DX LISTENING DIGEST 2-151, September 30, 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 1149: BROADCASTS ON RFPI: Wed 0100, 0700 on 7445, 15038.7; webcast Wed 1300 BROADCASTS ON WWCR: Wed 0930 9475 ONDEMAND http://www.wrn.org/ondemand/worldofradio.html (DOWNLOAD) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1149.rm (STREAM) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1149.ram (SUMMARY) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1149.html ** AFGHANISTAN [non]. On Sunday, 22 September, I heard a very long interval signal, on 18940 around 1430 UT. For a while I kept going back and checking it, expecting that programming would soon start. Then I just left it on as I worked around the house. It just kept going, until the carrier finally went down at 1627. Through the whole two hours, the signal was consistently weak, with very rapid fading. I almost think it was auroral flutter. I think it was an orchestra, with trumpets carrying the melody. It was in the key of E flat. Here`s the melody: [musical notation]. [Let me describe the notation textually: treble clef C ¾, three flats, without giving the length of the notes (tape of it was on WOR 1149): F-F-A-G-E-F-A-G-E-B --- gh] There were many more measures following that, before it repeated, and I think they consisted of soft music, which I couldn`t make out. What a waste of electricity. Whatever country it was from, they must have a lot more oil than we do! (Pete Bentley, NY, Sept 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST) This is assumed to be Norway, lacking the usual feed of R. Afghanistan to relay back to that country. Wonder how many days this went on. Perhaps the airtime already paid for, so may as well keep the transmitter on the air... (gh, DXLD) See also TAJIKISTAN ** ALASKA. The FCC has released a public notice showing the grant of a permit for the Aurora Communications International HF station in Alaska. The Site is at 11621 Sterling Highway, Ninilchik, AK 60-06-34 N 151-34-21 W. No Call Letters listed in the notice. The notice also shows the grant of a new HF station to Grace Missionary Baptist Church, apparently at the same location as WTJC. [see USA, WBOH] Report No. IHF-00038 Thursday September 26, 2002 INTERNATIONAL HIGH FREQUENCY RE: ACTIONS TAKEN The Commission, by its International Bureau, took the following actions pursuant to delegated authority. The effective dates of the actions are the dates specified. IHF-C/P-20010521-00004 P NEW AURORA COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC. Construction Permit Grant of Authority Date Effective: 09/25/2002 For more information concerning this Notice, contact Tom Polzin at 418-2148; tpolzin@fcc.gov; TTY 202-418-2555. (Donald Wilson, Sept 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ARGENTINA. Liberty: see UK [non] on R. Atlántico del Sur ** AUSTRALIA. HCJB Australia' s HC100 transmitter is nearing completion at the station' s Research and Development plant in Elkhart, Indiana. It was to be ready for shipping to Wyndham WA about the third week of September. God willing, the transmitter will arrive for installation in Kununurra by 26th November. On-air date is planed for 22nd December, 2002 (HCJB News) It' s not every day an international broadcaster builds a new facility on Australian soil, but in December 2002 we can expect the completion of such a project, in Kununurra WA, where HCJB World Radio will inaugurate he latest phase of its worldwide outreach. Until December 2000, Australian communications law prohibited the use of shortwave for external broadcasts by private organisations; however the Broadcasting Services Act was amended to pave the way for the UK-based Christian Vision to utilise the former Radio Australia site near Darwin, and a license for HCJB has also subsequently been granted. The Kununurra part of stage 1 of the project consists of constructing a transmitter building on an existing HCJB land holding of 200 acres, gifted to the organisation a few years ago. The building will be lined and air conditioned, capable of housing two HC100 transmitters. The first of these has been gifted to HCJB Australia by the parent organisation in the United States, and is scheduled to arrive by November. The transmitter will connect via a switcher device to one of three antennas, each mounted on a 37 metre tower some 300 metres further down the property. The three antennas are aligned to give broadcast signal coverage to those Asian countries that lie at 307º to Kununurra. This includes India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, Indonesia and Thailand, a coverage of some sesquigigapeople. Another of the three antenna is directed to the east to cover the South Pacific nations, including New Zealand and Fiji. It is anticipated that two frequencies will be required using antennas pointed along the 307º line, one in the 19 metre band and one in the 16 metre band, to ensure high signal strength coverage. Melbourne is the home of the programming facility. At HCJB' s studios in Kilsyth, programs will be assembled, produced and presented. Upgrading of the facilities there is underway to allow for the amount of programming that will be produced. The planned broadcasts will be five hours to Asia and five hours to the South Pacific daily, plus one hour weekly in the Oromo language to Ethiopia. HCJB is presently researching the delivery means, either a satellite link or wide bandwidth phone link, or even use of the Internet. All is not in place financially at this point: Estimated costs to complete Stage 1 $430,000 Less funds on hand and pledged (180,000) Funding Required $250,000 ("HCJB News" via Craig Seager via Richard Jary, ARDXC via Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** BOUGAINVILLE. Clandestine: 3850. I finally received Radio Independent Mekamui, Sep 6, 1054-1112*, music, talk, ID, national anthem (?), and closed. It has been hard to receive because of the heavy QRM from Ham station. Rather poor reception (Masato Ishii, Shibata-shi, Japan, DSWCI DX Window Sept 25 via DXLD) ** CANADA. Here is the home sked for the Montreal Alouettes: (CJAD Montreal has a 1 watt transmitter for a 26.2 MHz studio link from football games.) ---Regular Season: Sun 29 Sep 4pm EST/2000 UTC [sic - see below] Sun 20 Oct 1pm EST/1700 UTC Sun 30 Oct 1pm EST/probably 1800 UTC ---Post Season: Sun 10 Nov 4pm EST/2100 UTC Sun 17 Nov 4pm EST/2100 UTC Sun 24 Nov TBA Only 3 regular season home games left but the team is in 1st place so the post season sked (Liz Cameron, MARE via DXLD) I see an alarming trend toward calling EDT ``EST``, even tho there be a one-hour difference between them, by definition; not only in DX circles but in general media (gh, DXLD) ** CHINA. Here in Europe the nonstop classical Chinese music jammer type is dominating on all jammed 13 mb channels: 21500 0600-0700 jamming RFA Tibetan, usually modest jamming signal 21540 0700-0900 jamming VOA Chinese, very strong jamming signal from two transmitters 21560 1215-1300 jamming Voice of Tibet 21660 1100-1300 jamming BBC Chinese 21690 0300-0700 jamming RFA Chinese and Tibetan, strong jamming signal from two or more transmitters 21705 0700-0900 jamming VOA Chinese, strong jamming signal Usually two or three jammers can be heard on each jammed frequency, two stronger ones and a weaker one. The stronger ones usually have the same programme, while the weaker one normally has a different program. Many jammers are somewhat off frequency, adding an annoying low frequency het to the echo caused by different signal delays. It seems that at least some jammers can switch between the program channels. I have noted 21540 switching from CNR to music just before 0700 and back to CNR just after 0900. The music jamming signal seems to start all over again on top of each hour. Re Xinjiang, DXLD 2-150: Oh, oh, the old eyes are not what they used to. Kyrgyz should be 0330 and 1030. 0530 is when the first transmissions goes off. By the way, on maintenance days XJ transmitters don't go on until 1100 for the evening (local evening) transmissions (Olle Alm, Sweden, 26 Sep 2002, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA [non]. Some frequency changes for China Radio International via transmitters in Russia: effective from September 1, 2002 via MSK 250 kW / 275 degrees: 2200-2257 English NF 7175, ex 9880 (Observer, Bulgaria, Sept 24 via DXLD) ** CHINA [non?]