DX LISTENING DIGEST 2-171, November 2, 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 1154: WWCR: Sun 0730 3210, Wed 1030 9475 RFPI: Sun 0600, Mon 0030, 0630, Wed 0100, 0700 on 7445, 15039 WRN: Europe Sun 0530, North America Sun 1500 WBCQ: Mon 0515 7415 WJIE: M-F 1300, daily 0400; Sun 0630, Mon 0700, Tue 0630 or 0700, 7490 ONDEMAND http://www.wrn.org/ondemand/worldofradio.html (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1154.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1154.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wo1154.html DX/SWL/MEDIA PROGRAMS is being updated; so far we have Sat, Sun and Mon listings posted, with the rest of the week to be added shortly: http://www.worldofradio.com/dxpgms.html WORLD OF RADIO ON RADIO STUDIO X, ITALY Dear Glenn, I'm writing to let you know that now 'WORLD OF RADIO' is also available in our site http://www.radiostudiox.it through a link to the streaming file available at the WORLD OF RADIO site. Getting to it is easy; you only have to click on the icon with the note placed in the bottom right hand corner of the site. Then click on the WOR link in the main frame. The service is available both in the Italian and English section. Best regards (Massimiliano Marchi RADIO STUDIO X, Nov 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALBANIA. R. Tirana, English to N. America, at 0245 and 0430 on 6115, 7160 (Bob Thomas, CT, Oct 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Not sure if confirmed heard then, as I don`t recall their ever being as late as 0430; is that local time? (gh, DXLD) ** ANTIGUA & BARBUDA [non]. Bill Westenhaver spotted this on the Guardian Unlimited site and thought you should see it. ------- Note from Bill Westenhaver: I actually heard about this on the BBC WS newscast on CBC Overnight at 3:30 EST Friday. 73- Bill Westenhaver ------- BBC PAYS £50,000 LIBEL DAMAGES TO ANTIGUA PREMIER Kevin Maguire, Thursday October 31 2002, The Guardian The BBC yesterday agreed in the high court to pay £50,000 libel damages to a Commonwealth leader accused of misusing health funds and being involved in gun running and drug trafficking. Lester Bird, the prime minster of Antigua and Barbuda, accepted the settlement to halt legal action over allegations broadcast on Radio 4's Today programme and the World Service last July. The corporation, which agreed to cover his legal costs of £25,000, apologised and accepted that the assertions were unfounded. They included claims that he spent state health funds on lavish parties, holidays, and cosmetic surgery for friends. The apology was made after BBC executives rejected a proposal to reach a deal with Mr Bird that would have involved broadcasting a "positive" story on the Caribbean premier. The Bird family has dominated politics for years in a state that gained its independence in 1981 and has been involved in a number of scandals. His brother, Ivor, was convicted of cocaine smuggling seven years ago. The BBC suspected that a government appointed commission would find Mr Bird had misused £50m of health funds. Antigua's high commissioner to Britain, Sir Ronald Sanders, yesterday insisted that the BBC had enhanced its reputation in the Caribbean by admitting it had made a mistake. "Justice has been done. The BBC made a false allegation and has now apologised, recognising that it made a grave error," said Sir Ronald. "Further, the payment of damages is very appropriate given the magnitude of this slur." The BBC said: "The BBC sincerely regrets the broadcasts of which Mr Bird complains, and offers its sincere apology to [him]. It hopes that through the making and reporting of this statement the record will have been set straight." Copyright Guardian Newspapers Limited (via Westenhaver, DXLD) BBC SETTLES LIBEL CASE IN ANTIGUA. The Financial Times story does not mention it, but we DXLD readers know that BBCWS has a relay station in Antigua, thus perhaps increasing the BBC's incentive to resolve this matter. http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1035872916992 (Kim Elliott, DC, Nov 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: BBC TO PAY OVER ANTIGUA LIBEL By Nikki Tait Published: November 1 2002 The BBC agreed to pay "substantial" libel damages to Lester Bird, the prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, over radio news reports suggesting that he had expropriated large sums of money from his country's health-care funds. The High Court was told yesterday that the reports on Radio 4's Today programme and the BBC World Service in July had suggested that an inquiry into Antigua's heath-care funding had found that Mr Bird had taken more than $200m (£128m), spending it on parties, presents, foreign trips and cosmetic surgery for friends and colleagues. But yesterday the broadcaster said it regretted the broadcasts and unreservedly accepted that Mr Bird did not misappropriate any sums from his country's healthcare system, for any purpose. The BBC also withdrew additional suggestions in the Today programme that Mr Bird had been involved in gun-running or drug-trafficking (Nikki Tait, Financial Times via Elliott, DXLD) ** ARGENTINA. I`m not hearing Habana`s 11705-USB. That`s good for RAE! One hour English at 0200 on 11710, tho poor to fair reception, it has a chance. I`ve heard it now for 3 weeks (Bob Thomas, CT, Oct 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Weeknights only ** AUSTRALIA. The Australian Government is not endorsing DRM for frequencies below 2300 kHz. Australia is adopting the Eureka-147 system for DAB, and tests are happening now in Sydney in the "L" band, to assess consumer reaction. At this stage, there are no proposals to introduce DAB into Australian domestic radio on existing MF or VHF bands. It is vigorously endorsing migration to DRM for servics in the range 2300-26100 kHz. This would apply to all existing licencees, including Radio Australia, the ABC's Northern Territory HF service, Vision International, HCJB-Australia, and any other future licensees. The Government's position on DRM is clearly stated in its preparation for WRC-2003, which can be read in its entirity at the ACA Website, http://www.aca.gov.au ABC Domestic Radio has asked me to do any interview with them outlining where we are at with DRM globally - this may also be heard over RA. I have also written a professionally orientated overview about DRM for the next edition of Radio and Communications magazine. Regards BP (Bob Padula, Nov 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 9624.7, R. Fides 1152 Oct 24 43423 Spanish (Alfredo Benjamin Cañote Bueno, Space Master, Icom IC-R71A, Antenna Copper Wire 10 mts, QTH Chaclacayo (27 km East Lima), PERU, Nov 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BULGARIA. Nothing on 18900 or 19000 here so far. For the 1100-1500 period both frequencies are registered as Padarsko (Plovdiv) 500 kW / 306 degrees. Trouble is, likely they had to take 15700 off air in favour of 18900/19000 since Padarsko has only two 500 kW transmitters. The current Radio Bulgaria schedule shows exclusively 295 and 306 degrees as azimuths for 500 kW transmissions, leading me to the assumption that the only antennas capable for 500 kW are two pairs of curtains, one for the high and one for the low bands, each pair with one curtain for 295, the other one for 306 degrees. If memory serves right this equipment is in use for transmissions towards Central Europe only since a couple of years ago. Originally the 500 kW equipment was determined for North American services and in the old days in use not only by Radio Sofia but also (or probably even exclusively) by Radio Moscow. By the way, Ludo Maes meanwhile posted details about the transmitter models in use at the Bulgarian sites: Indeed exclusively Soviet designs. Regards, (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Nov 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. You would be surprised at all the Canadians that prefer US television. The most popular TV stations in Windsor, Ontario are Detroit TV stations. Canadians are the biggest customers for bootleg US DBS satellite services like DirecTV. In fact, they can be prosecuted if they are caught in possession of DirecTV equipment. There is a huge market for the subscription to these services using an address of someone they know in the US for the billing. Same thing in the Bahamas (Paul Smith, W4KNX, Nov 2, Located in Sunny Sarasota Florida, http://www.amtower.com NRC-AM via DXLD) ** CANADA. The Can Con edicts are based on a (IMHO flawed) premise that if they mandate that Canadian artists be played regardless of any concerns for mass popularity or even quality of product that what they will get is exactly what they've got - a narrow format full of the same few Canadian artists who are popular with the masses. I'd have to believe that the majority of Canadian listeners are more interested in popular US artists than they are in unknown and/or marginal Canadian ones, particularly in the popular music formats (Russ Edmunds, Blue Bell, PA, Nov 2, ibid.) ** CANADA. Art Vuolo, the very good radio columnist for the Oakland (Michigan) Times, mentions that a CKLW (800 kHz Windsor) reunion broadcast will be replayed this Sunday at 2-5 p.m. EST. http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=5912496&BRD=982&PAG=461&dept_id=467992&rfi=8 Alas, CKLW does not have an Internet audio stream, but audio of the reunion special is available from http://www.northeastairchecks.com/ (Kim Elliott, DC, Nov 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. Glenn, Ricky a cru que cet article de cyberpresse.ca pourrait vous intéresser: Une coalition demande que le projet de Radio-Canada soit stoppé Une coalition de groupes oeuvrant pour le logement social demande à Radio-Canada de stopper le projet de construction d'appartements en copropriété sur une portion de son terrain de stationnement pour faire une place plus large à des habitations à prix modiques. http://www.cyberpresse.ca/reseau/actualites/0211/act_102110153205.html Message: The plot thickens... Groups want Rad-Can to build affordable housing instead of condominiums... Merci! (Ricky Leong, QC, Nov 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. From at least Tuesday Xinjiang PBS has been back on 60 and 75 meters mornings/evenings, adhering more or less to the same winter schedule that was introduced early this year. Uighur is on 4980, 3990; Chinese on 5060, 3950; Mongolian on 4500 and Kazakh on 4330. These frequencies are not mentioned in the just released HFCC for B02, while the frequencies used during the summer are correctly listed (Olle Alm, Sweden, 1 Nov, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. Some DXers have been wondering if the Chinese are using Continental transmitters to jam VOA transmissions. The answer seems to be yes. A couple of years ago a dozen new transmitters were put on the air for CNR-1. They are assumed to be the Continental 100 kW rigs listed by TDP for Beijing. These transmitters can be sorted out because they usually do not have the satellite delay of other sites with transmitters for CNR-1. Several of these transmitters are used for jamming during part of the day, notably during the period 0300- 0700, when at least 15550, 17550, 17565, 17605 are used to jam RFA Chinese and CBS-RTI Chinese. 