DX LISTENING DIGEST 2-125, August 7, 2002 edited by Glenn Hauser, wghauser@hotmail.com Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits HTML version of this issue will be posted afterwards at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd02.html For restrixions and searchable 2002 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn WORLD OF RADIO #1143: (ON DEMAND) http://www.wrn.org/ondemand/worldofradio.html [from Aug 9] (DOWNLOAD) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1143.rm (STREAM) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1143.ram (SUMMARY) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1143.html [from Aug 8] FIRST BROADCASTS ON WBCQ: Wed 2200 on 17495, 7415; Thu 0415 on 7415 WWCR BROADCASTS: Thu 2030 15825, Sat 0500, Sun 0230 5070, 0630 3210 RFPI BROADCASTS: Sat 0130, 0730, Sun 0000, 0600 on 7445-USB, 15038.6 WRN BROAODCATS: Rest of world Sat 0800, North America Sun 1400 ** AFGHANISTAN/GERMANY. DETAILS OF NEW GERMAN-RUN VOICE OF FREEDOM RADIO IN KABUL | Text of report in English by Radio Netherlands "Media Network" web site on 6 August A Germany-funded radio station, Voice of Freedom, started broadcasts to Kabul in Dari and Pashto on 4 August 2002. Programming on the FM station includes news, music, features and language courses. The station is based in the German military camp to the east of Kabul. German experts have trained two Afghan newsreaders and several technicians to work for the station. Richard Hunsicker, spokesman for the German forces, says that the running costs of 2,000 US dollars a month come from the German military budget. The station was officially opened by Afghan Minister of Information and Culture, Sayed M. Rahin. Source: Radio Netherlands "Media Network" web site, Hilversum, in English 6 Aug 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) WTFK?? ** AFGHANISTAN [non]. Here is the revised IBB Dari/Pashtu schedule as it appears today on their website. It seems I was correct in assuming that 15690 is WER - it had to be, at such strength! I also note that VOA is using DB 972 and 1143 which seems to be new??? And I also note this: 18990 1230 1300 VOA G UZBE IRA 02 348 which obviously replaces former 19015. I must remember to check to see if the Chinese big band has found it yet. DA RFE AFG 0000 0030 IRA 05 13810 340 DA RFE AFG 0000 0030 WER 01 12140 090 DA RFE AFG 0000 0030 KAV 05 9785 095 DA RFE AFG 0000 0030 IRA 06 7430 334 DA RFE AFG 0000 0030 DB A 972 999 DA RFE AFG 0330 0430 IRA 02 17670 340 DA RFE AFG 0330 0430 IRA 05 15690 340 DA RFE AFG 0330 0430 WER 01 12140 090 DA RFE AFG 0330 0430 HOL 04 9615 077 DA RFE AFG 0730 0830 IRA 05 21680 334 DA RFE AFG 0730 0830 IRA 03 19010 340 DA RFE AFG 0730 0830 UDO 03 17690 300 DA RFE AFG 0730 0830 WER 01 15690 090 DA RFE AFG 0930 1030 IRA 05 21680 334 DA RFE AFG 0930 1000 IRA 03 19010 340 DA RFE AFG 0930 1030 UDO 03 17685 300 DA RFE AFG 0930 1030 WER 01 15690 090 DA RFE AFG 1000 1030 IRA 06 19010 340 DA RFE AFG 1330 1400 IRA 05 21680 334 DA RFE AFG 1330 1430 IRA 01 19010 334 DA RFE AFG 1330 1430 UDO 02 17685 300 DA RFE AFG 1330 1430 WER 01 15690 090 DA RFE AFG 1330 1400 HOL 04 15370 077 DA RFE AFG 1400 1430 IRA 06 21680 334 DA RFE AFG 1730 1830 WER 01 15690 090 DA RFE AFG 1730 1830 IRA 06 12140 340 DA RFE AFG 1730 1800 HOL 02 11705 077 DA RFE AFG 1730 1830 UDO 01 9845 300 DA RFE AFG 1800 1830 MOR 03 11705 067 DA RFE AFG 2330 2400 IRA 05 13810 340 DA RFE AFG 2330 2400 WER 01 12140 090 DA RFE AFG 2330 2400 KAV 05 9785 095 DA RFE AFG 2330 2400 IRA 06 7430 334 DARI VOA AFG 0130 0230 UDO 04 17670 300 DARI VOA AFG 0130 0230 IRA 05 15690 340 DARI VOA AFG 0130 0230 IRA 01 12140 340 DARI VOA AFG 1130 1230 IRA 05 21680 334 DARI VOA AFG 1130 1200 IRA 06 19010 340 DARI VOA AFG 1130 1230 UDO 03 17685 300 DARI VOA AFG 1200 1230 IRA 01 19010 334 DARI VOA AFG 1200 1230 DB B 1143 999 DARI VOA AFG 1530 1630 IRA 04 15690 340 DARI VOA AFG 1530 1630 IRA 06 12140 340 DARI VOA AFG 1530 1630 UDO 02 7235 300 DARI VOA AFG 1930 2030 DB A 972 999 PA RFE AFG 0230 0330 IRA 02 17670 340 PA RFE AFG 0230 0330 IRA 05 15690 340 PA RFE AFG 0230 0330 WER 01 12140 090 PA RFE AFG 0230 0330 HOL 04 9615 077 PA RFE AFG 0630 0730 IRA 05 21680 334 PA RFE AFG 0630 0730 IRA 03 19010 340 PA RFE AFG 0630 0730 UDO 03 17690 300 PA RFE AFG 0630 0730 WER 01 15690 090 PA RFE AFG 0830 0930 IRA 05 21680 334 PA RFE AFG 0830 0930 IRA 03 19010 340 PA RFE AFG 0830 0930 UDO 03 17685 300 PA RFE AFG 0830 0930 WER 01 15690 090 PA RFE AFG 1230 1330 IRA 05 21680 334 PA RFE AFG 1230 1330 IRA 01 19010 334 PA RFE AFG 1230 1300 UDO 03 17685 300 PA RFE AFG 1230 1330 WER 01 15690 090 PA RFE AFG 1230 1330 HOL 04 15370 077 PA RFE AFG 1300 1330 UDO 02 17685 300 PA RFE AFG 1630 1730 WER 01 15690 090 PA RFE AFG 1630 1730 IRA 06 12140 340 PA RFE AFG 1630 1730 UDO 01 9845 300 PA RFE AFG 1700 1730 HOL 02 11705 077 PA RFE AFG 2230 2330 IRA 05 13810 340 PA RFE AFG 2230 2330 WER 01 12140 090 PA RFE AFG 2230 2330 KAV 05 9785 095 PA RFE AFG 2230 2330 IRA 06 7430 334 PASH VOA AFG 0030 0130 UDO 04 17670 300 PASH VOA AFG 0030 0130 IRA 05 15690 340 PASH VOA AFG 0030 0130 IRA 01 12140 340 PASH VOA AFG 0030 0130 DB A 972 999 PASH VOA AFG 1030 1130 IRA 05 21680 334 PASH VOA AFG 1030 1130 IRA 06 19010 340 PASH VOA AFG 1030 1130 UDO 03 17685 300 PASH VOA AFG 1430 1530 IRA 04 15690 340 PASH VOA AFG 1430 1530 IRA 06 12140 340 PASH VOA AFG 1430 1530 UDO 02 7235 300 (IBB website; Noel R. Green-UK, BC-DX Aug 5 via DXLD) ** ALBANIA [non]. Because of the lack of hydroelectric power in Albania, TWR is considering to move all Russian SW broadcasting to Moosbrunn, Austria (dx_bistro Vasily Gulyaev, Astrakhan, Russia, Signal Aug 6 via DXLD) ** ARGENTINA [non]. Estimado Glenn, sobre ARGENTINA e GRÃ-BRETANHA -- Radio Liberty e Rádio Atlântico del Sur (DXLD 2-117 e DXLD 2 118) Estive lendo o interessante artigo e os testemunhos sobre a Rádio Liberty, emissora argentina que operou durante a guerra das Falkland/Malvinas. A bem da verdade, os britânicos através da Rádio Atlântico del Sur em 9710 kHz via transmissores da BBC na Ilha Ascensão, também tinham a sua ``Tokio Rose``. Ela se chamava ``Mariana Flores`` e durante a guerra todos os dias, na programação da Rádio Atlântico del Sur , num espaço denominado ``La pausa sentimental com Mariana Flores`` , com uma voz sensual recitava poesias e dedicava musicas a comandantes argentinos (citando inclusive nomes) que supostamente teriam sido arrestados pelos britânicos, sugerindo com isto que enquanto os soldados argentinos sofriam dificuldades no terreno da guerra seus comandantes capturados estariam se divertindo com mulheres britânicas (Sérgio Dória Partamian, São Paulo - Brasil, DX Clube do Brasil, Aug 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. Glenn, Mali [q.v.] missing tonight does have one good benefit - 4835, 2130, ABC Territory Radio, Alice Springs, Australia. News & Music // 4910 kHz, 242, 5/8 GP (Graham Powell, Webmaster for the Online DX Logbook & 21 MHz.Com Full details available at: http://www.shortwave.org.uk Aug 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. Re Mike Brooker's comments about Canadian coverage of the Commonwealth Games: I listened to coverage of the games on 6PR Perth Australia, which picked up coverage from the Southern Cross Network in the overnight period in Australia, which is exactly 12 hrs ahead of EDT. The US (TV) networks have received lots of criticism in past Olympics here in Canada for their almost exclusive coverage of American athletes. In my opinion the coverage by this (private) network was extensive, very entertaining, but unfortunately lost sight of the fact that countries other than Australia were participating. I NEVER heard (except in passing once) ANY medal tallies from countries other than Australia. I found a webpage from BBC Manchester and kept track there. I don`t know if Radio Australia covered the games, or how they did. Some amazing results by some small Pacific nations, but I heard about these in spite of 6PR (Fred Waterer, Ont., Aug 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRIA. Glen[n], is it possible that you are unaware of the development in Austria? The German service relays home service most of the time. English, French and Spanish are practically scaled down to the daily "Report from Austria". And you ask for an English and Spanish DX programme? ``Trouble is, they keep interrupting Hans for voice-overs in German!`` I found that quite amusing. Trouble is, this is a German show! We usually complement interviews like this one as a webcast in the original language. (See IM 275, North Korea). But Somalia is a 4-part- story with more than 100 clips and cuts... 73 de (Wolf Harranth, Austria, Aug 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Wolf, Of course I am aware of the sad situation there. I am also very glad that you are still able to do an Intermedia show especially (?) for external service. My comments were somewhat tongue-in-cheek. When you do have a webcast in the original language, would appreciate your notifying us in the Englishspeaking DX world, with a direct link to it, as I may or may not hear about it otherwise. 73, (Glenn to Wolf, via DXLD) ** BANGLADESH. See MYANMAR ** BIAFRA [non]. Re Ribas` Cumbre report of V. of Biafra International at 1903-2000 Saturdays only on 12125 as from Germany: I guess, the transmission on 12125 came always from Armavir, Krasnodar in Russia, in forefield of the Caucasus. 73 wb df5sx (Wolfgang Bueschel, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOUGAINVILLE. 