. TAIWANESE RADIO HOST CLAIMS HIJACK OF TV BROADCASTS from http://www.abc.net.au A Taiwanese man claims he conducted illegal satellite broadcast hijackings of Chinese television progams. Radio talkshow host Wu Lotien told the China Times Express that he beamed signals to hijack Chinese television programs using equipment installed in Taiwan's mountainous Yangmingshan area. Mr Wu says he wanted to draw media attention to his alleged torture by the former Kuomintang government. He did not hint at any connections with Falun Gong, a religious movement banned in China for being an "evil cult" since July 1999. China's Taiwan Affairs Office says the illegal satellite broadcasters in Taiwan interrupted mainland television programs several times to beam Falun Gong propaganda by breaking codes and cutting into transmissions (via Mike Terry, Sept 26, DXLD) From http://www.channelnewsasia.com/ 27 September 2002 2234 hrs (SST) 1434 hrs (GMT) Taiwan has accused Chinese broadcasters of hijacking its radio station signals, and it has urged Beijing to take quick action to stop them. Earlier in the week, China blamed the Falungong group in Taiwan of hijacking mainland Chinese satellite television signals. It said its programmes were replaced by propaganda material. Taipei now says that Chinese broadcasters had started hijacking the signals of seven Taiwanese commercial stations for more than a year. "We urge China to respect the regulations set by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to help maintain normal order of broadcasting operations," the vice chairman of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, Chen Min-tong, said. He added, "The benefits and rights of Taiwan's broadcasters and audience should not be undermined." (via MIke Terry, Sept 27, DXLD) CHINA SAYS TAIPEI WAS ORIGIN OF SATELLITE HIJACKS --- From Reuters On Tuesday, China said followers of the spiritual group, banned by Beijing in 1999, had hijacked Chinese satellite signals to disrupt state media broadcasts on September 9 and 21 -- an accusation dismissed as ''far-fetched'' by a Taiwan official. Taiwan and Beijing have been diplomatic and military rivals since they split at the end of a civil war in 1949. Taiwan is viewed by Beijing as a breakaway province that must be reunited with the mainland. China's state wireless monitoring centre had homed in on interference with state-run SINOSAT satellite coming from Taipei, China Central Television said. ''The source of the interference was confirmed to be situated in a district of Taipei city in Taiwan,'' state-run Xinhua news agency said. ''It was positioned at east longitude 121 degrees, 30 minutes and 33 seconds and at northern latitude 24 degrees, 51 minutes and four seconds,'' Xinhua said. China has said Taiwan must stopping the interference and it slammed Taiwan Vice President Annette Lu -- reviled by Beijing for her pro-independence views -- for voicing support for Falun Gong in the past. Falun Gong supporters have interfered with media broadcasts in China several times in recent months to air their videos. Last week, 15 group members were jailed for hacking into cable television networks this year. The incidents have prompted tighter media controls ahead of a key Communist Party Congress. The congress begins on November 8 and is expected to unveil a new generation of leaders. Falun Gong was banned by China after thousands of followers staged a peaceful demonstration in Beijing to demand recognition of their faith. The group practices a mixture of Taoism, Buddhism, traditional Chinese exercises and its U.S.-based founder's ideas. (Tamora Vidaillet, Beijing newsroom, +8610 6586-5566, ext 207; Fax +8610 8527- 5258, beijing.newsroom+reuters.com) [sic]) (via Mike Terry Sept 26, DXLD) ** COLOMBIA. 6059.97, La Voz de tu Conciencia, back on their regular frequency Sep 23, 0645-1000+, very good strength, excellent audio quality; all Colombian music, announcements and short talks in Spanish. QRM from co-channel Argentina from 0900, but Conciencia dominant. Obviously, the move to 6010 has not taken place (Berg and Green, DSWCI DX Window Sept 25 via DXLD) 6010.5, La Voz de tu Conciencia, Sep 24, 0635-1120, now here ex 6060.2 after they solved some problems. It transmits in principle 24 hours a day, but still has some technical problems. The station is very interested in receiving reception reports for evaluation of its signal and to support a request of frequency change to the Ministerio de Comunicaciones. Its address is: Librería Colombia para Cristo; Calle 44 No.13-69, Bogotá D.C. E-mail: rms05001@neutel.com.co Right now there are five LA-stations on 6010: 1) Radio Mil - Mexico. 2) Radio Parinacota - Chile. 3) Em Ciudad Montevideo - Uruguay. 4) LV de tu Conciencia - Colombia. 5) R Inconfidencia, Belo Horizonte - Brazil. No. 1, 2, 4 and 5 were heard Sep 24! (Rodriguez in Conexion Digital, Barrera, Eramo, Green and Slaen, DSWCI DX Window Sept 25 via DXLD) ** CONGO DR. NEW RADIO OKAPI SW TRANSMITTERS ALMOST READY Text of report in English by Radio Netherlands "Media Network" web site on 27 September Chief of Information to the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), David Smith, has told Media Network that if all goes well, Radio Okapi will fire up its three 10 kW Marconi shortwave transmitters in Kinshasa on Monday 30 September, replacing the temporary 100 Watt transmitters that have been in use for the past several months. The site is ready, apart from painting the floors, and installing the air conditioners. Journalists are being shown around the site today (27 September). The shortwave frequencies are 6030, 9550, and 11690 kHz. Radio Okapi's ninth FM transmitter will be installed in Bukavu next week, along with a studio. That facility will hopefully be in on the air by the end of the first week of October. Source: Radio Netherlands "Media Network" web site, Hilversum, in English 27 Sep 02 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** CZECH REPUBLIC [non]. R. Prague relay heard on 5696-USB, Sept 27 at 0220 in Spanish, running 10 seconds behind WRMI`s relay of same (Ron Trotto, IL, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** DENMARK [non]. R A D I O D E N M A R K October 27, 2002 - March 29, 2003 UTC Target (primary coverage in brackets) kHz Tx Beam 1230-1255 Far East 12070 K 35 Europe, Mediterranean, Canary Islands 13800 S 180 South East Asia, Australia (west), Russia 15735 K 80 North America (east), Carribean 18950 S 280 1330-1355 Europe 9590 S 180 South East Asia, Australia (west), Russia 15735 K 80 North America (east + central), Greenland 18950 S 300 1430-1455 Russia, Europe (south east), Middle East (east), South Asia (India) 13800 K 95 North America (east + central), Greenland 17555 S 300 1530-1555 Middle East (west) 15735 K 120 North America (west), Greenland 17525 S 315 1630-1655 Europe (south east), Middle East (west), Africa (east) 13800 K 145 North America (west), Greenland 18950 S 315 1730-1755 Europe 7490 S 180 Russia 9980 K 95 Europe (south east), Middle East (west), Africa (east) 13800 K 145 North America (east), Carribean 18950 S 280 1830-1855 Europe 7490 S 180 New Zealand 9980 K 35 Africa, Europe (south) 13800 K 165 North America (east + central), Greenland 15705 S 300 1930-1955 Europe, Canary Islands 7490 S 180 Africa, Europe (south) 9980 K 165 North America (west), Greenland 13800 S 315 2030-2055 Europe, Canary Islands 7490 S 180 Australia 9980 K 65 2130-2155 Europe, Canary Islands, Africa (west) 7490 K 195 Australia 9510 K 65 2230-2255 Far East 7470 K 40 South America, Canary Islands 7530 S 235 2330-2355 North America (east), Carribean 7470 S 280 South America 7530 S 235 South East Asia, Australia (west) 7490 K 80 Far East 9920 K 40 0030-0055 North America (east), Carribean 7470 S 280 South East Asia 7490 K 80 0130-0155 North America (east), Carribean 7470 S 280 South Asia (India) 7490 K 95 North America (east + central), Greenland 9945 S 300 0230-0255 North America (east), Carribean 7470 S 280 South Asia (India) 7490 K 95 North America (east + central), Greenland 9590 S 300 0330-0355 North America (west), Greenland 7470 S 315 Middle East (east) 7490 K 110 Europe (south east), Africa (east), Middle East (west) 9945 K 145 0430-0455 North America (west), Greenland 7470 S 315 Russia, Middle East (east) 7490 K 95 Europe (south east), Africa (east), Middle East (west) 9945 K 145 0530-0555 Europe (south east), Middle East (west), Africa (north east) 7465 K 140 Russia, Middle East (east) 7490 K 95 0630-0655 Europe 5945 K 165 Europe, Canary Islands 7180 S 195 Europe (south west), Canary Islands, Africa (west) 9590 S 220 Africa, Europe (south) 13800 K 165 0730-0755 Europe 7180 K 165 Europe, Canary Islands, Africa (west) 9590 K 195 0830-0855 Australia, Europe (south west), (South America) 13800 S 235 Far East, New Zealand 15705 K 40 0930-0955 Australia, Europe (south west), South America 13800 S 235 Far East, New Zealand 15705 K 40 Middle East (east), South Asia (India) 18950 K 95 1030-1055 