DX LISTENING DIGEST 2-124, August 5, 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 #1142: (ON DEMAND) http://www.wrn.org/ondemand/worldofradio.html (DOWNLOAD) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1142.rm (STREAM) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1142.ram (SUMMARY) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1142.html RFPI BROADCASTS: Wed 0100, 0700 on 7445-USB, 15038.6 WWCR BROADCASTS: Wed 0930 9475 ** AFGHANISTAN. Just saw a report on the TV that the Germans have set up a station in Afghanistan (or are about to). Called Radio Freedom a comment was made about the mountainous terrain making communications difficult, so wonder if it will be on SW? (Richard Jary, Australia, Aug 5, hard-core-dx via DXLD) Read on: NEW RADIO STATION INAUGURATED IN AFGHANISTAN | Text of report by Afghan radio on 4 August Esteemed Dr Sayed Makhdum Rahin, the minister of information and culture, this morning, in the presence of General Akin Zorlu, general commander of peacekeeping forces, and General Manfred Schlenker, commander of [German] ISAF contingent, inaugurated Radio Voice of Freedom which will be broadcasting from now on with the assistance and cooperation of the peacekeeping forces. Pointing to the importance of Radio Voice of Freedom broadcasts, Dr Rahin added: The broadcasts of a new radio station will add to the awareness of the esteemed citizens of Kabul in various fields. Listening to a variety of radio stations will enable the citizens to choose the programmes of their own choice. Esteemed Dr Rahin added: I hope broadcasting educational programmes on the history and culture of Afghanistan, democracy and respect for peoples opinions, and through conducting interviews with the public and broadcasting their views, the radio will firm steps to consolidate the spirit of democracy and serve the cause of peace and democracy. In turn, General Gen Zorlu and General Schlenker expressed the hope that by broadcasting better programmes the radio station would serve the noble people of Afghanistan. The radio will broadcast news and music from 0500 to 0600 hours [0030 to 0130 gmt] and from 1700 to 1800 [1230 to 1330 gmt] on FM and 9905 MHz frequency. Esteemed Dr Soraya Rahim, deputy minister in charge of women affairs, and esteemed Gholam Hasan Hazrati, head of the Radio Afghanistan broadcasts, also attended the inauguration ceremony of Radio Voice of Freedom. Source: Radio Afghanistan, Kabul, in Dari 1600 gmt 4 Aug 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) Ambiguity, ambiguity! Surely not 9905 MHz; do they mean it is on FM, AND shortwave 9905 kHz?? Or is it FM 99.05 MHz??? (gh, DXLD) ** AFGHANISTAN [non]. Could anybody tell me the mail or email address of 18940 kHz Radio Afghanistan? (Qiao Xiaoli, China, Aug 3, dxing.info via DXLD) Here email is: radioafg@yahoo.com Here url is: www.radioafghanistan.com (Danny Wu, Fuzhou, ibid.) I seriously doubt the above applies to the 18940 kHz station! The URL merely links to a defunct magazine. Need I reiterate that one must be very careful in keeping all the various exile and official Afghan stations separate?? (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AFGHANISTAN [non]. USA/AFGHANISTAN: RFE/RL, VOA JOIN FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN | Text of press release by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty dated 4 August Washington, DC, 4 August 2002: In an effort to provide the people of war-torn Afghanistan with a coordinated, easy-to-find and easy-to- identify 24-hour stream of news, features and music in their native Dari and Pashto languages, the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's (RFE/RL) Radio Free Afghanistan service and the Dari and Pashto Services of the Voice of America (VOA) have created a new joint program that was heard for the first time today on both shortwave and FM in Afghanistan. RFE/RL President Thomas A. Dine hailed the new, coordinated RFE/RL-VOA Afghan radio stream as "another demonstration of how RFE/RL and VOA can combine forces to better serve our listeners while maintaining each US international broadcaster's distinctive and complementary mission". VOA Director Robert Reilly added that "the new, joint VOA-RFE/RL Pashto and Dari program stream into Afghanistan is an extraordinarily important development in our efforts to bring the latest news and information to the Afghan people. We are delighted to be working so closely with our colleagues at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty at this critical time." The new program, according to Radio Free Afghanistan Director Andres Ilves, features 12 hours each of programs created by RFE/RL and VOA every day - marking an increase of 1.5 hours per day of RFE/RL programming to Afghanistan. All programs are scheduled to start at the top of the hour in Afghanistan, with Pashto programs always available on the odd-numbered hour, while Dari programs will be broadcast during even-numbered hours of the day. All programs will share common sign-on music and other production elements and a common program clock throughout the day. RFE/RL and VOA are also dramatically increasing the amount of interaction and coordination among their Afghanistan- based journalists and among managers based in Prague and Washington, respectively. The new 24-hour continuous stream of US international broadcasting to the people of Afghanistan can be heard on shortwave and in Kabul on 100.5 FM. RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan broadcasts are available live and on-demand on the Internet at http://www.rferl.org/bd/af Radio Free Afghanistan commenced broadcasting on 30 January 2002, as part of RFE/RL's response to the challenges of the 11 September 2001 attack on America and the war on terrorism. VOA has broadcast continuously in Dari and Pashto to the people of Afghanistan since the early 1980s. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is a private, international communications service to Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe; the Caucasus; and Central and Southwestern Asia funded by the US Congress through the Broadcasting Board of Governors. Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty press release, Washington DC, in English 4 Aug 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. Saw an interesting ad in the auction pages of the Brisbane Courier Mail on Saturday 3rd August. Expressions of Interest --- TELSTRA MARINE RADIO NETWORK Over 100 Transmitters to 10 kW, over 140 Receivers (Tunable and Fixed, Console Equipment, Computer and Component Racks, Over 65 Aerial Arrays (25 W to 1 kW), Aerial Towers and Masts. Register Your Interest NOW at telra-@ad.com [truncated] Well, I wouldn't mind a couple log periodics. Anyone have any spare cash? (John Smith, ARDXC via DXLD) ** BELGIUM. This week`s RVI Radio World has part of Donna Ring`s talk on SWLing at Kulpsville -- not Donna Reed, as she was repeatedly identified -- I think, listening closely (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. During my unexpected scan of 49m, Aug 4 at 1000, heard some Brazilian on 6160 with excessive reverb, but could not make out ID. No sign of Canadians. Per PWBR this is R. Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, relaying LBV Mundial 24 hours (unless it`s the other one, a new listing for 2001, R. Rio Mar, Manaus, which supposedly operates only at 2300-0300). Not a good Brazilian morning, weak, as was even 6180. Don`t recall Brazilians actually being reported recently on 6160, so could be new? Nothing listed currently at http://www.sover.net/~hackmohr/sw.htm But the archive at http://www.sover.net/~hackmohr/swarchive.htm has this: 6160 BRAZIL R Rio Mar, Manaus [0220-0800] Jan 00 C 6160 BRAZIL Sistema Mundial LBV, Pt Alegre [0625-1007/0109-0115](.1) Apr 01 B //9550, 11895 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. Get it while you can, before it breaks down again, and this low-priority service takes another few weeks to fix: CFRX, 6070, with good signal at 0955 UT August 4, something about battered women, 0957 ID as ``Newstalk 10-10, CFRB``; but this had the perpetual heavy co- channel in Spanish, no doubt Voz Cristiana, Chile, which has been on this frequency since its inception - only a few Hz apart causing heavy subaudible heterodyne and alternating dominance of audio. At this hour there were plenty of empty frequencies on 49m. Why don`t these two stations coördinate so they don`t clash? Answer: the management of neither gives a damn (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. CJAD 800 found to be using a narrow-band FM signal on 26.200 MHz [not 26.800 as in summary] before and during Montreal Alouettes football games; presumed to be studio-remote audio link. The audio on 800 was 7 seconds behind 26200, because of all the phone-in programs they do. May be new system, as not heard before in frequent 26 MHz band scans. Could be is only used during football games. Altho in St. Lambert, I was not far away from studio or Molson stadium, this was a weak, weak signal, I guess one watt. Could also be very small antenna, even indoors (Alan Roberts with Sheldon Harvey, CKUT International Radio Report Aug 4 via Ricky Leong, DXLD) ** CANADA. CJWI-1610 was on testing again last night, with Afro/Carib music and numerous "CPAM" and "Radio Union" slogans. Best signal heard here thus far. What's with "CPAM"? Does it stand for anything? They can't use CPAM as a callsign, unless Canada signs a deal with Bolivia. BTW, given Canada's friendly relations with Fidel, how about a deal to allow MOJO-640 to have the call CMEN? They can pronounce it acronymically to boot :) Now a mini-rant for Canadians only: are you as disgusted as I am with the CBC's lack of coverage of the Commonwealth Games? Virtually nothing has been broadcast live. Perhaps we've been spoiled by all the live coverage of the Olympics and World Cup, and perhaps the CBC blew its financial wad in Salt Lake City. But the Commonwealth Games deserve better broadcast coverage, even if it's not quite the Olympics. Canada is winning a whack of medals (third behind Australia and host England) and many of the athletes who we haven't been getting to see are getting some good training for Athens in 2004. 73 (Mike Brooker Toronto, ON, Aug 3, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** CANADA [or non?]. Tim Bucknall in UK received something in French on 87.75, audio frequency of channel A6; there was also activity on channels A2 and A4. Can anyone decide whether this brief clip has a Canadian accent? (gh, DXLD) This is Tim Bucknall's French station on 87.75 --take a listen. Try http://fmdx.usclargo.com/al.mp3 or http://fmdx.usclargo.com/isthiscanadaorfrance.html -- (Mike Bugaj - Enfield, CT USA, WTFDA via DXLD) ** COSTA RICA. RFPI`s Marti FM studio-transmitter link failed a few weeks ago; must go back to US for repair. Now using instead a cable link between studio and transmitter, about 1000 feet of coax underground, with an FM transmitter feeding into the cable, receiver at other end; but entails some hum and RF problems; trying to fix. The current reduced schedule of 2200-0800 on both 7445 and 15040 is required due to funding; current power consumption costs about $1000 a month; another $500 would allow expansion of 15040 into more daytime hours. 