17605 (normally strong here) can be traced to 17495. I have also traced a couple of cases where these transmitters have been jamming VOA Chinese. One case is 9545, used to 0200. At that time CNR-1 on 9645 is missing and a signal that is synchro with other CNR-1/Continental frequencies is heard in the noise on 9545. Immediately after 0200 9645 goes on (scheduled from 2300). (Olle Alm, Sweden, 1 Nov, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA [and non]. As usual, one of CRI`s few transmissions which makes timeshifts according to DST in the target zone is late in doing so, making us wonder why they bother? Sat Nov 2 at 1302 check, 7405 was still there with English to WNAm, more or less equal level to R. Martí and Beijing`s good friends in Cuba`s jamming. Later in the winter they get around to moving this to 1500, and keeping the other hour at 1400. Meanwhile the Cuban relay on 17720, weakly modulated as usual, was audible after 1500 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ECUADOR. HCJB is running special 2 part shows on both DXPL and HRT. DXPL is a basic course on SWLing and HRT is a discussion of digital radio (Wm. "Bill" Brady, Harwood MD, Nov 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Actually it`s the hoary old Rich McVicar DXPL for new SWLs, run countless times before – but not hoary and useful for the real newbies; confirmed at new time UT Sun 0000 Nov 3 on 9745; and HRT at 0100 was part 1 of 3 about digital radio, when 21455-USB, BTW, was readable. The HRT series, is however, recommended. This one had a lot of info about DRM including John Beck answering questions from the host Graham Bulmer, and an interview with a BBC engineer who has been to Ecuador for tests; recorded examples making us hope that Jim Cutler and hoary old jingles will not survive the digital transition. If you`ve missed it by now, see about ondemanding it from HCJB website (gh, DXLD) ** ECUADOR. 4781.3, R. ORIENTAL 0258 Oct 28, 34423 Spanish. RELAYING THE SPANISH SERVICE OF HCJB, AT 0300 SWITCH TO THE CHINESE SERVICE... (Alfredo Benjamin Cañote Bueno, Space Master, Icom IC-R71A, Antenna Copper Wire 10 mts, QTH Chaclacayo (27 km East Lima), PERU, Nov 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** EGYPT. Radio Cairo WEEKLY PROGRAMME SCHEDULE July - Dec 2001 [But they haven`t changed anything for years --- Erik Køie, Denmark] Radio Cairo, External Service, Europe Section, English Programme, P O Box 566, Cairo 11511, Egypt. Fax: (002)(02) 575 9553 Tel: (002)(02) 577 8945. Wavelength: 31mb (9990 kHz). Hours: 21:15-22:45 GMT FIXED ITEMS [daily] 21:17 Oriental Music 21:20 News Headlines 21:30 News 22:15 News in Brief 22:42 Oriental Music MONDAY 21:25 Islamic Features 21:40 Commentary 21:45 Arabic Song 21:50 Tourism in Brief 22:00 In the Mailbag 22:20 Egyptian Contemporary Figures 22:25 Top Hits TUESDAY 21:25 Around the World 21:40 Spotlight On The Middle East 21:50 Arabic Song 21:55 Sports Round-up 22:05 A Short Story 22:20 Tourism in Egypt 22:30 Music Box WEDNESDAY 21:25 Islamic Panorama 21:40 Commentary 21:45 Arabic Song 21:50 Europe in Arab Press 22:00 Egypt on the Internet 22:05 Proverbs & Tales in Ancient Egyptian Literature 22:20 Cairo Magazine THURSDAY 21:25 Galleries and Exhibitions 21:40 Commentary 21:45 Arabic Song 21:50 Egypt in the Eyes of a Visitor 22:00 Reception Reports 22:05 A Journey through Literary Heritage 22:20 Cultural Life 22:30 Down Memory Lane FRIDAY 21:25 Light Domestic News 21:40 Commentary 21:45 Arabic Song 21:50 You ask...We answer 21:55 Woman's Corner 22:10 Arabic Song 22:20 Scientific Life in Egypt 22:30 The Holy Koran and its Meaning SATURDAY 21:25 Economy in Focus 21:40 Press Review 21:50 Arabic Song 21:55 Stamp Collector's Club 22:05 The Environment 22:20 Islam In Intellectual Focus 22:30 Egyptology SUNDAY 21:25 Quiz Time (Part 1) 21:40 Commentary 21:45 Arabic Song 21:50 Quiz Time (Part 2) 21:55 Islamic Arts 22:05 Listeners' Mail 22:20 Sunday Show We wish you all enjoyable listening and look forward to receiving your letters, reception reports, comments and suggestions. Head of English Programme; Mrs. AMAL BADR Members of English Programme Staff: HEBA, NABIA, MOHAMED, AMANY, HEND, SHERINE (via Erik Køie, Denmark; retyped for DX LISTENING DIGEST) Now can anyone supply the same for North American services? In the past, they were NOT identical, delayed repeats (gh, DXLD) ** GERMANY EAST. After the recent discussion about 1323 some notes about Radio Moscow / Voice of Russia on this frequency may be of interest. Indeed these transmissions started already in 1964 or 1963 when a new 100 kW transmitter was installed at Wiederau near Leipzig. The new rig took over the Radio DDR transmissions on 575 (from 1978 on 531 instead), making the old Lorenz transmitter available for Radio Moscow relays on 1322. Of course it is well possible that during the years both transmitters were used alternately for each service. See this page: http://mitglied.lycos.de/JanBalzer/wiederau/mittel.htm From top to bottom 100 kW Lorenz transmitter installed in 1939 (theoretically still ready for operation), 100 kW Funkwerk Köpenick transmitter from 1963 (stand-by transmitter for 783; note the ordinary radio as modulation monitor), 5 kW Lorenz transmitter (ex 729 kHz, shut down in 1991 but at least two years ago still ready for operation), 100 kW Thomcast transmitter from 1998/1999 (current 783 kHz unit). In 1988/1989 a new facility at Wachenbrunn took over the transmissions on 1323. Perhaps WB can tell more about the switch-over, he noted a stronger signal and changed modulation characteristics, wrote to the unit of the GDR postal office responsible for transmitter operations and got a reply which revealed that the new 1323 site was not Nauen as the DX community believed until then because Nauen was registered in the Génève schedule but instead Wachenbrunn. At Wachenbrunn the transmitter building got an extension where a 1000 kW and a 150 kW transmitter of Kominterna Leningrad were installed; the transmitters are labelled as PDSW-1000 and DSW-150 (replace W by V if you want to go with the English transcription), but a while ago OA pointed out that this descriptors does not call certain models but means only that the transmitter meets the respective industrial standards of the USSR. Also a four tower antenna was constructed, placed in some distance from the old facilities, the feeder line even crosses a public road. Unfortunately the web offers not so much pictures of the Wachenbrunn site, I found only a single one: http://www.darc.de/x/33/galerie1/galerie1.htm Picture 6 there shows the control room. (Picture 5, with a nice PA stage tube on display, shows some room at the Suhl FM site.) You can see the console with metering for six transmitters, some switching (also for audio distribution) and a nice studio level meter. The board houses the controls for the antenna matrix switch. It should be noted that the new Soviet equipment was fully integrated into the station, so all transmitters could be connected to all antennas as long as they could ensure their power level. This condition left only the four tower system and a dummy load for the 1000 kW unit, but the DSW-150 could also use the 882 kHz mast pair and a trideco antenna, while the other way round all six transmitters could be connected to the four tower system. The other four transmitters were in detail a Funkwerk Köpenick 250 kW, a Lorenz 20 kW (moved from Erfurt to Wachenbrunn when the Erfurt site was closed), a Lorenz 5 kW and a 4 kW transmitter, constructed by the staff of the Wachenbrunn site by using two old jamming transmitters (I was told that a similar design existed at Berlin, too). The own construction was meant as a stand-by transmitter, necessary because from 1978 both Lorenz transmitters were in regular use. In other words, until 1990 not less than four frequencies were on air from Wachenbrunn. For many years 1323 was always transmit towards 220 degrees, but since some time during daytime a beam of 310 degrees is in use instead. Apparently this resulted in a noticeably stronger signal in the UK, leading to the misbelief that VoR would be new on 1323. In the past Radio Moscow programming was fed to Germany through cable circuits. When I visited the Wachenbrunn station in 1994 (unfortunately I had no camera with me) they had just replaced their cable links (special wires, in German called Kernvierer, within ordinary telephone cables) by new digital microwave links, but till Frankfurt/Oder the Radio Moscow signal was still fed through the old cables. When listening to the feed (directly, i.e. not the transmitter modulation) the high degree of non-linear distortion on this line was obvious. Already back then it was intended to replace the cable feed by a much better satellite feed, but it took years until this was finally carried out. Today VoR programming is fed to the German transmitters via Intelsat 705 (18 degrees West), either as an SCPC signal or as part of a DVB bouqet. VoR transmits two channels (stereo but meant as independent audio channels), one containing the feed for 1323, the other one for 603. These transmissions are listed at http://www.vor.ru/Satellite/Satellite.html but the schedule is apparently outdated. A kind of mystery are the Express transmissions listed on this site, too, the schedule does hardly fit to a use of these transmissions as feeds. Anyway there have to be further satellite transmissions, most likely SCPC signals on some Russian satellites. Nevertheless VoR (or the responsible organization in Russia) established the Intelsat link instead of simply delivering suitable receivers for the C-band SCPC signals to Deutsche Telekom. Probably this is more than you ever wanted to know about 1323... ----- The description of the experimental IBOC station WI2XAM http://rvcc2.raritanval.edu/ktek9053/wi2xam.mp3 as having "the characteristically poor analog AM audio quality" made me smile, because this is in fact the usual audio quality of German mediumwave stations; some guys use to mock about "Memamamio". If you are not familiar with it, here is a 116 KB file of Hessischer Rundfunk on 594, reproducing the original quality when ignoring the MPEG artifacts on the background noise: http://kailudwig.bei.t-online.de/hr594.mp3 Would you like to listen to such a signal? By the way, just for today a visit of the transmitter site was scheduled, but it was announced so short in advance that it was not possible for me and a friend to participate. But perhaps Wolfgang was there...? Regards, (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Nov 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Comment: 1964 or 1963 ??? Leipzig Wiederau consist TWO 100 kW Lorenz txs at the Nazi Germany era, one of 1935 on more or less fixed frequency, the other from 1939 with variable freq selection, in order to jam UK outlets and also to mislead the radio officers on the allied bomber fleets. Similar ones of the latter type, used on all main German Reichspost tx sites during the years of Allied bombing actions. A third tx of GDR Koepenick type was installed in 1963. But apart from the Radio GDR domestic service outlet 575 kHz, I guess to remember me, that the second Lorenz Leipzig tx was already in use on 1322 kHz for Soviet Army Radio station (R Moscow in Russian relay) and interspersed by Radio Moscow services in German language, at least from the year 1952. At this time from July 1st, 1952, Koenigswusterhausen have got the new GDR-made 100 kW transmitter, and freed the old 200 kW