Europe, Mediterranean, Canary Islands 13800 S 180 South America, Canary Islands, Africa (west) 21765 S 235 1130-1155 Europe, Mediterranean, Canary Islands 13800 S 180 South America, Canary Islands, Africa (west) 21765 S 235 Address: Radio Danmark, Radioavisen, Rosenorns Allé 22, DK-1999 Frederiksberg C, Denmark RD office telephone: +45 35 20 57 84 (then press '9') - Telefax: +45 35 20 57 81. e-mail: schedule, programme matters: rdk@dr.dk - technical, reports: rdktek@dr.dk The schedule is also available by auto-reply email from: schedule@dr.dk WWW: http://www.dr.dk/rdk or http://www.dr.dk/radiodanmark - including RealAudio 'on demand' of our broadcasts. The two daily news transmissions in Danish only are aired at 1230 and 1830. Transmissions inbetween are repeats. The technical letterbox programme, "Tune In" is heard every second Saturday from 1248 UT until 1748 UT. Transmissions may be cancelled without warning. Radio Denmark shares the Norwegian transmitters with Radio Norway. They broadcast at xx.00-xx.30, followed by Denmark at xx.30-xx.55, 24 hours a day. Stations: Kvitsoy (K) and Sveio (S) each have two 500 kW transmitters. They are located on the Norwegian west coast near Stavanger and Haugesund at 05.27E 59.04N (K) and 05.19E 59.37N (S). Kvitsoy covers the Eastern Globe, while Sveio covers the Western Globe [hemisphere]. Radio Denmark replies complete reports by a QSL-card. Although not necessary, return postage is appreciated (1 IRC, 1 Euro or 1 US dollar). Recordings (incl. RealAudio and MP3 email files) are accepted. Tapes, however, are not returned (via Erik Koie, DR, DXLD) ** FRANCE? Re 25775.1: Phone number 339-912-4132, related to DAB. Has been heard by other U.S. DX-ers and in Finland. Heard French in Denmark Sep 22, 23 and 24 only at 1600-1635 (fade out), but it sounded more like a CB conversation than a broadcast. 25222. I forwarded the problem to our member in France and here is his reply: (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window Sept 25 via DXLD) In France all phone numbers have 10 digits, the two first digits are the area code, but they are part of the phone number, e.g. my number is 04 93 56 73 01, and anywhere you are in France, we must do this 10 digits. All phone numbers are announced with the 10 digits. So the number you gave me 339-912-4514, cannot be a French number. I tried to listen to 25775 kHz, I have a very weak signal with talks in French, but nothing very clear to be correctly understand. The toll free number (075-63241) cannot be a French toll-free number. In France all numbers start with: 01 for Paris and surroundings. 02 for West and St Pierre & Miquelon. 03 for North and East. 04 for South-East. 05 for South-West and French West Indies. 06 for mobile and GSM. 07 NOT IN USE. 08 for special numbers(such as Sex Phone...) and toll free (0800...and 0805...). 09 NOT IN USE. 00 for international access. With the second number you gave me, I tried all combinations with[out] any results. The number 339-912-4514 look like a CANADIAN phone number with the area code first? (Christian Ghibaudo, France, Sep 24, DSWCI DX Window via DXLD) The 339 area code is in Massachusetts as we already pointed out (gh) ** FRANCE? There`s another one on 11 meters, 25765 AM heard Sept 24 at 1625 with sports news in English, but since then a 40-second repetition of BBCWS IDs (Alan Roberts, QC, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Also here, 25765, Sept 24 at 2045-2100, pirate? With BBCWS timepips for 1700 UTC. Also heard all day Saturday in French, some English, 399 [sic, 339 as others report?] for Boston, but number no good (Ron Trotto, Wagner, IL, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. Re: 25760 0830 1030 40 WER 500 90 0 226 1234567 D IBB IBB That looks to be a replacement for 15690 via Wertachtal which currently carries the RFE service to Afghanistan. I note that the current IBB sched now shows a break in transmission for 15690 (1030- 1230 from memory). Perhaps WER 21690 is another replacement for 15690? This service is also on 19010 - seems it will remain and extended timings - and on 21680. I wonder why this latter frequency is registered for Ciraf 27/28 at 0700-0800 and 0900-1100 though! Maybe VOA/RFA should be thinking of trying 11m to escape from the Chinese orchestra? Best 73's (Noel Green, Sept 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ICELAND. The Iceland State Broadcasting Service Reykjavik, continues to relay its Domestic Service programs to North America and Europe, principally for mariners. The B-02 schedule is: 1200-1300 15775 13865 1400-1445 15775 13865 1745-1915 13865 12120 2300-2345 13865 12120 (Bob Padula, EDXP Sept 27 via DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM. Hi Glenn, In the Media Network item about XM Satellite Radio, as quoted by BBCM, the last para is wrong. It should read: "Meanwhile, XM's rival Sirius Satellite Radio is now restricting Web listeners to 20 minutes of streaming before the stream is cut off. This seems to be a desperate attempt to get more subscribers. Unconfirmed press reports suggest that the number of paid-up subscribers is currently as low as 7,000." I made an error, realised it, and corrected immediately. But apparently someone at Caversham was cutting and pasting the old version in the meantime :-( 73, (Andy Sennitt, RN, DXLD) But also corrected subsequently ** INTERNATIONAL WATERS [non?]. Radio Caroline is being relayed on 7140, first noted September 27th 0905 following a tip off from Noel Green, fair strength and on till at least 1300. Again noted September 28th 0815 tune in, stronger, only occasional shallow fades. Is running 10 seconds ahead of Worldspace. My first thought would be a pirate transmitter but is excellent technical quality and exactly on channel (Mike Barraclough, England, Sept 28, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** IRAQ. Iraq is using a new frequency of 1551.41 kHz presumably to jam Radio Sawa in Iraq [from Kuwait 1548] (Mauno Ritola, Finland, 17.9.2002, Arctic mv-eko via DXLD) ** ITALY [non?]. IRRS on 13840, Sept 27 at 0632 in English, starting with slow classical music, transmitter problems, cutting on and off constantly, mentioning NEXUS (Ron Trotto, IL, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Time to raise the question again of transmitter site for this, as IRRS is not telling us (gh, DXLD) ** KOREA SOUTH. The B-02 schedule for Radio Korea International shows several new channels, with up to six 250 kW transmitters listed for simultaneous use from the Kimjae site. This reflects the upgrading of capacity there, and a new service directed to Australia and New Zealand is scheduled on 15225, from 0500-1100. Other new channels listed include: 11945 0600-0900 to North America 15155 2000-0100 to China 15205 1200-1400 to Europe 15265 0600-0800 to South America 15335 1000-1300 to South America 17750 2300-0100 to North America 17755 1100-1500 to Asia 17780 2100-0000 to North America 17825 0900-1200 to Europe 17860 0300-0400 to Asia 17870 2200-0000 to Hawaii (Bob Padula, EDXP Sept 27 via DXLD) ** KYRGYZSTAN. Kyrgyz Radio 1 : 2300-1800 UTC = 4010 kHz , 4795 kHz, 67,94 MHz, 104,1 MHz. In Kyrgyz, Russian 2304-2330 (Mon-Fri) - Programme "Kabarlar" ("News") in Kyrgyz, Russian, Uzbek, English. 0200-0220 (Mon-Fri) - Programme "Kabarlar" ("News") in Kyrgyz, Russian, English. 1300-1320 (Mon-Fri) - Programme "Kabarlar" ("News") in Kyrgyz, German. Kyrgyz Radio 2 ( Radio XXI vek) : 0000-1800 UTC (Mon-Sat), 0000-1200 (Sun) = 66,38 MHz, 106,9 MHz. In Kyrgyz, Russian 0004-0030 (Mon-Fri) - Programme "Kabarlar" ("News") in Kyrgyz, Russian, Uzbek, English. (Ibragim Rustamov, Tajikistan / Newspaper "KTR-OBO #34/301 23/08/2002) via Klepov, Rus-DX via Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** LAOS [non]. 17540, United Lao Movement for Democracy Sep 20 *0059- 0110 34433 Lao?, 0059 bell. 0100 with IS and ID. Opening announce. Local music and talk. Thanks for tip from Kenji Hashimoto (Kouji Hashimoto, Japan Premium via DXLD) ** LIBERIA. 5100, Liberian Communications Network, Totota. Sep 19, 2305-2400*, back on this frequency after a break of four months. Mostly British pop songs. Ann and talk in English was low modulated. Best heard after 2350 until closing announcement and the Liberian National Anthem. 24332 with sporadic utility QRM. It is a good question, if it also is back on the very crowded, nominal frequency of 6100? (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window Sept 25 via DXLD) ** MALTA. Today received a nice informative booklet from Voice of the Mediterranean. This eight page bimonthly colourful newsletter tells the VOM's new challenges by Managing Director Mr Richard Muscat, listeners letters, program highlights and skeds, station news, etc., etc. Can be obtained from info@vomradio.com 73s (Swopan Chakroborty, Kolkata, India, Sept 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. 