or stations upgrading their facilities.`` You will not find it. Instead, you have to hunt through the FCC Regulations on LPFM`s to find it. I wonder how many LPFM permittees and applicants know that? I wonder how many of them know that, after investing several hundred dollars in filing an application, and even after investing as much as $30,000 (the FCC estimate) in putting their stations on the air, their stations can be forfeit to a powerful commercial or noncommercial signal that appears out of nowhere after legal process? I wonder how many of them know that they will get no monetary settlement, as received the other 13 broadcasters in the Lee`s Summit move-in of KCSX, nor any legal or engineering help to find a vacant frequency they can use? Unless, of course, the commercial applicant has a heart. (Is there much of that in radio anymore?). In the hundreds of existing cases where more than one LPFM application has been filed for a frequency, the FCC will eventually getting around to solving who gets the frequency by means of a point system that it uses for noncommercial FM and TV applications. More correctly, it will use the point system. Early last year all competing noncommercial applicants were told to figure out how many points they were eligible for, according to FCC rules, and tell the Commission, which would verify them and award the noncommercial frequency or television channel to the applicant with the most points. The deadline for notification was last summer, and the first point-system award has yet to be made. Hang on, LPFM applicants, even if you chose a frequency four channels removed from a local station. The FCC will one of these years get around to deciding who gets the frequency by using its point system. ``But wait!`` as they say on the ``call now 1-800`` commercials. In some cases, where the point system comes up with ties, the FCC will elect to split up the eight-year LPFM license term between winning applicants. That means that, if there are two with tied points, each will get the frequency for four years. If there are four, each gets it for two years. Thus, the winning applicants can go to the expense of building a station, knowing they will have to yield to tying competitor in a few years, and maybe come back on the air after the other applicant`s term is up. Imagine how many groups will find this scenario agreeable. This whole LPFM setup was not well thought out. Better yet, it was thought out by politicians, that miserable class of human beings who do little for the commonweal and everything for political appearance. The present and the previous administrations are responsible for this mess, Democrats and Republicans. If LPFM`s succeed, and that is a big IF, it will be in spite of the people who put the LPFM program together. One good thing in the Knights of Our Lady case: Thank heavens they found out about the Kansas City move-in before they spent any more money putting KOFL-FM on the air. Just think if they had built the station, launched it with public notice and enthusiasm, and then found out that no one beyond a few blocks could hear it because of KCSX Lee`s Summit (Michael Dorner, editor, Catholic Radio Update July 8 via DXLD July 6) [And Mike adds for us:] This LPFM move-in is bigtime serious. This isn't just about religious stations, which make up about 60-70% of the applicants, by my quick counts over the last two years. If Cameron can't find a vacant frequency 0.4 MHz from everything else around it, then it is kaput. Just think of all these fine little community stations started by interested people (a recent grant was to a youth program on the impoverished, drug- and alcohol-laden Hopi reservation) running the risk of being knocked off the air after having invested time, scarce money, lots of energy and the enthusiasm of volunteers and listeners, because somebody wants to move in a station from 100 miles away? Did they realize this when they set up the LPFM service? If not, they should have. If yes, they should be subject to universal contempt. It may well be that the FCC staff tried to tell the politicians, but we all know how political the FCC chair is (Michael Dorner, LA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. BUENOS DIAS FROM A MEXICAN RADIO By CHASE SQUIRES, Times Staff Writer © St. Petersburg Times published July 7, 2002 DADE CITY -- Saturday means Sabado on the airwaves of east Pasco County. Aurora Juárez and the team of disc jockeys and supporting staff she assembled have taken to the airwaves for a Spanish-language, locally based radio program that Juárez says serves a growing Spanish- speaking community in Pasco, Sumter and eastern Hillsborough and Hernando counties. "We get so many