3850, Radio Free Bougainville was active from Jul 16th til 22nd. Fade in here around 0955 till 1107* UT. Tok Pidgin and English. Clear IDs heard every day. Before signing off regular an IS was given and close announcements, with a choral before s-off. Weak signal, best in SSB mode, but the transmission is in AM! Some QRM from Indonesian hams. Modulation was good, and the tx on exact even 3850 kHz (Roland Schulze, Mangaldan, Philippines, BC-DX July 26 via DXLD) ** BURMA [non]. Democratic Voice of Burma at 2330 UT via Madagascar: this is on 9760 [ex 11715] as of July 31st (Andy Sennitt, Holland, in RNMN NL Aug 2 via BC-DX via DXLD) ** CAMBODIA. Bob Padula has just put himself through another grueling visit to southeast Asia. He explicitly forbids us to publish his reports, so we refer you to issue 585 at http://www.wwdxc.de/topnews.htm Later on it will be available in their archive (gh, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. GLOBAL VILLAGE: This week on Global Village, Radio Radio Radio: Radio Tikal in Guatemala, Sami Radio in Sweden, B-92 in Belgrade, plus stations in Germany, Turkey, Hungary, Botswana and Mali. That's Global Village, with host Jowi Taylor, tonight at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) on CBC Radio One (CBC Hotsheet for Wed Aug 7, 2305 UT in Atlantic zone, plus 1/2/3/4 hours westward, via gh, DXLD) ** CANADA. REVERENT MEDIA KEEPS THE FAITH DURING POPE`S VISIT Celebration and hype have become the stock-in-trade of the media, but there`s usually a little self-restraint Dateline: Monday, July 29, 2002 by Linda McQuaig ``How can one keep one’s faith in a secular world?`` asked the host of a CBC radio show. But as the papal coverage built to a deafening crescendo last week, until it was difficult to distinguish some of our main media outlets from the Vatican press office, I started to ponder a different question: ``How can one keep any sort of secular perspective in a world awash in faith?`` In fact, I suspect the world isn’t as awash in faith as it may have seemed. Listening to people talking on the street, one got a more grounded view of the situation. But the mainstream media would have none of that, as the coverage soared with the flourish of full organ pipes. By mid-week, those attending World Youth Day weren`t just participants, they had been transformed into ``pilgrims.`` Huh? Is that the CBC I just turned on or Radio Free Vatican? ... http://www.straightgoods.ca/ViewFeature.cfm?REF=592 (via Kim Elliott, DC, DXLD) ** CANADA. 1610, CJWI, appears to be on sporadically once again. Although I did not log a date or time, I heard them in the middle of this past week around 0400 UT (Jul 31 or Aug 1) with the previously heard test format (sounded like identical station ID), along with same music format of rap/rock styles. I called this station the other day using the number listed by Sheldon Harvey and spoke to Jean Ernest Pierre, who I believe is the station owner. When I started to read off the reported address, he said it was changed and now is: 3733 Jarry East, 2nd Floor, Montreal, PQ H1Z 2G1 (John Sgrulletta, NY, DX-plorer via DXLD) ** CHILE. UT Aug 5 at about 2235 UT on 17680 kHz, I chanced upon Voz Cristiana in Spanish. Lots of Spanish pop music. I also heard a reference to a Radio Paraíso broadcasting on 97.1 MHz. SIO was 4-4-4 with some interference from RNZI on 17675 kHz. By 2300 UT, I heard a short news bulletin (Paul Santos, Quezon City, Philippines, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. On 6140 kHz, Radio Rebelde, Cuba. SINPO 4/4. At 1120 UT with a news and comments program named "Haciendo radio". Greetings (from Catia La Mar, in VENEZUELA, Respectfully, Adán González, Aug 7, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. APLAZAN EL ACCESO DE LA POBLACIÓN A TELÉFONOS CELULARES LA HABANA, 5 de agosto (Juan Carlos Linares, Cuba-Verdad / http://www.cubanet.org) - El proyecto según el cual algunos cubanos accederían a los teléfonos celulares fue aplazado por orden del gobierno de Fidel Castro, reveló una empleada de CUBACEL, empresa a cargo de la comercialización de esos aparatos. Según la fuente, que no será identificada para protegerla de represalias en su contra, el proyecto de los teléfonos celulares interfiere ciertos planes políticos del gobierno, al parecer dirigidos a proveer ese tipo de equipos a la red de delatores del Ministerio del Interior. "No se sabe cuándo se reanudará este proyecto, si es que se reanuda", dijo la empleada. Hasta el momento, el acceso a los teléfonos celulares está limitado a extranjeros y a funcionarios castristas autorizados a poseer este tipo de servicio. La fuente precisó que el servicio que se aplazó sólo tendría alcance nacional. Algunos analistas independientes coincidieron al suponer que la postergación de instalar teléfonos celulares a los cubanos que puedan pagar por ese servicio se debería principalmente a la llamada "batalla de ideas", con la que el régimen de Castro trata de reducir a la mínima expresión la capacidad de comunicación interna y de divulgación de informaciones. La fuente confirmó que la mayor parte de los aparatos ya se encuentran en almacenes del país. El gobierno de Castro ha prohibido que los cubanos tengan acceso a Internet, persigue a los proveedores particulares de vídeos, a los constructores y dueños de antenas de UHF, interfiere las transmisiones de radio y televisión provenientes de otros países, confisca cualquier texto que considere "contrarrevolucionario", y según trascendió en breve sancionará una ley que restringe la entrada a Cuba de videocaseteras (VCR). Hace más de un año que se trabajaba en la realización del proyecto de teléfonos celulares. Se estima que inicialmente alrededor de 50 mil cubanos se beneficiarían con este servicio. Esta información ha sido transmitida por teléfono, ya que el gobierno de Cuba no permite al ciudadano cubano acceso privado a Internet. CubaNet no reclama exclusividad de sus colaboradores, y autoriza la reproducción de este material, siempre que se le reconozca como fuente. 73's (via Oscar, Miami, DXLD) ** CUBA. Concurso RHC: RADIO HABANA CUBA Y EL SINDICATO NACIONAL DE TRABAJADORES DE LA EDUCACIÓN LA CIENCIA Y EL DEPORTE, LE INVITAN A PARTICIPAR EN EL SIGUIENTE CONCURSO EN SALUDO AL IX CONGRESO DE LOS TRABAJADORES DE LA EDUCACIÓN (DEL 20-22 DE DICIEMBRE DEL 2002). El primer premio consistirá en la inscripción gratis al congreso, el alojamiento y la alimentación por espacio de una semana para el ganador y un acompañante. También habrá diez menciones, consistentes en materiales del congreso y souvenir. LA PREGUNTA A CONTESTAR ES: - ¿Qué conoce usted sobre la obra educacional de la Revolución Cubana? El plazo de admisión de las respuestas cerrará el 1 de Diciembre del 2002. Usted puede dirigir su respuesta a Radio Habana Cuba AP.6240, La Habana, Cuba; Fax.(537)8705810; a las dirección electrónica radiohc@e... [radiohc@etecsa.cu I think – gh] (via Nicolás Eramo, Conexión Digital, Aug 6 via DXLD) ** DEUTSCHES REICH. Re: GAELIC ON GERMAN EXTERNAL RADIO IN WW II In 1941 the German External service included staff of approximately 500 people, 89.500 foreign language transmissions, at about 30.500 program hours. In 1944 the European external service alone used 29 different languages: German, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Finnish, Icelandic, Faroese[!], Flemish, Dutch, Irish[!], Hungarian, Slovak, Croatian, Romanian, Bulgarian, Serbian, Greek, Russian, Ukrainian, White Ruthenian, Latvian, Estonian, Lithuanian, and Polish. (Word Battle on Ether, German External Radio Service in WW II 1939-1945, in German language, Deutsche Welle, ISBN 37759 0147 7 of 1971. Via Wolfgang Bueschel, df5sx BC-DX, DX LISTENING DIGEST) BTW, I hope no one takes offence; it is my decision to head historical items about the Nazi era under DEUTSCHES REICH (gh, DXLD) ** ECUADOR. HCJB has another historical QSL available. This card from 1973 shows a diesel engine used by HCJB to back up the power supply, in case there is a failure of the power from their hydroelectric plant. Anyone who sends in a reception report can get this card by requesting it. The address: DX Partyline ** HCJB ** Casilla 17-17-691 ** Quito ** Ecuador. E-mail: dxpl@hcjb.org.ec (DX Partyline Aug 3, notes by Marie Lamb for W9WZE via DXLD) ** EL SALVADOR. FM EN SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR Hola, a continuación el listado de emisoras de FM en San Salvador (ya que me cuesta actualizar mi página): Como pueden observar, no hay canales libres :-( 88.5 Paz 88.9 Que Buena 89.3 Cool FM 89.7 Bautista 90.1 Laser (español) 90.5 Progreso 90.9 Upa 91.3 Pulsar 91.7 UCA 92.1 La Klave 92.5 Club 92.9 Laser (inglés) 93.3 Globo 93.7 El Mundo 94.1 Fama 94.5 Vox FM 94.9 Astral 95.3 Feliz 95.7 Verdad 96.1 Scan 96.5 Adventista 96.9 Nacional 97.3 Corazón 97.7 Luz 98.1 La 98 98.5 Cuscatlán 98.9 RCS 99.3 Mesías 99.7 Guapachosa 100.1 ABC 100.5 RV 100.9 La Chévere 101.3 Monumental FM 101.7 Mil Ochenta 102.1 Doble F 102.5 Femenina 102.9 102 Nueve 103.3 Clásica 103.7 Central 104.1 KL La Poderosa 104.5 Sonora 104.9 Fiesta 105.3 Salsa 105.7 YXY 106.1 El Camino 106.5 Ranchera 106.9 Maya Visión 107.3 YSU 107.7 Más Hits (Humberto Molina, El Salvador, Aug 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. Christian Senne in Berlin is planning a site devoted to Freiheitssender 904, a [clandestine radio] station that broadcast from Berlin to West Germany for many years. For the full stories, go to http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/html/medianews.html (Andy Sennitt, Netherlands in RNMN NL Aug 2 via BC-DX via DXLD) ** GERMANY [and non]. At 2300 UT, I was listening to the English language service of Deutsche Welle to Southeast Asia. Reception on their four frequencies, namely 9815, 12000, 17560, and 21790 kHz throughout the 45 minute broadcast was quite good, with an average SIO of 5-4-5, though I should say that reception on 9815 kHz can be quite variable because of the distance of the transmitter site (in Germany I think) to the target area. Heard from my home in Quezon City, Philippines, using a Sony ICF SW7600G receiver with a 10m wire antenna. Until the next time (Paul Santos, Aug 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also DEUTSCHES REICH ** GUYANA. On 3292 kHz, The Voice of Guyana. On Wednesdays with top hits of Indian music at 2315 UT. BBC relays (from Catia La Mar, in VENEZUELA, Respectfully, Adán González, Aug 7, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HONDURAS. Complemento informativo sobre la reactivación de La Voz Evangélica en 4819.2 kcs. A lo informado por Hans Johnson en Cumbre DX vía DXLD vía Radio Nuevo Mundo No. 288 página 20, y Björn Malm en SW Bulletin abril 7 vía DXLD vía RNM 288 p. 20, agrego que: aquí las fechas exactas en que estuvo inaudible esa emisora fueron del 28 de octubre 2001 al 1 de abril de 2002 (Emilio Pedro Povrzenic