Deutschlandsender unit which used for R Moscow relays/Radio Wolga army service, previously on longwave 261 kHz. At same time, or later in 1955, enough main power was available at Leipzig Wiederau station to serve the second LORENZ unit of 1935/1939, and Wiederau 1322 kHz took over the R Moscow relay, 5-8 UT in the morning, 8-11 on Suns only, 11-12, and seven hours at night, 15-22 UT. || wrote to the unit of the GDR postal office responsible for transmitter operations and got a reply (...) || ... which was a surprise, not common on that west-east block "way of thinking mentality". || which revealed that the new 1323 site was not Nauen as the DX community believed until then because Nauen was registered in the Geneve schedule || [of 1975/1978] Usually I visited the Weimar and Leipzig area to meet my relatives there, on the way to visit the West Berlin Radio and TV Exhibition during late August (each in the odd years between 1969 til 1987). And in 1987 while on tour between the frontier control point near Kissingen Bavaria to Weimar-GDR I had a short stop. Near Themar town I could see the two elder [143 meters tall each] tall masts of Wachenbrunn [Deutschlandsender/Voice of GDR program on 692 kHz, screened towards Yugoslavia], and could see that four lower [125 meters tall] masts were just under construction then. But wasn't aware of the cause, to move R Moscow relay from Leipzig/Nauen to Wachenbrunn soon. Some other 125 and 49 meters tall masts could bee seen too. In distance of 3 kilometers I took a picture with my Voigtlaender 135mm telephoto set. Which was strongly forbitten at this time, and done totally mysterious. Wachenrunn took over RM relay service on 1323 kHz from Wiederau in late August 1989, and after some adjustments was on air regularly from Sept 26th, 1989. I heard the strong signals for the first time here in Stuttgart around Sept 1st that year. Later on I had also a very short stop near the Leipzig Wiederau site, but that parking place was highly dangerous for Western nationals to stop near such a communist propaganda installation. The latter [20 kW] antenna construct I have seen regularly between 1952 and 1957 at the old Erfurt site, on the main radial street towards straight North. From 1957 onwards I lived in Western Germany then, and in 1965 and 1967 I visited my relatives there and had a 'see again' impression. || perhaps Wolfgang was there...? || Unfortunately no. Sorry, It's a long way to Tipperary ... and about 500 kilometers all in all both ways. I was too tired to drive on the crowded Highway. 73 (Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany, Nov 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) GDR 1956 Perhaps of interest might be the following official frequency list for GDR radio from 1956: Deutschlandsender 185 kHz 782 kHz 881 kHz 6115 kHz, 7150 kHz 92.5 MHz 94.6 MHz [sites not specified] Berliner Rundfunk Karl-Marx-Stadt 602 kHz Berlin 611 kHz Reichenbach 912 kHz Plauen 1079 kHz Bernburg 1196 kHz Leipzig 88.0 MHz Schwerin 89.2 MHz Dresden 89.8 MHz Inselsberg 94.0 MHz Berlin 98.2 MHz Radio DDR Cottbus 520 kHz Berlin 529 kHz Potsdam 557 kHz Leipzig 575 kHz Greifswald 656 kHz Suhl 688 kHz Schwerin 728 kHz Erfurt 854 kHz Dresden 1043 kHz Leipzig 9730 kHz Jessen 91.0 MHz Marlow 91.0 MHz Rheinsberg 95.2 MHz Burg 97.0 MHz Deutscher Fernsehfunk [reshuffeled into frequency order, video carriers mentioned here, audio always 6.5 MHz above video] Berlin-Grünau 41.75 MHz Berlin City I 59.25 MHz Leipzig 59.25 MHz Dresden 145.25 MHz Brocken 169.25 MHz Inselsberg 185.25 MHz Marlow 193.25 MHz Karl-Marx-Stadt 201.25 MHz Berlin City II 209.25 MHz Radio DDR: It needs to be researched when the Hoyerswerda transmitter (last frequency 999 kHz, shut down on January 2nd 1996) was put on air, because I have a suspicion that later listings of "Cottbus" on 728 kHz actually refers to Hoyerswerda; it is said that this site was also called "Schwarze Pumpe" for a short time. But there was also a low power transmitter at Cottbus itself, in the end on 1584, shut down in 1991. "Suhl" means Wachenbrunn, the 5 kW Lorenz transmitter which was put on air there as first one. It remains unclear what "Berlin" on 529 was; either the moved Berlin-Tegel transmitter at Königs Wusterhausen or the second Köpenick/Mahlsdorf transmitter. I would guess indeed Königs Wusterhausen on 529 kHz, Wachenbrunn with Deutschlandsender on 881, later moving to 692 and finally back to 882? The TV frequencies also deserves a closer look: Back then the East European system with audio 6.5 MHz above the video carrier was in use. A couple of years later (in 1959 if I remember correct) it was decided to change to the West European system with 5.5 MHz video/sound separation. All existing TV sets had to be modified -- and from now on they were able to receive stations from western Germany and West Berlin with soundtracks. The Berlin-Grünau transmitter used roughly the finally cancelled West European channel 1, Leipzig and one of the Berlin City transmitters used what is today the East European channel 2. Dresden was where later the 2 metres HAM band was established, all other transmitters operated somewhere in band III with an 8 MHz separation from each other according the East European standard. (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Nov 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I have added the powers given in WRTH 1957. Many are obviously misleading. A few remarks also added. 73 (Olle Alm, Sweden, ibid.) Deutschlandsender 185 kHz - 100 kW (Königswusterhausen in Arne Skoog's list) 782 kHz - 500 (Burg) 881 kHz - 20 (Königswusterhausen) 6115 kHz, 7150 kHz - 5 and 5 kW 92.5 MHz - no FM powers given by the WRTH 94.6 MHz [sites not specified] Berliner Rundfunk Karl-Marx-Stadt 602 kHz - 20 kW Berlin 611 kHz - 20 Reichenbach 912 kHz - 20 Plauen 1079 kHz - 20 Bernburg 1196 kHz - 20 Leipzig 88.0 MHz Schwerin 89.2 MHz Dresden 89.8 MHz Inselsberg 94.0 MHz Berlin 98.2 MHz Radio DDR Cottbus 520 kHz - 20 kW ("1958 wurde in Groß-Zeißig, Kreis Hoyerswerda, der 20-kW-Mittelwellensender 'Schwarze Pumpe' erbaut") (another list says Saarow/Beeskow 5 kW on 520) Berlin 529 kHz - 20 kW (Berlin-Köpenick, unknown power, according to another list) Potsdam 557 kHz - 20 Leipzig 575 kHz - 300 Greifswald 656 kHz - 5 Suhl 688 kHz - 20 Schwerin 728 kHz - 500 (Wöbbelin 250 kW from 13.10.1952, also 20 kW from 3.1960) Erfurt 854 kHz - 20 Dresden 1043 kHz - 220 (first test with 250 kW on 1.9.1953; 20 kW added from 29.9.1959) Leipzig 9730 kHz - 12 Jessen 91.0 MHz Marlow 91.0 MHz Rheinsberg 95.2 MHz Burg 97.0 MHz Sorbian listed for 912, Sun also 729. (Olle Alm, Sweden, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Thanks for the new information! A GDR publication from the eighties described as reason for the quick establishment of FM broadcasting after 1945 the very unfavourable frequency allocations in the Kopenhagen schedule. The book states, there were coverage problems on mediumwave despite the forced construction of high power transmitters and the help of the Soviet Union who left an exclusive frequency to the GDR. Now it is quite clear that this "exclusive frequency" was in fact 1322! As well-known many former USSR frequencies are operated from other places than the officially registered ones: Bolshakovo instead of Kaunas on 1386, Grigoriopol` instead of Vinnytsa on 1548 etc., etc. Certainly we can put 1323 into this list as an especially remarkable case: Leipzig [now Wachenbrunn] instead of Uzhgorod. On this occasion: Recently I passed again Nauen. The antennas of the old broadcasting site (the so-called KWZ) are meanwhile gone. Once the large 4/6 curtains were a quite impressive sight for train passengers on the Berlin - Hamburg line, now I could only see one of the new ALLISS systems for a moment, far away inmidst the trees. When tuning into 9545 I got a quite strong signal but with a distinctive flutter, similar to the reception of a distant FM station in a vehicle. I noted this interesting effect already when passing the Biblis site by train. (Kai Ludwig, Germany, ibid.) Already in WRTH 1950/51 (edited Oct/Nov 1950) 227 m (1322 kHz) is listed for R Moscow German and English. A Swedish frequency list from 1951 (edited by Arne Skoog) mentions Leipzig II with MDR on 1322. In WRTH 1947 (the very first edition, edited Nov 1947), R Moscow German is listed on 1571 m LW. It seems that 1322 was introduced with the implementation of the Copenhagen plan in March 1950, although the site assigned by the plan was Uzhgorod, Ukrainian SSR. The second MW transmitter at Wiederau became operational already in April 1947 on 722 kHz. Obviously due to co-channel interference from Hilversum, it moved to 1465 according to Arne Skoog's frequency list from late 1948, so that is from where it arrived on 1322 in 1950. The third 100 kW MW transmitter, made by Funkwerk Köpenick, became operational on 19 Dec 1963 according to "100 Jahre Funktechnik in Deutschland". (Olle Alm, Sweden, 2 Nov) Indeed the situation in the GDR became troublesome from March 1950. The GDR authorities tried to keep to the plan during the first months of the Copenhagen plan, but very soon reopened a number of lower power transmitters. The exclusive frequency that was handed over by the Soviets was 782, not 1322, as 1322 obviously remained in the hands of the Soviets, although from a different site than the one assigned by the plan. The measures taken to restore broadcast coverage in the GDR also included the reopening of the 191 kHz LW transmitter, now on 185 kHz. The 191 frequency had been "confiscated" by the allied powers and was assigned to Motala (Sweden). As a result, there was a bad whistle on 191 all over the part of Sweden south of the primary coverage area of Motala. This also affected areas with no other useful signals from Swedish AM transmitters, including the place where I lived in 1951- 1961. The problem was relieved with the introduction of wired broadcasting in undercovered areas and finally was eliminated when the basic FM network was completed in the early '60s. 73 (Olle Alm, Sweden, Nov 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. From The RSGB: DL8AAM reports that during the night of the 8th to 9th of November the German National Weather Service will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a special cross-band amateur radio event. The weather service's long-wave station DDH47 will transmit on 147.3 kHz between 2230 UT on the 8th and 0530 on the 9th of November. Amateur stations are invited to call DL0SWA/DDH47 on 3565, 7025 or 14052 kHz (via Mike Terry, UK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GREECE. Glenn -- Thanks to the assistance of HFCC Chairman and WRMI frequency consultant Oldrich Cip, the Voice of Greece has agreed to move from 15725 to 15650 kHz at 1300-1800 UT as of Nov. 3, 2002, to avoid the QRM problem you have noted. We greatly appreciate Greece's cooperation in this matter (Jeff White, WRMI, Nov 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Voice of Greece English Orientations programme now 0930-1000 on 9420 15630. English Inter Programme is heard 1930-2000 on 7475. Both are on medium wave and announced as being on shortwave for Europe and North America. Sunday It`s All Greek To Me heard 1900-2000 on 5865 9420 and Hellenes Around the World noted 1700-1800 Saturday on 9420 15630 (Mike Barraclough, England, World DX Club Contact, Nov via DXLD) [non]. Hellenes Around the World confirmed at shifted time, Nov 2, Sat only at 1700-1800 via Delano 17705; last part this week was an interview about some Greek-American women`s organisation, which also admits non-women and non-Greeks (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUAM. SCHEDULE FOR AWR GUAM NEW TRANSMITTER KSDA3 The original Continental transmitter KSDA3 at the AWR facility on the island of Guam was recently removed and replaced by a transmitter from South Africa. The new unit, manufactured by ABB in Switzerland, was originally in place at Langefontein in South Africa as Transmitter No 2, though it was never placed into regular service. This replacement transmitter was placed into regular service on Guam as KSDA3 on September 26 at 1000 UT. The schedule for KSDA3, beginning last Sunday October 27 with the new transmission period is as follows:- 0000 - 0200 17635 Mandarin China 1000 - 1200 15260 Asian languages Asia 1200 - 1300 15225 Mandarin China 1300 - 1500 15660 Asian languages & English Southern Asia 1500 - 1600 17515 Asian languages Asia 1600 - 1700 17630 English Asia 1700 - 1800 11675 Indian languages India 2000 - 2100 11700 English Asia 2100 - 2200 11750 Mandarin China 2200 - 2400 15320 Asian languages Asia Listeners are invited to send reception reports and to ask for an endorsement on the QSL card for the new transmitter. Reports should be sent to:- Adventist World Radio, 39 Brendon St London W1H 5HD England (Adrian Peterson, AWR, IN, Nov 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See USA: WINB ** GUYANA. 