6010, R. Mil, Mexico City, Sep 19, light songs, an anti- smoke slogan, TCs, fadeout at 0754, 25432 at best (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, DSWCI DX Window Sept 25 via DXLD) So still on ** MEXICO. Mexico's FMRE celebrates 70 years of IARU membership: The Federación Mexicana de Radio Experimentadores (FMRE), Mexico's IARU member-society, is celebrating 70 years of membership in the International Amateur Radio Union with a special event station. The Mexican Comisión Federal de Telecomunicaciones (COFETEL) has authorized the FMRE to commemorate the occasion using special event call sign 6F1LM from its headquarters station for the rest of 2002. COFETEL also has authorized all Mexican Amateur Radio operators to use the special prefix 6J--which may only be used while contacting DX stations. FMRE President Pedro Mucharraz, XE1PM, congratulated all Mexican operators. "The use of the special prefix will contribute to remember and pay homage to all amateurs who have paved the way for us to enjoy a great hobby," he said (The Daily DX via Carlos Jiménez V., Sept 27, DXLD) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. Radio Central, 3290, from Port Moresby, has been inactive for some time, but returned to the air on September 25 for limited evening services (Bob Padula, Australia, EDXP Sept 27 via DXLD) ** PARAGUAY. Dear Mr Glenn Hauser: To advise that we have improved and modified the characteristics of our test transmissions, from Villeta, Paraguay. The frequency 7300 KHZ is now directed towards 40 and 220 degrees, from Magnetic North. This should improve reception chances in Europe and in Australia. We are also testing on 1610 KHZ, using the 125 Metre tall omnidirectional antenna, and beamed towards 184 degrees, from Magnetic North. The frequencies of 7737 and 15185 KHZ have been discontinued, for the moment. [were you ever on 7373 or was that a misprint? -- gh] We will be testing, shortly, on 120 and on 31 Metres. To date, our best results have come from 7300 KHZ, monitored in several different countries, and from 15185 KHZ, monitored in Germany. Test transmissions are on-air, the 24 hours, every day, save for occasional pauses for technical adjustments. Reception reports are most welcome! With best regards from Paraguay! (Adán Mur, Technical Advisor, Radiodifusión América, Asunción, Paraguay ramerica@rieder.net.py Sept 28 DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 6323.9, Rdif. Comercial (Presumed) 1055 Sept 27 with campo music and seemed to ID as Radio La Voz del Vecino at 1057. Nice signal (Hans Johnson, WY, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** PERU. 3172.77, Radio Municipal, 1010-1020 Sept 28, flauta andina, 1022 ID by OM as R. M., into Spanish covers of popular music till 1040 fade out, second ID 1028 (Robert Wilkner, Margate FL, Icom R-75, Ground level antenna, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. Voice of Russia on 17645, SIO 323; heard ending their Russian program at 1359, then IS and RUS national anthem at 1400, into ID and info on Voice of Russia World Service (by Carl Watts) then the news with headlines. Sandwiched by QRM from BBC -5, and Radio France Int'l in French +5, making for difficult listening on the Sony 'SW7600G which I was using while walking... nonetheless 17645, at 250 kW from Moscow site, is the best hope for reception in Eastern North America at this hour. (9/29) (Joe Hanlon in Philadelphia, SWBC via DXLD) ** RUSSIA [non?]. Re R. Krishnaloka, 7415v: About one fifth of the population in Ukraine are Russians. Propagation indicate a transmitter location near the eastern border between Ukraine and Russia or in the Moscow area (Anker Petersen, Ed., DSWCI DX Window Sept 25 via DXLD) ** SOMALIA. 7530U, R. Hargeisa. Sep 22, 1910-1940. Horn of Africa type music with some interludes of female singer. No sign of reported brief news in English. Strongest signal I have ever had from this station (Charles Jones, Australia, DSWCI DX Window via DXLD) Does anybody know if they have increased power above 5 kW ? (DSWCI Ed) ** SOUTH CAROLINA. Over a month ago I did a post-release-from-jail Brother Stair radio check. For the first time he offered to send listeners a CD if they call in with a radio check. In the past he`s offered tapes, articles, books. But never a CD. Anyway, in the past I`ve always received whatever free item he was giving away for a radio check. But as of this writing, still no CD! (A radio check is when listeners call in to say what frequency they`re listening on at the moment.) I called his answering machine today to inquire about this, left a message, but no response as of yet (Robert Arthur, Sept 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN. 7200, Republic of Sudan Radio, Omdurman, Sep 21, 1730-1900, Arabic language programming. News is heard from circa 1803-1813. Also plays typical Sudanese style music. Positive ID has not yet been heard, but a mention of Sudan and Omdurman seems to indicate it's this station. In England there is a weak co-channel station which sounds Russian - Yakutsk? - and the IRIB interval signal is heard from circa 1858 before opening in Hebrew - Kol David? The Arabic speaker appears to close 1900. Now, Yugoslavia is also heard from about 1857. In Australia strong co-channel NHK in Japanese (Noel Green, UK and Charles Jones, Australia, DSWCI DX Window Sept 25 via DXLD) ** SWEDEN. Focal Point Hörby --- The History of a Broadcasting Station In 1956 Swedes had the opportunity for the first time to familiarise themselves with a minor wonder - television. The first programmes were broadcast from several temporary stations in Sweden. Hörby became the first permanent TV station in Sweden in 1959 - and is still one of the most important stations in the country. "Today's digital broadcasts are a natural progression of technological development. Colour TV was probably much bigger news for the viewers", says Bengt Meijer, local manager at the radio station in Hörby. The first TV broadcast in colour took place in 1966. Four years later in 1970, regular colour broadcasts were made to households across the country. "It was a small revolution. Imagine being able to watch nature and entertainment programmes in colour! It's hard to imagine how big this must have been out in the cottages" says Bengt Meijer, who has been working at Hörby for 20 years. At the FM/TV station in Hörby they are currently preparing for the future of digital radio and television. Much of the work revolves around making it possible for both analogue and digital systems to work in tandem during the changeover period, which is expected to last several years. Bengt Meijer says one of the biggest digital benefits will be the power savings that will be made. "Transferring from analogue to digital will result in savings in many ways. For example, instead of using a 40kW transmitter like we have today for Channel One we will only need to use 2.5kW with a digital transmitter. We'll get five times as many channels by using a tiny amount of today's power consumption." The station in Hörby was established in 1937, though radio has been transmitted from Hörby as early as 1928, initially at a station at Karlfält, some four kilometres west of the current broadcasting station. The Hörby station lies in the centre of Sweden's most densely populated region, with a large listening and viewing audience. The broadcast coverage extends in principle across the entire province, including large cities such as Malmö and Helsingborg. "In recent years large radio stations have sprung up in these towns and cities in order to ensure complete coverage of these densely populated areas. However, there are still viewers in Malmö and Helsingborg that have their aerials pointed towards Hörby", says Bengt Meijer. Around 20 complimentary slave transmitters at strategic locations make Hörby broadcasting station one of the most important in the country, The Hörby station is unique in as much as it is not only an FM/TV station - of which there are 56 others located throughout the country - but also Sweden's only AM station. What makes Hörby so special are its short-wave transmitters - three of them with an effect of 500 kW. Medium- wave and short-wave are the traditional ways of broadcasting radio to counties abroad. "It is the short-wave station that has made Hörby so unique. Swedish radio has a special department, Radio Sweden International, which broadcasts the programme Radio Sweden via short-wave