calls, people from all over, Bushnell, Plant City, Dade City, Brooksville, it's great," Juárez said. "There was really a big need for this. People want to listen and hear music that they like, they identify with, and they want to be able to call in, to talk with the DJ and hear some community news." Juárez, 46, has always been active in the community, and she founded the Blue Angles charity fund last year in Dade City. The organization helps families meet burial costs when a loved one dies. She credits friend James DeChant of Maria's Silk Flowers for coming up with the idea for a radio program. "He suggested it, and we ended up talking with WDCF AM 1350, and they said, "Yeah, we need to reach the Spanish community,"' Juárez said. "As long as I filled up two hours, I could do anything I wanted." She started small, just some music and community announcements for two hours on a Saturday morning last November. The show was a hit. She expanded the show to six hours, then eight. This month, Juárez and her team -- which has grown to include club disc jockeys and others with announcing experience -- expand the program again. The show started with the name La Sabrosita, which she said loosely translated means "delicious." But as the show has grown, expanding again this month to run from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays, she said she wanted a more professional-sounding name. The new name is "Radio M." "M is for music, it's for maximum and it's for Mexican," she said. "We'll be working with a lot of automated formats, getting in new information and music, and we'll be taking more local calls, putting people on the air, doing dedications and still announcing community events, fundraisers and things like that." With a cost of $100 an hour due to WDCF, Juárez and her team have had to not only produce a show, but also generate advertising revenue. She said Mayla's Fashions, Maria's Silk Flowers and restaurant La Herradura have been longtime supporters, and she expects other businesses to join in as they realize the need to reach the Spanish- speaking community. U.S. Census figures show 5,511 households in east Pasco reported speaking solely Spanish in the home. And while the show already reaches other counties, WDCF is planning to extend its range with a new tower that can reach Tampa and Central Florida, Juárez said. It's the mix of talent and the closeness of the team that makes the show fun for listeners, Juárez said. Gustado Lara is an active musician and has a fun time motivating listeners to call in, she said. Illene Carrillo is a popular dancer in the Spanish-speaking community of east Pasco and is a hit at live broadcasts, José Molina is a well- known announcer who emcees local events and has name recognition, and Juárez said she focuses on community news and event broadcasting. D.J. Moyo -- experienced in radio broadcasting, club disc jockey work and radio production -- was with the team this weekend. He helps put the shows together for the announcers, queing up the music in a computer format that makes the broadcast move smoothly. "We want to give the client something they are proud of," he said. "We're community oriented, but it's professional." Moyo said each show has its own flavor, with representations of many different styles of music from a variety of regions in Mexico, the tropics and Central America. "People say, "Oh, it's all the same,' but it isn't," Moyo said. "There's so much variety, so many different kinds of music, there's something for everyone." Moyo recorded introductions for each announcer and station identification bits. As he introduces disc jockeys, each announcement reminds the listeners, in Spanish, "And, of course, you are also a part of Radio M." (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** U S A. Subject: [SWL] (Fwd) STATION KPH TO BE HEARD AGAIN ------- Forwarded message follows ------- Date sent: Fri, 05 Jul 2002 14:37:18 +0100 From: Zyg Nilski zyg@morsum.demon.co.uk Subject: MM - The Morse Magazine To: MM Readers MMReaders@MorseMag.com A MESSAGE TO READERS FROM MM - THE MORSE MAGAZINE THE FOLLOWING HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM RICHARD DILLMAN, W6AWO HISTORIC MORSE CODE RADIO STATION WILL RETURN TO THE AIR Station KPH To Be Heard Once Again In the third annual event that has become known as the Night of Nights historic Morse code radio station KPH will return to the air in commemoration of the last commercial Morse message sent in North America. KPH, the ex-RCA coast station located north of San Francisco, will return to the air for commemorative broadcasts on 12 July at 1701 PDT (13 July at 0001 GMT), 3 years and one minute after the last commercial Morse transmission in