3291.3 kHz, Voice of Guyana, 2240, Very good signal but het from 3290 with UN program discussing UNICEF and the origin of Hallowe`en. Also heard at same time next night with another UN broadcast. Both days went into program of Guyana news at 2245 (John Sgrulletta, Oct 31/Nov 1, Mahopac, NY, USA JRC NRD-515 using K9AY & A/D Sloper, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** INDIA. 2 XI 2002: 10000 AIR 0302 32423 As, India, QRM WWV 11735 AIR 0310 32323 As // 9910 AIR 0313 44423 // 9845 AIR 0314 42323 // (Alfredo Benjamin Cañote Bueno, Space Master, Icom IC-R71A, Antenna Copper Wire 10 mts, QTH Chaclacayo (27 km East Lima), PERU, Nov 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I guess the last three were parallel to each other, but not to 10000, where AIR should not have been (gh, DXLD) ** IRAN. I will be featured on VOIRI (Iran) on Nov. 3; they interviewed me Monday morning. Not sure what time, but the frequencies include 9610 and 11970 (0030-0127 UT). If you include your phone number with your reception report they sometimes like to call their listeners. 11970 I find is best for North America and probably Europe. I received a package of stuff from VOIRI a few weeks ago. 73s, (Sue Hickey, Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland, Canada, Nov 1, GRDXC via DXLD) ** IRELAND [non]. RTE Overseas schedule: 0130-0200 6155 Central America; 1000-1030 SEAsia/Australia 15280; 1800-1830 Middle East 9895; 1830-1900 13640 Central and Eastern America, 21630 Africa (Website via Mike Barraclough, UK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ITALY. RAI website gives English schedule as 0055-0115 North America 9675 11800, 0445-0500 North Africa/Mediterranean 5965 6100 7235, 1935-1955 Europe 5970 9745, 2025-2045 North and East Africa 6010 9710 11880, 2205-2230 Japan 11895 (Mike Barraclough, Nov WDXC Contact via DXLD) Is this specified as B-02? (gh) ** ITALY. IRRS, 13840 is still registered in the HFCC schedules as Milan 10kw, it has been thought IRRS is now using relays outside Italy. 13840 heard with very good signals November 2nd 1230 with identification, some Italian music and at 1240 The Pioneers programme from New Dimensions Radio (Mike Barraclough, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KAZAKHSTAN [non]. Radio DAT now 1600-1700 on 9925 (Mike Barraclough, WDXC Contact, Nov via DXLD) So one hour later after DST somewhere (gh, DXLD) ** LIBYA. Received a QSL from Radio Tripoli (the Voice of Africa Great Socialist People Libyan Arab Jamahiria, to be formal), actually it was a letter thanking me for my reception report which I sent them in August. They also sent a form for reception reports and a card with pictures (paintings actually of Colonel Qaddafi - spelling? - on it. Anyone else get stuff from Libya recently? (Sue Hickey, Grand Falls- Windsor, Newfoundland, Canada, Nov 1, GRDXC via DXLD) ** MEXICO. On the assumption that XERMX has made the usual one-hour timeshift along with us for winter, even tho its March-October program grid is still posted, we expect its English and Spanish DX and mailbag programs to be as follows now on 9705, 11770, and have entered them in DX PROGRAMS and MONITORING REMINDERS: MAILBOX: Thu 0500, Sun 0400, Sun 1600, Tue 1600 DXPERIENCE: Thu 1600, Sun 0500, Sun 2200, Tue 2200 RADIO CORREO DEL AIRE: Wed 2000, Sat 0000, Sat 1300, Sun 2300 ESTACION DX: Fri 0200, Sat 2300, Sun 1300, Tue 2000 We`re not at all sure which day of the week a new edition start airing; confirmation of any of this welcomed. Already in music at 0525 UT Sun Nov 3 (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. THE CHURCH IS READY TO MOVE INTO RADIO AND TV by Eugenia Jiménez Cáliz, in the newspaper Diario Milenio, Tuesday, October 29, 2002. Thanks to Señor Rafael Rodríguez of Colombia, who sent me this article, originally sent to the readers of Conexión- Digital of Buenos Aires, Argentina, by Señor Hector García Bojorge in México. (Mike Dorner, Catholic Radio Update, who translated??) Mexico City, Oct 29 (Diario Milenio) -- Father Diego Monroy, rector of the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, announced that projects to operate television and radio stations have been completed. Religious leaders and faithful of the Catholic and evangelical Churches have begun meetings to weigh the reforms begun by the present government to revise the Law of Religious Associations and the Public Cult. These meetings are the first steps to take advantage of the proposals made by President Vicente Fox during his campaign. One of these, re-emphasized in recent days, was the possibility that the Church could operate mass media. Thus, while evangelicals have barely analyzed how to take advantage of these media and the manner of allocating resources, the Catholic Church has taken the lead in announcing that it has concluded programs to operate television channels and radio stations. One of the projects that has taken concrete shape this year is that of Television ad Gentes (Television to the People), a private company that belongs to a group of laymen and has set up its headquarters in Toluca. During the past April, representatives of this television channel lobbied during the assembly of the Episcopal Conference of Mexico (CEM in Spanish) with the bishops, to whom they offered an internal channel of communication. In the proposal that this enterprise presented before the CEM, they said that this would be a pay channel and that an antenna to capture the signal would be installed in each diocese. It was intended that the dioceses would produce the material for the programs, in addition to underwrite a part of it, but it became apparent to the bishops that the station would not have Catholic programming exclusively and that airtime would be sold. Some representatives of the Episcopate questioned this project because they got the perception that ``what was wanted was to utilize CEM as a platform`` on which to run a business. Consequently, the proposal was refused. Consequently, the reports that a contract would be signed between the Episcopate and Television ad Gentes and that CEM programs would begin to be broadcast on November 3rd were dismissed. Nevertheless, the Catholic Church is preparing for the implementation of the reforms and the permission to operate electronic media, by proposals to obtain frequencies on radio and television. The first steps have been taken.— The rector of the Basilica of Guadalupe, Father Diego Monroy, announced that a group of laymen are concluding a multimedia project. The first steps he said, have been taken: each Sunday, Mass will be broadcast at 10 a.m. from the Basilica of Guadalupe by the Sky system and over XENK 620 AM Mexico City (50,000 watts day, 5,000 watts night). In addition, on XEQR Radiocentro 1030 AM Mexico City (50,000 watts day, 5,000 watts night) the Sunday Liturgy, over which Cardinal Norberto Rivera presides in the cathedral, will be broadcast at high noon. In the first instance, it was sought that laymen would operate the mass media. And in that they have the experience of Mariavisión (formerly Claravisión), directed by Emilio Burillo, and which has plans for expansion. At present, it is a cable television channel. In this atmosphere of opening the media to the Churches, they are interested in occupying television channels. In addition to the traditional feasts of the Catholic Church (as the feasts of December 12th and the activities of Holy Week), there has been added in recent days over XHTVM Channel 40 in Mexico City the program ``The Pulse of the Pope`` from Vatican City, which is supported by the Vatican Television Center (CTV) and TV Malta, whose order, traditionally, has managed electronic media. For the evangelicals, the proposal to open the media to the Churches ``did not take us by surprise,`` assured Presbyterian Pastor Abner López, but they cannot come up with the resources to operate them. He revealed that informal meetings have begun in order to form blocks of Evangelical Churches to acquire stations and operate them. The Reverend Adoniram Gaxiola pointed out that the evangelical Churches have a greater presence on the radio, and the opening to the electronic media only would highlight in principle their fragmentation. He acknowledged that to integrate an evangelical block to operate the media is an old proposal, which could become a reality if the Churches with similar doctrines and liturgies would unite, as could Presbyterians, Methodists, and Baptists. In face of the lack of economic ability on the part of evangelicals, it was announced that they are considering opening channels on cable television, Sky, or MVS. The Reverend Fernando Marcín, of the Church of the Covenant, stated that the evangelicals indeed are preparing for the opening up of the media and could receive help at the beginning from the Confederation of Iberoamercan Christian Communicators. Some evangelicals, he said, ``Would look to depend on our own mass media, because they [the existing media] boycott us at present.`` An example, he insisted, was the program ``Vida Nueva para El Mundo`` (New Life for the World), which is broadcast every Sunday at 10 a.m. over XHTV Channel 4 in Mexico City, and attempts to motivate moral values of people. In spite of having a good rating, the contract was [renewal] denied last April, ``and we are still asking ourselves why.`` On the radio, he pointed out, there is the greater openness, and he gave as example the Christian schedule broadcast over XEEST Radio 1440 AM Mexico City (25,000 watts day, 1,000 watts night) every Saturday and Sunday for the past two years. But Marcín Maestro declared, ``We don`t want them to give us time, and it is for this reason we are counting on having our own media.