from Hörby. We are therefore the only station in the country to broadcast that programme." The shortwave transmitters make it possible to broadcast Radio Sweden to large parts of the world, for example Africa, The Far East, North America, South America and of course Europe. The programmes, which are produced by Swedish Radio and broadcast in seven different languages, make it possible for Swedes abroad to catch upon news, culture and sport in the same way as Swedes at home. In Sölvesborg there is a medium-wave transmitter that is operated and administered by the Hörby unit. Together these transmitters work 44 hours a day (Hörby constitutes 33 hours of this total) to broadcast Radio Sweden. (from "Frequencies #14" (an in-house magazine, I think - Alan Roe) via Jack Fitzsimons, Oct World DX Club Contact via Mike Barraclough, DXLD) ** SWITZERLAND [and non]: B-02 schedule for Swiss Radio International: French/German/Italian/English to Af 0600-0800 9885 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg 13790 JUL 100 kW / 200 deg 17665 SOT 500 kW / 165 deg English/Italian/German/French to Af 0830-1030 21770 SOT 500 kW / 165 deg Italian/Arabic/English/French to Af/ME 1630-1815 9755 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg 13790 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg 15555 SOT 500 kW / 140 deg Italian/Arabic/English/German/French 1830-2130 9755 JUL 100 kW / 200 deg 13660 GUF 500 kW / 165 deg 15485 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg 17660 GUF 500 kW / 115 deg French/German/Italian/English to SoAm 2200-2400 9885 SOT 500 kW / 230 deg 11660 GUF 500 kW / 170 deg (Observer, Bulgaria, Sept 27 via DXLD) ** TAIWAN [non]. Some changes for Radio Taipei Int. in Russian via WYFR effective from Sep. 23: 0400-0500 on 7355 new transmission 1800-1900 on 17750 deleted WYFR in German to Europe effective from Sep. 23: 0400-0500 on 9985 only and deleted 7355 (Observer, Bulgaria, Sept 24 via DXLD) As I recall, WYFR has its own Russian at 0300 on 7355 (gh, DXLD) ** TAJIKISTAN. 801 kHz: IBB monitoring material indicates the reactivation of the Tajik frequency 801 kHz. This frequency was used by a transmitter in Orzu with Moscow Radio 1, until it was closed in the early 1990s. The Geneva Plan limits the power to 200 kW; it is unknown what power was used for Radio 1, or what power will be used after a reactivation now (Bernd Trutenau via MWDX 6.9.2002 via Arctic via DXLD) IBB is conducting tests via Orzu 801 kHz with ca. 500 kW ND at various times. This transmitter was carrying Ostankino Radio 1 until the early 1990s when it was closed. Reportedly the tests consist of relays of VOA in English (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, 18.9.2002, Arctic via DXLD) ** TATARSTAN. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DX Target: Voice of Tatarstan An Exotic Voice from the Republic of Tatarstan By Richard A. D'Angelo The Voice of Tatarstan, or Tatarstan Awazy, provides news and information about events in the Republic of Tatarstan. However, hearing this exotic shortwave broadcaster is not an easy task. Shortwave broadcasts are through facilities located in nearby Samara and broadcast hours are not during prime listening periods in North America and Europe. Direct reception is not possible on shortwave, nevertheless, the Voice of Tatarstan provides an excellent listening target for the DX'er. Before getting into details about the station, let's take a look at the history, the geography, the people, the economy and the current political situation of the Republic of Tatarstan. History The first settlements in the territory of the Republic of Tatarstan date back to Paleolithic period (about 100,000 years ago). In the 8th and 9th centuries, the tribes of ancient Bulgars, ancestors of the modern Tatars, began to populate the Volga region. The first state, the Volga-Kama Bulgaria, was set up at the end of the 9th/beginning of the 10th centuries, which was the first feudal state in the northeastern Europe. In 922, Islam was established as a state religion. In the 13th century, the territory of the Volga-Kama Bulgaria was annexed to the Empire of Chenghiz-Khan and then became a part of powerful Zolotaya Orda (Golden Hord) State. The collapse of the Golden Hord in the 14th century resulted in formation of a number of new states including the Kazan Khanate. Kazan became the capital of the newly formed state. Ivan the Terrible conquered the Empire of the Kaza Khanate and incorporated it into the Russian Empire in 1552. The Tatars made numerous attempts to throw off Tsarist rule, they did not succeed. After the Bolshevik Revolution, the Tatar-Bashkir Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was set up within the Russian federation. Geography The official name of the state is the Republic of Tatarstan. The Republic of Tatarstan is located on the eastern frontier of Europe in the middle of the Volga-Basin at the confluence of the Volga and Kama rivers. In the north, it borders Udmurtia, in the west - Mari and Chuvashia, in the east - Bashkkortostan, and in the south - Samara Region with an area of 68,000 square kilometers. The Republic extends some 290 kilometers north to south and 460 kilometers west to east. Tatarstan has no borders with foreign states. The territory of the Republic is a plain, which lies in forest and forest-steppe zone with small hills on the right bank of the Volga and in the southeast of the Republic. Ninety per cent of the territory is 200 meters above sea level. Local fauna is represented by 430 species of vertebrates and hundreds of species of invertebrates. The climate is moderate-continental. Droughts are occasional. Average temperature of the coldest month (January) is -13C, of the warmest (July) +19C. Annual average amount of precipitation is 460-520 mm. The vegetation period is about 170 days. Until 1552 Kazan had been the capital of Kazan Khanate, later it became the capital of Tatar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic. Today, Kazan is the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan. The territory of Kazan City stands at 425 square kilometers populated by about 1.2 million people. The citizens of the capital are representatives of more than 101 nationalities. Kazan in Tatar means cauldron. The name reflects the raging and dynamical history of the city. People The population of Tatarstan is 3.7 million, of which 48% are Tatars and 43% Russians. Only 23% of Tatars live in Tatarstan. The Tatars descends from nomadic tribes that migrated westward from southern Siberia between the 10th and the 13th centuries. The term, Tatar, refers to a people with roots from three main ethnic groups of Turkic origin. The official languages are Tatar and Russian. Since the end of the 7th century, the predominant ethnic group is the Turkic-speaking people. Multicultural contacts with the Russian State influenced both the Tatars and the Russians in cultural, language and other spheres. The Tatars assimilated from the Russians agricultural methods, specific construction methods, certain crafts and many social institutions. Some Russian noble families trace back to Tatar origin. Economy Tatarstan is economically a very important region. Main resources include crude oil, land, and water. The republic possesses high scientific and intellectual potential. Key industries are oil production and petrol chemistry, aircraft industry, mechanical engineering and instrument making. The region produces oil, gas and has many highly developed industries for machine-building products such as heavy trucks and bombers. Its economic and strategic value is possibly the primary reason for the special position of Tatarstan within the Russian Federation. The main wealth of Tatarstan is crude oil. Its biggest oil deposits are the oil fields located in the Southeast and the Northeast of Tatarstan. The first industrial oil deposit was discovered in July 1943; industrial exploitation started in September, 1946. Along with crude oil, gas is extracted. Among other fuel resources, Tatarstan possesses brown and black coal, combustible slates and peat. Kazan is the main economic center of Tatarstan. Thirty-five percent of the population is employed in economic activity concentrated in Kazan. One hundred and fifty-one large and medium-size companies are situated in the city. Main branches of industry are automotive, chemical and petrochemical, light and food industries. About 48% of goods produced in Tatarstan are sold inside the Republic, about 31% are sold in Russia and the remaining 21% are exported. Electronic mass media is developing very quickly in Tatarstan. Sixty- five television companies, radio-stations, electronic systems, video- programs, television information agencies are registered in the Republic. Twenty-three television stations are operating, including five in Kazan. There are thirty radio stations in Tatarstan, 14 of them in Kazan. Current situation The Republic of Tatarstan is a democratic constitutional state associated with the Russian Federation by the Constitution of the Russian Federation, Constitution of the Republic of Tatarstan and Treaty Between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tatarstan. Tatarstan became the first of the autonomous republics to adopt a declaration of sovereignty in 1990. However, this declaration was not recognized by the Russian Federation. In 1992, the Tatarstan government organized a referendum on the sovereignty of Tatarstan. Sixty-one percent voted in favor of state sovereignty and adopted its own republican constitution. In 1994, the presidents of Russia and Tatarstan signed a bilateral power-sharing treaty on behalf on the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tatarstan, respectively. The treaty recognizes extensive self-government rights of Tatarstan, beyond those enjoyed under the Russian Constitution, however, it falls short of recognizing state sovereignty. By 1995, the economy of Tatarstan began to improve and the standard of living in Tatarstan is higher than in other parts of the Russian Federation. The positive developments started in 1995 continue. The special status of the Republic within the Russian Federation is probably one of the reasons for the growing economy in Tatarstan. The republic has actively taken part on behalf of the Russian Federation, in delegations that carried out work for the UN, the Council of Europe and several international organizations. The Station Radio Tatarstan's external service, Voice of Tatarstan ("Tatarstan Awazy"), started on 1st August 1997. The shortwave frequencies are relayed from a high power transmitter at Samara and have been confirmed by various worldwide monitoring observations. The Voice of Tatarstan international service is mostly in the Tatar language. Although programming is mainly in the Tatar language, news bulletins in the Russian language are carried in most weekday broadcasts. A full Russian language broadcast has been carried on Wednesdays during the 3rd transmission and on Thursdays during the 1st and 2nd transmissions. You may be able to identify the station by its Tatar and Russian language identification announcements. In Tatar it is, "Efirda Tatarstan Awazy." In Russian, the identification is, "v efire Golos Tatarstana." The Voice of Tatarstan provides up-to-date information about events taking place in the Republic of Tatarstan. The station broadcasts political and cultural news, literature features, and interviews with prominent people, and folk music. Broadcasts go out three times a day. During the summer transmissions can be heard at 0400-0500 UT on 11,665 kHz beamed to the Far East; 0600-0700 on 9,690 to the Urals, Western Siberia, and CIS; 0800-0900 on 11,925 to the European part of Russia and Northern Europe. During the winter transmissions can be heard at 0500-0600 UT on 15,105 to the Far East; 0700-0800 on 15,105 kHz to the Urals, Western Siberia, and CIS; 0900-1000 on 11,915 kHz to the European part of Russia and Northern Europe. The latter transmission is relayed on 252 kHz for Tatarstan and neighboring regions. The shortwave broadcasts are relayed via the nearby Samara transmitting site but the longwave signal comes from Kazan itself. The Voice of Tatarstan is a very good verifier of listener reception reports. For a brief period of time after the events of September 11, 2001, the station was reluctant to receive postal mail. However, things are returning to normal so postal mail is once again being accepted from overseas listeners. Unfortunately, due to the lack of funds, the station asks its listeners to help compensate the costs of printing and the mailing of QSL cards. The return postage requirement is a modest one IRC for Russia and CIS states, and two IRCs (or US$1.00) for the rest of the world. Alternatively, listeners in Russia may send mint stamps (3 x postage price of ordinary internal letter). English language reports can be sent to Ildus Ibatullin, the QSL Manager, at the following address: Voice of Tatarstan, QSL Manager, P. O. Box 134, Kazan, Tatarstan 420136, Russia The station also introduced an honorary diploma. To receive it, applicants must send in 12 correct reports during a year. The diploma costs 2 IRCs for Russia, and 4 IRCs for abroad. Direct your applications to the above address. You will receive an information sheet about the diploma in the QSL response to your first reception report. Remember to send in those Voice of Tatarstan logs to Edwin Southwell for the Shortwave Logbook and those interesting QSL verifications to Mark Hattam for inclusion in the QSL Report column. Good luck with this DX Target (Rich D`Angelo, Oct World DX Club Contact via Mike Barraclough, DXLD) ** TIBET. CHINA (Tibet) 9490, China Tibet People's Broadcast Co. Full data prepared card signed by Miss Tse Ring Yuzen, President of Tibet Radio, and stamped with the station seal. They actually took the trouble of modifying my prepared card by pasting their Tibet Radio logo over one of my clipart graphics. It will be interesting to see if they now adopt this version of my card as their own design. Received in 5 weeks for my English language report on their "Holy Tibet" program. Also included was a letter from the show's hostess, Tse Ring Deky, about her background and interests, program schedules, and a postcard (George Maroti, NY, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** TURKEY. The Voice of Turkey has this schedule for English services, effective October 27: 0400-0500 6020 to North America and Europe 2300-0000 6020 to North America and Europe 1930-2030 9890 to Europe 2130-2230 9525 to Australia and Asia 2300-0000 9655 to North America and Europe 1330-1430 17690 to Australia and Asia 1330-1430 17815 to Europe (Bob Padula, EDXP Sept 27 via DXLD) ** TURKMENISTAN. Since Sep 12, I have noticed a strange transmitter problem at the Asgabat frequency of 4930. It is scheduled to sign on at 0100 with the HS2 program, but when the carrier comes on around 0044 with a constant tone, the programme of HS1 can also be heard in AM and USB // to its ordinary frequency of 5015. At 0100 the HS2 program starts on 4930 in AM and USB, but HS1 continues underneath until fade out at 0305. Both are in the Turkmen language. 43443 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window Sept 25 via DXLD) ** U A E. Noticed last night that the 0330 UAE English frequency (shown as 15400) was in fact 15395. Came in quite well at my QTH in Eastern PA. The current edition of the Prime Time database shows 15400. Regards, (Richard Cuff, PA, Sept 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) We had a report not long ago that both were in use one night at this time. So, you never know... (gh, DXLD) ** U A E. Gospel for Asia/Athmee Yathra He in various langs* via DHA 500 kW / 085 deg 1230-1330 on 15590 (45444) 1600-1630 on 11695 (44454) 2330-0130 on 6025 (55444) *Bengali; Hindi; Malayalam; Tamil; Dzonkha; Punjabi; Nepali; Oriya; Marathi; Sinhala; Kannada; Kashmiri (Observer, Bulgaria, Sept 27 via DXLD) ** U K [non]. RADIO ATLÁNTICO DEL SUR The article in August Contact on the background to the Argentine station Liberty which operated during the Falklands war mentioned the British equivalent Radio Atlántico del Sur. This came on the air on 19th May 1982 at 2300 on 9710 using the Ascension Islands relay transmitter; schedule was 2300-0200 and 0930-1030. The BBC issued this press statement the same day: "The Ministry of Defence this morning contacted the BBC to make available one of the transmitters at the Atlantic relay station at Ascension Island. A letter written on behalf of the Secretary of State for Defence to the Director General required this under the terms of Article 19 of the Licence and Agreement. The BBC will accordingly make a transmitter available to the Ministry of Defence for its own broadcasting purpose." This clause in the then BBC licensing agreement gave the government the right to take over transmitters in times of crisis. Two trade unions at the BBC protested that the takeover was "a gross interference in the independence and editorial freedom of the BBC". The station was operated by Defence Ministry personnel who said the BBC Latin American service was not sufficiently focused on the Falklands conflict; this service was not affected in terms of frequency output by the station but the BBC World Service was. The station had a magazine format and phony record dedications, music with a psywar theme such as Chariots of Fire was regularly heard. The station was subject to front page ridicule in the quality British press; they commented that the announcers were not native Spanish speakers, spoke in a Cambridge educated Chilean accent, the music chosen would not appeal to Argentinean forces and that the station was so obviously phony that it would have no effect. The estimated cost of the operation was 10 to 20 thousand pounds a week. Argentina did jam the station but the jamming was ineffective. Argentina was also jamming the three BBC Latin American service frequencies and the Calling the Falklands programme. The station was well received in the UK and I decided to try sending a report to Radio Atlántico del Sur, Ministry of Defence, Whitehall, London WC1 to see what, response, if any, I would get. I was surprised and pleased to receive a printed card in just 8 days, the first one reported. The card showed radio waves going from the UK to the Falklands with the slogan "Bringing Truth to the Front." I remember making some remarks about my interest in, and the effect of, psychological warfare in conflicts as on the back of the card was the personal message "Thanks you for your letter and helpful comments. If you felt sufficiently strongly it would help our cause if you conveyed the same sentiments to the press. The Times and the Observer have written articles which appear very prejudiced to us. You will appreciate that we cannot reply directly ourselves as MOD employees". Going back to the Liberty station I have some recordings, it could be heard fairly well in the UK but the modulation was not perfect, opening and closing announcement over a lush orchestral version of Yesterday was "I am Liberty and I am speaking to you from the heart of our Malvinas, Georgias and South Sandwich Islands. I am a voice, a spirit, a country. I am now as ever a woman who is proud that the world listens when Argentina speaks". Researched from June and July 1982 issues of Contact and North American Shortwave Association FRENDX as well as my own memories. (Mike Barraclough, Oct World DX Club Contact via DXLD) ** U S A. WWRB is currently testing nightly on the new frequency of 5050 kHz. I heard them on Thursday 0000 UT. At the top of the hour I heard the owner (I forget his name) stating that they will be testing nightly on 5050 and eventually replacing 5085. Tuning between the two frequencies, I must say that 5050 has a much better signal with less QRM. The modulation is also much louder up here in Wisconsin. Not sure about any other of their frequencies. Hope you can use this info (Matt Kickbush, KB9WVU, Milwaukee, WI, Sept 26, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Thursday September 26, 2002 Report No. IHF-00038 RE: ACTIONS TAKEN INTERNATIONAL HIGH FREQUENCY The Commission, by its International Bureau, took the following actions pursuant to delegated authority. The effective dates of the actions are the dates specified. For more information concerning this Notice, contact Tom Polzin at 418-2148; tpolzin@fcc.gov TTY 202-418- 2555. Construction Permit Date Effective: 09/25/2002 Grant of Authority AURORA COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC. NEW IHF-C/P-20010521-00004 P Construction Permit Date Effective: 08/16/2002 Grant of Authority Grace Missionary Baptist Church, Inc. NEW IHF-C/P-20020510-00002 P (via Benn Kobb, DXLD) See also ALASKA and below ** U S A. The FCC has released a public notice showing the grant of a new HF station to Grace Missionary Baptist Church, apparently at the same location as WTJC. Report No. IHF-00038 Thursday September 26, 2002 INTERNATIONAL HIGH FREQUENCY RE: ACTIONS TAKEN IHF-C/P-20020510-00002 P NEW Grace Missionary Baptist Church, Inc. Construction Permit Grant of Authority Date Effective: 08/16/2002 For more information concerning this Notice, contact Tom Polzin at 418-2148; tpolzin@fcc.gov; TTY 202-418-2555. (Donald Wilson, Sept 27, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. I haven't seen this one logged anywhere yet: 5919.93, WBOH? 0226 Sept 30. Contemporary gospel music; // WTJC 9730. FBN web site at http://home.ec.rr.com/fbn/ says they're setting up WBOH 5920 kHz. They're on now. Hard to get excited about a new Bible-thumper, but there they are. Haven't IDed yet, maybe at TOH (Ralph Brandi, NJ, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Viz.: FBN is in the midst of setting up the SECOND Shortwave station here in Newport, N.C.. The goal is to reach Central and South America with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in English, Spanish, and Brazilian Languages. WBOH 5920 kHz Worldwide Beacon Of Hope Pix at http://home.ec.rr.com/fbn/Projects.htm (via DXLD) ** U S A. 7490, WJIE Upton KY (presumed); 2106-2118+, 29 Sep; M speaking in Glossalalia? Occasional Hallelujah and I'm pretty sure he mentioned Oxana Bajul and Lulu. Wonder what their Glossalalia service sked is? Different M in Glossalalia at 2137. Sounds like their audio problem has been solved. S10 sig (Harold Frodge, MI, via George Maroti, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** U S A. I still haven`t heard Al Weiner`s 17495 kHz. I`ve listened many times for programs that were supposed to be there at a certain time, but never heard a thing. Oh well, maybe the elevation of the beam is such that it puts me right in the middle of the first skip (Pete Bentley, East Aurora NY, Sept 23, DX LISTENING DIGEST) WBCQ ** U S A. QSL report: WCNZ Marco is 1660 kHz - friendly e-mail VL with coverage map and program sked as attachments from Russ Stonier- Hammett GM W6NNP (Paul Ormandy, NZ, Sept 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) But: ** U S A. X bander to listen out for, now it's back on full power (from Naples Daily News, Florida): RADIO STATION 1660 AM AT FULL STRENGTH AFTER NEW TRANSMITTER IS INSTALLED Thursday, September 26, 2002 By LAURA LAYDEN Russ Hamnett, the general manager for 1660 AM, is singing a happy tune again. He feels better than he has in months now that his radio station is back to full power. Lightning knocked the station off the air on June 12. The station's owner, All Financial Network Inc., struggled for eight days to get it up and running again. When it finally did, the station ran at only 4,000 watts, instead of the customary 10,000. All Financial Network had to resort to using a 40-year-old transmitter as a back-up, while it worked to repair the transmitter damaged by lightning. When it became clear that the broken transmitter would be too hard to fix, another one had to be ordered. The new transmitter arrived over the weekend. On Monday, an engineer installed it and the station could once again could be heard from Key West to Port Charlotte. For months, the signal only reached from Marco Island to Bonita Springs. "When the chief engineer turned on the new transmitter just before 5 p.m. not only did we get much louder because our signal was 10 times as strong, all of the sudden it was clean, it was crisp," said Hamnett. "It sounded beautiful. It was just the difference between night and day. It was just incredible." The radio station's signal had become much weaker in recent weeks as the old transmitter started to lose some of its juice. "It was fine up until the last two weeks," Hamnett said. "Then we began to notice it was getting bad, and it kept getting worse. It was getting distorted to the point where it was hard to listen to." All Financial Network also owns 1480 AM, which was knocked off the air the same day as 1660. The company was able to get 1480 back on the air quickly by remote control and that station has been on the air without a hitch ever since. It can be heard in Naples, Marco Island, Everglades City and Chokoloskee. The station's call letters [on 1480] were recently changed from WODX to WVOI, standing for Voice of the Islands. It also has a new "Music of Your Life" format, playing tunes from the 1940s, '50s and early '60s. The station was playing music from the '50s to the '80s, and Hamnett says it didn't fit well with the local market. "Our goal is to be Marco Island's radio station," he said. "It appears on the air, at least it sounds to me, as though Marco Island is being neglected as a city that needs a radio station." (via Alan Pennington, UK, Sept 27, DXLD) ** U S A. TWO KILLED WHEN MASSIVE TELEVISION TOWER FALLS IN WESTERN NEBRASKA By Associated Press, 9/25/2002 13:05 HEMINGFORD, Neb. (AP) A 1,965-foot-high TV tower collapsed, killing two workers who were trying to strengthen the structure, which had been taller than the Empire State Building. Three other workers were injured Tuesday, rescue officials said. The cause of the collapse was being investigated by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Two of the workers were repairing the roof to a small transmission building at the base of the tower. The three others had been hired to strengthen the tower so it could be equipped for high-definition television transmission, according to the owner, Duhamel Broadcasting Enterprises of Rapid City, S.D. ''I happened to glance up and saw the tower toppling over. It looked like the center section kind of leaned out first and the top fell down,'' said Don Jespersen, a 46-year-old farmer who was working in his field about a half mile away. Jerry Dishong, station manager for ABC affiliate KDUH in Scottsbluff, said there was no apparent reason for the collapse, citing clear and calm weather. After the accident, the station could only be viewed by cable subscribers. Killed were Lawrence A. Sukalec, 59, of Valier, Ill., and Daniel E. Goff, 25, of Sesser, Ill. They were on the tower when it collapsed, according to the Box Butte County sheriff's office. Three other workers were taken to a hospital in Alliance. Two were treated and released and the third was listed in good condition. The tower, about 20 miles northwest of Alliance, had been the tallest structure in Nebraska and one of the world's highest. It was more than 500 feet taller than the Sears Tower in Chicago and 700 feet higher than the Empire State Building in New York City. In 1998, eight skydivers from Utah were arrested for trespassing after jumping from the top of the tower. They left a black flag at its top to show they had made it to what they deemed their ''holy grail.'' (via Mike Terry, DXLD) TOWER COLLAPSE IN NEBRASKA: http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_np=0&u_pg=36&u_sid=513364 http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_np=0&u_pg=36&u_sid=514487 73, (via Ken Kopp, Sept 29, DXLD) From Jim (at Concept News) Hello I found a picture of that collapsed tower in Hemingford Nebraska at: http://www.ledgeronline.com/artman/publish/index.shtml "This is the top section of the tower (the antenna can just be seen at left). It is lying to the SE. Another section of the tower can be seen in the background lying to the SW, approximately 600 ft. length. The body of a worker was found next to that section, with his safety harness still attached, according to reports. Ledger/Brian Kuhn "It just came down," said Don Jespersen, who was swathing millet 8 miles west and 9 south of Hemingford. "I glanced over at it, and I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I've seen people parachuting off that tower twice over the years, the last time a couple of years ago. That was a lot more pleasant thing to see than what I saw today." . . . Sep 27, 2002, 9:23am" (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** U S A. From AP September 29, 2002, 2:09 AM EDT WASHINGTON -- Small Internet radio stations should get an extra six months before being forced to pay royalties to the musicians whose songs they are playing, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee says. Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., introduced legislation late Thursday that would delay until April 20 fees set by the U.S. Copyright Office on webcasters this summer. The copyright office decided in June that webcasters have to pay 70 cents per song heard by 1,000 listeners starting October 20. While the recording industry wanted more, many webcasters say that the rate is too high and will put them out of business. Traditional radio broadcasters are exempt from paying the new royalties, which would go to compensate artists and music labels for using their songs. Over-the-air radio stations use a rate based on a percentage of revenue to pay performers and record labels. Internet radio -- either simulcasts of traditional over-the-air radio or Internet-only stations streamed through the Internet to computers – is becoming more popular at offices and homes as people get high-speed computer connections. It is expected to move more into the mainstream as wireless devices proliferate, allowing listeners to tune in while walking or driving. Copyright © 2002, The Associated Press (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** VATICAN CITY. Vatican Radio in Hindi/Tamil/Malayalam/English noted on Sep.25/26 1430-1550 on strange MW freq 1470.0 \\ SW freqs 12065 13765 15235. 73 from Ivo and Angel! (Observer, Bulgaria, Sept 27 via DXLD) Here`s apparently why: 15235 minus 13765 equals 1470 (gh, DXLD) ** WALES. Last Sunday marked the 84th anniversary of the first radio message from the United Kingdom being received in Australia. On the 22nd of September 1918, a message of goodwill was sent in Morse code from the Marconi station located near Caernarfon. The callsign was MUU, and the 200-kilowatt transmitter was on 21 kHz, a wavelength of 14,300 metres. The signal was received at Wahroonga near Sydney by Sir Ernest Fisk, an Englishman who had served under Marconi in England. The message of goodwill was published the following day on the front pages of the Australian morning newspapers (RSGB via Mike Terry, Sept 27, DXLD) ** YEMEN. Station list updated using information received from the station: 711 San'a 200 G 0300-1900 760 Alshahr (Mukalla) - G/L 1500-2215 792 Al-Hiswah 100 2 0300-0800, 2 1100-2130 837 San'a 30 2 0300-1700 909 Al-Hudaydah - G/L 1500-2215 1008v San'a 600 G 1400-2215 1071v Taiz 30 G/L 0300-2215 1188 Al-Hiswah - G 0300-2215 Networks: G = General (San'a) prgr, 2 = Second (Aden) prgogram, L = Local programs (approx. 0600-1800). (Mauno Ritola, Finland, Arctic via DXLD) ** YUGOSLAVIA. Radio Yugoslavia heard again on shortwave effective from Sep. 21: 1430-1458 D a l i y 11800 130 deg Arabic to ME no txion on Sep.23! 1500-1528 D a l i y 11870 040 deg Russian to RUS 1530-1543 D a l i y 6100 non-dir Hungarian to Eu 1545-1558 D a l i y 6100 130 deg Greek to SoEaEu 1600-1628 D a l i y 9620 310 deg French to WeEu co-ch RL Armenian 1630-1658 D a l i y 9620 310 deg German to WeEu co-ch RL Armenian 1700-1713 D a l i y 6100 180 deg Albanian to SoEaEu 1715-1728 D a l i y 6100 130 deg Bulgarian to SoEaEu 1730-1758 D a l i y 9620 310 deg Italian to WeEu QRM RFE Serbian 9625 1800-1828 D a l i y 6100 040 deg Russian to RUS 1830-1858 D a l i y 6100 310 deg English to WeEu 1900-1928 D a l i y 7200 250 deg Spanish to SoEu co-ch VOIROI Hebrew 1930-1958 Sun - Fri 6100 310 deg Serbian to WeEu 1930-2028 Sat only 6100 310 deg Serbian to WeEu 2000-2028 Sun - Fri 6100 310 deg German to WeEu 2030-2058 D a i l y 6100 310 deg French to WeEu 2100-2128 D a i l y 6100 310 deg Englidh to WeEu 2130-2158 Sun - Fri 7230 100 deg Serbian to AUS 2130-2228 Sat only 7230 100 deg Serbian to AUS 2200-2228 Sun - Fri 7230 100 deg English to AUS 2230-2258 D a i l y 9580 055 deg Chinese to SoEaAs 2300-2328 D a i l y 9680 265 deg Spanish to SoAmWe 2330-2358 Mon - Sat 9580 310 deg Serbian to NoAmEa 2330-0028 Sun only 9580 310 deg Serbian to NoAmEa 0000-0028 Mon - Sat 9580 310 deg English to NoAmEa 0030-0058 D a i l y 9580 310 deg Serbian to NoAmEa relay HS Belgrade 1 0430-0458 D a i l y 9580 325 deg English to NoAmWe 73 from Ivo and Angel! (Observer, Bulgaria, Sept 24 via DXLD) ** YUGOSLAVIA. After several, months absence, Radio Yugoslavia returned to the air in September, and effective from October 27, there is one daily service to Australia, from 2030-2100, using 7230, in Serbian, which is extended to 2130 on Saturdays. English services are listed for Europe 1930-2000 and 2200-2330 on 6100, 2200-2230 on 6185; 0100-0130 to North America and Europe on 7115; 0200-0230 to North America and Europe on 7130; 1930-2000 to Southern Africa on 9730. The morning Mandarin service to China is 2230-2300 on 9580 (Bob Padula, EDXP Sept 27 via DXLD) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ MORE USAGE OF THE NEW 15 METRE BAND FOR B-02 For the B-02 season, there is more activity listed for the new 15 metre international HF band, which runs from 18,000 to 19,020. Here are the official schedules, effective Oct-27-2002 to Mar-30-2003! 18900 BULGARIA R. Sofia, 1100-1600 18910 USA WSHB, S. Carolina, 1600-2000 18920 PAKISTAN R. Pakistan, 0500-0700, 0800-1100 18930 USA WYFR, Florida, 1600-1845 18940 NORWAY R. Norway and R. Denmark 1330-1630 18950 NORWAY R. Norway and R. Denmark 0900-1100, 1600-1800, 1200-1400 18960 SWEDEN R. Sweden, Horby 1130-1600 18970 PAKISTAN R. Pakistan, 0600-0700, 0800-1100 18980 USA WYFR, 1545-1745 19000 BULGARIA R. Bulgaria, 1100-1600 19010 SRI LANKA VOA and RFE, Iranawela, 0100-2000 Some interest interesting DX targets there, as the new band develops (Bob Padula, EDXP Sept 27 via DXLD) ###