Nawosat, Villa Diego, Santa Fe, Argentina, June Lationamérica DX via DXLD) EPP adds that his surname, properly spelt with a hook over the z and an acute over the c, in Croatian is ``Povéryenich``. I have been pronouncing it as I believe it be hispanicized: por-seh-NEEK (gh, DXLD) ** HUNGARY. Radio Budapest benefited from the perception that Hungary was the more ``western`` oriented of the Soviet satellites. The usual tributes to Janos Kadar were heard, socialist solidarity etc. Radio Budapest also had a listeners club, which lasted for many years --- and served to bring many listeners together. I was a member and a request for penpals netted me over 60 responses from around the world. Hungary started drifting away from the old ways earlier than the other countries --- it was startling to hear some of the broadcasts and reports on the changes going on in the country. It was truly amazing to hear one broadcast when the bodies of the 1956 leaders were reburied amidst suitable honours. Remarkable changes are taking place in Eastern Europe. As these countries head towards eventual membership in the EU and NATO, programs are dominated by reports on these subjects. Hungary also has a particularly vigorous political system. This is also reflected in the broadcasts. Radio Budapest`s website is not much better than Radio Tirana`s. Not very informative and the schedule is a year out of date. Again probably just trying to maintain a foothold on the internet, lacking resources to do much more. There is at least one really nice picture of the Radio Budapest building. http://www.kaf.radio.hu/ (Fred Waterer, Programming Matters, July ODXA Listening In via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. Updating unID on 15150 kHz [c.f. BC-DX TopNews #584, not EGYPT] UNID with distorted sound 1730-1800 on 15150 kHz, difficulty to understand the language, July 20/21. It seems V of Indonesia at 1730-2100 in Spanish, German, French, English, is already only on weekdays. On weekends with terrible audio is in presumed Indonesian, July 27/28 (Ognyan Chengeliev, Bulgaria, via Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, BC-DX via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. SATELLITE RADIO FOR USE WHILE TRAVELLING Hi, I have been using the Worldspace FREE digital radio service for more than a year in Greece, Lithuania, Luxembourg and Africa and it is very good and cheap. Unfortunately, it doesn't exist for the US --- check http://www.worldspace.org --- but in ITU 1 and 3 it provides great CD quality sound. There are various radios for WS. I own the Hitachi WS + SW + FM + MW radio ($175) as well as new Joyear from Korea ($125) which is same as a thicker CD-box and has a planar antenna, 4 AA battery power, and 17 hour non-stop operating capability. I even put it in the car window (aiming South East) and listen to the news while driving (except when passing bridges, but then how often are these found??) There are many radio stations including NPR, WRN1 and WRN2, BBC, CNN, Bloomberg, Kaya (Johannesburg FM radio station) and another 40 stations on WS. Yes I do support SW. Yes, I am a very active radio ham (and carry a FT-817 around the world with me). Yes, I like listening to aeronautical shortwave. But when it gets to listening to news (including the ability to listen to 9/11 events - the day when the web ground the halt) nothing beats Worldspace. Best, Peter, KC1QF/LX1QF (Peter P. Vekinis, e-mail: peter@t12.org web sites: t12.org or vekinis.org.lu Aug 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Was this an ad or review? ** IRAN. RADIO, TV TRANSMITTERS PRODUCED LOCALLY | Text of report in English by Tehran Times web site on 6 August Tehran: "Domestic production of radio and television transmitters will reduce foreign exchange requirements", Mr Tabyanian announced, according to Central News Bureau (CNB). Talking to IRIB's Channel 2, the telecommunication professor in San'ati-Sharif University added that the problem of troubled frequencies caused by tall buildings is not limited to the radio and television waves, but includes mobile cell phones as well. He said transmission of waves to remote parts of the country via microwave is very expensive. Because of this, satellites and converters are being utilized to send and convert signals back for use at required locations. The professor noted, to be able to cover the entire country by radio- telecommunication waves, more transmitters are needed. The use of fibre optics is not economical. He added, before the Islamic Revolution of Iran the Broadcasting Corporation used to import all its required facilities and equipment from abroad. But now, radio and television transmitters with various power ratings are manufactured domestically. This is in consequence to IRIB backing researchers. Tabyanian stated that today we are witnessing the production of radio and television equipment domestically, with considerable savings in foreign currency expenses. And in case of any breakdowns, they can be repaired more easily. A transmitter which cost the country 1,000 dollars a few years ago is now being produced domestically costing the same. This will lead to creating more jobs and engaging university researchers and specialists. The professor stressed that in order to be able to export the above equipment made in Iran, economic structures already set up must be coordinated. Source: Tehran Times web site in English 6 Aug 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** IRAQ [non]. Glenn, I am getting the below stuff on 9563 kHz. Sa`udi Arabia, 9563, Voice of the Iraqi People, Cland, Presumed, 2305- 2324. Noted a man in Arabic comments until 2318, then a woman talks briefly. Signal fades out by 2325. ID based on frequency listing. Signal was fair at beginning of period. I based my ID on the Passport entry for 9563. The signal is right on that frequency. The above data says faded by 2325, but still there at 2328 with a weak signal when it faded back (Chuck Bolland, FL, Aug 5, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** IRELAND. From http://members3.boardhost.com/spangles/msg/1470.html Statement - Nova 252 Posted by Chris Cary on August 4, 2002, 5:52 pm A complete update on the current situation is as follows. Yes, I have been trying to negotiate a future for Radio Nova on LW 252. Firstly, with UK Betting Plc and also with RTE directly. This is probably the only chance of Radio Nova returning to daytime broadcasting. As it is RTE's perogative to do as they wish with their facility one can only wait for the next six weeks to take their course, to see if there is a change of heart, which would allow a third party to operate this frequency/licence. Although, trying to intelligently second-guess the situation it makes sense for RTE to retain this facility and frequency. RTE have always had this insurance policy, since they first became involved. When they first started the feasibility studies with RTL, almost twenty years ago, they knew that the facility could always be put to good use as a domestic service with better coverage of the UK. My personal view is that RTE played a blinder - so far it's been all the third parties that have failed to deliver the goods and show any integrity. Putting on my media strategist's hat, I think one sensible avenue to explore would be to call it Radio Tara/Tara Radio (the original name) and rebroadcast the best of RTE Radio 1 and 2FM combined, to create a broadcast to the millions of Irish people living in the UK. This would achieve an audience of several million very quickly, create a good commercial enterprise, and be a success in the UK and Ireland. It's perfectly obvious that Radio Nova's Adult Contemporary approach to broadcasting would have had a huge appeal in the UK (and Ireland). Especially as BBC Radio 2 dominate the audience ratings here. With young/teenage radio best left to FM and Digital. The listening comfort of AM/LW is in no way such a problem to an adult audience. I have the Finances in place. The Presenters have been chosen. The Music scheduled. New Jingles sourced. For Radio Nova to take to the airwaves and challenge BBC Radio 2 would only take a matter of days. I cannot imagine the slightest difficulty. Getting the tiger by its tail is the hard bit, swinging it is the easy bit! A studio on the Isle of Man was a possibility I did explore, as a half-way house between Ireland and England. But in practical terms to use Mornington House in Ireland and a satellite studio in the UK (for presenters who found it difficult to move to Ireland) is the real solution. The cost of Music Rights is also a major consideration. Hope this puts all 'anorak' gossip to rest, and that I shan't read any more gossip and conjecture which is sometimes, to say the least, embarrassing. But the hundreds of emails of support for this project have been incredibly encouraging. Just wish I could be given the chance. Once again, thanks.......thanks.........thanks..... You have to admit, it makes sense for me to try. I do not believe that it has failed yet. This site will be the first to have the announcement should it come to fruition. But I would not expect to see anything for a month or so. If it's a definite 'no' that will also be posted. On October 5th (my Birthday!). (Chris Cary. Sunday August 4th 2002. Via Mike Terry, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** IRELAND. Yes indeed - adjacent channels 243 and 261 were often wiped out by splash, and I suspect that the transmitter was operating to a wider bandwidth than it should have been. 252 was same strength here as Droitwich, but the latter signal does not splash so intensely, and 189 & 207 are easily heard (Noel R. Green, UK, BC-DX Aug 2 via DXLD) ** ISLE OF MAN. Latest press release from Isle of Man International Broadcasting http://www.longwaveradio.com/News.html COURT BACKLOG DELAYS NEW LW STATION The Isle of Man's long wave radio project received a huge setback on Friday in the High Court when a request for judicial review was further adjourned to a hearing in January 2003. The Petition is being brought by a local parish council who are objecting to the Isle of Man Government's decision to allow the radio station