`` (via Nov 4 Catholic Radio Update, Nov 2 via DXLD) ** NETHERLANDS. By the time you red this, there`s a decent chance that RN will have implemented its new audio-on-demand capability, with program editions available for download by selecting a program title, instead of the somewhat clumsy method of selecting a time slot, as has been the case. The window of availability will be longer than the current 24 hours currently provided (Richard D. Cuff, Allentown PA, Easy Listening, Nov NASWA Journal via DXLD) ** NIGERIA [non]. Glenn, Tuned in this freq from your DXLD2170 report. Germany, 13855, Radio Salama, presumed, German Telekom Station, Juelich, 1955-2000 Noted a man in religious comments in English with an American accent during Period. No ID at sine off, just a hymn sung by a choir. Then off the air at 1958. Signal was fair (Bolland, Chuck November 01, 2002, Clewiston, Florida, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** OMAN. 750 metres of Heliflex aluminium cable has been installed in the Omani desert to link the three 250 kw transmitters with five curtain arrays and one rotator curtain antenna. The cable is 9 inches in diameter (Radio World via Jack Fitzsimmons Nov World DX Club Contact via Mike Barraclough, DXLD) ** PAKISTAN. The early morning domestic frequencies for R Pakistan are 5915 from 0045 and 7105 from 0200 (News and Current Affairs Channel). 7105 is actually closer to 7104. The Azad Kasmir R "buzz" transmitter closes at 0215 and reopens at 0230 on 5990.0 (ex 5985v) with presumed Radio Sada-e-Hurriyat-e-Kashmir (Voice of Jammu and Kashmir Freedom Movement). Another transmitter for AKR opens on 4790 at 0230. The signal last night from 0230 on 4790 was much better than what I noted last winter, so may be a different transmitter (Olle Alm, Sweden, 2 Nov, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Still no reply to my request concerning HS SW details from Islamabad - but thanks for these details - Olle. I can hear a heterodyne on 7105 at 1530, so I guess this is the same transmitter heard at 0200. So I ASSUME: Current Affairs is 0200-0400 & 1300-1800 on 7105 and: 0045- 0200 Haya Allal Falah and Urdu news 0200-0215 on 5915. It's impossible to check if the 1615-1700 Islamabad programme is still using 6105 - TOM from Jülich [alias Brother Stair] is in full voice on 6110 with at least 10 kHz of side-splash each side. 5915 has Slovakia in Russian at this time. According to schedule [A02] 4790 should close down at 0215 (it should have closed at 0115 when the country was on summer time) and the Rawalpindi 10 kW unit should open at 0230 on 4790 (0130 in summer). So exactly what Anker heard has yet to be determined. Best 73's (Noel Green, UK, Nov 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. Loggings roundup, mostly without details, but his frequency measurements are of interest. The first batch, all Oct 20, in chronological order; S = Spanish: 20 X 2002: 3172.6 R. Municipal 0300 34423 S, Perú 4388.9 R. Imperio 0305 34423 S, Perú 4421.3 R. Bambamarca 0306 44423 S, Perú 4461.5 R. Nor Andina 0307 34423 S, Perú 4826.3 R. Sicuani 0308 34122 S, Perú 4879.0 R. Comas 0309 34323 S, Perú 4904.5 R. La Oroya 0310 44423 S, Perú 5940.4 R. Bethel 0404 33323 S, Perú 5996.7 R. Melodía 0405 24222 S, Perú 3325 R. Luz y Sonido 1101 34423 S, Perú 3329.5 R. Ondas del Huallaga 1101 34423 S, Perú 4388.9 R. Imperio 1103 34422 S, Perú 4421.3 R. Bambamarca 1103 44423 S, Perú 4461.5 R. Nor Andina 1104 34323 S, Perú 4746.8 R. Huanta 2000 1104 44423 S, Perú 4774.9 R. Tarma 1105 44433 S, Perú 4826.3 R. Sicuani 1107 33222 S, Perú 4914.4 R. Cora 1107 44423 S, Perú 4955.0 Radiodifusora Cultural Amauta 1109 44423 S, Perú 4975 R. Del Pacífico 1110 44423 S, Perú 4995.5 R. Andina 1111 33222 S, Perú 5009.5 R. Altura 1111 44423 S, Perú 5025 R. Quillabamba 1110 34423 S, Perú 5067.2 R. Ondas del Sur Oriente 1112 32222 S, Perú 5300 R. Superior 1112 44423 S, Perú 5384.3 R. Huarmaca 1113 44423 S, Perú 5460.3 Voz de Boívar 1114 44423 S, Perú 5470.8 R. San Nicolás Rodríguez 1114 34423 S, Perú 5678 R. Ilucán 1114 44433 S, Perú 6020 R. Victoria 1115 54423 S, Perú 6173.8 R. Tawantinsuyo 1115 34423 S, Perú 6188.0 R. Oriente 1116 44423 S, Perú 6479.5 R. Altura 1116 33323 S Huarmaca, Perú 6797.4 R. Ondas del rio Mayo 1117 44423 S, Perú More, from 21 X 2002: 4834.9 R. Marañón 1106 24222 S, Perú 4824.4 R. Sicuani 1110 22122 S, Perú 4856.2 R. La Hora 1111 34322 S, Perú 4886.6 Radio R.V.C. (Vírgen del Carmen) 1112 34222 S, Perú 5486.7 R. Reyna de la Selva 1124 34423 S, Perú Reyna in this case is the last Name of the Owner MR. Reyna. [and a play on words, for ``Queen of the Jungle`` --gh] And the rest have the dates inserted by gh: 5979.7 R. Chasqui 1140 Oct 22 32133 S, Perú QRM R. Martí (USA) 4790.0 R. Atlántida 0306 Oct 24 24422 S Low Modulation, Perú 4992.5 R. Ancash 0307 Oct 24 32122 S, Perú 4995.5 R. Andina 0308 Oct 24 32122 S, Perú 5009.5 R. Altura 0403 Oct 27 44433 S, Perú 10039.8 R. Horizonte 1244 Oct 27 22322 S, Perú (5020 x 2) 3234.8 R. Luz y Sonido Oct 28 0254 44423 S RELAYING Z-ROCK & POP (95.5 FM LIMA) 3172.6 R. MUNICIPAL 1110 34423 S LOW MOD; RELAYING RPP (LIMA 89.7 FM 730 MW) [and look at this one!]: 10354.3 R. Willkamayu 1125 Oct 30 22322 S, Perú, QRM Hams 10354.1 R. Willkamayu 1108 Nov 2, 33323 S, Perú (Alfredo Benjamin Cañote Bueno, Space Master, Icom IC-R71A, Antenna: Copper Wire 10 mts, QTH: Chaclacayo (27 km East Lima), PERU, Nov 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PORTUGAL. Attempting to confirm whether A Guitarra Portuguesa e o Fado still be at 1805-2000 Saturdays, as in A-season, Nov 2 at 1835 I found instead coverage of some stupid ballgame involving `goooaaaals` on 21655, 17745 with CCI—Libya? and best by far on 15540. Perhaps the Fado show has shifted an hour later, I hope. Then checking the undated but hopefully current http://www.rdp.pt/internacional/h/g_oc7sab.html I see that the Fado show is still shown Sat at 1805 and 1910 as a `rubrica`. What does that mean? My Portuguese dictionary is no help, but Spanish suggests `flourish` meaning perhaps less than a full program, but briefer feature. This is after all, within another program 1705-2000 called ``Cantando,...Espalharei``. Perhaps the game be a preëmption, anyway. Kept listening, and nothing resembling a fado around 1905 or 1910, by when they were back to play-by-play coverage (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. AN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE ON BROADCASTING IN MOSCOW by Lada Korotun An international exhibition of broadcasting equipment Tele-Radio Broadcast Expo 2002 is being held in Moscow. Each year an international conference of broadcasters takes place in the framework of the exhibition to discuss the latest achievements in broadcasting. In the last 6 years the Russian National Association of Broadcasters has held annual conferences. Representatives of the Voice of Russia have also attended such meetings. The section of broadcasting is led by the chairman of the Voice of Russia, Armen Oganesian. The conference reflects the latest achievements in broadcasting in Russia and in the world. Ways of modernizing television and radio broadcasting and the satellite network are considered in detail at the conference. This helps introduce digital broadcasting in Russia. Digital broadcasting has high reception quality, provides more information and interactive possibilities. It is very important for the Voice of Russia that digital broadcasting will expand the area of Russia's international broadcasting. The first deputy minister of press, broadcasting and mass media, Mikhail Seslavinsky, said: "As for international broadcasting, more and more people in various countries besides radio use the Internet. The site of the Voice of Russia is very popular. The company broadcasts programs in the Internet. With digital broadcasting listeners of the Voice of Russia besides high reception quality will get a new media environment where broadcasting in the Internet will be in a number of languages." The deputy chairman of the Voice of Russia, Rachel Staviskaya, says: "In the next two years the Voice of Russia will actively begin to introduce digital broadcasting. I hope that by the end of 2003 the company will begin digital broadcasting in European languages. Listeners will receive our programmes in CD and FM quality``. 11/01/2002 (VoR.ru via Sergei Sosedkin, IL, DXLD) ** RUSSIA. Discussion of MW relays: see GERMANY EAST ** SRI LANKA. TAMIL TIGER RADIO DISCOVERS ENGLISH People across northern Sri Lanka will soon be able to listen to their favourite but clandestine Tamil Tiger radio station in English too. With winds of peace now blowing over the conflict-ridden island nation, the Voice of Tigers (VOT) radio station, owned and operated by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), is also discovering that there is money to be made. Modelled on the lines of the well-known rebel Radio Venceremos in distant El Salvador, the VOT was born in 1990 with just one reporter and a weak antenna to rebut government propaganda against the Tamil guerrillas. Today, 12 eventful years later, VOT has grown into a full-fledged broadcasting machine that goes on the air on FM channel for about six hours every day in three sessions in Tamil and Sinhala. The number of reporters it now employs has ballooned to 100. And VOT has grand plans to expand, says T. Thavapalan, its 32-year-old news editor, who has been with the station since its birth and has contributed to its growth despite having no formal training in journalism. VOT is the mouthpiece of the LTTE, which is fighting for a separate homeland in Sri Lanka's north and east, and Thavapalan makes no bones about it. "VOT's policy is LTTE's policy," said the lanky journalist, speaking in this rebel-held town, about 300 km north of Colombo. He said the radio was hugely popular among the Tamils and claimed it enjoyed a listenership of one million. In some areas, radio programmes are relayed over loudspeakers erected on the streets to overcome problems arising from lack of electricity. "Soon we will start broadcasting in English also," he added. The radio starts its broadcast at 6.30 a.m. and transmits patriotic songs, news, battlefield reports and statements by LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran. In the evenings, it airs short commercials that publicise local businesses for rates as low as Rs. 2,000 (about $20) for a whole month of half-minute spots, making it one of the cheaper stations. More and more customers are pouring in, Thavapalan said. The new clients are from the government-controlled Vavuniya district, south of Killinochchi. Overheads are kept to the minimum. VOT has no fixed office and its antenna tower, like its news editor, is constantly on the move. Its reporters, some of them LTTE guerrillas, file pulsating reports straight from the scene of action whenever the Tigers go on the offensive. It is heard all over northern Sri Lanka as well as Trincomalee in the country's east. Thavapalan said Sinhalese-speaking soldiers stationed in the region also listen to the radio broadcasts. "The radio was started because our leader realised that newspapers did not reach everyone and everyone cannot read. The radio was the most effective way to put across the LTTE's views," he said. "In our own way, we have contributed to the struggle." (--Indo-Asian News Service via D. Prabakaran, Mettupalayam, India via DXLD) WTFK? ** SRI LANKA [non]. IBC-TAMIL [ CLANDESTINE ] summer [sic] schdule-2002 B02 [with effect from oct-27th] 0000-0100 UT -- 7460 KHZ 1230-1330 UT -- 17530 KHZ (D. PRABAKARAN, India, Nov 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SRI LANKA [non]. The Saturday 1900-2000 SLBC English broadcast on 6010 via UK transmitters continues in the winter schedules, noted here November 2nd (Mike Barraclough, WDXC Nov via DXLD) ** SWITZERLAND. SRI on Worldspace ... http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/Swissinfo.html?siteSect=111&sid=1427005 (via Kim Elliott, DXLD) BTW, I challenge anyone to find an SRI SW schedule --- what`s left of it --- on the swissinfo website. I finally gave up (gh, DXLD) ** SYRIA. 