7445 had some problems this week. A switch between main power lines and transmitter failed, now replaced but 7445 has been off sporadically for past week. Were able to buy a replacement and install while AC was on; about one inch diameter cables. Should be reliable now. Needs $250 to $300 for tower crew to move 7445 antenna from shorter to higher tower and switch to AM. ``Heart of the Matter`` is a new program, behind the headlines, solution-centered conversations building on one another, hosted by Mark Summer, Mainstream Media Project. Instead of Earthspan, Tue 2030, Fri 2100 [actually 6 and 12 hours later.] A new Global Community Forum planned for this Saturday night, only half an hour, to get it going again, UT Sunday 0230. Interactive Radio Show may be returning too (Joe Bernard and James Latham, RFPI Mailbag Aug 2, notes by gh for DX LISTENING DIGEST) Woke up at 0945 UT Sunday August 4 so checked RFPI frequencies: surprised to find both 7445-USB and 15038.6 still running, much later than currently scheduled 0800* including weekends; but a couple minutes later they were gone tho the 15038.6 carrier was still on (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CZECHOSLOVAKIA. Radio Prague was also a favourite of mine in the good old bad days. One-hour transmissions were heard daily, with powerful signals. Excellent music, from folk to rock could be heard. Of course a daily dose of the party line was heard too. The usual party glorification and achievements of socialism were heard. In 1989, amid the turmoil going on in the region, an incident occurred that galvanized the public. Police either did, or were believed to have fired on some demonstrators. Unfortunately, this occurred 50 years to the day since the Nazis had executed some student protesters in Prague. The communists were seen to be no better than the Nazis. At the same time the Soviet Union commented that perhaps the invasion of 1968 HAD been a bad idea, that the Czechs had in fact been practicing perestroika. This served to cut the legs out from under the Czech government, whose leader had been installed amid Russian tanks in 1968. In a whirlwind of activity, Vaclav Havel became the country`s leader, going from a dissident to the president. After a brief period when many of the staff from the days of the old regime were removed Radio Prague returned in its present form…a scaled back version of its former ``glory`` but nevertheless a 30 min program of great interest. Shortly thereafter, the Czech and Slovak parts of the country split apart, peacefully. Gone were the worst aspects of the station, while retaining the best - -- the music and features are truly wonderful. The staff also has a certain ``cheekiness`` about them --- humorous without being silly. Radio Prague has one of the nicest websites I have seen, well organized and extremely informative. Programs and articles are fully archived and many many program features are available in real audio on demand. So for instance you can hear the ABCs of Czech in consecutive order if you like. http://www.radio.cz/en/ Slovakia Radio Slovakia International was formed from part of the old Radio Prague when the country split apart. Radio Slovakia walks a tightrope; the fact that Slovakia was an ally of Nazi Germany during World War II is largely glossed over, except for pride in the fact that the country was ``independent`` --- sort of. Many reports concentrate on the resistance movement to the fascists and the ``Slovak National Uprising`` is still revered here. The programs have come a long way, from the early days when the Press Review consisted of people sitting around the studio reading items from the various newspapers. Radio Slovakia`s website is quite good, some cool pics of all their QSL cards over the years and the funky looking RSI building. Many articles taken from their programs, some archived. There is even a small amount of advanced program information to be had, if only a few days ahead. Programs can be heard in real audio from the site or via http:///www.wrn.org/ondemand http://www.slovakradio.sk/rsi/index.html (Fred Waterer, Programming Matters, July ODXA Listening In via DXLD) ** CZECH REPUBLIC. See CZECHOSLOVAKIA above ** DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. 4959.8, RADIO CIMA 100. Santo Domingo, República Dominicana. 0840-0902 Agosto 3. Música Bachata? en el espacio "Los Gigantes del Amargue". No sé si "Amargue" sea algun ritmo pero me suena algo distinto a la bachata; además ellos tienen un programa dedicado a este tipo de música llamado "Los Gigantes de la Bachata". Al dar la hora se identifica así: "...La hora en Cima100, 5 de la madrugada... ésta es Cima 100". Luego a las 0955 vino una completa ID par luego el himno Nacional de la Republica Dominicana así: "...Radio Cima 100; 100.5 megahertz proyecta sus ondas desde Santo Domingo, capital de la República Dominicana apegada a los reglamentos que rigen la radiodifusión en nuestro país y bajo las normas y acuerdos internacionales. Tratamos de ofrecer y somos los pioneros de la más variada programación en la frecuencia modulada; complacer su gusto musical es lo más importante para nosotros..." Luego del Himno vino un especial musical de Boleros y Baladas, pero a las 1006 intempestivamente fuera del aire (Rafael O. Rodríguez R., Santa Fé de Bogotá, Colombia, Conexión Digital via DXLD) [HCDX] R. Cima 100 is back This morning I received a station with LA music on 4959.9 kHz (O=3). Time: 0045-0105. In my sleeepiness I nearly missed the ID (and also my cassetterecorder was not activated). I only heard that the QTH was announced as Santo Domingo (Dom. Rep.). First I thought this was probably R. Villa, which was active here some time ago. However a quick search in the Internet (G. Hauser, DXLD, WOR 1142) showed that this station is in fact "R. Cima 100" from Santo Domingo. Website: http://www.cima100fm.com/cima100.htm This page takes an awful time to load, but the live stream gives plentiful reward - endless bachata music. IDs as "Cima Bachata". R. Cima was also the predecessor of R. Villa (active some 5 years ago). It may also be possible that station + transmitter are the same and that just the name has changed. Happy listening! (Aart Rouw, Bühl, Germany, AR7030+20m longwire/MLB, Aug 2, Hard-Core-DX mailing list Aug 5 via DXLD) Looks like I have to correct this logging [as R. Villa]. After I sent it, many people indicated that they heard Radio Cima Cien on this frequency. Fortunately I kept a recording, and I listened to it again. And indeed, after listening to it a few time (reception was not all that great) the ID sounds like "Radio Cima" (not "Cima Cien" this time). I'm sorry for the mistake (Mark Veldhuis, the Netherlands, DXing.info Aug 3 via DXLD) ** DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. INFORMACIONES TOMADAS DESDE RELAMPAGO DX DESDE JAPON cortesia TAKAYUKI INUOE NOZAKI POR LAS RUTAS DE QUISQUEYA #2 Radio Cima Cien The following item is taken from Relámpago DX #113 (January 2000) by Takayuki Inoue Nozaki. It is placed here with permission. It was in the middle of September 1992 that Radio Cima 100, a commercial station broadcasting on 100.5 MHz FM in Santo Domingo, made its first appearance on shortwave band. The shortwave outlet initially established on a drifting frequency in the vicinity of 4962.3 kHz, but subsequently it moved down to the official assigned frequency of 4960 kHz. The shortwave transmission of Radio Cima 100 was sporadically heard on the frequency range between 4959.8 kHz and 4960.1 kHz from the middle of September of 1992 to January of 1999. Afterward, HIAH Radio Villa "La Sencilla", another station of "Circuito Radial Roberto Vargas" which formerly broadcast on 1330 kHz, started to operate on the same shortwave frequency in the middle of September of 1999. According to the announcement, the station is on the air simultaneously on 1480 kHz medium wave and 4960 kHz shortwave. While I was in Santo Domingo in late December 1998, I noted that Radio Visión operated on 1330 kHz on which Radio Villa "La Sencilla" had been formerly on the air, and the newly assigned frequency could not be found. On December 28, 1998, I visited the broadcasting facilities of Radio Cima 100, located at Avenida 27 de Febrero No. 265, a main thoroughfare in Santo Domingo. The station was in a third story building, contained a bank on the first floor and several offices on the second and third floors. There was no station's billboard outside, but the remarkable antenna towers on the top of the building made me easy to find the station. Upon entering into the reception room, the secretary immediately recognized me from a photograph of myself and of my DX shack which I had enclosed with my reception report. But I was informed by her that Roberto Vargas, the station owner and director, had just left but might return an other day. As for my limited time in Santo Domingo, I should visit other shortwave broadcasters, I could not come back to visit Radio Cima 100. While eagerly explaining why I could not have enough time to back again, a youngish man entered. The secretary briefly spoke him about the visit of a Japanese listener, and soon later cordially greeted me. I went around the broadcasting facilities and transmitting units under the guidance of him. The facilities consisted simply of a small reception room, an owner/director's office, an operating studio, and a recording studio. The operating studio was equipped with a "LPB Signature III" brand console mixer (6 channel), two "Denon" brand DN-650 model MD decks, a computer which controlled the programming and time check for 24 hours a day, and no microphone. Daily programs are edited and scheduled by the computer system. Therefore the operators observe the scheduled programming and commercial advertisements with the computer and audio monitor, and if they notice errors, they take measures against problems and modify the programs. The FM transmitters were installed in a strongly-built ferroconcrete house, located at the back of the building. Radio Cima 100 owns two transmitters of the "RCA" brand; BTF-20 model (20 kW) and BTF-10 model (10 kW). Generally the FM outlet runs with the transmitter of 20 kW. In case of power outage, the standby transmitter of 10 kW will be utilized with its own generator of an output of 20 kW. The 1 kW transmitter which had formerly been used by the FM outlet on 100.5 MHz, was transferred to La Roma Manacurita in the Province of Monseñor Nouel. It is currently used for the repeating station for the Region of Cibao, broadcasting on 88.7 MHz. Hurricane Mitch caused serious damage to the Dominican Republic, and also some Caribbean and Central American countries. As Radio Cima 100 naturally suffered a great loss from the disaster, it discontinued operations for about two months. Behind the building, I saw that a couple of horribly snapped and broken iron antenna towers were left in ruins. These destroyed antenna towers described to me the horrifying damage of the hurricane. The shortwave transmitter had been located in San Cristóbal, about 30 kilometers west from Santo Domingo, however, it was established in the same second floor of the building where the studio and office occupied. The transmitter site was also tremendously destroyed by Hurricane Mitch, and it was difficult reconstruct the transmitting house and the antenna at the same site. Therefore, the transmitting unit was transferred from San Cristóbal to Santo Domingo. The shortwave outlet was equipped with a 1 kW transmitter, designed and manufactured by a famous Dominican electrical engineer, Ing. Andrez Infante, and fed into a 1/2 wave dipole antenna (35 meters high above the ground). During my stay in Santo Domingo, the station was audible with fairly strong signal on the measured frequency of 4960.1 kHz from evening through early morning. After a short tour in the station facilities, Sr. Gerardo Vargas, the eldest son of the station owner, and I swapped stories on many aspects of shortwave broadcasting and DXing. Radio Cima 100 was founded in 1978 by Roberto Vargas. Initially the station transmitted on 100.5 MHz with programming of 18 hours at 1000-0400. Afterward, it commenced the 24 hour broadcasting. In September of 1992 on the occasion of the year of the 500th anniversary celebrations honoring the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the New World, Radio Cima 100 commenced shortwave transmissions on 4960 kHz in the 60 meter band. Since then the station began to be logged in different countries in the world. As of December of 1998, Radio Cima 100 runs for 24 hours and has a staff of 15 persons. Radio Cima 100 broadcasts on 100.5 MHz from Santo Domingo and 88.7 MHz from La Roma