to build an offshore transmission platform. The hearing might take three days and the first opportunity for this would be next January. Until the legal process is completed, the transmission facility cannot be built, even though the company is not the defendant in the case. "We are both astonished and bitterly disappointed that after so many delays due to circumstances beyond our control, the project should again be delayed by a simple request for a judicial review," said project founder Paul Rusling. "We hope that a more rapid solution can be found." he continued. "There is still considerable interest in the station and in Long Wave generally, with several established media operators keen to become involved." (via Mike Barraclough, and Mike Terry, England, Aug 5, DXLD) More details from the local paper today http://www.iomonline.co.im/fullstory.asp?storyid=3 "LONGWAVE RADIO COURT BLOW" The man planning to bring a long-wave radio station to the Island has vowed to fight on despite being dealt a 'huge setback' in the High Court. Paul Rusling, of Isle of Man International Broadcasting, says he's 'astonished and bitterly disappointed' that a high court petition against a decision by the Department of Transport, through the territorial sea committee, to grant the firm permission for an offshore platform has been adjourned until January next year. The petition of doleance was filed by Bride Commissioners in March and seeks to have the approval in principle for the platform and transmission mast overturned or referred to a public inquiry. In the High Court last week acting Deemster Andrew Williamson, who was standing in for Deemster Cain, who has been taken ill, said the first opportunity for a hearing would be on January 21, 2003. The hearing could take three days and the upshot is that the delay prevents IoMIB from building the mast, even though it isn't the defendant in the case. 'We are both astonished and bitterly disappointed that after so many delays due to circumstances beyond our control, the project should again be delayed by a simple request for a judicial review,' said Mr Rusling. 'It's most unfortunate that First Deemster Cain was taken ill at this time and we wish him a speedy recovery. 'We hope that a more rapid solution can be found. The project is of such huge potential benefit for our company and the Island that we are not even considering stopping now. 'There is still considerable interest in the station and in long wave generally, with several established media operators keen to become involved.' The siting approval for the mast four kilometres off the coast at Cranstal was granted by the territorial sea committee, which regulates use of the seabed. The committee is made up of officers of various government departments, but operates under the wing of the DoT. Both the commissioners and those Bride residents opposed to an offshore mast are questioning whether IoMIB is in effect bypassing the planning process because the Planning Act doesn't apply to structures below the low water mark. They are also concerned about the visual and environmental impact of the mast and believe the issue must go to public inquiry before final siting approval is given by the DoT. Earlier this year, the Communication Commission granted IoMIB a substantive broadcast licence which comes into effect in October next year and the radio station has to be broadcasting within one month of the start of the licence. In May, Bride residents' spokesman Nick Cussons lodged a separate petition against the commission, calling for the licence to be declared null and void. However, this petition won't be considered until the first is resolved. This High Court delay is just the latest twist in a long-running story. IoMIB had originally planned to build the mast on land at Cranstal, but following a special inquiry in September 2000 it was turned down by a planning inspector. Mr Rusling says the adjournment to January leaves the firm facing a tight timescale, with the platform having a seven-month build time. If the petition is thrown out, he says there will be enough time to get it up and running by October. But he added: 'If there are any more delays we would have to question whether it would be possible. We would then have to look at the other alternatives, one of which might be asking for the licence to be extended because it is something that is beyond our control.' (via Mike Terry, Aug 5, DXLD) ** JAPAN. NHK World Radio Japan English section is going to broadcast a special program "Japan and the World 44 Minutes 'Peace Prayer' to the World" on Thursday August 15, 2002. They wish to invite you to tune in to this program and, if possible, to share your opinions and impressions with Radio Japan. Please be as kind as to send your report by e-mail or fax. I also personally request you to listen it and send comments to: info@intl.nhk.or.jp Title: "Japan and the World 44 Minutes 'Peace Prayer' to the World" Date: Thursday August 15, 2002 (JST) Time: 1415-1500 (JST) (0615-0700 UT) (repeat) 1515, 1915, 2315, 0215, 0615, 0915, 1015 (JST) (0715, 1115, 1515, 1815, 2215, 0115, 0215 UT) (Will be rebroadcast on the same schedule as regular broadcast of "Japan and World 44 Minutes") Frequency: Same as regular broadcast of "Japan and World 44 Minutes" Language: General Service in English About the program: Born in Okinawa. Completely blind. Tsutomu Aragaki's heartfelt song 'Sugar Cane Field' is creating a quiet sensation. 'As a native of Okinawa, where a ground war was fought, I want to send out a message of peace to the world through my music,' says the singer. We talk with him on the occasion of the August 15th anniversary that marks the end of World War Two (via Partha Sarathi Goswami, Siliguri - 734401, West Bengal, India, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** JORDAN/QATAR. JORDAN CLOSES AL-JAZEERA'S OFFICE | Text of report by Jordanian news agency Petra web site on 7 August The Minister of State for Political Affairs and Minister of Information Dr Muhammad Affash al-Adwan has decided to close the office of the Qatari satellite TV channel Al-Jazeera in Jordan and withdraw the licence which was granted to the office and stop all the facilities given to it - in accordance with the law on printing material and publication No 8 of 1998 and its amendments and the regulations concerning the correspondents of the foreign media No 2 of 1999 - and stop all persons who work as correspondents of the channel from undertaking any activity inside the kingdom, failing which they will face legal proceedings. Dr Adwan said that the Qatari Al-Jazeera channel has always deliberately undermined Jordan and its national stances, in a direct way at times and indirectly at other times. He added that this channel has violated all professional and moral values in dealing with many national issues and targeting certain stances in a way that confirms that Al-Jazeera has no aim but create rumors in the Arab ranks and fuel disorder, seeking to serve doubtful purposes known only by those who are in charge of this station and those who plan its programmes. He added that Al-Jazeera has violated all forms of politeness in its programmes in dealing with leaders of the Arab nation and its honorable men and stood against every pan-Arab tendency, particularly concerning Palestine and Iraq. Dr Adwan said that Al-Jazeera deliberately and constantly undermined the Arab nation's achievements and used defamation in order to highlight all the negative aspects of the Arab societies. Source: Petra-JNA news agency web site, Amman, in Arabic 7 Aug 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** KENYA. EAST AFRICAN REPORT with Chris Greenway in Nairobi ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Greetings from Nairobi and apologies for letting my East African Reports lapse for a few months. KENYAN TV One obvious omission from my previous reports has been television. At home I don't have either a satellite dish or a cable TV subscription, but I can still watch seven free-to-air terrestrial stations. Two of them come from the state-owned Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) with the remaining five run by a variety of private operators. All rely heavily on imported programming and on relays of various Africa-wide networks. For example, Stella Television (STV) is the local rebroadcasting partner of the South Africa-based network, TV Africa. The well-known M-Net, another South African channel, is relayed by KBC's Metro TV, while KBC TV's Channel 1 carries programming from the Africa Broadcasting Network (ABN). Yet another South African service, Channel O (pop videos), gets relayed by more than one Kenyan station. CNN is extensively relayed as a sustaining service - at various times of the day you can see it on KBC, Kenya Television Network (KTN), Nation TV and Citizen TV. STV uses Sky News from London for the same purpose. On KBC you'll also see China Central TV (CCTV) and Deutsche Welle TV news and features in English. DW TV also gets aired on Citizen TV. These news relays are generally used to fill up the schedules outside prime time (all of the private stations are on air 24 hours a day). On 11 September however, KTN switched to a continuous relay of CNN throughout that evening (it was late afternoon in Kenya when the news broke) and STV did the same with Sky News (which was itself carrying much material from Fox News). The relays of Sky News apart, British TV gets very little air time. BBC World TV news was once relayed by KBC, and more recently by STV, but that has ceased now. I've seen a few BBC comedy shows from a while ago (e.g. "Yes, Minister") on KBC. During prime time, KBC TV offers the best chance of seeing local Kenyan entertainment programming. Nation TV and KTN are the best channels for local news. One Nairobi station, Family TV, is a Christian channel specialising in American-style preaching. It has a sister radio station in Nairobi, Family FM. Technical buffs will be interested to know that KBC Channel 1 broadcasts on VHF Bands One and Three. The other TV stations in Kenya broadcast on UHF only. This means that, for many people, getting good reception from all stations means having two aerials. As not all the UHF stations use the same transmitting site, sometimes three aerials - pointing in different directions - can be required for perfect pictures on all channels. WORLD CUP TV Africa - mentioned above - had the rights for the World Cup in several countries, and took action when Tanzanian private station ITV relayed its World Cup coverage without permission (they used a satellite feed intended only for Mozambique). When ITV refused to comply with a demand that it cease the relaying, TV Africa inserted a scrolling message on the screen telling viewers that the law was being broken if anyone could read the message outside Mozambique. ITV's response was that they were complying with FIFA's request that the World Cup be viewed as widely as possible across the world. Eventually they reached agreement with TV Africa to relay the games legally. In Kenya, there was the opposite problem, with a TV station in trouble for NOT showing the World Cup! TV Africa had signed a contract with KBC and STV for both of these Kenyan stations to broadcast all the games. The problem came on 1 June, which is the anniversary of Kenya achieving internal self-government in 1963. The occasion, like three or four others in the Kenyan political calendar, is always marked by a lengthy parade at the main stadium in Nairobi, followed by a major speech to the crowd and the nation from President Moi. Naturally the whole show is relayed live by the KBC on both TV and radio. But this year the parade and presidential speech clashed with a World Cup match. What was the KBC to do? To anyone who knows Kenya, it will come as no surprise to learn that the football got the chop and the president got his usual TV appearance, even though that meant KBC had to break its contract with TV Africa, which said that all games must be relayed live and uninterrupted. It looked like a repeat of this episode might occur on Budget day - 13 June - when KBC normally gives over the best part of the afternoon to showing the president arriving at parliament and listening to the reading of the government's annual budget. But TV Africa said that unless KBC relayed the match that afternoon live, it would lose the rights to air subsequent matches. This time the KBC gave way and so budget watchers had to listen to it on the radio instead. It was possible to listen to World Cup commentaries on local radio as at least two enterprising private FM stations, Radio Citizen and Kameme FM, provided live commentary in local languages simply by having a presenter describe what he could see on a TV screen in their Nairobi studios! A soundtrack of continuous crowd noise provided a suitable background, though it was noticeable that the "spectators" were always making the same noise, irrespective of how well their team was doing! (Chris Greenway, Kenya, August BDXC-UK Communication via editor Tony Rogers, DXLD) ** MADAGASCAR. I don't know if RTM has changed its frequency but at the moment (1630 Aug 6) it is being heard on 5021 instead of 5010 (Mahendra Vaghjee, Mauritius, hard-core-dx via DXLD ** MALI. ORTM, Bamako, is missing tonight (August 5th) from both 60 metre band frequencies of 4784.38 and 4834.98 kHz. The signal is still audible at very good levels on 5995 kHz (Graham Powell, Webmaster for the Online DX Logbook & 21 MHz.Com Full details available at: http://www.shortwave.org.uk DX LISTENING DIGEST) See AUSTRALIA ** MYANMAR. The technical quality of 4725 could be better if they could only get that awful hum off, and that goes for Bangladesh as well on 7185 and 9550 1230-1255 in English as well and later with other langs. Finally The Defence Forces Station s-off at 1630 UT 6570. S-on at 1328 with some Burmese music which is soon followed by the beating of a gong for about 30 seconds. 1630 s-off also with some Burmese mx. Signals are fair on normal antenna, but with a 2 element beam for 40 m ham band signal comes up very well. (Victor A. Goonetilleke 4S7VK, BC- DX Aug 4 via DXLD) That was featured on his RKI report Aug 4 I just listened to OD (gh, DXLD) Bob Padula`s report on MYANMAR is in issue 585 of: http://www.wwdxc.de/topnews.htm (gh, DXLD) ** NEPAL. Glenn, Heard Nepal when I last checked on Aug 1: 5005.01, 2308 Radio Nepal, Khumaltar, Nepal. Test tone, IS at 2311, followed by chimes at 2315. Then ID and opening announcement by OM in Nepali. Local Music. 343 01/08 (Graham Powell, Webmaster for the Online DX Logbook & 21 MHz.Com Full details available at: http://www.shortwave.org.uk DX LISTENING DIGEST) see also UNIDENTIFIED I now wonder if in previous report, RN `dead on` 5005, Victor Goonetilleke meant no signal --- or frequency was exact?? (gh, DXLD) 5005 appears to be somewhat erratic these days. I can swear that at 1140 when I checked 5005 I was hearing Malaysia, but at 1155 Nepal strong and clear. I also observed a few days back Nepal not on at 1700. I need to check whether they are sign off earlier or whether that was one of those days. 4/8 off as early as 1610 when checked (Victor A. Goonetilleke, 4S7VK, Sri Lanka, BC-DX Aug 4 via DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS. Last week I mentioned that Summer had suddenly reappeared in The Netherlands. Unfortunately this has had negative consequences for Radio Netherlands. The weather was so hot here on Monday and Tuesday that the cooling system at Flevo couldn't cope, and the temperature inside the transmitter hall rose well above the recommended maximum of 25 C. Consequently, some of our transmitters are currently off the air, and colleagues from Nozema are working feverishly to get them working again. In the meantime, all our transmissions are being maintained, thanks to our German colleagues at Juelich and Wertachtal. An updated schedule is now online at http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/html/schedule.html (Andy Sennitt, RNMN NL Aug 2 via BC-DX via DXLD) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. During the local elections, all regionals were active, except: 3335 and 3395. And 3385 only on service July 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and inactive afterwards. Other regionals heard July 1st til 22nd. (Roland Schulze, Mangaldan, Philippines, BC-DX July 1-22 via DXLD) ** PARAGUAY. Dear Mr Glenn Hauser: To advise that we continue testing on 1610 KHZ (Medium Wave) and 7300 KHZ (41 Metres), and have received tentative reports for these two frequencies. We have not received reports for 15185 KHZ, and have taken the transmitter off-air, for improvement, and, hopefully, increase in power. The construction work on the 1610 and 7300 KHZ facilities is progressing, nicely, with corresponding increase in power. The frequency 1610 KHZ uses an omnidirectional antenna, 125 Metres tall. Transmission power varies, but has been low. This antenna has a theoretical gain of 8,84 dBi. The frequency 7300 KHZ uses a large Corner Reflector System, having a theoretical gain of 25 dBi. Transmission power also varies, but has been low. All reception reports would be most welcome. With best regards from Paraguay! Maiteípa! (Adán Mur, Radiodifusión América, Asunción, Paraguay ramerica@rieder.net.py Aug 7, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. Christer Brunstrom tells in his Christian Shortwave Report about Radio Bethel from Arequipa, Peru. On April 14th of this year, Swedish DXer Johann Verblom heard a weak signal on 5940 kHz. Björn Malm in Quito, Ecuador confirmed that this was Radio Melodía from Arequipa, Peru on a new frequency. On May 31st, Malm reported that Radio Melodía had gone back to its usual frequency of 5996.6, but a new station was on 5940.12 with the ID of "Radio Bethel, Arequipa." Bethel had previously been heard on 5950, but they have been heard widely on 5940.12 since the switch. Their format is Christian. As "Radio Arequipa" on 5950, the station had a history going back to the 1930s, and in 1983 Ralph Perry wrote about Radio Arequipa, which was heard at that time on 5950 and on 1050 AM. In the 1980s, it was a family-run station with news, local and international music, poetry and drama, plus some Catholic religious programs. Today, Radio Bethel is run by the Pentecostal Christian Church of the World Missionary Movement. They began on radio in 1983 by renting airtime from commercial stations in Arequipa. In 1999, the church was able to buy Radio Arequipa. Christer suggests that, by this time, much of the radio ad revenue in Arequipa was going to FM stations, so that MW and SW stations were less profitable to operate in that market. The station's name was changed to "Radio Bethel Arequipa" but they usually just ID as "Radio Bethel." On AM, they operate with the callsign of "OAX6B" on 1050 with 1 kW. Their shortwave callsign is "OAX6A", and they operate on 5940.12 with 1 kW. They are on shortwave from 2300 to 0500 UT. They can often be heard in Europe through that entire time, although signals are often poor. However, the lack of interference makes up for that, so it gets through to European listeners. Programming is mostly Christian songs and instrumental music, with occasional announcements. There are also Bible teaching programs. According to a letter Christer recently got from the station, they have just received a license for TV broadcasts on UHF channel 47. However, they lack equipment to get started, so they would appreciate used but working TV equipment from other Christian broadcasters, either for sale or as a donation. (Note from Marie: Their address was not given. However, their Gerente (general manager) is Rvdo. Josué Ascarruz Pacheco. Their postal address is: Radio Bethel Arequipa ** Avenida Union 215 ** 3er piso ** Distrito Miraflores ** Arequipa ** Peru. An e-mail address recently mentioned for them in Cumbre DX is: arequipa_josue@hotmail.com According to a recent report in Cumbre DX, the station does QSL; John Sgruletta sent mint Peurvian stamps with his report and cassette, but the stamps were returned unused.) (HCJB DX Partyline Aug 3, notes by Marie Lamb for W9WZE via DXLD) ** PORTUGAL. You might be interested to know that Radiodifusão Portuguesa's Portuguese service broadcasts on 11655 with a good signal to the US and Canada at 2300-0200 UT Mon.-Fri. This broadcast includes a wealth of local music, some of it quite beautiful (John Figliozzi, NY, Aug 7, swprograms via DXLD ** RUSSIA. VOR offers a varied mix of news, analysis, and feature programming; as a fan of domestic life-oriented programming, one of my favorites is Kaleidoscope. While this will likely never be in the class of Ira Glass` This American Life from PRI, Kaleidoscope nonetheless provides a window onto domestic matters that would rarely make the pages of the New York Times or the schedule of CNN. The program airs in the North American schedule block on Tuesdays at 0230, and Sundays 0330. WRN offers Kaleidoscope on-demand from Sundays 0430 through Mondays 0430 at their website, and WRN airs Kaleidoscope Sunday in their live North American audio at 0730 (Richard D. Cuff, PA, Easy Listening, August NASWA Journal via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. Come and listen to pieces of local air in Izhevsk: http://victorcity.narod.ru/Cities/izhevsk.htm In my opinion, the most useful of them is: http://victorcity.narod.ru/Clips/Izhevsk_udmurtia.rm (474 K) (Victor Rutkovsky, Yekaterin`burg, Russia, Signal Aug 6 via DXLD) ** RUSSIA [and non]. [Part of a thread on longwave prompted by reactivation of 171 kHz:] Felsberg uses a very tight gain reduction towards the East, as we already discussed so frequency-selective that one gets closer to the tx a powerful but awfully distorted signal. On the other side 177 was considered as a freq which is well audible also in Poland despite Bolshakovo 2500 kW plus Sasnovy 500 (or 1000?) kW plus Krasne 1000 kW on 171 (remember the Polish bcs aired on 177 only, they not even bothered to put them on SW, too). And 189 is no longer an issue at all (Kai Ludwig, Germanmy, BC-DX Aug 3 via DXLD) BT: I heard many reports from Poland about the good coverage on 177 in the East, esp. in Poland. What antenna system is used to provide this coverage, what is the radiation pattern? (Bernd Trutenau-LTU, BC-DX Aug 2) LW 177 kHz. Yes, here it is again, Bolshakovo on 171, this time with R Rossii, a satellite delay behind Taldom 17660. The signal is about as strong as Allouis 162, should well be sufficient for outdoor listening despite the nearby 177 powerhouse, it is hardly a problem because Zehlendorf runs really docile modulation (audio bandwith limited to 4.5 kHz and no dynamics compression in use). Regarding Zehlendorf 177 kHz: The antenna is a single mast of 360 metres height, carrying a double-cone consisting on twelve wires. The construction has some similarity to the ARRT design but the largest diameter of the double-cone is much larger. Of course this single mast has an omnidirectional pattern but it seems that the signal gets off much better in the eastern directions; I found it astonishing how weak the signal at Wiesbaden is. It would be also without the splash from 183 (which has heavily processed audio of high density, unlike 177) hardly sufficient for regular listening. Evidently the Polish lowlands are much better for LW propagation than the mid-German mountains. By the way, the current longwave antenna at Burg (mounted on the 324 metres tall mast which once carried the mediumwave ARRT) is of a similar design with a large double-cone, too, and works really good, considering the coverage which is very good for a mere 50 kW. The old Tesla tx fed into a 210 metres pipe mast, actually a mediumwave antenna but converted for longwave operations after the original longwave mast (350 metres tall, situated about 2 km away from the other antennas) collapsed in 1976. Again concerning the Zehlendorf tx and Poland: Does anybody in Poland remember the Polish bcs on 182 (or where ever Zehlendorf transmitted then) around 1980? They were produced in an almost clandestine-like fashion: On-air talents with knowledge of Polish were taken out of their teams (also a DT64 talent got its order) and committed to secrecy. The editorial work was done in a remote, specially locked shack, and probably a similar fuss was made about the studio (most likely one in the old furniture plant building where RBI as well as Stimme der DDR operated). Indeed the GDR radio staff considered all this "secrecy" as a mere fuss, not even knowing that the Polish broadcasts were presented just as special Stimme der DDR programs, nothing particular at all (Kai Ludwig-D, BC-DX Aug 3 via DXLD) ** SOUTH CAROLINA. Brother Stair seems to be out on bond now. As usual, I can't get accurate and reliable details, but the fact he's out seems to be pretty much confirmed. His website has now removed all references to his ever having BEEN in jail (including any statement of thanks ("hallelujah") that he's OUT of jail). And I believe (though I cannot prove) that Brother Stair is not pleased that someone put the information on his website in the first place. I think he would have preferred to keep this information off the radio and off his website. But others were handling matters while he was out of power. This Brother Stair fellow seems to have come out of jail and immediately taken control of things, including his website, which now has a whole slew of buttons (links) to check radio schedules, etc., that weren't available during his captivity. It's sad that hucksters of the Brother Stair personality-type, whether religious or not, in the long run do better than good, innocent people. That's one of the reasons the downfall of a Brother Stair makes so much news. It's newsworthy for someone like him to go down (Robert Arthur, Aug 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See http://www.overcomerministry.com ** SRI LANKA. Service to the ME s-on at 1610, some days 1600 and s-off at 1845, some days 1900 on 11775 from one of the Japanese 300 kW, but running at about 200. Domestic English Service on 4940 is currently off because the transmitter used for 5020 Tamil Service burnt a relay. Tamil is a priority service, so English transmitter on 4940 is used for 5020 service. The Sinhala services on 4870 and 4902 continue till approximately 1700 (Victor A. Goonetilleke, 4S7VK, Sri Lanka, BC-DX Aug 4 via DXLD) ** SWEDEN. RADIO SWEDEN -- Coming up on Radio Sweden: Wednesday: Interview with Swedish Liberal Party leader Lars Leijonborg Thursday: In "GreenScan" seal death and Baltic environment issues Friday: Our weekly review Saturday: Our monthly current affairs magazine "Sweden Today" Sunday: In "Sounds Nordic" Swedish film and Supernatural (SCDX/MediaScan Aug 7 via DXLD) ** THAILAND. 7115 and 6070 have been missing for one week, R. Thailand domestic service in Thai; the service in English disappeared last December. We hope both will come back (Victor Goonetilleke, Sri Lanka, RKI Murtiwave Feedback Aug 4 via DXLD) Monitoring this week makes it appear that R Thailand`s Domestic Service relays have been taken off. 7115 and 6070 are off the air when checked since the 28th July. Let's hope they don't go off altogether. 4830 which carried the English Service was last heard on the 10th of Dec 2001. [Later:] R. Thailand`s Domestic SW transmitters which stopped Home Service relays some weeks back are carrying the 1200-1215 Bahasa Malaya program on both 6070 and 7115. I tuned in at 1210 and at 1215 there was an English announcement about the times of the BM transmissions, 1200-1215 UT and after one bar of the R Thailand Tuning signal, station s-off and dropped carrier. Signals were very strong on 7115 in Malay that I thought it was someone else, but when I found 6070 in \\, decided to wait for an ID! (Victor A. Goonetilleke, 4S7VK, Sri Lanka, BC-DX Aug 3 via DXLD) I was about to report the same thing I haven't been able to trace 6070 and 7115 for several months now. The only R. Thailand transmissions remaining on SW appear to be the relays via the IBB/VOA site in Udon Thani. By the way, R Thailand World Service now has a website, mostly in Thai, at http://www.geocities.com/hsk9th/ (Alan Davies, Indonesia, visiting Cirebon, DXplorer Jul 30 via BC-DX via DXLD) ** TIBET. I and my friend UTPAL Roy and Tapas Halder found the Voice of Holy Tibet -- we think a clandestine, from 0700 to 0715 UT and 1630 to 1645 UT in English around between 5950-6100 kHz (1 frequency), between 9420-9500 kHz, announces the address some where in Lhasa, Tibet, (I not sure but Tapas said he recorded the address clearly; I will let you know as soon as I receive the address) but my request is, do you know what the exact frequencies are? Please let me know (Partha sarathi Goswami, Kishalay - Book Stall, College Road, Siliguri - 734401, West Bengal, India, Aug 7, DX LISTENING DIGEST) This is not clandestine, strangely enough, but the Chicom-controlled official station with a program for tourists, as reported here several times before, but the 0700 airing is new to us. The 9 MHz frequency would be 9490 (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UGANDA. 29 July, 2020 - 4976 kHz. Radio Uganda in French, 44444. Didn't hear since a long time. Went off after 2100. (Sergei Alekseichik, Hrodna, Belarus`, Signal via DXLD) Surprised at that, as I didn`t think they had an external service (gh, DXLD) ** UKRAINE. Found a very detailed review of Ukrainian radio broadcasting, maintained by Boris Skurativsky: http://skurafm.tripod.com (Pyotr Feshchenko, Kyiv, Ukraine, Signal Aug 6 via DXLD) ** U K. Mondays 1405 and Tuesdays 0005, beginning Aug 12: Meridian -- Masterpiece is the regular BBCWS arts program featuring in-depth interviews and other long-form features regarding ``big`` cultural ideas and great artistic endeavors. A three-part series, Three Wise Men, looks at the contribution of Arab culture to the making of modern Europe through three of the greatest philosophers in medieval Islam: Avicenna (the European rendering of Abu Ali Ibn Sina), Maimonides, and Averroes (real name: Ibn Rushd). (Richard D. Cuff, PA, Easy Listening, August NASWA Journal via DXLD) ** U K. BBC SOFTENS STANCE AGAINST FINES FOR BREACHING STANDARDS Matt Wells, media correspondent. Tuesday August 6, 2002, The Guardian The BBC is preparing to relax its opposition to the government's plans to impose fines for breaches of programme standards. The BBC had argued that fines would only penalise licence fee payers, but senior corporation figures - under pressure from ministers - are ready to give way. "It's not something worth dying in the ditches for," said a source with knowledge of BBC policy. Rival broadcasters, already subject to fines, want a level playing field, and the BBC has had difficulty promoting a credible alternative argument. Gavyn Davies, chairman of the BBC board of governors, upset staff last month when he suggested they could be sacked or demoted if they were responsible for mistakes. "Firing the people is a much better remedy than fining the public," he said. In its response to the draft communications bill, which sets up the single broadcasting regulator, Ofcom, the BBC maintains its opposition in principle to fines. In private, officials are more conciliatory. "If they decide to go ahead with it, we'll find a way of making it work," one said. In its response, ITV suggested that any fines levied against the BBC could be imposed on its commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, to avoid the problem of fines appearing to penalise licence fee payers. "A financial penalty is extremely rare but very effective," it said. "We believe financial penalties should apply to all broadcasters... in the same way that all broadcasters are subject to financial penalties if they lose libel cases." ITV noted that the biggest fine levied by the independent television commission, which regulates commercial broadcasters, was £2m, which would "hardly make an impact" on the BBC's £2.5bn income. It also said that Channel 4, a public corporation without shareholders, is subject to the same regulations as ITV. A committee of both houses of parliament, set up by the government to examine the draft bill, supported the principle of fining the BBC. It said in its report, published last week: "Extensive and repeated payment of fines by the BBC would be a waster of licence payers' money, for which the BBC and its governors would be held publicly accountable. That seems to us a reason for the BBC to so arrange its activities as to ensure that it does not incur such penalties, and not an argument for immunity from such penalties." Some experts say the BBC will concede because it would detract from more controversial areas that it wants kept outside of Ofcom control. Under government plans, the responsibility for approving new BBC channels and the corporation's public service remit will remain with ministers, not Ofcom. One said: "It suits them to have people focused on fines as a distraction." Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2002 (via Daniel Say, DXLD) ** U K. SUMMER OUTING TO THE ROYAL SIGNALS MUSEUM Nestling in the lush Dorset countryside is the market town of Blandford Forum. Situated on the site of the old racecourse is the Blandford Army Camp, and within the Camp is the Royal Signals Museum, venue for the BDXC summer outing at the end of July, enjoyed by several BDXC members, and their children. There was something for everyone, from First World War embroidered greetings cards, to full mess uniforms, from Royal Despatch Rider motorcycles to medals. . . and we also saw some radios! The story unfolds with heliograph and semaphore signalling, with hands on demonstrations for children of all ages. We then find, after an Italian scientist known as Marconi, that signalling became quicker, but we were not sure about some of the so-called mobile equipment! During the Second World War, and after, some of the transmitting and receiving gear needs its own dedicated lorry because it is so heavy. An example of an SOE portable suitcase transceiver was shown, and an equivalent suitcase filled with sand was to allow the weight comparison. We concluded you needed very good arm muscles to be in SOE! There were even two fish-friers (because of their shape!) which were trailers containing teleprinters, an Arctic expedition vehicle complete with fake snow, and vehicles and radios for every conceivable climate. Even if you are not the slightest bit interested in radio, the exhibition contains many other specialist collections. Peter Wells, being eagle-eyed, noticed that the AR88D was wrongly labelled as the AR88LF, which then led Tim McLellan to wonder why his AR88 was not being displayed following his gift of this all time classic receiver to the museum several years back. We saw American and Canadian receivers, an R107, HRO . . . you name a well known manufacturer during and after the Second World War, and it was represented, sometimes behind a screen, other times you can feel the smoothness of the analogue tuning knob. If you have yet to see an Enigma machine, go to Blandford! There is a good supply of information and spying and codes and ciphers, and this keeps the sub-teenager happy whilst you can browse in peace and quiet. Within specific display cases were communications equipment for particular conflicts, and in the Northern Ireland exhibit there were two captured home-made illegal broadcast transmitters. For the Malay uprising the experts had to find ways of dealing with high humidity and heat. All in all, a good day out, and if you were unable to join us, make sure you include Dorset within your holiday itinerary (David Morris, August BDXC-UK Communication via editor Tony Rogers, DXLD) ** U S A. SENATE CONFIRMS BROADCASTING BOARD OF GOVERNORS CHAIRMAN | Text of press release from the US Broadcasting Board of Governors dated 5 August Washington, DC, 5 August 2002: - The Senate has confirmed Kenneth Y. Tomlinson as the third chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, which supervises all US government-supported, non-military international broadcasting. Tomlinson will succeed Marc B. Nathanson, who has served as a member of the Board since it was established in 1995 and as its chairman since October 1999. Tomlinson, who is a former director of the Voice of America, has more than 35 years of journalistic experience. He began his career as a reporter for the Richmond Times-Dispatch in 1965. In 1968 he joined the Washington bureau of Reader's Digest, then served as a correspondent in Vietnam, and eventually in Paris, where he covered events in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. In 1982, President Ronald Reagan appointed Tomlinson director of the Voice of America, where he served until 1984. After his tenure at VOA, Tomlinson returned to Reader's Digest to serve as managing editor. He was subsequently named executive editor of the Digest in 1985 and editor-in-chief in 1989. He retired from Reader's Digest in 1996. Tomlinson is the co-author of "P.O.W.", a history of American prisoners of war in Vietnam. He has served as the chairman of the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (1985), as a member of the US Board for International Broadcasting (1986-1994), as well as on the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (2000-present). In 1995 he was named Virginia Press Association's Virginian of the Year, and he is a member of the Virginia Communications Hall of Fame. He is married to Rebecca Moore Tomlinson, a former Congressional aide. They live at Springbrook Farm in Fauquier County, Virginia, and have two sons. The Broadcasting Board of Governors is a nine-member, presidentially appointed body which supervises all US government-supported international broadcasting, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and VOA, Radio Free Asia, Radio and TV Marti, and Worldnet Television. Tomlinson will join current governors Norman J. Pattiz, Robert M. Ledbetter Jr, Edward E. Kaufman, Cheryl Halpern and Secretary of State Colin Powell. He will replace Tom C. Korologos, who is a charter member of the Board, serving since 1995. Source: Broadcasting Board of Governors press release, Washington, in English 5 Aug 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** U S A. Posted by Barry on August 05, 19102 [a.k.a. 2002y] at 13:29:07: On the latest Spectrum program (Aug. 03 2002), I heard them say this might be their last new show. They might have to move to a new studio location and do not know if they have the money and time to do so. For the next few weeks on WWCR, Spectrum will be in repeats. (- Barry, Monitoring Times Chatboard via DXLD) UT Sun 0300-0400 on 5070 ** U S A. Dear Glenn: On August 5, 2002 at about 2225 UT (0625 local, August 6), I chanced upon a broadcast of the 9th Brickyard 500 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on 17510 kHz. This being the first time I've heard of a NASCAR event being broadcast on shortwave, I listened to it intently, trying to find out where it was coming from. I was listening to the pre-race commentary, with plenty of comments about the heat (90 F with high humidity). Then, a clue; midway through the ads, I heard an announcement that the shortwave broadcast of the Brickyard 500 was being sponsored by a manufacturer of active indoor shortwave antennas. Another clue: an announcement for call-in prayers from the LeSEA organization. That sent me running to my WRTH 2002 handbook and, what do you know, KWHR in Hawaii is listed as a user of the frequency. I then looked up whr.org and it also says that KWHR broadcasts on this frequency from 2200 - 0400 UT. SIO was 3-5-3 to 4- 5-4. Heard from my home in Quezon City, Philippines, using a Sony ICF SW7600G receiver with a 10m wire antenna (Paul Santos, Aug 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Oh, yes, if you hear a car race, chances are it`s WHR. There is a high correlation between evangelism and going around and around in circles (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. Healthy, Wealthy and....Eighty-Three. Rick Kogan spends a day with veteran radio pausemaster Paul Harvey for this lengthy Chicago Tribune profile. http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/chi-0208040446aug04.story via The Spike Report http://www.spikereport.com/ (via Chet Copeland, and Brock Whaley, DXLD) ** U S A. Glenn, Since Aug. 1, http://www.wor710.com has been streaming via NJ.com instead of yahoo broadcast, with much better audio (Ivan Grishin, Ont., Aug 7, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Here's a link to one of the better history pages about a small town AM station. Click on KPQ History [Wenatchee WA]. http://www.kpq.com/history1.htm Nice to see someone interested in the history of radio. At the other end of the spectrum: This is what happens when the "time sales" guy is asked to write about the station. Click on http://www.kvi.com/about.asp [Seattle] (Tom McNiff, Burke, Virginia, USA, Aug 7, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Another Salon.com piece on ClearChannel, RADIO'S TITAN HITS THE SKIDS By Eric Boehlert http://www.salon.com/ent/feature/2002/08/07/clear_channel/index.html 73- (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** VATICAN. VR has retimed its S Asian service as of August 1: now 1430-1600, ex 1450-1610, still on 12065, 13765, 15235 (Victor Goonetilleke, Sri Lanka, RKI Murtiwave Feedback Aug 4 via gh, DXLD) When is the English segment now?? (gh, DXLD) ** ZIMBABWE. Conditions have improved a great deal, with ZBC again being heard on both 5975 and 6045 around 2135 UT August 6 (Chris Hambly, Victoria, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZIMBABWE [non]. On 7309.1, The Voice of the People in Zimbabwe. SINPO 4/4. Starting at 0330 UT. Closing time may vary between 0400 and 0424. Vatican Radio [7305] interferes a lot (from Catia La Mar, in VENEZUELA, Respectfully, Adán González, Aug 7, DX LISTENING DIGEST) MADAGASCAR. This [new] version of the schedule http://www.rnw.nl/realradio/html/schedule.html also incorporates two other changes: Voice of the People has temporarily suspended its program at 1630 UT (the morning broadcast continues), and there's a frequency change for the Democratic Voice of Burma... [q.v.] (Andy Sennitt, in RNMN NL Aug 2 via BC-DX via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. On August 4th, 2002 I came across an station on 3446.30 kHz playing non stop mostly instrumental music. I did not sound typical Latin American, but more 'easy listening' format. To me it looked like this station came from South America. No talk or ID heard. Station was audible for some longer time around/after 2215. Signal/audio was not too loud, so sometimes difficult to copy. Did not sound as an mixing product. Used an 300m beverage towards South- America to pick it up. Anyone?????????? (Dick Van Der Knaap, Holten, Netherlands, dxing.info via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 5005.63~. For the past few evenings around 0130-0200 I am hearing a very weak station on close to 5005.63 or so. On occasion it makes it above the noise floor and not certain if this could be Nepal as I don't recall them off frequency the few times I have ever heard them. Language unknown and music is a variety which is not much help. Last nite, some classical tunes, and this evening a few flute tunes. Heavy QRM from 5009.8. Any ideas? (Robert Montgomery, PA, DXplorer Jul 25 via BC-DX via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. Reception in Curitiba, Brazil, using an Icom R75 and a T2FD antenna of 15 meters in length. 5130-USB, 0248-0300 Aug 6, music, flute suggests that it might be Andean/Latin American, talking way down in the noise, no carrier, SIO 222 (Rik van Riel, SWBC via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. Dear Mr Hauser, Following my earlier report [DXLD 2-118, unseeming Syria] about an unidentified Arabic station, it is still heard here in Delhi and at the additional time of 0330-0400 UT on 9950 kHz. The later transmission is at 1500-1530 UT on 12085 and 12115 kHz with the same broadcast as aired at 0330. A web site is mentioned but I did not catch the details. Sincerely, (K.M. Patel, India, Aug 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Perhaps it`s a new clandestine? 9950 was a former Syrian frequency and 12085 is a current Syrian with domestic service scheduled during +1500-1530+, so that`s suspicious. At other times of day 9950 is used both by India and Egypt. 9950 was already on before 0330 August 7, very fluttery and weak signal here (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. What`s the station on 15715 at 1900 August 6, religion in English, sounded like `Voice of Zion`? (George Thurman, IL, DX LISTENING DIGEST) That would be V. of Hope/High Adventure Ministries via Germany, as schedule updated in June: 1800-2100 15715 JUL 100 / 115 Daily ME English (gh, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. I am curious about 914.762 MHz. Everywhere I've checked it there is a transmission of some sort on that frequency, but I don't know why. Like a keyed down mike. Transmitters in that range have a maximum range of a few hundred yards at best (by FCC reg.). Yet this buzzing or hissing on 914.762 MHz seems to exist wherever in the U.S. I go. I wonder if it comes from a TV or radio station operating on another frequency that somehow happens to affect this one. Whatever it is, it's big and powerful (Robert Arthur, Aug 6, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Posted by Rick on August 06, 19102 at 20:17:28: In Reply to: 914.762 MHz??? posted by Glenn Hauser on August 06, 19102 at 18:59:38: I don't hear it here in the Pacific Northwest. Maybe it's a birdie. (MT Chatboard via DXLD) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ CONVENTIONS +++++++++++ The biggest European DX and shortwave gathering, the EDXC Conference 2002 (joined with the Finnish DX Association's summer meeting) is on the door. The meeting will take place 15th to 18th of August in Pori, Finland. It is still possible to join us, we do have some hotel rooms still available. The conference pages at http://www.sdxl.org/edxc/edxc2002.html have currently been updated. The e-mail address edxc-@sdxl.org [truncated] is ready to assist you and to answer your questions. Don't miss this meeting. Hurry up. Join us now. (Risto Vahakainu, EDXC Conference organising committee, Aug 6, swprograms via DXLD) PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ CYBERSPACE 1968 -- Lou Josephs writes about a site he has put together: "The year is 1968 and yes the web site is retro ugly...WNYW, The Pops with Roger Wallis, Windward Islands Broadcasting, some heller jingles, old drake jingles, and other gems including bits from Media Network." (Lou Josephs) See: http://www.ibcworks.net/radio68.htm I've been meaning to put together a web page about Roger Wallis, Kim Loughran and the "Saturday Show", with some material we still have lying around here, including the record and cassette that was issued (and the three "Alice in Swedenland" sketches). Any interest? To whet your appetite, here's a link to one of the Windows Media Player clips from Lou's site: http://www.ibcworks.net/swl4%20.wma (George Wood, SCDX/MediaScan Aug 7 via DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ If you thought we were on the downside of the sunspot cycle: "Solar solon Tad "You Are My Sunshine" Cook, K7VVV, Seattle, Washington, reports: Sunspots keep growing and growing, and one wonders if the peak of the solar cycle has really passed. With sunspot numbers topping 300 this week, it almost seems like a third peak in a cycle with a double peak so far. Sunspot numbers peaked on Saturday at 323--the highest number since March 2001. The mean daily sunspot numbers for the week were 122 points higher than the previous week. Average daily solar flux was up by nearly 39 points. "Average daily sunspot numbers for all of July were 183.5. This is much higher than June, which was 146, but not as high as May's average, at 204.1. Average daily solar flux for July was 174.4, higher than then 148.7 for June and around the same as May's 178.4. "Over the next few days solar flux values should decline a bit. Solar flux predicted for Friday through Monday is 185, 180, 170 and 165. Current helioseismic readings suggest several active regions on the sun's far side, so more excitement may be in store. There is the possibility of aurora on Friday morning. The predicted planetary A index for Friday through Monday is 15, 10, 12 and 10. "Sunspot numbers for July 25 through 31 were 299, 319, 323, 300, 304, 297 and 265, with a mean of 301. The 10.7-cm flux was 217.7, 241.5, 230.8, 238.8, 234, 227.2 and 208.5, with a mean of 228.4. Estimated planetary A indices were 13, 17, 19, 12, 11, 8 and 9, with a mean of 12.7." Looks like those absorptive conditions are going to continue on MW for the coming season! On the other hand, if you do anything on the higher bands (like 50 MHz) it seems likely there will be more F2 skip there this winter (via Harry Helms, AK6C, Ridgecrest, CA, Aug 4, NRC-AM via DXLD) Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 07 August-02 September 2002 Solar activity is expected to range from low to moderate levels. Isolated low-level M-class flares are expected during the period. However, there is a chance for isolated major flare activity during the second half of the period with the return of old Regions 39 and 44. There will be a chance for a proton event during the latter half of the period. Greater than 2 MeV flux levels are expected to be at normal to moderate levels during most of the period. Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at quiet to unsettled levels during most of the period. However, active conditions are possible during 7 - 8 and 23 August due to coronal hole effects. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2002 Aug 06 2211 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Environment Center # Product description and SEC contact on the Web # http://www.sec.noaa.gov/wwire.html # # 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table # Issued 2002 Aug 06 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2002 Aug 07 140 15 3 2002 Aug 08 135 15 3 2002 Aug 09 130 10 3 2002 Aug 10 135 8 3 2002 Aug 11 145 8 3 2002 Aug 12 150 10 3 2002 Aug 13 155 10 3 2002 Aug 14 160 10 3 2002 Aug 15 160 10 3 2002 Aug 16 165 10 3 2002 Aug 17 165 10 3 2002 Aug 18 170 8 3 2002 Aug 19 180 8 3 2002 Aug 20 190 10 3 2002 Aug 21 200 10 3 2002 Aug 22 210 12 3 2002 Aug 23 215 15 3 2002 Aug 24 215 12 3 2002 Aug 25 210 10 3 2002 Aug 26 205 10 3 2002 Aug 27 200 8 3 2002 Aug 28 190 8 3 2002 Aug 29 180 10 3 2002 Aug 30 170 10 3 2002 Aug 31 150 10 3 2002 Sep 01 150 8 3 2002 Sep 02 140 10 3 (from http://www.sec.noaa.gov/radio via DXLD)