12085 not on the air today and may have been off for a few days already (Olle Alm, Sweden, 1 Nov, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I assume you refer to Damascus, not the clandestine... (gh, DXLD) ** SYRIA [non]. The Arabic Radio, Noted October 29th 1600-1630 on 12085 and 12115, the latter running 20 seconds behind (Mike Barraclough, England, Nov World DX Club Contact via DXLD) So one frequency is from a country making DST shift in early October, the other in late October (gh, DXLD) ** UKRAINE. Can`t find RUI; probably budget woes keeping big transmitters off to us (Bob Thomas, CT, Oct 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Exactly. I had great `reception` via 16.0 kbps webcast UT Sun 0130 tune-in to the end of the DX program talking about –what else? -- DRM, and then the mailbag show, at the end of which it was announced that as of Oct 27, `temporarily`, this would be the English schedule on SW: to Europe 2200 on 5905, 0400 on 6020, 1200 on 17760; to Asia at 0100 on 9610. That`s it! No mention of North America, and only one frequency at a time. See previous complete `minimum` and `maximum` schedules (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. BBC PAYS £50,000 LIBEL DAMAGES TO ANTIGUA PREMIER see ANTIGUA & BARBUDA ** U K. 'THE STORY OF IRAQ' ON BBC Dubai |By A Staff Reporter | 02-11 Starting November 8, BBC World Service will broadcast a new two-part series presented by Fergus Nicoll, the BBC's former correspondent in Iraq, a press release, a copy of which was sent to Gulf News, said yesterday. The Story of Iraq explores the country's modern history and the path that has led it to the present crisis, the press release said. Modern Iraq, with its current borders, is only 80 years old. It was carved out of the collapsing Ottoman Empire at the end of the First World War to be ruled under a British Mandate; it became independent in 1932 and a republic after the revolution of 1958. But since 1968 the country has been governed by the Ba'ath Party with Saddam Hussain in the driving seat. In 1980 Saddam launched a war against Iran that he thought he would win within months. It lasted eight years and brought Iraq to its knees. Throughout this war, he was supported by the West and the U.S. in particular, who saw Iran as a threat. Western powers did not complain when Saddam used chemical weapons against the Iranians and the Kurds in Iraq. It was only when he launched another war - against Kuwait - that he became the bitter enemy of the West that he is now (Gulf News via Kim Elliott, DC, DXLD) ** U K [non]. GLENN, With Reference to DXLD 29th October, with all due respect, I think 'DX Dave-Bristol' has got it wrong. As far as I am aware VOR (then Radio Moscow, probably the Radio Station Rodina part) started using a Transmitter around this frequency in 1945, for Russian Forces stationed in East Germany. Radio Moscow, saw a good opportunity to use it, in several languages, after Local Closedown at night. It latterly, when up-graded, had the dual use of relaying Russian Programmes to the Troops and providing a good steady night-time signal across Europe for more general listening. As the Station is no longer required for 'troops listening' it is now used mre extensively by VOR. Somerset Sound, came along much later, and its skywave has caused considerable annoyance over the years, to VOR Listeners. As I do not live in Somerset, I am glad they have now moved (Ken Fletcher, 1140 UTC 2nd November 2002, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See also GERMANY ** U S A. KGD 34 SHARES NETWORK COORDINATION STATION Arlington, VA Confirmed report of Sept. 11, 2002 operation on the anniversary of the attacks on the USA. Received card for reception on 14396.5 KHz. Also received a map card with description of the program and a card for the September 11, 2001 operation listing all the stations that took part then. Received in just under two months for SASE. You can view the cards at http://www.qsl.net/ve9wgs/ Sorry, but there is not much else on the site yet (Wade Smith, New Brunswick, Nov 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Hi Glenn, ADDX EE sked shows: 1000 2300 USA WINB Red Lion 13570 1000 1030 USA WINB Red Lion 11705/GUM 1630 1700 USA WINB Red Lion 11980/GUM 2000 2100 USA WINB Red Lion 7160/GUM 2300 0600 USA WINB Red Lion 12160 Do you know anything about KSDA relaying WINB? or just typos? HFCC shows the three labeled GUM as KSDA (Larry Russell, MI, Nov 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Seems like I heard of some such connexion (gh) ** U S A. Caught Kim Elliott`s first appearance on VOA`s Main Street (via webcast) at 0248-0253 UT Sun Nov 3. In a conversation with program hosts, with a couple brief taped illustrations, he covered only two topics: the end of R. Finland`s English broadcasts, and WLW`s rôle in the sniper captures (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. VOA Africa train thing - I heard it years ago, and thought it was kooky-fun. I'm surprised you haven't run across it before (Larry Russell, MI, Nov 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Hello from New Zealand. I have been listening to many Radio Sawa broadcasts, many at very good level on various frequencies. Their musical programmes are great to listen to. Now does anyone know the transmitter sites for these broadcasts? Would appreciate info re this. Regards from New Zealand, (Ian Cattermole, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Ian, anything about IBB scheduling is here, except R. Free Asia: http://sds.his.com:4000/fmds_w/schedules/cur_langsked.txt 73, Glenn Hauser; Viz.: ARAB VOA MRN1 0400 0600 JUL 02 11875 115 ARAB VOA MRN1 0400 0600 KAV 08 11865 172 ARAB VOA MRN1 0400 0600 KAV 03 11670 095 ARAB VOA MRN1 0400 0600 MOR 02 9665 084 ARAB VOA MRN1 0400 0600 KAV 09 5965 108 ARAB VOA MRN1 0730 0830 KAV 10 17855 095 ARAB VOA MRN1 0730 0830 KAV 03 15440 208 ARAB VOA MRN1 0730 0830 KAV 02 15235 112 ARAB VOA MRN1 0730 0830 KAV 05 15140 095 ARAB VOA MRN1 0730 0830 KAV 08 11805 240 ARAB VOA MRN1 0730 0830 KAV 06 9615 240 ARAB VOA MRN1 0730 0830 WOF 04 9565 180 ARAB VOA MRN1 0730 0830 WOF 02 7170 158 ARAB VOA MRN1 0730 0830 MOR 03 6045 075 ARAB VOA MRN1 1700 1800 MOR 02 11855 083 ARAB VOA MRN1 1700 1800 KAV 09 7105 108 ARAB VOA MRN1 1800 1900 KAV 07 11960 104 ARAB VOA MRN1 1800 1900 MOR 03 11905 091 ARAB VOA MRN1 1800 2100 IRA 02 11825 299 ARAB VOA MRN1 1800 1900 KAV 01 9770 100 ARAB VOA MRN1 1800 2100 WOF 01 9530 180 ARAB VOA MRN1 1800 2100 KAV 09 7280 108 ARAB VOA MRN1 1800 1900 WOF 02 7180 182 ARAB VOA MRN1 1900 2100 GA 07 17740 067 ARAB VOA MRN1 1900 2000 IRA 04 11905 302 ARAB VOA MRN1 1900 2000 KAV 05 9615 172 ARAB VOA MRN1 1900 2100 WOF 02 7195 182 ARAB VOA MRN1 1900 2100 KAV 06 6040 105 ARAB VOA MRN1 2000 2100 KAV 08 11905 095 ARAB VOA MRN1 2000 2100 KAV 05 9650 172 ARAB VOA MRN1 2000 2100 KAV 01 6150 240 ARAB VOA MRN1 2000 2100 KAV 07 6060 104 ARAB VOA MRN2 0000 2400 KWT A 1548 323 ARAB VOA MRN3 0000 0800 RHO A 1260 134 ARAB VOA MRN3 0000 2400 CYP A 981 140 ARAB VOA MRN3 1500 2400 RHO A 1260 134 (IBB Monitoring site via gh, Cumbre DX via DXLD) 981 kHz, 2102 UT, R SAWA via Cape Greco, CYPRUS in Arabic. 73´s (Jouko Huuskonen, Turku, FINLAND, RX: AOR 7030+, ANT: Wellbrook ALA 1530P-active loop, hard-core-dx via DXLD) Ever moving to 990? (gh) ** U S A [non]. Radio Africa International [Methodist!] English is now 1700-1900 on 11735 and 13820 via Julich transmitters (Mike Barraclough, England, Nov 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Hi there, one surprise QSL arrived: 5085, Radio WWRB, Manchester, TN - nice card with all details in 48 days, from/via Grace In Action Ministries, P. O. Box 11569, Honolulu, Hawaii 96828, USA- my 35th USA QSL on SW, hi (Torre Ekblom, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Proxy, but one must take what one can get ** U S A. The nation's top communications regulator said Wednesday that he favors giving companies more flexibility to use the airwaves in providing telephone, Internet, television and other services. The full article will be available on the Web for a limited time: http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/business/4410943.htm (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) viz.: FCC HEAD URGES AIRWAVE CHANGES --- By Jennifer Files, Mercury News The nation's top communications regulator said Wednesday that he favors giving companies more flexibility to use the airwaves in providing telephone, Internet, television and other services. New rules for the management of spectrum would let broadcasters, wireless service providers and other companies react more quickly to consumer demand -- without necessarily getting permission from the Federal Communications Commission, Chairman Michael Powell said in a speech at the University of Colorado in Boulder. A Spectrum Policy Task Force that Powell created is expected to provide more specific recommendations to the FCC within weeks, and in December the agency will start a rule-making process seeking public comment on changes to spectrum management. Under current rules, the FCC has auctioned airwaves for pre-set uses, such as wireless phone calls, and companies can't use them for other purposes. ``Today's marketplace demands that we provide license holders with greater flexibility to respond to consumer wants, market realities and national needs without first having to ask for the FCC's permission,'' Powell said. Among other changes, Powell said he favored easing rules intended to prevent signal interference altogether, and instead supports new policies ensuring interference stays within acceptable levels. The president of the trade group representing mobile-phone companies praised Powell's efforts but said too much flexibility in how the airwaves are used could create problems. ``There is a legitimate role for government in preventing spectrum anarchy where the absence of rules increases interference and degrades the consumer experience,'' said Tom Wheeler, president of the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (San José Mercury-News Oct 31 via Westenhaver, DXLD) ** U S A. REPORT TO THE KUNM COMMUNITY by Richard S. Towne, KUNM General Manager Here is good news for technophiles, keen observers of the media and those interested in access to the media. What if KUNM had the ability to broadcast more than one program at a time? Looks like it might be possible soon. It’s exciting for me to think about just how this might affect the splendid dynamics that surround our current programming. Dynamics like talk/music, local/national, mainstream/ independent, English/Spanish and all of the subtle shadings surrounding our service to you. I invite you to read on and ponder the possibilities. On October 10, 2002 the FCC approved in-band onchannel (IBOC) digital transmission for FM