North America. These on-the-air events are intended to honor the men and women who followed the radiotelegraph trade on ships and at coast stations around the world. Transmissions are expected to continue until at least midnight PDT (0700 GMT). For this third annual Night of Nights one frequency for equally historic coast station KFS will also be activated. Veteran Morse operators, including many former KPH and KFS staff members, will be on duty at the receiving station at Point Reyes, CA listening for calls from ships and sending messages just as they did for so many years before Morse code operations were shut down. The transmitters are located 18 miles south of Point Reyes in Bolinas, CA at the transmitting station established in 1913 by the American Marconi Co. The original KPH transmitters, receivers and antennas will be used to activate frequencies in all the commercial maritime HF bands and on MF as well. KPH will transmit on 4247.0, 6477.5, 8642.0, 12808.5, 17016.5 and 22477.5 kc on HF and on 500 and 426kc on MF. KFS will transmit on 17026.0 kc. These frequencies have been made available through the generous cooperation of Globe Wireless, the current owner of the KPH and KFS licenses. Many of the transmitters will be 50s vintage RCA sets. Power output will be 4 to 5 kW. The transmitting antennas include a Marconi T for MF, double extended Zepps for 4, 6 and 8 Mc and H over 2s for 12, 16 and 22 Mc. Operators will listen for calls from ships on 4184.0, 6276.0, 8368.0, 12552.0, 16736.0 and 22280.5 kc on HF and 500 kc on MF. KPH and KFS will send traffic lists, weather and press broadcasts and commemorative messages, many of which will be sent by hand. At other times the KPH and KFS "wheel" will be sent to mark the transmitting frequencies. Reception reports may be sent to: Ms. DA Stoops, P.O. Box 381, Bolinas CA 94924-0381, USA Members of the public are invited to visit the receiving station for this event. The station will be open to visitors beginning at 1500 PDT (3:00 pm). The station is located at 17400 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and is on the route to the Point Reyes lighthouse. Watch for cypress lined driveway on the right about a mile past the entry to Coast Guard station NMC. KPH is operated by the Maritime Radio Historical Society in cooperation with the Point Reyes National Seashore, part of the National Park Service. Further information may be found on the Maritime Radio Historical Society Web site at http://www.radiomarine.org or by contacting Richard Dillman at +1 415-990-7090 (email: ddillman@igc.org) or Tom Horsfall +1 510-237-9535 (email: wa6ope@hotmail.com). MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM MORSUM MAGNIFICAT - THE MORSE MAGAZINE - FLYING THE FLAG FOR MORSE The Poplars, Wistanswick, Market Drayton, Shropshire TF9 2BA, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 1630 638306 Fax: +44 (0) 1630 638051 Editor/Publisher: Zyg Nilski G3OKD e-mail: Zyg@MorseMag.com MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM Visit the MM Homepage at http://www.MorseMag.com for full details of this international magazine devoted entirely to Morse telegraphy past present and future MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM (via W2AGN, swl; Dillman via Horacio Nigro, Uruguay, via DXLD) ** U S A. EMERGENCY DECLARED AS TEXAS FLOODING CONTINUES NEWINGTON, CT (Jul 5, 2002)--The Federal Communication Commission declared a general communications emergency Friday in response to severe flooding in parts of Texas. Days of nonstop rainfall have created some of the worst flood conditions in 100 years and caused thousands to flee their homes. At midday Friday, the FCC declared 7285 kHz off limits during the daytime except for stations handling flood-related emergency traffic. Also off limits is 3873 kHz during nighttime hours. Amateurs are required to stay at least 3 kHz away from these frequencies until the declaration is rescinded. FCC Enforcement Bureau Senior Advisor for Public Safety Arlan K. Van Doorn indicates the declaration may last up to 72 hours. ARRL South Texas Section Manager E. Ray Taylor, N5NAV, is directing ARES response from his home in New Braunfels, one of the communities being ravaged by the flooding. The Guadalupe River at New Braunfels normally flows at around 300 cubic feet per minute. The rate on Friday was estimated at 70,000 cubic feet per minute, after the water overran the spillways on an upstream dam. In addition to the wide-range emergency net on HF, Amateur Radio is providing communications to municipalities and volunteer groups. A Texas Baptist Convention mobile kitchen equipped with ham gear has been set up at a shelter in New Braunfels, Taylor said. About a dozen members of the Kendall Amateur Radio Society have been providing two- meter communications support to the police station and two shelters in Boerne, Texas, since Thursday morning, at the request of Boerne Mayor Patrick Heath. As of Friday evening, 23 Texas counties were under a Flash Flood Warning. More counties are likely to be added as the rain continues and the floodwaters flow toward the coast (ARRL via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DXLD) ** U S A. KMOL HEADED BACK TO THE FUTURE KMOL-TV, San Antonio's NBC network affiliate and the city's first TV station, will change its call letters back to the original set that it began broadcasting with on December 11, 1949: WOAI-TV. The change also means that News Radio 1200 and Channel 4 will share the WOAI call letters. "We are headed back to the future", said William Moll, President of Television for San Antonio based Clear Channel Worldwide, which owns both KMOL-TV and News Radio 1200 WOAI. "KMOL and News Radio 1200 WOAI have a long history of a strong news and public service commitment to this community. To have these two successful stations share the WOAI brand acknowledges our historical roots in San Antonio. It is significant to our company and the Mays family." Switching the KMOL call letters to WOAI will also give Channel 4 a unique "W" designation in the market. In addition, Channel 4's call letter change to WOAI will also have an effect on its radio partner, News Radio 1200 WOAI. "I see this as a very positive move in that it can only further solidify WOAI's image as news leader in San Antonio," said Tom Glade, Vice-President/Market Manager for Clear Channel's San Antonio radio station group. The switch from KMOL to WOAI is expected to take place on or before January 1, 2003, pending formal approval by the Federal Communications Commission (From Shoptalk Magazine 7/5/2002 via Fred Vobbe, NRC FMTV via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. Desde hace algunos minutos estoy escuchando una emisora con música el español y en especial varios temas de la cantante mexicana Paulina Rubio a través de los 4789.9; no he logrado identificar ya que la modulación de la locución es baja. En principio descartaría que fuera la reactivación de Radio Atlántida [PERÚ], ya que esta emisora llegaria con mejor señal hasta acá. ¿Alguien tiene alguna idea? Sigo en la escucha a la espera de obtener alguna identificación. Un abrazo (Rafael Rodríguez R., Santa Fé de Bogotá, Colombia, July 6 7:08 pm [=0008 UT July 7?], Conexión Digital via DXLD) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ Today I have just received the new Shortwave Guide from the WRTH, have yet to do further reading on it but it seems to be an interesting reference with the frequency charts featuring the color-coded lines for different languages broadcast by the radio stations. I've noted that while Denmark's frequencies are listed, Norway, which is still on the air with their home-service relays, is omitted! Worse, stations are referred to by the ITU country code of the studio they're broadcasting from, not the actual transmitter site, which prevents some readers, especially newcomer SWL's, from realizing that many frequencies listed are coming from relays... so every BBC freq. is listed from the UK, or G in ITU terms? Gimme a break!. Transmitter location, NOT studio location, is very important for SWL's and radio monitors, and the ITU codes for such sites should be listed in future editions (Joe Hanlon in Philadelphia, July 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ In reaction to what I read in DXLD 2-108, listening at 1200 UT on July 6 indicated that nothing showed up on the higher frequencies with exceptions being broadcasts from US, Canadian and some Caribbean sites (such as BBC-15190 at 1155); also heard a trace of VOA in Cantonese (per the new WRTH-Shortwave Guide) at 1200 on 15360, likely from Tinian relay (Joe Hanlon in Philadelphia, July 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Are you noticing some decline in propagation on the higher bands? Now HCJB's broadcast to India at 02 UTC on 21470 isn't coming in like it used to earlier this season. I've seen some items in DX Listening Digest (part of Glenn Hauser's World of Radio site) about the declining solar flux numbers and now it looks as if we are headed for a slow decline in use of 21, 17 and 15 MHz, as we now head toward the projected solar minimum that will occur sometime in 2006. So, perhaps this problem is also affecting reception of HCJB in your area, too? On AIR's new Kannada language service, I'm hearing it at only fair level, monitored at 0240 on 15075 on July 6 (Joe Hanlon in Philadelphia, USA, dx_india via DXLD) ###