Manacurita. The shortwave outlet operates on 4960 kHz at 2200-1000 daily, relaying the programs of the FM outlets, and covers the whole Hispaniola Island and neighboring Caribbean countries from the evening through the early morning. The programming is composed of a variety of music including: merengue, salsa, bachata, ranchera, adult contemporary and easy listening, with the exception of the micro news "Boletín de Noticias". The one minute news bulletin which is conduced by Orland Ortiz, is on the air every half hour. Canned identification "Cima Sabor Navideño transmitiendo desde Santo Domingo en los 100.5 MHz, cubriendo la región sur, este y noreste del país; en cadena con los 88.7 MHz desde La Roma Manacurita en la Provincia de Monseñor Nouel, cubriendo to el Cibao. Cima Sabor Navideño, su aguinaldo radial nacional." QSLs Radio Cima 100 is undoubtedly a good verifier. They gratefully wish for reception reports on the shortwave transmission. If the reports are correct in the details as to programming and the quality of reception, the station will verify with a hand made QSL card and an attractive pennant which shows station mascot and the Alcazar palace of Christopher Columbus. Send your reports in Spanish to the following mail address: Apartado postal No. 804, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana. Technical Information HIVR 4960 kHz: is equipped with a transmitter (1 kW) manufactured by Ing. Andrez Infante in 1992, and a 1/2 wave dipole antenna (35 meters high above the ground). The nominal frequency officially assigned to the shortwave outlet is 4960 kHz, but it was actually heard on 4960.1 kHz during my stay in Santo Domingo. HIVR 100.5 MHz: is equipped with two "RCA" transmitters: BTF-20 model (20 kW) and BTF-10 model (10 kW), and a 5 elements omni directional antenna (70 meters high above the ground). The transmitter of 10 kW power is occasionally utilized in emergencies. Transmitter site: Avenida 27 de Febrero No. 265, segundo piso, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana. Studio: Avenida 27 de Febrero No. 265, oficina 201, Ensanche Piantini, Santo Domingo, República Dominicana. (via Dario Monferini, DXLD) ** ECUADOR. A HCJB transmite o programa DX-HCJB, com informações do mundo das ondas curtas. Vai ao ar, nos sábados, às 0830, em 9745 kHz. Nos domingos, às 0100, em 11920 e 12020 kHz. É reapresentado, às 1730, em 15295 kHz. A apresentação é de Eunice Carvajal. Endereço: Caixa Postal 16050, CEP: 81611-970, Curutiba(PR). (Célio Romais, @tividade DX August 3 via DXLD) ** FINLAND. SWR EDXC2002 Radio What is the name of the game? 17th August 2002 Scandinavian Weekend Radio, Virrat will have a 24 hours extra transmission during EDXC-Conference in Pori Western Finland. SWR will be an official radiostation of this meeting. You can listen us on following frequencies: 5980, 5990 or 6170 kHz on 48 mb and 11690 or 11720 kHz on 25 mb. Look details from our web-page: http://www.swradio.net/edxc Special EDXC 2002 transmission will contain lot of radio- and dx- oriented programmes as well direct reports from conference place each hour all day long. So you have a good opportunity to follow happenings even thought you for some reasons could not be with in conference place itself. Reports and QSL's We have issued a special QSL-card to be sending everyone reporting these EDXC 2002 Radio- programmes. This very rare collector's item-QSL might be a nice souvenir to have for this event. You should post your report (with 2 Euros/IRC's/US-$'s) to: SWR EDXC2002 Radio, P.O.Box 35, FIN- 40321 JYVÄSKYLÄ, FINLAND Call and take part! It is highly recommended to take part to programmes of SWR EDXC2002 Radio. You can either call or send SMS messages to direct studio line 0400 995 559 (international +358 400 995 559). To get more info you can visit Scandinavian Weekend Radio web page: http://www.swradio.net. And our e-mail address is: info@swradio.net. Visit SWR! All representatives of media and radiolisteners are very welcome to visit Scandinavian Weekend Radio in Liedenpohja-village of Virrat. You can get more info and driving instructions by calling (or sending SMS- messages) to Alpo Heinonen, 040 722 1218 (International +358 40 722 1218) SWR presentation in Pori You can meet a part of our staff in EDXC-conference. They will tell the whole story of Scandinavian Weekend Radio on presentation around 10 AM on Saturday. [Later:] Hello, Take part and vote The best radiosong to SWR EDXC2002 Radio "Top 20 RadioSong"-programme! http://www.swradio.net/cgi- bin/vote.cgi This programme will be aired on 17th August 2002, 19 UTC. frequencies of SWR. SWR EDXC2002 Radio http://www.swradio.net/edxc With Best Regards, (Alpo Heinonen, Aug 4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY/USA. DEUTSCHE WELLE ADDS DIGITAL TRANSMISSION TO NORTH AMERICA | Excerpt from report in English by press release by Deutsche Welle on 5 August As of 15 September 2002, Deutsche Welle (DW) will deliver its TV and radio programmes to cable headends and rebroadcasting stations in North and Middle [Central] America through a digital C-band channel on AMC-1. Satellite communications provider SES Americom and DW signed a corresponding agreement. For a smooth transition DW's signal will be distributed on both AMC-1 digital and analogue for at least four weeks, with the termination of analogue broadcasts on 14 September. "DW-TV makes the move to AMC-1 digital to better serve our partner stations in North America with clear, high quality digital broadcasts. The move completes DW's digital transition which began with the launch of PAS-9 in 1997 as well as the launch earlier this year of our new digital subscription channel German TV. With this change to digital on AMC-1, DW-TV is now truly a digital player in North America," says DW Director General, Erik Bettermann... Reception data: Position: 103 West Transponder: 2 Frequency: 3.740 GHz Polarization: Vertical Symbol rate: 29.270 Msymbols/s FEC: 7/8 Video Standard: NTSC Video Compression: MPEG-2/DVB Audio Compression (TV Sound): MPEG-1/Layer 2 and AC3 Audio Compression (Radio): MPEG-1/Layer 2 Modulation: QPSK Radio Channels: DW 1 (German), DW 2 (English), DW 7 (French and various other languages). More information about DW: http://www.dw-world.de Source: Deutsche Welle press release, Cologne, in English 5 Aug 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** HAWAII. [A thread about the last time AK and HI have been heard on MW east of the Mississippi...] Quite frankly, given sunspot minimum and good winter conditions, KORL should be heard in the midwest still and under optimum conditions in the east. Alaska has always been more difficult, in part due to more stations on those frequencies (Russ Edmunds, Blue Bell, PA, amfmtvdx Aug 4 via DXLD) What frequency are you referring to? KORL used to be on 650, and now it also used to be on 99.5 FM. (Glenn Hauser, OK, ibid.) I think all these reports are for KORL's longtime frequency of 650. In the early 90's 650 became KHNR. KORL now on 690 with Radio Disney. The old KORL tower (when east coaster's heard them) was in Waikiki, near the Ala Wai canal and the Ocean. Today, 650 shares a tower with now co-owned 940 (Salem), and is in an area far from the ocean. The tower is cut for 940, and the area is has even worse ground conductivity then the famous low conductivity of Hawaii. These days, in Honolulu, KORL sounds more like 1 kW then 10, and runs low modulation. I was there in March, and at night, KFI 640 slop could be heard on 650 ! After the inland tower move, it was easy to null out KORL on a loop, and hear WSM, on the windward side of Oahu (Brock Whaley, WH6SZ, Atlanta (In Hawaii 1984-2000) AMFMTVDX mailing list via DXLD) ** ICELAND. A nice QSL received from AFN/Iceland Keflavik, 3902.8A kHz sent by Mr. Sigurdur Jonnson, Chief Engineer, NAVMEDIACENBCST DET KEFLAVIK, PSC 1003, Box 25, FPO AE 09728-0325 - v/s signed by P. Huizinga, JOCS(SW) USN, Officer in Charge (Torre Ekblom, Esbo, Finland, August 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. World Radio Network has started a new weekly newsletter of program previews from many of the stations it carries, edited by Thomas Voelkner (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The signup URL is one click from: http://www.wrn.org/ondemand/ Regards, (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA, swprograms via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [and non]. Kanimbla Update Just a few weeks back, we presented the story of the radio station on board the Australian motor vessel, ``Kanimbla``. On that occasion, we mentioned that the ship was built in Belfast Ireland and that it was the only ship in the world into which a radio station was installed at the time when the ship was constructed. The ``Kanimbla`` sailed for Australia on April 26 1936 and it made four radio broadcasts each day throughout the entire voyage. One month later, the inaugural broadcast was made for listeners in Australia with a nationwide relay on the ABC mediumwave network. From that time onwards, the passenger liner travelled the Australian coastline, frequently sending out entertainment programs over the 50 watt broadcast transmitter, VK9MI. In those days, a VK callsign indicated an experimental station, not necessarily an amateur station as is the case these days. These hour long broadcasts in the evening were presented by the station announcer, Eileen Foley, and they were picked up by local mediumwave stations in the AWA commercial network and relayed to local audiences. The final broadcast from VK9MI on the ``Kanimbla`` went on the air right at the beginning of September 1939 and when war was declared, the broadcast station was silenced forever. Station VK9MI never radiated another entertainment program. We could ask the question: What happened to the ``Kanimbla`` after that? One of the really fascinating aspects about research into the history of radio broadcasting is this. When you think that you have completed research into all of the available information on a particular station, then unexpectedly, new information becomes available. This is the case with the story of the radio broadcasting ship, ``Kanimbla``. For much of this additional information, we are indebted to Dr Martin van der Ven in Germany, who maintains a website on the story of radio broadcasting from ships. His website is:- http://offshore_radio.de Just one month after the outbreak of the European Conflict, the ``Kanimbla`` was taken over by the Royal Navy and the ship was commissioned as HMS ``Kanimbla``, that is His Majesty`s Ship ``Kanimbla``. The ``Kanimbla`` then made its way to Hong Kong for re- outfitting as a navy troop transport. Acting as a navy vessel, the ``Kanimbla`` carried troops and supplies to allied forces in the Pacific and Asia. During this era, the ship was operated by the Australian navy on behalf of the British navy. Nearly four years later, HMS ``Kanimbla`` was re-commissioned in a ceremony in Sydney and it joined the Royal Australian Navy as ``HMAS ``Kanimbla`, that is, His Majesty`s Australian Ship, ``Kanimbla``. The ship served a similar role in the Australian navy for a period of six years after which it was de-commissioned in Sydney in 1949. At this stage, the ``Kanimbla`` was re-outfitted again as a passenger liner and then returned to its original owners when it rejoined the passenger traffic. Then in 1961, the ship was sold in Asia and renamed the ``Oriental Queen`` for passenger traffic in Asian waters. Three years later again it was placed under charter to a Japanese company, and after three more years, they purchased it. In 1974, just 40 years after it was built, the glorious ship ``Kanimbla`` was unceremoniously broken up for scrap. That then is the end of the long and interesting saga of the ``Kanimbla``, the only ship in the world that had a radio broadcasting station built into it at the time when the ship was constructed. However, there are two more items of interest. There was a soldier in the American army by the name of A. J. Haley. A few years ago, he read an article about the Australian ship, the ``Kanimbla``, in the American radio magazine, ``Popular Communications``. He wrote to the editor of the magazine stating that he rode the ``Kanimbla`` during its era of service as a troop transport vessel in the Pacific. After his demobilization, Haley entered the radio world himself in an amateur role, with the callsign K8UJW. The other item is this. In recent time we have received several batches of old QSL cards for the AWR Historic Collection. One of these cards is an original QSL card from VK9MI for a reception report dated August 5, 1937 and it was signed by the announcer, Eileen Foley herself. Another QSL card also verifies a reception report on a transmission from the ``Kanimbla``, and it was during its time of service under the Australian navy. The callsign was VLFS and the ship was calling the maritime station VIS in Sydney at the time on 12380 kHz. The date of reception was May 30, 1946 (Adrian Michael Peterson, AWR Wavescan August 4 via DXLD) ** ISRAEL. Kol Israel - web broadcast The IBA web broadcast has changed.... http://bet.iba.org.il no longer has the 1900 UT Reshet Hey broadcast. There is now one URL which includes all of the domestic English (Reshet Alef) broadcasts. When a new broadcast is recorded, it overlays the old one. Since the recording is automatic, you sometimes hear Hebrew or French (depending upon the broadcast), for the first few moments of the audio. The links for English / French / Spanish can be found at the left side of: http://bet.iba.org.il/ The http://www.israelradio.org link, which says 10 PM, goes to the same audio file. From on top of the link to the English RealAudio file: "English Kol Israel broadcasts its English news at 07.00 (IST), 04.00 GMT; 13.15 (IST), 10.00 GMT and 19.30 (IST), 16.30 GMT." French: "Les journaux d'informations en langue française sont diffusés de 7h15 a 7h30, heure israélienne – 4h15 – 4h30 en temps universel; 13h a 13h15, heure israélienne – 10h15 – 10h30 en temps universel et 19h45 a 20h, heure israélienne – 16h45 – 17h en temps universel." Spanish: "Las transmisiones de Kol Israel en español para el exterior, salen al aire todos los días a las 20.00 hora local, 17.00 GMT. La emisión es de 15 minutos e incluye noticias, notas de actualidad, entrevistas y música popular israelí. Un experimentado equipo de redactores, locutores y cronistas llevan a cabo día a día la labor informativa sobre la actualidad nacional." Also, the IBA website now has a searchable schedule (in Hebrew) of their domestic networks (Reshet Alef, Gimel, Dalet, Kol Hamusica, Reshet Moreshet). Interestingly, Reshet Bet is absent... Actually, it's on the list of networks to search, but it's not on the main page - and if you do search, it doesn't come up with anything. http://www.iba.org.il/radioprog/mainShidurim.asp ------------------------------------------- [later:] Now I'm not so sure what's being recorded on the IBA site. It's now 1.5 hours after the 0400 UT broadcast -- and it definitely doesn't have the 0400 broadcast. On the other hand, I can't figure out what broadcast it is. The announcer said something like 'Good evening, Shavua Tov, a pleasant week) and have a good evening' -- and the next language was French (and the weather forecast said, tonight it will be, and tomorrow). The beginning of the broadcast was cut off, so I don't know the time -- and the end didn't say anything. I would think it would be the Reshet Hey broadcast, as French follows English, but A) There should be 5 minutes in between. B) The announcer quickly says (in Hebrew), that 'Hebrew programming on Reshet Alef will restart in a 1/2 hour.' Unfortunately, I don't speak French, so I couldn't hear what they're saying. When I emailed the contact email address, asking which broadcasts they were recording... he said to look at the caption which I quoted before (which has all the Reshet Alef broadcasts). Incidentally, there is text which scrolls on the http://bet.iba.org.il homepage, which says that there are now more broadcasts in English/French/Spanish available on the website. BUT, the announcement is in Hebrew text! I must've heard the 1015 UT broadcast on Thursday (or was it Friday) morning, as French was heard PRIOR to English (Doni Rosenzweig, August 3-4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISRAEL. I can confirm that Kol Israel is using the following frequencies for English at 1900-1925 UTC, 11605, 15615, 15640 and 17545. All are beamed to Europe and North America except for 15640 which is directed to Africa (per their schedule). 15640 extremely weak here. Monitored at 1900 UT 8/4/2002 (Steve Lare, Holland, MI, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** JAPAN [non]. Dear sirs, The special broadcast in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Japan Short Wave Club will be held as follows: Station: Adventist World Radio from Agat, Guam Language: Japanese Date, time and frequencies: 18 August 2002 / 2100 UT / 11850, 11980 kHz 19 August 2002 / 1300 UT / 11705, 11980 kHz Program host: Masaru Kawagoe Program contents: Interview, etc. (Approximately 20 minutes-long program just after the opening ID at 2100/1300 UT) Although the above program is in Japanese, according to Toshimichi Ohtake, a senior member of our club, you can hear the recording of the past DX program "SWL Digest" of Radio Canada International. A special QSL card from JSWC will be issued for correct reception reports sent to: Japan Short Wave Club (JSWC), 50th Anniversary Committee, P.O.Box 138, Yokohama Port, 231-8691 Japan. Please write your report in English and enclose 1 IRC or U.S. 1 dollar bill. Source of information: "SW DX Guide" Vol.51 No.8 (August 2002), Japan Short Wave Club / Toshimichi Ohtake, a member of JSWC. We hope your continuous support of our club activities in the future. With kind regards, Nobuya Kato, A volunteer staff of JSWC 50th anniversary project e-mail: jswc50@par.odn.ne.jp (BC-DX Aug 4 via DXLD) ** JAPAN [and non]. Meeting Japanese DXers, by Jim Solatie In summer 2001 I had a chance to visit Tokyo. Besides business, I was honoured to meet a group of Japanese DXers. We spent one Saturday evening together discussing our great hobby, enjoying superb Japanese seafood and - of course - drinking marvelous sake! Because sake tasted so good, I wasn't able to write down all the details we talked about. So after returning home we made an interview over the Internet with Mr. Hideki Watanabe, Mr. Tooru Gouhara and Mr. Takashi Kuroda. Please enjoy their views below! [illustrated] http://www.dxing.info/articles/japanese_dxing.dx (via gh, DXLD) ** KURDISTAN. See TURKEY ** MEXICO. R. Educación, 6185, with usual nice selection of music, but Aug 4 at 0959 surprised to hear them playing Mexican NA at an hour which is neither local midnight, sign-on, nor sign-off time; then ID for 1060 outlet (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO [non]. Como notó nuestro oyente Rafael Rodríguez en Colombia, había un cambio de horario para la primera transmisión de la apertura del Octavo Encuentro Nacional de Diexistas Mexicanos esta mañana, 3 de agosto. La transmisión salió a las 0900 en vez de las 1000 UT, y fue repetida a las 1100. Para aquellas personas especialmente en América Latina que no pudieron escuchar la primera transmisión, vamos a repetir el programa el próximo lunes, miércoles y viernes (agosto 5, 7 y 9) a las 1130 UT en 9955 kHz, además de los otros horarios mencionados en nuestro boletín de prensa inicial sobre estas transmisiones (Jeff White, WRMI, August 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MONACO [non]. Re DXLD 2-123: The Roumoules LW/MW site is located 100 km to the west of Monaco, far into France proper. Saying this is "near the border to Monaco" seems misleading (Olle Alm, Sweden, Aug 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes, I kept looking for Monaco on the entirely inland map including Roumoules but it was too far away (gh, DXLD) ** PERU. 9504.9, Radio Tacna logged 24 July with rather poor reception at 0005 clasical music program - QRM from Radio Record, Brasil. On 9720.4, Radio Victoria, Lima heard 29 July also with poor reception, some sort of national festival at 2340 - severe QRM started at 0000, time checks and "La Voz de Liberación" [evangelical program] announcements (Torre Ekblom, Esbo, Finland, Aug 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** QATAR. 17755.2, Qatar Broadcasting Service, 0240-0305 Aug 1, open carrier noted but no audio until 0258 when music heard. This was followed by a man with Arabic talk, ID and announcements at 0300. Poor (Rich D`Angelo, PA, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) ** SAINT KITTS & NEVIS. 555, 04/08 0500, ZIZ, Basseterre. Músicas caribenhas apresentadas por locutor em EE. Não foi possivel ouvir nenhuma identificação porém comparei a programação com o programa da mesma emissora que é transmitido via Internet através do site http://www.skbee.com/zizLive.html 22322. Com esse são 172 rádio países ouvidos (Marcelo Toníolo, Greenvale, NY, radioescutas via DXLD) ** SLOVAKIA. See CZECHOSLOVAKIA ** TURKEY. Turkey has lifted its ban on Kurdish-language broadcasting, according to BBC reports. At the same time it has decided to allow education in the Kurdish language, and to abolish the death penalty. The BBC says these measures are connected with Turkey's desire to join the European Union (Roger Tidy, UK, Aug 4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: ** TURKEY. MINISTER SAYS REGULATION ON KURDISH COURSES TO BE COMPLETED IN 3 MONTHS | Text of report in English by Turkish news agency Anatolia Ankara: National Education Minister Necdet Tekin said on Monday [5 August] that works on a regulation related with opening and supervision of courses of different languages and dialects under the European Union (EU) adjustment laws adopted at the parliament could be completed within three months after the law was put into force. Tekin told AA [Anatolia] correspondent that 11th article of the EU adjustment law permitted "teaching of different languages and dialects used traditionally by Turkish citizens in their daily lives". The National Education Ministry was authorized to set the principles and producers regarding this issue, Tekin said. Tekin noted that under this law, the courses to be opened for teaching of different languages and dialects used in daily life would be subject to provisions of the Law on Special Education Institutions No 625. There were currently 375 courses in Turkey giving education in languages like English, German, French and Arabic, Tekin stated. Tekin pointed out that 276 inspectors of the ministry and elementary school inspectors in every city were supervising these courses. "Language and dialect courses like Kurdish and Circassian will probably be added to these existing courses. Such language and dialect courses will not be contrary to fundamental principles of the republic," Tekin said. Tekin noted that the newly-adopted law permitted the opening of only special courses on different languages and dialects. "The National Education Ministry will open and control new courses as French courses are opened under its supervision. Principles and procedures related with opening and supervision of courses of different languages and dialects will be set by our ministry and passed after it is approved by the Council of Ministers. I think this will take three months. Maybe it can be concluded earlier," Tekin added. Meanwhile, officials of the National Education Ministry said that there were currently a Regulation on Special Education Institutions Under Auspices of National Education Ministry and a Regulation on Special Courses. The officials noted that these regulations could be amended instead of preparing a new regulation. Source: Anatolia news agency, Ankara, in English 0741 gmt 5 Aug 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) Come to think of it, none of the Kurdish SW clandestines are aimed at Turkish Kurdistan, if you`ll pardon the expression. How come? More: (gh, DXLD) ** TURKEY. PUBLISHER GETS JAIL SENTENCE FOR PUBLISHING US BOOK ON KURDS | Text of press release by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on 2 August New York, 2 August: On 31 July, Abdullah Keskin, a Turkish publisher charged with "separatist propaganda" for publishing a US journalist's book about Turkey's Kurdish minority population, was convicted and sentenced to a six-month prison sentence, which the court converted to a fine of about 500 US dollars. An Istanbul State Security Court ruled on Wednesday [31 July] that Keskin had violated Article 8 of Turkey's Anti-Terror Law when his publishing house, Avesta, printed a Turkish edition of After Such Knowledge, What Forgiveness? My Encounters in Kurdistan, a book about the Kurds written by retired Washington Post correspondent Jonathan Randal. Keskin, who was out of the country and did not attend the hearing, will appeal the verdict, his lawyer said. State prosecutors based the charges against Keskin on several passages from the book that contained references to "Kurdistan," which literally means "land of the Kurds." Turkish courts often cite such references to justify prosecuting journalists and intellectuals for allegedly supporting the separatist ambitions of Turkey's Kurdish minority population. Despite recent legislative efforts in Turkey aimed at alleviating restrictions on freedom of _expression and improving the country's chances of membership in the European Union, courts continue to apply restrictive laws to prosecute journalists for their work. "While we are relieved that Keskin will not spend time in prison, this conviction shows that practising journalism can still be a crime in Turkey," said CPJ executive director Ann Cooper. "Turkey is far from bringing its laws in line with international standards for press freedom." Randal's book, originally published in 1997, was later translated into several languages. The Turkish edition, which Avesta published in 2001, was confiscated on 15 January 2002 and remains banned. In January 2002, Keskin was charged with violating the Anti-Terror Law. His trial began on 3 April. Currently, Turkey jails more journalists than any other country in Europe or the Middle East. At the end of 2001, thirteen Turkish journalists were in prison, mainly because of their affiliation with pro-Kurdish or leftist publications. Source: Committee to Protect Journalists press release, New York, in English 2 Aug 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) ANALYSIS: TURKEY TO ALLOW KURDISH-LANGUAGE BROADCASTS | Text of editorial analysis by BBC Monitoring's Foreign Media Unit on 5 August Turkish MPs voted on Saturday 3 August to allow Kurdish TV and radio broadcasts as part of a package of reforms intended to boost the country's prospects of joining the European Union. An estimated 12 million Kurds in Turkey will also be allowed to have private Kurdish- language education. Parliament voted by 267 votes to 114 to allow the Kurds to broadcast in their mother tongue, provided that the programmes follow constitutional principles and do not incite violence. "The right to broadcasting in the mother tongue is to be introduced. Radio and TV broadcasting in the different languages and dialects used traditionally in the everyday lives of citizens of Turkey will start. These broadcasts will be monitored by the Radio and Television High Council [RTUK] and their style and content will also be determined by RTUK," Istanbul-based NTV reported. Analysts said the decision was partly a recognition that satellite technology has made it impossible for Turkey to enforce its ban on Kurdish-language broadcasts transmitted from abroad. This view was echoed by the Istanbul newspaper Milliyet, which commented on 3 August: "Does not every house fitted with a satellite dish receive Kurdish television and radio? Furthermore, from transmitters making separatist broadcasts. Now these broadcasts will be both regulated and monitored. It will contribute to our citizens of Kurdish origin sharing the concept of constitutional citizenship. Turkey has turned negatives into positives." Expatriate Kurds in Europe have been broadcasting via satellite to Turkey for years on channels such as French-based Medya TV, launched in July 1999, and its now defunct predecessor, the London-based Med TV. Turkey has accused these Kurdish-language satellite TV channels of operating as mouthpieces for the separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The legalization of broadcasts in Kurdish is a reversal of severe restrictions which have been in force for many years. But it has been one of the most controversial elements of the reform package, attracting the wrath of nationalists MPs. Nationalists said the reforms would divide the country and amounted to concessions to guerrillas who fought a 15-year war for autonomy in mainly Kurdish southeastern Turkey. The Nationalist Action Party (MHP), and many nationalists in other parties, fear that allowing Kurdish broadcasts might encourage armed separatism in the south-east. Kurdish representatives, however, welcomed the moves. "Our reaction has been very positive," exiled Kurdistan National Congress member Akif Bozat told the BBC. "We were looking to Turkey to take those steps long ago, but better late than never. We are pleased to see reforms, and hopefully they will be applied in reality and put into practice," he added (BBC Monitoring research 5 Aug 02 via DXLD) ** U K. August 03, 2002 From The Times, On Line Radio: Paul Connolly Sounds familiar. Commercial radio has never had it so bad. At the start of 1999 the BBC was just 2.8 per cent ahead of its commercial rivals. But in the first quarter of this year this slim lead had increased to more than 7 per cent. Needless to say, the commercial sector is yet again whinging that the BBC has an unfair advantage in being able to alter its remit without reference to the Radio Authority. Commercial radio executives are now pinning their hopes on the recently announced plans for further deregulation, which they hope will kickstart the (Classic FM aside) largely moribund sector. However, I seem to recall similar hope and anticipation 12 years ago when the landmark Broadcasting Act deregulated the radio industry. The prospect of a proliferation of competition was exciting, especially in the key area of music. As well as more mainstream channels for listeners who like their tunes safe and comfortable, a range of interesting new stations would spring up, playing the weird and wonderful. Unfortunately, only half that supposition has proved correct. There are now more than 250 radio stations in the UK; more than twice as many as in 1990. And the problem is that they all sound pretty much the same — a local radio station in Clyde will have more or less exactly the same playlist as one in Exeter. The motive for this bland homogeneity is simple — money. Every advertiser is chasing the high-spending 20-40 age bracket and safe, familiar pop music is an effective lure. So why on earth commercial stations feel that they have the right to complain about BBC Radio`s ability to overhaul existing stations and even launch new digital stations such as 1Xtra is bewildering. They made their choice back in the Nineties and they all chose to do the same as each other. Do they really think further deregulation will help? Once the first wave of mergers is over we’ll be left with the same insipid fare operated by fewer companies. Terrific. And which organisation will still be making news-making radio documentaries and breaking thrilling new music? Why, the BBC of course. (Vanora Bennett is away). (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** U K. The following may explain the significance of Gerrards Cross, England, as referred to by R. Taibei International previously (gh) Kingston's Italian Job Kingston inmedia, the satellite-centric broadband solutions provider of Kingston Communications (KCOM.L), which launched ESPN Classic Sport to the French direct to home market, has won a contract to provide digital playout and terrestrial communication circuits for ESPN Classic Sport Italia. The channel is broadcasting to the Italian DTH market by Tele + Digitale in Milan. It is the sister channel to the French service that debuted earlier this year, and sees ESPN Classic Sport and Kingston inmedia combining once again to deliver quality sporting content to European satellite viewers. The service is played out from Kingston inmedia's playout facility in Gerrards Cross; the content is distributed by fibre circuits to Tele + Digitale for distribution to the Italian DTH market. The fibre circuits are provided by Dynergy and Kingston inmedia's sister company, Kingston infrastructure. Says Nick Thompson, Managing Director of Kingston inmedia. "Repeat business is the mark of a happy customer, and Kingston inmedia is in the business of keeping customers happy. Our playout service has been racing along since the launch of our unique automated digital playout centre last autumn, and we are proud of the strong relationships we have forged with customers who have experienced our outstanding service first-hand." Kingston inmedia's base at Gerrards Cross offers a collocated service that is unique to the satellite market. It is home to one of Europe`s leading teleports, has access to the fibre network from the Kingston Communications group, and contains a fully featured data centre alongside TV studios including Studio K, with an impressive virtual reality facility. The playout centre offers industry leading functionality, flexibility and redundancy within a cost effective service; factors that add up to a desirable and sensible top quality broadcast solution (AIB International Broadcasting News Aug 5 via DXLD) ** U K [non]. Beware of going to the Laser Radio website http://www.laserradio.net/ if you are listening to something via the web, since an embedded player launches automatically with station on Live365.com as noted 1800 UT August 3. Still nothing definite about their future plans (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WWRB`s extravagant claims from http://www.wwrb.org as of August 3; some of this is obviously aimed at WWCR; which one gives you a better, more reliable signal, I ask? Claims below to undertake propagation studies, but apparently has not yet discovered the auroral zone, as coverage maps show unhampered reach directly over the pole. August 15 is the big day when new antennas are to become operational. Note that WWFV site in Georgia still exists as a `back-up`. Does this mean there are still transmitters available there? And since WWRB has a previously-stated policy of absolutely no visitors, one cannot drop in to compare claims with reality. The rationale for moving does not go into big problems with the neighbors Dave Frantz had in Georgia and told me all about (gh, DXLD) WWRB Facility Information Background: In 1995, Radio Station WGTG began operations with one transmitter and one rhombic antenna, located in scenic McCayesville [sic], Georgia, high in the Appalachian mountains. From this start, the station grew exponentially, adding more transmitters and antennas; soon it had exceeded the local community's utility power supply and telephone infrastructure. However, the final decision to relocate was made when, at the behest of numerous clients who wished to economically broadcast to the Middle East / Africa, the planning for the construction of a Middle East / Africa antenna was begun. It was soon apparent that it was impossible for the radio waves (beam) from the antenna to clear a significant intervening mountain range located due east of the facilities. This, combined with the above reasons, proved sufficient incentive to relocate the main portion of the station. The relocation spawned Radio Station WWRB, which now operates in Manchester, Tennessee, with Radio Station WWFV (the original call letters were changed during the move,) in McCayesville, Georgia, as a backup station. Buildings: All building (housing) construction in connection with WWRB's relocation program has been completed. The new transmitter building, studios, power generation plant, power distribution, antenna switching matrix, antenna matching network buildings, and transformer / power supply buildings are complete. Antennas: Upon inspection of the following antenna capability lineup, one can soon see that Radio Station WWRB will possess one of the most technically astounding antenna capabilities being utilized by a private for hire shortwave station. Most private shortwave stations in the continental United States generally broadcast in one or two general directions; however, Radio Station WWRB will soon have the ability to cover the entire globe upon completion of our relocation project. In addition, most private shortwave stations use small, close to the ground (most antennas do not perform well when less then 100 feet above ground) compromised, low efficiency rhombics, log periodics, and short spaced Yagi antennas. We at WWRB use full size, high efficiency, dual feed curtain reflector antennas, full sized wide spaced yagi antennas, and 135 foot high dual feed rhombic antennas for maximum performance. It is imperative to understand that all shortwave radio stations in the United States are required by Federal Communications Commission rules to use directional antennas, which concentrates the signal in a specific direction like a flashlight beam. When choosing a shortwave station, ask where the antenna you will use points. You need to be aware that many shortwave radio stations attempt to inflate their antenna/station capabilities by talking about 'side lobes' and 'back wash' signals. 'Side lobes' and 'back wash' signals are extremely weak and unreliable, which is why they are not recognized as legitimate broadcasting directions by the Federal Communications Commission. We do not rely on our 'side lobes,' 'back washes,' and 'Hog Washes' to reach your target areas. Instead, we construct an antenna pointing directly towards the target areas, allowing full power to reach the intended point of reception. Click on the Antenna Azimuth below to see coverage area: 360d Reflector Curtain Antenna – Fully Operational after 8/15/02 045d Dual Feed Rhombic Antenna - Fully Operational 090d Reflector Curtain Antenna - Fully Operational 150d Wide Spaced Yagi - Fully Operational after 8/15/02 270d Reflector Curtain Antenna - Fully Operational after 8/15/02 340d Dual Feed Rhombic Antenna - Fully Operational WWRB's full size, uncompromised rhombic, wide spaced yagi, and curtain antennas encompass approximately sixty acres of land. The rhombic antennas' radiating elements average 135 feet above ground, while the curtain antennas average 140 feet above ground level. Propagation Studies: Radio Station WWRB conducts periodic propagation studies as part of our reliability program, detailed below. Many stations will say that they send people to personally check on their station's signal in various parts of the globe. However, this is unnecessary and downright wasteful; it merely creates an expense that the station will expect its clients to pay for. There is no guarantee that the day after this person leaves that part of the globe, another station cannot start broadcasting on that frequency, now causing interference. At Radio Station WWRB, we use technology to our advantage; through the use of computerized, scientifically developed technology used by private industries and governmental agencies such as NASA, the NSA, VOA, CIA, FBI, the FCC, etc., we are able to model shortwave propagation accurately, and through the use of internet controlled shortwave radios, which are located around the world, we can check our signal with no hassle, no expense, and in real time. This is much more effective then sending personnel on world tours to check signals. Web controlled radios and computer modeling of radio wave propagation, using antennas that specifically target various areas of the globe, along with listener reception reports are much more effective. Transmitters: Global-1: Fully Operational Global-2: Fully Operational Global-3: Final Testing Global-4: Under Construction / Organization Global-5: Under Construction / Organization WWRB utilizes both Harris and Conquest Broadcast Technologies transmitters, which are the peak in state-of-the-art shortwave broadcast technology. The transmitters are equipped with digital computer controlled, solid state modulators, are fully frequency agile, and can transmit on any frequency from 550 kHz to 30 MHz, which allows operations in the standard 'car radio' AM broadcast band (upon Federal Communications Commission authorization i.e. national emergency,) all military HF communications frequencies, including maritime, aircraft frequencies, and all international shortwave broadcast frequencies. Our transmitters are capable of all-mode operation such as AM, FM, Single Side Band (SSB), Independent Side Band (ISB), and Spread Spectrum, Phase Shift Keying (PSK), MFSK, Radio Teletype (RTTY), packet, Morse code, Slow Scan Television (SSTV), AMTOR, PACTOR, and is compatible with any digital modulation formats known at this time. The transmitters are also capable of being paralleled, combining all output power as one stronger, synchronous transmitter output. Our oldest transmitter is less than eight years old, while our newest transmitter is less than one year old. All of our transmitters undergo periodically scheduled upgrades and scheduled maintenance, keeping them running well and at or beyond the level of current broadcast technology. Our transmitters have been approved by both the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Aviation Administration. Audio Processing: During natural speech, the human voice does not maintain a standard volume. As words are articulated, the volume of a person's voice rises and falls. For a shortwave signal to attain maximum clarity, comprehension, and signal strength, it is imperative to maintain a preset level of volume. To assure that the broadcast signal is at its best at all times, Radio Station WWRB uses technologically advanced, state-of-the-art Digital Signal Processing in conjunction with our peak of current technology audio processor. This amplifies and maintains the input signal (your program,) fills in the gaps in the audio, and digitally equalizes the audio, thereby ensuring the best possible signal. Studios: Our studios are all-new modern technology, a paragon of the shortwave broadcast industry. We can take your program material via C-series cassettes, C or Ku band satellites, telephone patch, CD, LP, STL, DAT. If a mutually acceptable agreement / lease is negotiated between the purchaser and WWRB, we will perform the necessary upgrades and installations to accommodate the client. Listener Services: We at WWRB have developed a method to broadcast to our hearing impaired 'listeners.' The approach is that you would send WWRB a text printout of your message / sermon along with your program (or we can obtain it from your web site). We then upload your message into our mainframe computer system for broadcast via the digital transmission format encoded on WWRB's transmitter digital modulators. The system utilizes a simple, freeware decode program, a shortwave receiver with Single Side Band, and the hearing impaired listener's personal computer's Sound Blaster! compatible audio card. As a result, your message / sermon appears as plain text on that person's computer screen, which they can print and share with others. We received FCC approval for this service on January 4, 2001, making WWRB the only shortwave broadcast station offering this service. Ships at sea, amateur radio operators, military deployed, government services, clandestine Christian churches overseas, hobby shortwave and many other people already have the capability to receive these broadcasts. We have already been in contact with various hearing impaired support agencies and internet message boards, informing them of this service. Currently, we offer broadcast to the visually impaired by broadcasting the Authorized Version AV-1611 King James Bible and other informative and unique programs specifically for the visually impaired on tape worldwide at various times throughout the broadcast day and week. This is listener supported. We are planning to enhance our outreach to the visually impaired in the next few months when Global-3 or Global-4 is commissioned for broadcast service. For more information, please call us at (931) 841-0492. Network Services: Radio Station WWRB currently offers no internal network services at this time, but we are obtaining and installing the necessary equipment to provide network functions, such as taking telephone calls from host and listeners, and automation software for jingles and commercials. News Services: We have been contacted by several news and weather services who wish to put their programming on our transmitters. This is on a barter basis; in return for allowing them to program and advertise for the first five minutes of each hour, they will air the current news and weather. We are currently praying and seeking listener and broadcaster feedback on whether or not we should use this service, which would consume five minutes of valuable airtime per hour. Engineering Staff: Radio Station WWRB has three fully qualified engineers on staff. We do all of our building construction, maintenance, tower work, tower rigging, tower installation, tower painting, equipment repairs, and transmitter repairs on site, meaning less down time and HUGE savings of time and money passed onto the clients. As most stations contract this work to either the equipment manufacturer or independent contractors, this means premium dollar repair charges which are recaptured in excessively high airtime charges passed directly to the clients. (You!) Spare Parts: Radio Station WWRB stocks spare parts in sets of four(4) for all equipment, including, but not limited to, tower lights, spare tower sections, transmitter systems, and support circuitry. This results in absolute minimum down time as the engineering staff has in stock the proper parts to effect immediate repairs. Combined with our full time on-site engineers and fully redundant systems and subsystems, minimal downtime is assured. Reliability Program: The finished product of this Radio Station is your program. To safeguard and ensure delivery of your program, once each month, our staff conducts a detailed study of all systems, radiowave propagation, operational errors (if any,) logbooks, transmitter outages, antenna problems, and then compiles a reliability report. The staff then meets and discusses the report findings, and, if necessary, institutes corrective action. As an example of the effectiveness of the reliability program, one transmitter, over the course of six months, experienced a capacitor failure three times. Each time it failed, we contacted the manufacturer, who assured us that the capacitor was the correct part for the application; however, the study suggested that there was a failure trend caused by the part. A technical investigation was instituted by our engineers, and it was clearly determined that the part was insufficient for the application. Faced with this information, the manufacturer of the part admitted that we were correct. The part was exchanged with another version from a different manufacturer, and it solved the problem. As a result, we have upgraded the capacitor on all our other transmitters. (from http://www.wwrb.org via gh, DXLD) We looked thru the entire WWRB program schedule and found nothing but gospel huxters and far right wackos topped by this neo-Nazi show of the just-late William Pierce, and the not-late Kevin Alfred Strom, which is too repulsive for any other SW station to carry: AMERICAN DISSIDENT VOICES Sat 6:00 and 11:00 pm ``Eastern Standard`` on 5085 and 6890 (does this mean 2300 and 0400 UT, or 2200 and 0300? The latter, I guess, since at 0425 UT Sunday August 4 check, 5085 was off and 6890 had something else) (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WHY LOCAL RADIO SOUNDS LIKE WHITE BREAD HUGE feature in Globe and Mail, Review page 1. Part one of two. Does not seem to be on the Internet. However, the side bar is... http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/GIS.Servlets.HTMLTemplate?current_row=10&tf=tgam/search/tgam/SearchFullStory.html&cf=tgam/search/tgam/SearchFullStory.cfg&configFileLoc=tgam/config&encoded_keywords=radio&option=&start_row=10&start_row_offset1=&num_rows=1&search_results_start=1&query=radio DJ'S MANDATE IS TO BUCK THE STATUS QUO By SARAH KENNEDY, Saturday, August 3, 2002 -- Print Edition, Page R1 In radio's bleak state of one-hit wonders and the same songs churned out hourly on commercial stations, Los Angeles's Nic Harcourt is making his own rules. The host of Morning Becomes Eclectic on KCRW (a public radio station heralded as the only one in L.A. that allows DJs pick their own music), Harcourt's diverse morning roster has placed him at the bleeding edge of music. "I think most radio is very narrowly focused now. Very tightly play- listed and not very much fun," he said. "Radio today tends to be about the bottom line. Most radio is controlled by major corporations like [Clear Channel Communications, of San Antonio, Tex.] and it has become more about pleasing the shareholders." Harcourt's philosophy is to introduce music ahead of the curve to a discerning audience by taking chances on bands that are largely ignored by mainstream radio. And indeed, some of today's top-selling artists have Harcourt to thank for their success. Popular British band Coldplay made its first radio appearance on Morning Becomes Eclectic. British pop singer Dido's single Here With Me was picked up as the theme song for television's Roswell after it was first played on Harcourt's show. "The difference with me and other stations is if I like something, I can play it. There are no restrictions. I knew that David Gray was special and we were playing it six to eight months before he got picked up by a label." Although Harcourt may be launching some musicians into the spotlight, he doesn't see the station as having the power to revamp the industry. "I think we're an oasis, I think we're influential, but I don't think we'll change it." To battle the status quo, these are the rules Harcourt says must be broken: Play more than one female artist in a row. Play independent bands. Listen to demos. "I get about 200 submissions a week but we do listen to everything that comes in. I go out to shows about once or twice a week -- we're always looking for something new." Create a free-form radio show. "Morning Becomes Eclectic is a show put together every day. I play what I feel like playing. There are no play-lists." Challenge the audience. "I have a belief that if good music has the opportunity to be heard, then the audience will respond." (via Ricky Leong, Aug 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. IMPROVING COMMERCIAL RADIO (AT A PRICE) RADIOS TO HAVE LCD'S FOR ADS (etc.) E-Media Tidbits: A Group Weblog Steve Outing on new technology The Los Angeles Times reports on technology that allows radio stations to broadcast text messages along with radio signals --- capable of being displayed on newer radios that have LCD screens. This isn't new technology, but it's gotten a big push forward by Clear Channel Communications beginning to utilize it. This is cool because radio listeners will be able to see what song is being played by looking at their radio's small screen --- something that Internet radio listeners have been able to do for some time. The radio industry will monetize this by sending text advertisements, too, so it will be a mixed blessing. As for improving the dreck that is commercial radio, don't count on that (via http://www.poynter.org 7/29 via Chet Copeland, NY, Aug 5, DXLD) I.e., RDS, we know. Do they ever get around to referring to this by its proper name? (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. Única/MLS. This item from http://www.mlsnet.com -- Major League Soccer's official website: Part of Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber's "State of the League" address on August 2 at the site of the league's All-Star Game in Washington included the announcement that MLS has reached a new partnership with Radio Única, the leading national Spanish-language radio network in the US. Garber said that Radio Única will produce a weekly MLS show on its network of owned and operated stations during its popular "Única en Deportes" programming block. The working title for the show is "La Hora de MLS", or MLS Hour, and it will be supported by daily MLS updates on the network. Radio Única will also partner with the league in bringing the MLS Cup championship game, to be played October 20 in Foxboro, MA, to the Hispanic radio audience. "As the 'League for a New America', and THE sport for Hispanic- Americans, we are excited about the exposure and credibility Radio Única brings to our sport and I would personally like to thank and recognize Radio Unica's president, Mr. José Cancela, for his friendship and support", Garber said (via Joe Hanlon in Philadelphia, Aug 4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. FCC TO MANDATE DTV RECEIVERS? http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2002-07-30-fcc_digital_x.htm claims that next week, the FCC will propose regulations that would require all TVs to be DTV-capable by the end of 2006. Another portion of the same story says Rep. Tauzin is considering legislation that would require cable systems to carry DTV stations. — This is (as with many things wrong with the FCC these days) pretty much mandated by Congress. Many in Congress are unhappy with the slow pace of the digital conversion & looking for ways to speed it. (Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View (Nashville), TN EM66, July 30, WTFDA via DXLD) ** U S A. BACK TO THE GOLDEN DAYS OF RADIO The Lafayette [IN] Journal, Sunday, August 4th 2002 By Kevin Cullen, Journal and Courier Turn the big, fat knob on the 1946 Philco radio and for a moment you're back in the days of Harry Truman, nickel Cokes and the breathless start of the Baby Boom. Slowly, glass vacuum tubes warm up. Dials start to glow. Then -- ever so softly -- mellow, buttery sound waves begin to radiate through the cloth-covered grille and the streamlined wooden cabinet. A whisper grows to full volume... http://www.lafayettejc.com/news20020804/200208030local_news1028436851.shtml (via Mike Terry, DXLD) [Lest you think this be off-topic, keep reading... gh] ** U S A. An AANEWS Special Report... BESIEGED CEO'S TURN TO PUBLIC PIETY, RELIGIOSITY FOR REDEMPTION Disgraced, Implicated In Financial Scandal? "Show Up At Church" The recent wave of financial scandals has sent shudders through Wall Street, and in the words of one ABC news analyst, made some of the most powerful top executives "look pretty bad." Over a trillion dollars in shareholder equity has evaporated in the past three months. Tens of thousands of people risk the loss of jobs, along with a big chunk of their retirement nest egg. But beleaguered "Masters of the World" who looted their companies and became gourmet chefs when it came to cooking the accounting ledgers are turning to a tried-and-true remedy for deflecting public wrath. Some are broadcasting their credentials as men of God, stable family-raising, church-going4 Americans. Others have maintained a self-righteous, high profile religious stance, denouncing the ills of society while raiding their share holder's portfolios. Embracing religion in a time of publicity crisis is nothing new. When Bill Clinton was under media scrutiny for his dalliances with Monica Lewinsky, press flaks assured the media that the president was meeting with a team of religious "counselors," and immersing himself in a redemptive regimen of prayer meetings and meditation to recover his status with both the Almighty and the voters. Jesse Jackson adopted the same strategy when it was revealed that he had been dipping into the funds of one of his non-profit organizations in order to support a former mistress and illegitimate off-spring. One way of polishing his tarnished credentials was for underlings to announce that Jackson had gone into a week-long "retreat" in order to "heal." Several days later, Jackson was back to work at Operation PUSH, and apparently reconciled with his deity for years of unfaithfulness and financial hanky-panky. The list of such redemption-seeking public icons is long, from PTL ("Praise the Lord") televangelist Jim Baaker whose multi-million dollar proselytizing empire collapsed amidst scandal, to former Washington, DC mayor Marion Barry. A good mea culpa can quench the thirst of many critics and pave the way for a future political or financial resurrection. Need Help? Head For The Pulpit ... In today's scandal-ridden climate, there are certain do's and don'ts for those tainted by financial impropriety. Reporter Catherine Valenti provided guidance last week "(Scandal Sheet," ABCNews.com) with a laundry list of tongue-in-check recommendations for white collar executives caught raiding the corporate cookie jar and facing possible time behind bars. Don't flaunt your wealth, says Valenti, or cry poverty when it is simply not true. It's hard, for instance, for the public and laid-off workers to believe such claims, as when Enron exec Kenneth Lay's wife went on national TV to insist "we lost everything." And stay away from the multi-million dollar mansion if you don't want to encounter the press. That's good advice for Mrs. Lay, who pleaded poverty in front of one of the couple's splendorous multi-million dollar houses in Aspen, Colorado. It's also good counsel for Scott Sullivan, the disgraced CFO at WorldCom who allegedly masterminded the firm`s $3.8 billion accounting crash. He`s building a $15 million mansion in Boca Raton, Florida. "Show up at church or a baseball game," Valenti adds. "This gives the image of being a family-oriented, religious citizen." Carol Ruth, a veteran of the public relations trench wars, is watching the growing CEO scandal with alarm. She see nothing improper with corrupt executives being held accountable, and pursued by media. "You're supposed to be a person who recommends equities based on your expertise -- so tell us what happened," she told ABC. As for recovering from angry revelations and accusations of financial impropriety, Ruth added: "Church is like the first thing everyone (implicated) is told to do. Go to church and play ball with your kids." * When Bernard J. Ebbers, the CEO at bankrupt WorldCom came under the glare of the spotlight, he dodged an onslaught of questions from members of the U.S. House of Representatives and instead tried to wash away sins in his local Baptist Church in Brookhaven, Mississippi where he also teaches Sunday school. Parroting Richard Nixon, Ebbers -- a staunch fundamentalist Christian and member of the Promise Keepers men's group -- told fellow congregants, "I want you to know you aren't going to church with a crook." Even the religious were a bit skeptical. Asked writer William Bole of Religion News Service, "Did Ebbers go before the faithful because he knew they would go easy on him, easier than secular authorities would?" Ebbers, say investigators, began cooking the books at WorldCom back in 1999. The company had entered into a deal with the then-thriving Promise Keepers to generate the staunch Christian group extra revenue by providing discount long distance and other telephone services to members. Amidst growing scandal, Ebbers resigned earlier this year after funneling $408 million from WorldCom accounts to cover personal stock losses. * Last week, pictures of another CEO falling from grace captivated the newspaper and television media. John Rigas, founder of Adelphia Communications Corporation relinquished control of the troubled cable provider after it was learned that he and his relatives used the company to guarantee billions of dollars in personal loans, and then kept those liabilities off the accounting ledger. Rigas had built the company up over a period of nearly half-a-century into the nation's sixth largest cable provider. He stepped down from the Adelphia board in late May, along with sons Timothy, Michael and James, and son-in-law Peter Venetis. Under a negotiated agreement, Rigas-controlled corporations would diver $567 million back into Adelphia, and surrender their stock which will be placed in trust pending repayment of other monies. All told, the financial sleight-of- hand involved more than $3.1 billion in loans, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission, none of it revealed to shareholders, workers or other officers. As a result, Adelphia is still under investigation by the SEC and grand juries in two states. The company also failed to make a $38.3 million interest payment and a $6.5 million dividend payment. John Rigas is out as president, CEO and chairman of the troubled company, but received a handsome $4.2 million severance package to run over the next three years. During his long tenure with Adelphia, Rigas developed an odious reputation for censorship and efforts to promote purity by banning salacious cable content. The Los Angeles Times reported that the 76- year-old telecommunications founder "has operated his business and personal life in line with Christian principles," and turned Adelphia into "the only one of the nation's eight large cable companies that lacks adult programming." One victim of the cable provider's self-righteousness was Susan Block, a sexologist whose program was cut by Adelphia after purchasing the local Century Cable. The story became front page news in the Los Angeles Times last year. Columnist Robert Scheer supported Block's program, describing her as "one of the nation's leading sexologists ... and a very bright and funny woman to boot." Block, a minted Yale Ph.D. had been on hundreds of episodes of her popular cable show since 1992. In 1998, however, the legal department at Adelphia began rejecting installments, warning Block that her show "constitutes obscenity" and would not be aired. Meanwhile, Adelphia was also slicing other adult fare including "Spice" and the Playboy Channel. Rigas went public, issuing a statement announcing that Adelphia was dumping all adult programming including pay-per-view content. Decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court didn't help the situation. The justices had tried to design a test for "obscene", defining it as "Whether the average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that the work, taken as a whole, appeals to prurient interest; whether the work depicts or describes in a patently offensive way sexual conduct specifically defined by applicable state law; and whether the work, taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value." As ACLU attorneys know, these standards seem to vary considerable, from backwoods villages to downtown New York and, yes, Los Angeles. Rigas, a Greek Orthodox known for his religiosity, was awarded Block's "Book Burner Prize." "This old-fashioned moralist from small-town Pennsylvania is trying to dictate programming to open-minded Angelenos, and is flouting the rules of public access," charged Block. Rigas enjoyed the support of the religious right during his on-air purity campaigning. James Dobson, the avuncular head of Focus on the Family, urged followers to contact Rigas and Adelphia and praise the firm for being 'the only major cable operation with a policy against pornography." Rigas, said Dobson, "believes it undermines family values. Other organizations such as "Hollywood Prayer Digest" joined the show of support, praising Rigas for "carrying the torch for cable pioneers who long shunned adult programming." The last laugh seems to be had by Dr. Susan Block, though, who found a cable provider elsewhere, and suggested that viewers dump their Adelphia stock before it was too late. * Maybe there is something about crusading against smut that distracts the public from more pressing concerns (like financial accountability), and appeals to scoundrels. George Bush has vowed to carry on the flagging war on "obscenity," and during the year 2000 campaign declared "pornography has no place in a decent society." It is all reminiscent of Charles Keating, a tycoon caught up in the midst of the old savings and loan (S&L) scandal, who poured millions of dollars into anti-pornography groups including his Citizens for Decency Through Law. While pointing the accusing finger at porn peddlers, though, Keating companies like Lincoln Savings & Loan and American Continental Corporation were busy bilking investors -- many of them elderly -- out of their last dollars by hawking unsecured and worthless junk bonds. Taxpayers covered some of the losses to the tune of $3.4 billion dollars. Keating was convicted in federal and state courts of numerous counts, and served five years of a twelve-and-a-half year sentence. * While the Enron roller coaster was crashing, not all of the heat was on Kenneth Lay. The firm's Chief Financial Officer, Andrew Fastow was also coming under scrutiny, and was described as a up-and-coming figure in corporate America as well as a devout Jew. That caused concerns within the Houston Jewish community, where Fastow and his wife were building a $1.3 million home in the posh River Oaks section of town -- a neighborhood where for decades, according to news reports, Jews and blacks were not exactly welcomed. In reporting the Enron scandal, no one seemed to be playing a religion card until Fastow himself sought public redemption by seeking the support of a local rabbi. After all, one of the courageous whistle blowers in the Enron debacle is Jordan Mintz, a senior lawyer who sent memos to corporate higher-ups warning that something was amiss with the accounting ledgers. "Some Houston Jews say Mr. Fastow is being singled out for blame even more than former Enron chairman Kenneth Lay," noted the Jewish newspaper "Forward." "Others see Mr. Fastow's prominence at Enron as a sign of just how far Jews have come in an oil town where memories of anti-Jewish discrimination are still fresh." While groups like the Anti-Defamation League monitor coverage of the Enron collapse for signs of anti-Semitic bias, though, "it appears that Mr. Fastow himself has been playing the religion card by directing calls (from media) to his rabbi, who has vouched for his moral character," notes Forward staff writer Rachel Donadio. Indeed, Rabbi Shaul Osadchey of Houston's Congregation Or Amni lauds Fastow. "He's a mentsh," he told the Forward. "He's a very committed member of the community. He's active in supporting Jewish causes and he's a devoted supporter of Israel." The "mentsh" moniker has appeared throughout the national media, including Newsweek, the Atlanta Journal and Constitution, the Washington Post, Cox News Service and U.S. News and World Report. It raises ethical and journalistic concerns, though, for Post reporter Lois Romano, who was directed by Mr. Fastow to Rabbi Osadchey. "When does religion come into a story? When the subject brings it into play," Ms. Romano opined. "And the subject brought it into play." Not all Jews agree that Fastow is acting properly in turning a close spiritual adviser and friend into a PR flak catcher. Evan Smith, editor of the Texas Monthly magazine and a Jew, said "It's the marketing of religion as a cure-all for sins. Now when the white collar guys are in trouble they quote the clergy as a way to sanitize their sins." Even Kenneth Lay has played the religion card notes ADL's Martin Cominsky. "I see religion and people's faith background coming into all the stories." Cominsky noted that coverage of Mr. Lay's religion has put the former Enron Chairman "within a Christian narrative of sin and repentance, even casting him in the time-honored Texas role of prodigal son." The February 11 issue of the New York Post conspicuously splashed Lay on the front page under a banner headline declaring, "Lay Prays." A story accompanying the "photo exclusive" noted that Lay, fresh from stinging revelations of financial impropriety and stonewalling to investigators, emerged from seclusion to put in a public appearance at Houston's First United Methodist Church. Lay told eager reporters, "With God's help, we'll get through." The ties go even deeper, of course, linking Enron, Lay and people like Ralph Reed, former whiz-kid director of the Christian Coalition and now a political gun-for-hire operating out of Atlanta. Reed's firm, Century Strategies, approached Enron with an offer to stage a publicity blitz using a select list of religious-right political contributors, talk shows and shadowy advocacy, non-profit groups to press Congress for favorable legislation. A February 17, 2002 story in The Washington post revealed that the $380,000 fee also covered "blast fax" saturation of Capitol Hill lawmakers. One question about this cozy arrangement is whether Karl Rove, stage manager for Bush's 2000 campaign and now a senior White House advisor, sought to land the Enron contract for Reed in exchanging for paying Reed campaign consultation fees. Others on the Enron consulting payroll including Bush economic adviser Lawrence B. Lindsey, William Kristol of the Weekly Standard, and even Republican National Committee chairman Marc Racicot. There has also been speculation that Enron was a quasi-religious cult, with chairman Lay operating in a manner hauntingly reminiscent of David Koresh or Marshall Applewhite of the bizarre Heaven's Gate sect. The similarities are hard to ignore, asserts David Arnott, a management professor at Dallas Baptist University and the author of the book "Corporate Cults" which describe how some aggressive companies take over the lives of workers and create a totalistic environment. "There are elements of cultist behavior in Enron," said Arnott. These included the requirement that employees yield their complete devotion to corporate culture; the presence of a dynamic, charismatic leader; and the fostering of a climate separate from the larger community. The Enron work place was awash in intense motivational sessions, emphasis on "team play," and long hours. "At any hint of attack," notes journalist Froma Harrop, "and they'd rush to their companies defense." Like a cult, Enron management sought to keep the outside world at bay. But while seeking redemption in public religious spectacle, Lay, Ebbers and the other fallen Masters of the Universe -- real life incarnations of Michael Douglas's character in the movie "Wall Street" -- still bear the responsibility for bringing down the lives of others, including share holders and workers. For that, Jesus may forgive -- hopefully, Caesar will not. For further information: http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/enron1.htm ("Family ties -- Enron, the Taliban and the Religious Right," 2/21/02) (AA Newsletter, July 29 via DXLD) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ PACIFIC ASIAN LOG I've recently updated the Pacific Asian Log and posted it on my web site. As many of you know, the PAL is a comprehensive listing of medium wave stations in Asia and the Pacific basin. It lists over 3600 stations in 59 countries, covering an area as far west as Afghanistan and as far east as Alaska. It's over 100 pages long and can be downloaded from http://www.qsl.net/n7ecj The website also includes audio files and logs of Trans-Pacific DX heard in the northwestern U.S. This log is mainly an update to the January 2002 edition, with many changes and additions. I've also added a column to indicate inactive and drifting stations. As with previous editions, the log is available sorted by country or by frequency. Thanks to everyone who commented on the previous editions. Your contributions are always welcome and appreciated. 73, (Bruce Portzer, Seattle, WA, USA, IRCA via DXLD) ###