and AM radio stations. The FCC’s First Report and Order endorses IBOC technology and authorizes broadcasters to begin digital broadcasting. The broadcast and electronics industries, along with the FCC, have been considering digital transmission standards for over six years (reference http://www.fcc.gov and search IBOC). An announcement to public radio stations nationwide from NPR`s Office of the General Counsel included the following summary: ``The IBOC technology developed by iBiquity Digital Corporation (now branded HD Radio or high definition or hi-def for consumers) permits ``hybrid`` operations, meaning the simultaneous transmission of analog and digital signals with a single AM or FM channel. According to the FCC press release, the National Radio Systems Committee tests on the IBOC system show that the technology offers better audio quality, more robust signals and the potential for new auxiliary services. In addition, hybrid IBOC operations will have a minimal impact on the present broadcast service. The FCC also announced procedures that will allow FM stations and AM stations (daytime only operations) to begin interim digital transmissions, on a voluntary basis, immediately. ``Nearly a year ago, NPR’s Digital Transition Advisory Committee (DTAC) strongly recommended that NPR take the lead in encouraging the development of multiple audio channels. Toward that end, NPR has met with makers of receivers, chips and transmitters to raise awareness of and interest in the potential market for multiple audio services. NPR recently met with FCC Commissioners and staff to urge the Commission to ensure that an IBOC standard affords FM broadcasters the opportunity to offer multiple audio programming channels. Several commissioners issued statements that support NPR’s approach. ``In a Joint Statement, Commissioners Abernathy and Martin stated: ‘[T]he iBiquity system gives broadcasters the flexibility of providing auxiliary services. Thus, consumers will be able to receive a better quality audio signal now and may ultimately benefit from the development of innovative offerings, such as multiple audio streams and data and interactive services.`` In a Separate Statement, Commissioner Copps stated, `[IBOC] holds forth the promise of better quality sound — CD quality for FM and FM quality for AM — which will enhance audio service generally and may well reanimate AM radio.` But that`s just for starters. Going beyond sound quality there will be multiple broadcaster opportunities in the provision of new auxiliary services, such as multiple audio programming channels, audio-on-demand services, and interactive features, too.`` The FCC deferred consideration of licensing and service rule changes for IBOC for a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, to be issued in the future. NPR has been in discussion with the FCC to gain permission for a ``Pilot Project for Multi-Channel Broadcasting.`` The October 10, 2002 memo from NPR reads as follows: ``As we have explained to FCC Commissioners and staff, multi-channel digital broadcasting could enable NPR member stations to provide distinct content on two or more channels within the hybrid IBOC-FM digital radio signal. To this end, NPR is working to establish a pilot project that would enable stations and manufacturers to observe and evaluate the potential for multi-channel digital broadcasting at local stations. ``This pilot project would place member stations of varying technical configurations on the air experimentally to test multi-channel functionality. The pilot stations would receive IBOC digital radio exciters capable of generating lower-grade voice channels as a second stream. NPR is in the process of contacting exciter manufacturers to seek the loan of equipment for this test. ``Pilot project stations would have the opportunity to experiment with content for multi-channel broadcasting. As an example, a public station could provide a digital simulcast of its main analog program channel (i.e. Jazz, Classical) and a second digital voice channel for full time news and information. NPR would work with the pilot station to provide the content for the second channel. ``Pilot project stations would receive prototype digital radio receivers to evaluate the functionality of the multichannel services. NPR anticipates that the test would be of short duration, in the range of 30 to 90 days, but the length of testing could be influenced by FCC decisions and by the willingness of exciter and receiver manufacturers to loan test equipment. ``NPR will work with all parties to establish evaluative criteria, both from a technical and a listener satisfaction standpoint. We anticipate the project would be tested through a combination of technical self-evaluation and subjective impressions from listeners via focus groups.`` (Zounds, KUNM Program magazine, Nov via DXLD) ** U S A. On the national front, we are working with NPR on several developments, the most promising in the area of national audience- building. WFIU and several other stations have encouraged NPR to provide promotional video spots for cable television to target new audiences. Most of these spots will air in our market beginning in January. On the technology front, the FCC has just approved in-band on-channel (IBOC) for FM and AM radio stations, paving the way for H(igh) D(efinition) radio. NPR is lobbying strongly for the development of multiple audio channels, which could ultimately allow a station to broadcast two program streams. These are encouraging early developments for public radio, and could eventually enhance listener service. This is not to say that we have not had setbacks. For example, shortfalls in our state budget diminished our state appropriation and threaten to do so in the next legislative session. This will impact public radio initiatives to build a strong statewide news service and warn us to move cautiously on this front. Our tower replacement, which had been scheduled for completion within a six to eight week period, resulted in service disruption far greater than expected (see tower insert). Thank you for your patience and for the many messages of encouragement you sent. Being prevented from delivering a reliable radio service to you was a bitter pill for WFIU staff to swallow. Looking ahead, we have much of which to be proud. It's heartening to see that more Americans are tuning to their local public radio stations than ever before, and WFIU is no exception. Arbitron audience data indicates that we reached an all-time high in listeners this past year. We hope that this increase will create a strong crop of new members committed to supporting public radio. Advances in broadcast technology enable us to produce better quality programs and streamline business practices. Our staff boasts some of the most seasoned professionals in the public radio system. Yet despite the good news, we still feel apprehensive. At the time of this writing, our nation stands precariously on the brink of confrontation, the economy is on a roller-coaster ride, and NPR has just posted a nearly 4 million dollar year-end deficit, stemming primarily from a 30 per-cent drop in national underwriting sales. Some would argue that these are just temporary fluctuations common to an overall healthy and expanding global economy. Nonetheless, we wonder. Will we be able to sustain our current level of broadcast quality in an economic downturn? We are fortunate to have IU's support. Few stations can claim a 40 per-cent support level from their licensee. Our local business support is also strong, and we are most fortunate in our partnership with you. You have always been there for us, even in years of economic and political difficulty. Please don't stop now! You and millions of other Americans depend on local public radio stations for news, information, and community service. For many, public radio fulfills the role of nurturer of the arts and keeper of our national cultural identity. A generous pledge of financial support will help WFIU fulfill its specific mission to serve you. May we count on you again this year? (Christina Kuzmych, WFIU Station Manager, Nov Directions in Sound) Tower Update: The WFIU/WTIU tower replacement is complete. The replacement was necessary to comply with an FCC mandate stipulating that all public television stations be able to transmit a digital signal by May of 2003. This deadline helped precipitate a national flurry of tower replacements and modifications that stretched the capacity of the relatively small number of tower construction companies. Since both WFIU and WTIU share the same tower, some off-air time and extensive lower power operation during construction affected WFIU's signal. The procedure itself took much longer than anticipated. The tower replacement was funded through an appropriation from the Indiana legislature to public television stations in Indiana. Though the replacement was mostly for the benefit of WTIU Television, WFIU received a new tower, transmission line, and antenna. The old antenna and transmission lines were 29 years old, and overdue for replacement. We also installed a separate low power antenna to serve as a back up (Nov WFIU Directions in Sound, Bloomington IN, via DXLD) ** U S A. NPR keeps re-shuffling, downsizing etc. their so-called "Cultural Programming" unit, presumably so they can funnel more money into the news/talk/information division. It's all about chasing after underwriting dollars. And a lot of musically-challenged local NPR station managers go right along with it because they feel classical music, jazz, and other traditional public-radio music formats "under- perform" at pledge drive time. At my station, while "Morning Edition", "All Things Considered," "Wha'ya Know" together raise more cash than the classical music, the latter runs them a pretty close second (it's about a 60%/40% split). Certainly did in our fund drive last week. But then, a 1-kHz tone and slow Morse IDs seemingly would've gotten pledges last week --- we went over $100,000 in a one-week drive for the first time ever --- and like I say, the music programming accounted for a good-sized chunk of it (Randy Stewart, KSMU, Springfield MO, Nov 2, NRC-AM via DXLD) I have heard several NPR stations say that they have had to drop some of the musical programs as the cost of buying them is getting too high. For example, "The Thistle and The Shamrock" runs about $5000 per year and was in danger of being dropped locally the last I heard. Is this what is behind the move to talk/news/info???? (Chuck Hutton, WA, ibid.) Many of the stations which run heavy NPR programming in the Mid- Atlantic states are going more and more to talk, news and information, with perhaps a few syndicated music programs. There's a place for that, but I'm not sure that it's beneficial for most of the major public stations in a region to go that way - it's the old homogenous programming issue as applied to non-commercials (Russ Edmunds, Blue Bell, PA, ibid.) ** U S A. Re DXLD 2-170: Actually it`s WTIR. Winter Haven is more central than south... But I`d be surprised if there is anything else down there on 1680 (Glenn to Kraig Krist) What a minute...I just heard (0150 UT) a positive ID on 1680. Yes, once again, you are correct WTIR with "Travelers Information Radio". You are amazing...I don't know how you do it year after year! I've been reading your SWL/DX info since the early 1970's in "Popular Electronics" (I believe). Thanks. 73, (-.. . Kraig, KG4LAC, Krist, DX LISTENING DIGST) ** U S A. Subject: WTAN tower IF TOWER STAYS PUT, CITY WILL SUE WTAN-AM 1340's radio tower edges onto city property by 5 feet. The city wants it moved, saying it complicates construction on a new bridge. So far, the station won't budge. By JENNIFER FARRELL, Times Staff Writer © St. Petersburg Times published November 1, 2002 CLEARWATER -- The battle over a wayward radio tower, built inadvertently on city property, appears headed to court. City officials said Thursday they will sue WTAN-AM 1340 unless the radio station moves the 183-foot steel tower it erected last year, straddling city land. One leg of the "Tan-Talk" tower encroaches 5 feet onto city property, a problem planning and engineering officials say complicates construction on the new Clearwater Memorial Causeway bridge. The city is waiting for an estimate from bridge contractors, but officials insist the tower stands in the way and will add to the project's $69- million cost. "The contractor can't work around it," said Paul Hull, assistant city attorney. "It's just come to the point where something has to be done." Radio station officials blame the city for the tower's location and do not want to move it. "They approved it where it is," said station owner Dave Wagenvoord. "We have a permit." City engineer Mike Quillen acknowledged the city issued a permit for the tower. The problem, he said, is that construction crews missed the mark. "They didn't build the tower where the permit lines showed it," he said. "They built in the wrong spot." Bob Diamond, who owns Quality Tower Erectors and Service, the Largo company that built the tower, said plans were approved by the city. "I laid the tower out, they approved it and we drilled the holes," he said. "When we staked the tower out, they said, "Okay.' " Diamond said the tower cost about $80,000 to build and would cost $65,000 to move. "You can't approve everything and okay it and sign it off and be done with it and come back and say, "Oh well, this is all wrong,' " Diamond said. But city officials dispute the Tan-Talk version. Gary Johnson, the city's public services director, said plans submitted to the city show the tower was supposed to be built about 5 feet farther west. "If he had put it where his plan showed it, we wouldn't be sitting here talking about it," Johnson said. In 2000, the city spent more than a half-million dollars to buy a sliver of land from the station to make way for the new bridge. The price was twice an appraiser's estimate of the land's value, and it included a payment to help the station move to another downtown studio and build the new tower. The city deeded another sliver of land to the station. The new tower was planned for the land. Diamond said problems began when a 5-foot- wide storm drainage pipe was discovered underground before construction. The city did not tell the station about the drain, Diamond said. Wagenvoord said crews had to work around the pipe as they sank the tower's 20-foot-deep concrete foundations. "The tower man put the tower the only place it would work," he said. "It can't go back farther." Diamond suggested the city is overreacting. "What is the big deal?" he said. "If you moved that tower back 53 inches, it isn't going to make a difference either way." But Quillen said public safety is at stake. "Somebody could reach out with a fishing pole and hit the tower," he said, "which might be a problem." City commissioners are expected to discuss the matter during a 1 p.m. workshop Monday at City Hall (via Terry Krueger, FL, DXLD) Visit my "Florida Low Power Radio Stations" at: http://home.earthlink.net/~tocobagadx/flortis.html ** U S A. This didn`t take long: I sent y'all the story on Infiniy radio simulcasting Letterman. Below a letter written to allaccess Nov. 1 (Brock Whaley, Atlanta, DX LISTENING DIGEST) viz.: Yep, Infinity stations are simulcasting Letterman, another CHEAP way to program, and eliminate ANOTHER JOB. Rumour has it they are negotiating rights to "Animal Planet". CBS had better ratings with Capt. Kangaroo in the mornings. Maybe Bob Keeshan could come out of retirement and take over Summer Redstone's job, and Mel Karmanazan's. No doubt he could do a better job. (ray777, 11/01/2002 8:44:33 PM Message#99292 via Whaley, DXLD) ** U S A. Dear Mr. Hauser: Computer hacker, Kevin Mitnick has a book out titled "The art of deception" not about his life as a hacker according to a book review in Oct. 3 Christian Science Monitor, pages 15-16 (bottom portion). Art Bell is retiring (again) Jan. 1, 2003, with Robert Noory to replace him, according to the Oct. 26 LA Times, page E2, under the title "Bell to end UFO tracking job." Thank you, your listener, (David Moore, Morro Bay, California, Nov 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VIETNAM [non]. Yes, there was an omission in the VOV Eng data I sent to you recently. English is indeed 0340-0400 6175 Sackville. A slip of the mouse! The version sent to WRTH is OK (Bob Padula, Nov 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Re DXLD 2-169: The Moosbrun relay on 5955 has indeed time shifted an hour but I monitored it November 2nd and the order of languages has not changed: English is at 1800 as in the schedule in DXLD2-166, 1830- 1930 is Vietnamese and French is 1930-2000 (Mike Barraclough, Letchworth, UK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VIETNAM. Hi Glenn, Nice conditions to Vietnam this afternoon. Logged two new frequencies at least for me. The first on is Voice of Vietnam from Xuan Mai 13 UT in Vietnamese on 5925 kHz and H´Mong Service, Xuan Mai noted 13 UTC on 5035 kHz. 73´s and happy Hallowe`en! (Jouko Huuskonen, Turku FINLAND, Nov 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** YEMEN. 9780v, Republic of Yemen R. 1803-1814, 1837-1901 10/29 Arabic/English. Alternating OM and YL at tune-in, mentions of Europa and Sana`a. Signal dropped off during MoR music at 1811, unusable at 1814 beginning of news in English. Recheck at 1837, much improved reception! News in English re Iraq and GW Bush; Palestine gov't and Russian hostage crisis. ID at 1841, "The end of the news from the Republic of Yemen Radio, Sana`a". More news and commentary, repeat of headlines. ID, NA at 1900; into Arabic. Fair-poor (Scott R Barbour Jr, NH, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIEDS IDENTIFIED. 5054.3, 0420 Nov 1 13422 QRM -5 Khz WWRB (Alfredo Benjamin Cañote Bueno, Space Master, Icom IC-R71A, Antenna Copper Wire 10 mts, QTH Chaclacayo (27 km East Lima), PERU, Nov 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Probably TIFC as in previous issue UNIDENTIFIED. 7820, 1054 Oct 30 44423 ASIATIC (Alfredo Benjamin Cañote Bueno, Space Master, Icom IC-R71A, Antenna Copper Wire 10 mts, QTH Chaclacayo (27 km East Lima), PERU, Nov 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) CRI in Russian, 1000-1200 and 1300-1400, 50 kW (SW Guide via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 17870, 1300 Oct 27 34423 LOOP ID // 15385 (Alfredo Benjamin Cañote Bueno, Space Master, Icom IC-R71A, Antenna Copper Wire 10 mts, QTH Chaclacayo (27 km East Lima), PERU, Nov 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The non-Afghanistan thing again—do you mean the loop was talk rather than music? (gh, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. I searched online-DXLD, and found our 18940 interval signal mystery. Then I hunted through new HFCC list. These match our dxpedition-crew logs in MARE tipsheet 273: 15385 1300-1500 shows AWR via UAE brokered by Merlin. 17835 1100-1300 shows AWR via UAE brokered by Merlin. 18940 1330-1630 shows pashtu/dari by unnamed broadcaster via Norway brokered by Merlin. [R. Afghanistan, Kabul] So Merlin is the common denominator here. (Larry Russell, MI, Nov 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) -- The more stuff you have, the more broken-stuff you have. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ NRC AM LOG 2002-2003 We received a review copy, and as usual are impressed by this monumental opus, a must reference for anyone DXing US and Canadian AM stations – and those in the broadcast industry could make good use of it too. The primary listing is in frequency order. Now`s the best time to order when it has just been published, with the winter DX season impending (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) From http://www.nrcdxas.org/catalog/amlog : The AM Radio Log is an annual edition. It contains over 320 pages, in 8 1/2" x 11" size, 3-hole punched, U.S. loose leaf format. This publication fits nicely into a 1/2" three-ring binder. Nearly 1,500 updates since last year's log. This is the AM radio hobby's official radio station reference for U.S. and Canadian radio station. Each station listing consists of its location, frequency, call, format, network affiliation, station address, station slogan, day and night transmitter powers. There are cross references by city and by call letter in the back of the book. Radio station listings from the United States and Canada including up to the last minute information on the new stations in the Expanded band (1605-1705). If you are a subscriber to DX News or the DX Audio Service, and make the changes to your AM Radio Log as indicated in each issue's "AM Switch", your log is never over a month out of date. As it stands, the AM Radio Log is the most accurate, most informative logbook on AM radio stations. Why mess around with free internet services that have tons of errors, or expensive journals. Get the logbook that is up-to-date, and the best source for information.... because it's published by DXers! Pay by Credit Card on line using Pay-Pal..... US funds only::: US Member $19.95, US Non-Member $25.95, Canada Member $22.95, Canada non-member $27.95, Western Europe, Pacific Rim $27.95 Send all non-credit card orders to: National Radio Club Publications Center Box 164, Dept W Mannsville NY 13661-0164 USA NY residents add appropriate sales tax. Checks should be made payable to NATIONAL RADIO CLUB, INC. The National Radio Club is a non-profit radio club devoted to the medium wave DX hobby. We are not a business. Sorry, no COD or Net Account orders accepted. If you have questions, please call 315-387-3583 or Email the Publications Department: sales@nrcdxas.org (Allow 7 days for return of E-mail messages). When order is received, it will be shipped directly to you from the Publications Center in Mannsville NY. All orders are usually filled within 2 weeks, (most of the time less than four days) and sent my U.S.P.S.. If there is a delay, Ken Chatterton will contact you with the estimated shipping date. Should you require special overnight or 2nd day service, please contact Ken via telephone. Ken's phone number is 315-387-3583. Best time to call is between 10AM and 8PM Eastern Local Time. NO collect calls accepted (from above website) Also check out the publications at http://www.nrcdxas.org/catalog/books (NRC-AM list tag via DXLD) "CD - SW WITH A DIFFERENCE" Glenn, Doesn't anyone look at the EDXP Home Page? !!! There has been a review of this CD there for anyone to view or download for several months. It's at http://edxp.org Users of PCs with older CD drives will experience problems in loading the CD, however. A new edition of the CD is in preparation (Bob Padula, Nov 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ###