DX LISTENING DIGEST 2-193, December 9, 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 1159: WWCR: Wed 1030 9475 RFPI: Tue 1900, Wed 0100, 0700, 1300 on 7445 and/or 15039 WJIE: M-F 1300, daily 0400; Sun 0630, Mon 0700, Tue 0630 on 7490 ONDEMAND http://www.wrn.org/ondemand/worldofradio.html [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1159h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1159h.ram [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1159.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1159.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1159.html UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIAL: see PARAGUAY ** ARGENTINA. A Rádiodifusão Argentina para o exterior transmite, aos sábados, a partir das 2230, o programa Conversando com o Presidente. São 20 minutos de entrevista com o mandatário daquele país, pela freqüência de 15345 kHz. A dica é do Paulo Roberto Michelom, de Porto Alegre (RS). (Célio Romais, @tividade DX Dec 8 via DXLD) ** BELGIUM. Glen[n], RADIO WORLD is back on RVI after the 4 month hiatus caused by the host's accident 4 months ago. He was on the air over the W/E. Horay! (Wm. "Bill" Brady, Harwood MD, Dec 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I notice that Mr. Vossen, who had been out recovering from an injury, is back in today's WMP webcast from the RVI.BE website. I believe I checked last week and he was still out (Joel Rubin, Dec 8, swprograms via DXLD) Nice to hear Frans again. Interviews Juhani Niinistö on why YLE R. Finland is keeping Russian --- they get quite different listener response from that neighboring country; and the head of English department at V. of Turkey. Used to be a real file, now wm (gh, DXLD) ** BOLÍVIA. A Rádio San Gabriel, de La Paz, é uma emissora identificada com a comunidade aimara daquele país. De acordo com estudo de Luis Ramiro Beltrán e Jaime Reyes, publicado em http://www.felafaes.org a emissora desempenha um papel de organização, condução e instrumento de influência para a democratização da comunicação na Bolívia. Através de campanhas, a emissora educa os agricultores aimaras. O trabalho na emissora é feito por meio de um rodízio. Os agricultores fazem de tudo, evitando a alienação. Em 1991, a San Gabriel levou o prêmio Bartolomeu de las Casas, concedido na Espanha, por seus 35 anos de frutífera dedicação aos camponeses aimaras em busca da superação do subdesenvolvimento e fazer justiça. O ouvinte de ondas curtas é um privilegiado, pois pode acompanhar a Rádio San Gabriel, pela freqüência de 6085 kHz, em 49 metros. O sinal chega razoável no Sul do Brasil, por volta de 0830 (Célio Romais, @tividade DX Dec 8 via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. O acordo entre o programa Mundo na Guaíba e a Seção de Língua Portuguesa, da rádio Romênia Internacional, jamais saiu do papel. A emissora de Bucareste não enviou, até hoje, a autorização para que a Guaíba pudesse retransmitir alguns programas feitos naquele país. As informações são do jornalista Rui Strelow, que produz e apresenta o programa Mundo na Guaíba, que vai ao ar, nos domingos, a partir de 0900, em 720, 6000 e 11785 kHz. BRASIL - De Salvador (BA), Antônio César Rossett informa que, no momento, nenhuma emissora daquele estado emite em ondas curtas. Uma pena! Na década de 70, a Bahia era ouvida, no Brasil e no mundo, através da rádio Sociedade da Bahia, que emitia em 11875 kHz, em 25 metros, e 15125 kHz, em 19 metros. Outra que estava nas ondas curtas era a rádio Cultura da Bahia, que transmitia em 15225 kHz, em 19 metros, e em 9595 kHz, em 31 metros (Célio Romais, @tividade DX Dec 8 via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. RÁDIO NOVO TEMPO: A emissora brasileira escutada em 2460 kHz é o harmônico de 1230 kHz em Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais. Acir da Cruz Camargo informa que a Rede Novo Tempo, que pertence ao sistema adventista de comunicação, tem sua cabeça de rede em Nova Friburgo no RJ. Confira http://www.novotempo.org.br/rnt/historiarnt/historiarnt.cfm (@tividade DX Dec 8 via DXLD) O sinal da Radio Novo Tempo em 2460 (identificada com auxilio sendo de Governador Valadares), faz-se presente fortemente as 0536 em ambos os receptores (Rudolf W. Grimm, Jacareí, São Paulo - 6/7 Dezembro, radio- escutas via DXLD) ** CANADA. Slight clarification: Ontario Morning is heard in all of southern Ontario, except Ottawa, Toronto and Windsor. Northeast (Sudbury) and northwest (Thunder Bay) Ontario have their own weekday local morning shows. Furthermore, London, Ont., has their own morning newscasts inserted into Ontario Morning. Cheers, (Ricky Leong, QC, DX LISTENING DIGEST) CBC Radio One IDs: At approximately 0458 ET, after "O Canada", CBLA-FM 99.1 does give legal station ID and transmitter/antenna power info. On roughly the half hour they often ID as "You're listening to CBC Radio One, 99.1 FM in Toronto". While CBC Toronto is properly identified at 0458, the other stations in the Ontario network are acknowledged simply with a long list of towns and the FM frequency serving them. On roughly the half-hour one particular station is identified, e.g. "CBC Radio One, 98.7 in Peterborough" (Mark Coady, ODXA Bridgenorth Field Office, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Something that the CBC stations will also do in some areas, is load individual IDs for the entire provincial network, including LPRTs, but the IDs then will fire randomly, particularly on the evenings and weekends. So, for instance, you may hear "This is CBC Radio, 9-70 in Fredericton" on the Boiestown FM LPRT; and you may also hear "This is CBC Radio, 96.5 FM in Doaktown" on the Fredericton 970 frequency. These IDs are almost exclusively after the weather at 5 minutes past the hour, as previously stated. I'm not sure about other provinces, but there are actually three English language network feeds within New Brunswick. The Moncton feed (1070) covers all of the surrounding communities up to and including Campbellton in New Brunswick's north. Fredericton's (970) feed covers up to Edmundston in the northwest, and Saint John's feed (91.3 FM) does the Fundy coast and extreme southern New Brunswick. I'm not sure what the other regional networks do, but in my (Fredericton) area the Radio One network does full IDs of all stations on the LPRT network at 5:30 am just after the national anthem, including town of license, frequency and full call letters (e.g. CBZD, Doaktown, 96.5 FM...). Also beware of Newfoundland NOT being on the half hour for certain programming. CBC feeds the entire country at the same time; not a special :30 minute feed for Newfoundland. So the "World at 6" may be heard in Newfoundland at exactly the same time as everywhere else in Atlantic Canada, except the clocks in Newfoundland at that time say it's 6:30 (Brent Taylor, NB) I believe radio stations in Canada are only required to provide a full "legal" ID once every 24 hours. (Canadian DXers - Is this true?) So you'd have to know when each station IDs, which can be any time of day or night. I've heard these legal IDs before, and they are usually very complete, providing license info including call letters, facilities details and ownership. 640 CBN usually does this around sunrise on the half hour (I forget the exact time), announcing AM and FM relays. It might be worth compiling a list of stations and when the legal IDs are typically broadcast, or listing known ID times in the NRC AM Radio Log. Brian Smith - Does 740 CHWO ever announce a full ID? (Bruce Conti - Nashua NH, NRC-AM via DXLD) AM 740 does give the "CHWO, AM 740, Prime Time Radio" ID once an hour. The problem is that it can vary each hour. They have been trying to keep it in the final five minutes of each hour and generally it does appear then. However, it can also appear 15 minutes after the hour. The jingle for AM 740 does appear at least 5 times an hour. Of course the full ID will be part of the DX test next month (Brian Smith, ibid.) ** CANADA. All about Toronto`s new Aboriginal Radio on 106.5: http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1035775341280&call_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154 (Toronto Star via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** CANADA. Scanning the dial late this afternoon, I was surprised to find an English language pop music station on 690. Eventually I heard some slogan IDs as "Zed-99", and ads for Regina businesses. It would seem that, for reasons unknown, CBKF1 is rebroadcasting a Regina FM station rather than the French language Radio-Canada programming. Reception on 860 was pretty rough, but I heard traces of French talk, so apparently CBKF2 was carrying normal programming. As I type this 690 is still carrying English pop, with the Rick Dees countdown program. 73, (Nigel Pimblett, Medicine Hat, Alberta, Dec 8, IRCA via DXLD) ** CANARY ISLANDS. ILHAS CANARIAS. 6715 (USB) 29/11 2147 Full Gospel Church - Las Palmas. Músicas evangélicas cantadas por OM em Coreano e pastor em coreano pregando (interferência ocasional da estação militar Halifax Radio na mesma frequencia e às 2229 interferência de RTTY que cobriu a transmissão). 34333 (meu rádio pais 177). MTA (Marcelo Toníolo dos Anjos, Greenvale NY, @tividade DX via DXLD) ** CHILE? Na frequência de 3290, entrou mui fortemente às 0515 UT uma emissora falando em castelhano. Por incrível que pareça, ouvi por mais uma vez referências à 'Esperanza', Temuco e também Chile. Nunca tinha ouvido a Radio Esperanza (nem em 6090), e muito menos em 3290. Preciso de ajuda. Hoje leio que Caio Fernandes Lopes recebeu um QSL da Radio Voice of Guyana, e se por lá transmitem em espanhol, creio que a situação fica bastante confusa. Temuco transmite, ou já transmitiu em 3290? (Rudolf W. Grimm, Jacareí, São Paulo - 6/7 Dezembro, radio- escutas via DXLD) Guyana em espanhol? Acho que não (gh, DXLD) Rudolf, Muito interessante suas escutas; sobre 3290 é extranho, aquí nesta frequência tenho uma só em espanhol, é R. Centro, Ambato no Equador que escutei em 07/12/02 0401 44444, ads e jogo basquete Guayo x Esmeralda. Nunca escutei nesta frequência alguma coisa do Chile; estarei atento. Um grande abraço (Rogildo Aragão, Cochabamba, Bolivia, ibid.) ** CHINA. 10000, BPM (time signal), 1030 Dec 9, Clearly audible under WWV with narrow receiver bandwidth setting. Nice multiple IDs via Morse code then voice announcements by Chinese speaking woman, though the woman sounds a bit canned, like a computer generated voice (David Hodgson, TN, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. What is believed to be the Mongolian service of Nei Menggu - Hohhot is being heard regularly on 6195. On Dec. 9 a signal was traceable shortly after 0830, gradually improving by 0900, when a TS is heard, and ID, and what appears to be a news bulletin. The Chinese service is listed on 6045 from 0905, and a signal is regularly heard to come on air then, but too weak for identification so far. 73's, (Noel R. Green, Blackpool, UK, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** CHINA. Greetings to all the EDXP members from Port Macquarie, N.S.W., Australia. Received a pleasant surprise today from The Voice of Straits in Fuzhou, Fujian, P.R. of China, a medium sized envelope with lots of nice Chinese stamps on it sent by airmail for a report sent to them on September 20th, 2002 at 0930 UT (radio broadcast stated 7:30 pm Beijing time and they stated 5:30 Beijing time) on 11590 kHz. Received a letter typed confirmation with full details and stamped but not signed. Also received a very nice letter from Hailing (English name Penny) who is the female English language presenter (along side of male presenter Zhenyi) explaining what the Voice of Straits is all about requesting further info about the quality of their English, broadcasts and reception, enclosing some stamps and a colour brochure on The Voice of Straits, only it is in Chinese, which also gives the photos of all the staff (all very nice looking young people, Chinese of course). They are very nice people who seem to want to please and want to know how to improve their programmes and broadcasts. Frequencies listed: 4940 - 6115 - 7280 - 11590, English Thursdays and Fridays 0930 UT Address: Focus on China, The Voice of Straits, Box 187, Fuzhou, Fujian, 350012, People's Republic of China. Best wishes to all! (Michael Stevenson, Dec 9, EDXP via DXLD). 5050, 2235-2335(fade out) Voice of the Strait, Fuzhou 30-11 & 01- 12 Chinese ID 2243 & 2300: "Haixia zhi Sheng Guangbo Dientai", nonstop light music e.g. "Edelweiss" and "Jingle Bells", 2255 ads, time signal, talk 35444 // weak and distorted 4900! (11331) (Anker Petersen, Denmark, @tividade DX via DXLD) Another 5050 below: ** CHINA. More logs, all from Tainan, Taiwan, with SONY ICF-SW7600G, telescopic antenna. Guangxi BS on Dec 7: 1038 UT: 5050 (33333) // 9820 (32432 under co-ch. Chinese station) 1307 UT: 5050 (55333) // 9820 (33322) Voice of Strait on Dec 7, 2002, 0655 UT: 6115 (45344) // 873 (53443) 11590 (55555) // 666 (54554) 7280 (45544) Frequency change in the late [local] evening: 6115 changes to 4900 (55544) at 2200 LT = 1400 UT 7280 changes to 4940 (54544) at 2210 LT = 1410 UT but with the 11590 program // 666. 11590 signs off at 1400 UT. PBS Fujian on Dec 7, 2002: 4975 (55434) // 5040 (54444) // 558 (32432) Heard at 0957 UTC and later, BUT NOT 0930 and 1030! Either faulty transmitter or quite short program. Further checks. Nothing heard on 2340. Voice of Pujiang, Shanghai, on Dec 7, 2002: 1310-1400 UT: 3280 (35322) // 4950 (44323) // 5075 (54433) MW 900 and 927 not heard here. Close-down significantly later than listed 1400. Clearly ID'd: Pujiang zhi-sheng guangpo dientai (POOH- dzhang zhee-sheng GUANG-poh DYEN-tai) (zhi sheng = Voice of, guangpo dientai = radio station) China Huayi BS on Dec 7, 2002, 2220 UT: 4830 (55444). Does anybody now this station's background? They often mentioned Taipei. After several days of trying without success I dare say that CNR 5 and CNR 6 (Taiwan 1 and Taiwan 2 programmes) are no more on shortwave. At least I can't hear a thing, which should not be so in the target area. I can hear them, though, very well with IDs on mediumwave (Eike Bierwirth, NCKU, Tainan, R.O.C., DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COSTA RICA. BAND FREQUENCY/MODE UTC/GMT TIME (frequencies/hours subject to change without notice) [note expanded hours on both] 40 meters: 7.445 MHz (AM): 2100-1300 19 meters: 15.040 MHz (AM): 24 hours And streaming live on the Internet in MP3 at http://www.rfpi.org (RFPI Weekly Update Dec 8 via DXLD) ** CUBA [non]. GLENN: Here the Address of Radio Martí: P. O. BOX 52-1868, MIAMI, FLORIDA 33152 USA 4201 N.W 77th AVE. MIAMI, FLORIDA 33166 USA PHONE: (305) 437-7116 WEB: http://www.martinoticias.com (inside mail) 73's (Oscar, Dec 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CYPRUS TURKISH. CYPRUS NORTHERN. 6150, Bayrak Radio International (presumed), Dec 7, 2156-2229. After CRI signed off at 2156, I could hear a ballad, with the usual QRM from Brazil. "Baby Love" by the Supremes at 2201, at which point Brazil was almost inaudible. Some more pop songs until 2216 when a YL spoke. From her cadence, it could have been English, but the only thing I could understand was "Bayrak (pronounced as 'buy-rack') International". An OM then spoke briefly in what sounded like an Arabic type language, followed by more pop songs. By 2229 the signal was almost completely gone. SINPO was 33333 at best. Presumed to be them for now, until I can get a better ID, or confirmation from Mustafa Tosun (George Maroti, NY, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. 4929.97, R. Barahona (tent.), 7 Dec. 1120, Talk by soft-spoken W announcer in Spanish at tunein, brief deadair, then into easy religious-sounding song with woman vocalist and chorus. Talk by M announcer, and more music. Already fading when I tuned in, so I couldn't copy any significant details. Since Barahona hasn't been positively identified in a long time and since the programming didn't really seem to fit Barahona`s, I call it tentative (Dave Valko, PA, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** EL SALVADOR. 17835.3, R. Imperial (presumed) 2155-2258 Dec 8. Carrier with audio in and out, just above the noise. Generally religious music with a Latin American flavor. Occasional brief announcements in Spanish by a woman. Heard on 12/6 from 2235 to 2240, faded in and then out. Heard on 12/7 from 2155 to 2258 with the music format plus religious talk by a man at 2217. Extremely difficult copy, could tell it was there only about 75% of the time. Listened on 12/8, but nothing heard. Last log of El Salvador was in 1982 (Evans, TN, Cumbre DX via DXLD) 17835v, Radio Imperial heard throughout the day; anyone in Europe hearing this yet? (Hans Johnson, TX, Dec 6-9, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** ERITREA/ETHIOPIA [nons]. New 21715 *0900-1000*, UAE, 01-12. UNMEE via Al Dhabayya. Vernaculars/English Same programme in four languages about a UN Conference about more support to Eritrea and Ethiopia. Only broadcast on Sundays. 35433 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, @tividade DX via DXLD) English at 0945? Impressed you understand them all (gh, DXLD) ** IRAN [non]. 7480, CLANDESTINE (IRAN) Radio Payam-Doost 1801-1821 12/03. YL w/ talk in Persian and musical breaks. ID at 1815. Talk with mentions of "Associated Press" and "New Age Voice Magazine". Poor with deep fades (S. R. Barbour Jr, NH, NASWA Flashsheet via DXLD) New 7460.0 *0230-0314* CLANDESTINE, 05-12, R Payam-e Doost, Farsi. Several ID's, inspirational talks with interludes of Iranian string music. Song and light instrumental music, frequency ann at close. New broadcast at this hour. Mentioned a P. O. Box in Virginia, USA. 35444 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, @tividade DX via DXLD) ** IRELAND. 6219, Laser Hot Hits, 0825 Dec 9, Best reception so far this season with signal peaks up to the fair to good level. American R&B and Rap type music with UK male announcer. Promotional announcement for station tee shirts. Mentioned mailing address in Canada. Many reference to Laser Hot Hits. 75 and 41 meter outlets were only weak carriers (David Hodgson, TN, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ITALY [and non!]. IRRS/NEXUS-IBA articles on Monitoring Times + test on 6280 kHz Dear friends, You may want to know that Monitoring Times http://www.monitoringtimes.com a leading magazine on Shortwave radio and communication published in the USA, will be having a special two part article on NEXUS-International Broadcasting Association and IRRS on their January and February 2003 editions. This is the first time that a full story on our broadcasting organization, as well as several pictures get published ever. Among the technicalities and curiosities related to the early days, you will find news about our Shortwave and Internet relay services, that just recently have been increased from 10 kW to 50, 100, 250 and 500 kW and may cover now the greatest part of the globe. "Welcome to Nexus-IRRS: In 1988 a new shortwave radio station took to the airwaves in Europe after being conceived a mere 6 months before. Its two adventurous founders set out to create something quite different from traditional Cold War broadcasting. Alfredo Cotroneo was the front man for the Italian Radio Relay Service, but few folks knew that his partner was Bob Zanotti of Swiss Radio International. This is the first time the full story has been told. Part 1 gets us on the air: Part 2 will tell about keeping an independent shortwave station going -- an entirely different matter! On the cover: On the roof overlooking the Po River Valley while performing antenna repairs. Inset: Alfredo Cotroneo at the gate to "the IRRS farm." See: http://www.monitoringtimes.com/mttocnext.html or a check for a paper copy at your local news-stand." I take this opportunity to inform you that we will run a special Xmas program on 6,280 kHz with 250 kW on Monday Dec 9, 2002, from 0300-0400 UT (11 PM EST on Sunday evening Dec. 8 in the USA). Reception will be possible in Europe and on the Eastern part of the USA. Please send reception reports to the usual address (IRRS-Shortwave, PO Box 10980, I-20110 Milano, Italy), or preferably via e-mail to: reports@nexus.org More info on our schedules and services at : http://www.nexus.org With best season's greetings, 73, de Ron -- Ron Norton, NEXUS-IBA support, PO Box 11028, 20110 Milano, Italy e-mail : ron@nexus.org (also via Mike Terry, DXLD) see also SWITZERLAND [non] ** KAZAKHSTAN. LAUGHING AT A DICTATOR, By Catherine A. Fitzpatrick Something curious happened on 26 November at the annual International Press Freedom Awards dinner -- this even honors courageous reporters and benefits the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) -- at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York. This popular event on the charity circuit is usually a somewhat somber occasion, where about 1,000 journalists, media executives, and philanthropists from the media- capital elite gather to honor their persecuted colleagues and to view a clips of horrific scenes of reporters being shot at in combat zones from Palestine to Chechnya in a documentary created specially for the event. It is not a time for levity, beyond the light banter of the master of ceremonies, NBC anchor Tom Brokaw, as he introduces his brave colleagues from around the world who have encountered violence for practicing their profession. Yet, this year's footage revealed the work of Irina Petrusheva, editor of the Kazakh business newspaper "Respublika," the audience began to chuckle. They were soon roaring with laughter as they heard Petrusheva's touchingly simple portrayal of censorship in her country. "The media is not supposed to cover certain taboo subjects, like the president's own businesses," she said. "But no matter which topic you pick -- aluminum or oil or failure to pay taxes -- you will run up against taboos, because the president and his family are involved in so many of the country's businesses," including the media market, she explained. The audience was howling by the time the film reached a scene showing an airplane taking off. A voice-over described how President Nursultan Nazarbaev's eldest daughter Dariga, herself a media owner, had ordered the removal of ordinary passengers from an aircraft in order to commandeer it for a family vacation. Abruptly, the guffaws of the black-tie crowd changed to horrified gasps as they watched the film's next scenes of a decapitated dog hanging from the windowsill of "Respublika's" editorial offices in Almaty, skewered with a note warning, "There will be no next time." The dog's head was later dumped near Petrusheva's home with another threat. Her printer also announced he was quitting after finding a human skull on his doorstep. The reality of journalism "in the stans" suddenly hit home for Americans, particularly those who had visited the region but then safely returned to their desks in New York. Facing renewal of a suspended court case on alleged business violations along with these grisly threats, Petrusheva hired a bodyguard for her children and moved herself and her staff to Moscow to edit the paper. (The newspaper can be viewed on the Internet at http://www.respublika.kz ) The sound of a crowd of journalists laughing at a dictator -- a proven remedy in many societies seeking press freedom -- was not something she hears in her native Kazakhstan, Petrusheva acknowledged in an interview with "RFE/RL Media Matters" following the CPJ dinner. "Americans must find all this pretty wild," she surmised. The lack of a similar type of event in Kazakhstan is not, however, because such occasions are explicitly forbidden. "Journalists just don't gather in this way and don't form such organizations [as the CPJ] in quite this fashion," she explained. While there are some media groups, including those formed with help from Western democracy- assistance grants, a high-profile and effective group similar to the CPJ or its counterparts in neighboring countries has not come together in Kazakhstan, and not only out of fear of punishment. "There is a lack of corporate spirit" in the formation of the journalistic profession itself, Petrusheva said. "There is a poor understanding of what journalism is, and it is viewed as a kind of office work," where obedience rather than principled civic positions are valued, Petrusheva added. "We have to do what they tell us for fear of losing our jobs," Petrusheva finds her colleagues admitting to her. While groups like the Moscow-based Center for Journalism in Extreme Situations and other local human rights groups cover press freedom in Kazakhstan, "it is just monitoring and cannot stop the repression itself, especially in the regions," she said. "We need to create our own internal organization to defend ourselves on the scene." Petrusheva recounted the time she was stopped by security police and managed to call prominent attorney and human rights campaigner Yevgenii Zhovtis. "He walked me through very specific instructions on how to respond, from getting into my car and locking my windows and refusing to be searched without a warrant," Petrusheva said. Timely intervention with such defense can prevent a situation from escalating -- "once journalists are in detention, it is often impossible to help them," she said. Responding to accolades for her bravery in her acceptance speech at the CPJ dinner, Petrusheva said she did not consider herself a hero but had stuck to her last because she feared for herself and her sons being forced to live "in a totally corrupt society." In a reflection of the view of the media's social role commonly found in the newly independent states, Petrusheva expressed her wish that Kazakh society would "welcome the honest and professional fulfillment of individual responsibility which benefits the people" and for the media "to be the fourth estate, rather than a government lackey." Finding an audience under difficult publishing conditions can be a challenge. While "Respublika" appears only in the Russian language, not only ethnic Russians read the paper. "Most Kazakhs in urban centers speak Russian" and look to Russian media for more information and analysis than can be provided in local media and view it with tolerance, she said. "Any ethnic hatred between the two groups is artificially incited [from] above," Petrusheva said. One of the problems in developing more competent media is the lack of investment. Indigenous Kazakh businesses do not appear to be prepared to invest or buy ads in Kazakh papers, she said. Meanwhile, a business elite has emerged in Almaty and other cities; many of them are in their 30s or 40s, Russian-educated, and prepared to sponsor Russian- language media. "Their mentality comes from [Moscow State University]," she said. Most ordinary people in Kazakhstan, especially in the hinterlands, do not read newspapers but listen to radio instead -- they listen to Radio Tochka or the state-sponsored, Soviet-era cable radio system still available in many homes on cheap receivers. This is the main source of news for rural elderly people, whereas young people tune into Radio Rossiya and focus mainly on FM music programming. Such issues of format, medium, language, and audience could all be fine-tuned under better working conditions. The chief obstacle to building a durable free press in Kazakhstan is the National Security Committee, Petrusheva said. She believes it is responsible for the firebombing of her office and for attacks on other media outlets and reporters. Responding to a query on the debate as to whether independent media in Central Asia should be organized on a business model or directly subsidized as alternative press, Petrusheva said, "I always thought newspapers should be done as a business project" with business plans and the sale of advertising. Yet facing state-organized violence and technical problems related to printing outside state-controlled presses, she now concludes that the press requires outside support. U.S. training programs for journalists should concentrate more on survival under actual harsh conditions and less on one-size-fits-all training about how to write, for example, on environmental issues or on how to cover elections, she said. While Kazakh journalists would not benefit directly from a project to create a U.S.-sponsored independent publishing venture in neighboring Kyrgyzstan due to custom controls, a similar plan would also be beneficial for Kazakhstan. For that to succeed, the international community must hold Kazakhstan's government to account for violence against the media and to secure the protection of journalists. The laughter of 1,000 journalists along with their serious international award is a start toward that goal (RFE/RL Media Matters Dec 6 via DXLD) ** KENYA. HOW A FREE KENYA BROADCASTING CORPORATION WOULD FREE US ALL The Nation (Nairobi), November 24, 2002, Posted to the web November 25, 2002 Philip Ochieng, Nairobi Just before its dreadfully unjust treatment of the opposition on Monday, the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) pleasantly surprised us by what looked like a change of policy.... http://allafrica.com/stories/200211250012.html (via NASWA Flashsheet Dec 8 via DXLD) ** KURDISTAN [non]. I heard the Voice Of Komala (TDP brokered) on 7560 at 1700-1800. This one is Sundays only. Via CIS transmitter (test tone...) ID as 'Ira Dengi Komala'. (Silvain Domen, Belgium, Dec 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LATVIA. Radio Gold 945AM, a new private station in Riga, will conduct test transmissions on 945 kHz (20 kW) on Saturday 14 December at 0500-1700 UT. The test schedule will be as follows: 05:00 - 08:00 - German schlager 08:00 - 11:00 - Old Good World (songs from 60's) 11:00 - 13:00 - Prime Time Radio (Saga's national digital radio station) 13:00 - 14:00 - Tourist Radio Riga (Laser 558 memories from Steve Master) 14:00 - 17:00 - Henry Choice (classic rock) (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Dec 9, MW-DX via DXLD) ** MEXICO [non]. "BORDER RADIO" COMES TO BOB BULLOCK MUSEUM 12/7/2002 5:50 PM By: News 8 Austin Staff The stage adaptation of the book "Border Radio," about stations along the border, brought back memories for some Austinites. Texas Border Radio history came to life for museum visitors Saturday at the Bob Bullock Texas History Museum. "Always someone in the audience will get up and say, 'Oh yeah, I listened to that station. And I can remember that from my youth. And that's what people really love, is to connect with something in their own history," said Angela Davis, Education Programs Director. The show looks at the different influences on radio from the Texas- Mexico border in the 1930s. It's part of a temporary exhibit called "Country Music and the Lone Star State." The next performance by the Border Radio troupe is on Jan 4 (News8 Austin via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** MEXICO [non]. martes 3 de diciembre, 04:36 PM AMPLIA AZTECA AMERICA SU COBERTURA EN EU CON ESTACION EN NUEVA YORK México, 3 Dic (Notimex).- Azteca América sumó una nueva estación afiliada en la ciudad de Nueva York sin costo financiero asociado para la compañía, con lo cual se estima que la señal de la televisora llegue a 53 por ciento del mercado hispano en Estados Unidos. El presidente y director general de Azteca América, Luis J. Echarte, resaltó que con una antena localizada sobre el edificio Citicorp en Manhattan, la señal de la empresa llegará a más de 10 millones de personas, 2.5 millones de las cuales son hispanas. ``Con la adición de WXNY Canal 39 en la ciudad de Nueva York, Azteca América llega a 53 por ciento del mercado hispano de los Estados Unidos``, reiteró el directivo. El área de cobertura de la televisora incluye los cinco barrios de la ciudad de Nueva York, así como algunas comunidades adyacentes en Nueva Jersey. De acuerdo con el Censo 2000 de Estados Unidos, los hispanos comprenden 27 por ciento de la población total de la ciudad de Nueva York, reveló TV Azteca en un comunicado. ``Nueva York nos lleva a nuestro objetivo de convertirnos en cadena nacional con un mes de anticipación al cierre de 2002,`` comentó a su vez el director general de TV Azteca, Pedro Padilla. La nueva estación se agrega a la lista de afiliados de Azteca América en Albuquerque, Austin, Bakersfield, Fresno-Visalia, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando, Palm Springs, Reno, Sacramento-Stockton- Modesto, Salt Lake City, San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, Santa Bárbara, West Palm Beach, Ft. Pierce y Wichita. TV Azteca es uno de los dos mayores productores de contenido en español para televisión en el mundo y opera dos canales nacionales de televisión, a través de más de 300 estaciones en México. La compañía también opera un canal nacional de televisión en El Salvador, y sus afiliadas incluyen a Azteca América Network, Unefon y Todito.com (via Héctor García Bojorge, DF, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** MOLDOVA/PRIDNESTROVYE. New 5960, *1659-1730*, 04-12, R Pridnestrovye, Tiraspol, English. "Here is Tiraspol, the capital of the Trans-Dniester Moldavian republic" (TMR). National hymn. News about what the TMR President and the TMR Supreme Council has been doing the past week including talks on withdrawal of Russian troops from TMR. A letter to the President of Moldova asking for selfdetermination of TMR. Comments and closing ann. 43443 heavily disturbed by R Nederland on 5955 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, @tividade DX via DXLD) ** MYANMAR. BURMA. 5986.0, R. Myanmar, English program, 1514 Dec 6, marching music, news. Years ago, when this was well heard here, I regularly listened to their news and 99% of the stories pertained to the State Law and Order Restoration Council. Today all the items where about the activities of the State Peace and Development Council. ID, "This news comes to you from R. Myanmar, Yangon," following the news heard political slogans (kind of like a pep talk about development). At 1531 non-stop music (classical, waltz and tango), at end of program a list given of all the music played, ID as "This is Myanmar Radio, Yangon . . . the Engineer-in-Charge is . . . We have come to the end of our . . . signing off for the night." 1600*, fair-poor. It's very nice to hear this at a decent level after so many years. (Ron Howard, CA, DX-plorer via DXLD) ** OKLAHOMA. RadioTVWorkingGroup@cox.net (Jack Bowen = foxman49@aol.com ) (Bob Nichols = bobnichols@cox.net ) Nathaniel Batchelder writes: To succeed, this grassroots message must be forwarded to friends of the "Radio Free Oklahoma" concept. Courageous, progressive, liberal truth-teller Jack Bowen has a dream: that a radio-talk format station could broadcast "real news" and "real information" to counter the spurious lies of "Conservative Entertainers" (including Rush Limbaugh, Michael Reagan, Gordon Liddy, etc). A business plan to purchase radio time on an available cross-Oklahoma station can be prepared by industry professionals for $3000 ($1,900 of that has already been contributed) Experienced planners suggest that pledges could support several hours every evening of talk and dialogue ("Radio Free Oklahoma" is suggested theme) and that, if this is successful in attracting pledges, advertisers, and sponsors, the purchase of a radio station to become "People's Radio" is possible. Meetings to discuss this have taken place in several cities, and interest is growing. Jack Bowen and passionate organizer Bob Nichols have deep personal integrity, and a vision of justice and sustainability for our society. Checks to express support for the launch of "Radio Free Oklahoma" (at least to get this business plan funded, and to start a subscribers' data-base) should be made out and sent to: "RadioTV Working Group" "RadioTV Working Group" % Bob Nichols, 2613 NW 114th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73120-6604. Bob Nichols writes: "We got a big boost this afternoon in Tulsa. Mr. Doug Dodd is now the attorney for the Working Group. There are very few actual media lawyers in Oklahoma Doug is one them and, of course, the best. This listserv is for announcements and discussion by Green Party members in Oklahoma. For more info about Green Parties of Oklahoma, see http://www.greens.org/oklahoma/home.html http://groups.yahoo.com/group/okgreens (via gh, DXLD) ** PARAGUAY. After several months of trying, I'm finally hearing something on 7737.13 kHz. Amazing that I haven't heard anything before since I'm in Curitiba, Brazil, which is relatively close to Paraguay. 7737.13 (presumed) Radio América, Paraguay, 0130-0145, December 8. Choral music, regularly interrupted by a male announcer, weak signal and very heavy noise level, SIO 122 (Rik van Riel, radioescutas via DXLD) ** PARAGUAY. Hi Mr. Hauser, My name is Ernesto N. Hernández, I am a regular reader of your DX Listening Digest, which I find always useful and is my main source of information for DXing. This is just for let you know that I am hearing right now (0825 UT) Radio Nacional del Paraguay with South American style music. I heard a positive ID at 0820. I am using an old Radio Shack DX-350 analog radio, so I assume it is on 9735 kHz, at least it is around it, and that is the frequency announced on the air. I am located on Mexico City. Greetings and thanks for your hard work (Ernesto Hernández, Dec 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Con motivo de la celebración de la fiesta más importante de la comunidad católica paraguaya, hoy Radio Nacional del Paraguay estará todo el día en el aire en su frecuencia de onda corta de 9737.35v, emitiendo desde Caacupe. Yo la reporté desde su apertura de transmisiones a las 0900 UT con muy buena señal. 55's (Arnaldo Slaen, Dec 8, Conexión Digital via DXLD) 9737.35, Radio Nacional del Paraguay, Asunción, 2303-2340, December 7. Special transmission for the peregrination to Caacupe. Messages to the travellers: "no coman alimentos que se venden en el camino, a la vera de la ruta. Es un consejo muy importante para la gente que va a Caacupe". Message from Conatel (Telecommunications National Council) about the local illegal FM stations. Folk music. Catholic message. ID and ann.: "Está usted en la caminata de nuestro pueblo, allá, por los senderos de Caacupe... desde Radio Nacional del Paraguay, acompáñenos paso a paso en esta marcha de la esperanza....". 34443 (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentine, hard-core-dx via DXLD) 9737.35, Radio Nacional del Paraguay, Asuncion, 0900-, December 8. S/on. National Anthem. Message of Pope: "Compartiremos la oración del Padrenuestro con su Santidad, el Papa Juan Pablo II". Catholic meditation. Special transmission from Caacupe city for all day!. ID and announcement: "Nacional del Paraguay en el aire... Estamos junto a los compañeros instalados en el Km. 54 para la Santa Misa. Buenos Dias Paraguay...". 44444 (Arnaldo Slaen, Argentine, ibid.) ** PHILIPPINES. Radio Veritas Asia, will reduce their budget by 10% in the year 2003. Source: RVA Bengali dx programme "Ajker Ganamadhyam", 9/Dec/2002 (Swopan Chakroborty, Kolkata, India, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** POLAND. RIGHT-WING LAWMAKERS ATTACK DOCUMENTARY ABOUT CATHOLIC BROADCASTER... Thirty-four lawmakers from the right-wing League of Polish Families, Movement for the Reconstruction of Poland, and the Catholic-National Circle have protested the airing of a documentary, "Father Rydzyk's Empire," about the Catholic radio station Radio Maryja and its head, Father Tadeusz Rydzyk, by state-owned Polish Television on 25 November, PAP reported on 26 November. The documentary alleged that Father Rydzyk was involved in major tax evasion while setting up and running Radio Maryja. The protest slams the television station, saying the documentary was an action to besmirch "the good name" of Radio Maryja and its director. Radio Maryja is an influential, radical Catholic media outlet claiming a regular daily listenership of 1.4 million and a weekly audience of 5.9 million. The station is known for spreading strongly worded anti-EU and xenophobic messages. Cardinal Jozef Glemp, the head of the Roman Catholic Church in Poland, has sought to diminish the clout of Radio Maryja among believers by banning the operation of its bureaus at parishes in Warsaw Diocese. ("RFE/RL Newsline," 27 November) ...AS TAX INSPECTORS TO PROBE RADIO'S FINANCES... Polish tax authorities said last week that they will investigate the finances of Radio Maryja following accusations of unlawful financial activity, Reuters reported on 28 November. "Our job is to find out whether laws are being broken and by whom and to stop it," Deputy Finance Minister Wieslaw Ciesielski told journalists. Poland's chief prosecutor Karol Napierski said Radio Maryja avoided paying import taxes on cars by saying they were donations, failed to obtain a permit to remove large amounts of currency from the country for foreign equipment purchases, and made large public collections for nonreligious purposes, AP reported. Father Rydzyk has refused to comment on the allegations of financial misdemeanors, saying only that he will pray for his accusers. ("RFE/RL Newsline," 2 December) ...AND BROADCASTING AUTHORITY TO SCRUTINIZE STATION. The National Radio and Television Broadcasting Council (KRRiT) on 3 December decided that it will monitor the programming of Radio Maryja and re- examine the station's financial reports for last year, PAP reported. The KRRiT will also analyze the documentary about the radio aired by Polish television containing allegations of financial misdealings. The KRRiT said it was prompted to adopt a stance toward the station and the documentary by a request from state officials, including President Aleksander Kwasniewski and Deputy Finance Minister Waclaw Ciesielski. ("RFE/RL Newsline," 5 December, all via RFE/RL Media Matters Dec 6 via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. Russian public television is launching Russian-language broadcasts beyond the Russian border. The deputy chairman of the All- Russian Public TV and Radio Company Aleksei Malinin said, in a Via-A- Vis With The World broadcast of the Voice of Russia that people of practically all countries of Europe, North Africa and Israel could be able to watch Russian-language features of the New TV channel. People in the United States will start watching Russian-language broadcasts of Russia's public television in January. Negotiations are held with Australia, and Latin America (Voice of Russia News, 12/06/02, from VoR.ru via Sergei Sosedkin, DXLD) ** RUSSIA. Regional broadcasting. New frequency from 27 November 2002: New / Old / kW / UTC / Transmitter 6030 / 5290 / 5 / 0100-1600 / Perm 6085 / 5290 / 50 / 2200-1800 / Krasnoyarsk 6150 / 4825 / 50 / 2000-1600 / Yakutsk Kamchatskaya oblast. GTRK "Kamchatka". Programme "Kamchatka rybatskaya" (for fishermen). 0000-0100 Sun. Tx. Elizovo Winter / Summer / kW / Azimut 5910 / 5910 / 100 / 263 7360 / 7365 / 100 / 244 11975 / 11980 / 200 / 064 (Nikolai Rudnev, Belgorodskaya obl., RUS-DX Dec 8 via DXLD) ** RUSSIA [and non]. I have checked this (6235) at 1920 UT on Sunday 8th December 2002, although reception is poor it seems to be in parallel with 5950 English. I will check again, on a weekday in case this is Sat/Sun Only, however I believe it is 1900-2200, UT rather than 2100-2200, as in dxld 2192, however. I am interested to hear that the Transmitter Site is St. Petersburg. I also noticed yesterday that 1.323 MHz (Germany), which comes in here at this time of year, apparently changed its beam at 1600 UT after English for German. Most Russian Transmitters take at least 30 Minutes to switch over, but this is 1 Minute one. Interesting? (Ken Fletcher, 1931 UT 8th December 2002, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Just Listening to News in ENGLISH from St. Petersburg on 6235 at 1905 UT. I have monitored the last hour (1800-1900) in GERMAN. This seems to me to confirm that the Schedule is:-. 1800-1900 German and 1900- 2200 English as Glenn ORIGINALLY stated in DXLD, 7 Days a Week. It`s probably going to be Late January or Early February before I can confirm a 2200 Close Down, due to on-going patchy Propagation Conditions. May I 'Ask Again'(?!) if anybody knows if this transmission is reaching USA?. Thank You (Ken Fletcher, UK, 1910 UT 9th December 2002, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SAUDI ARABIA [non]. Dec. 8. Al-Islah on 7590 from 1900 UT. ID and bit of a chaotic start to the program (tape not edited?). Speech mentioning Al-Qaeda (Silvain Domen, Belgium, DX LISTENING DIGEST) SAUDI OPPOSITION STATION ON SHORTWAVE Article below from http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=3559 9 Dec. I presume the shortwave broadcast referred to on "39.35 metres between 1900 and 2100 GMT" is the station mentioned in Glenn Hauser's DXLD 2-191 under Saudi Arabia (non) - R Al-Islah on 7590 kHz? Although "39.35 metres" is about 7625 kHz (Alan Pennington) SAUDI OPPOSITION LAUNCHES RADIO STATION TO KINGDOM Emigré opposition inaugurates its first radio broadcasts to kingdom to allow Saudis to express themselves freely. DUBAI - Saudi Arabia's banned emigré opposition inaugurated its first radio broadcasts to the kingdom late Saturday from an unspecified "European country". Listeners across the Arabian peninsula can tune into the Arabic- language "Voice of Reform" station launched by the London-based Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia (MIRA) on the 11.096 MHz frequency on the Hotbird satellite. The satellite channel will be operated 24 hours a day and will be supplemented by daily short-wave broadcasts on 39.35 metres between 1900 and 2100 GMT, MIRA spokesman Saad al-Faqih said. Programming would include "live phone-ins with the movement's spokesman and other personalities, particularly Saudi ones, as well as news and cultural broadcasts," said Faqih. "It's the first time that the opposition has been able to speak directly to the Sa`udi people." "The last Sa`udi opposition radio dates back to the 1960s when a programme run by Arab nationalist Dhahayan al-Dhahayan ... was broadcast from Egypt in the days of president Gamal Abdel Nasser." Faqih said he was unsure how Washington would react to the new station, given its unhappiness with Riyadh's efforts to clamp down on terror financing since the September 11, 2001 attacks. "Perhaps Washington will appreciate it given the Saudi authorities' hesitancy about fully cooperating in providing the United States with information about the activities of Islamist groups in the region," he said. "Or maybe they'll be apprehensive about broadcasts which carry the hallmarks of the Islamic opposition." "But it's the Saudi government which will be really uncomfortable about programmes which allow Saudis to express themselves freely and without comeback by taking advantage of new technologies such as the Internet." MIRA was formed in 1996 after a split in the Committee for the Defence of Legitimate Rights established by dissident Muslim clerics three years earlier who accused the Saudi regime of corruption and authoritarianism. The CDLR was immediately banned in the kingdom and its leader Mohammed al-Masari fled first to Yemen and then London. The Saudi authorities have long made strenuous efforts to stop the two opposition groups getting their message across inside the kingdom, putting strong pressure on broadcasters around the region not to give them a platform (via Alan Pennington, UK, DXLD) OPPOSITION MOVEMENT LAUNCHES SAWT AL-ISLAH RADIO Qatar-based Al-Jazeera Television carried the following report in its evening news bulletins on 8 December: "Sawt al-Islah [Voice of Reform] Radio, the mouthpiece of the Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia [MIRA], began its round-the-clock Arabic transmission from an unidentified place in Europe on the HotBird Satellite." Citing Sa'd al-Faqih, spokesman for the London-based Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia, Al-Jazeera says "that the radio transmits its programmes for two hours daily on a shortwave," adding that "the station can be heard in Europe, the Arabian Peninsula, northern Africa and most countries in the Middle East." The MIRA web site at http://www.miraserve.com reports that the station was launched at 1900 gmt on 7 December. It also provides the following information on the station: Name: Al-Islah Satellite: HotBird 6 at 13 degrees East Transponder: 129 Frequency: 11096 MHz Polarization: horizontal Symbol Rate: 27500 Forward Error Correction (FEC): 3/4 Audio Programme Identification (PID): 74 The MIRA web site also states that the radio station can also be heard between 1900-2100 gmt on the shortwave frequency of 7590 kHz. Source: Al-Jazeera Television, Doha, in Arabic 8 Dec 02; BBC Monitoring research 8 Dec 02 (via DXLD) SAUDI ARABIA: VOICE OF REFORM LAUNCHES By Nick Grace, CRW Washington [Dec 9] Saudi Arabia returned to the target list of clandestine broadcasting on Saturday, according to BBC Monitoring, by a London- based Islamist opposition group called the Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia (MIRA). The station identifies as Sawt al-Islah and broadcasts on satellite with a simulcast on 7590 kHz between 1900 and 2100 GMT. Headed by Dr. Saad al-Faqih, MIRA seeks to promote pro-democratic reforms and freedom of speech in Saudi Arabia. It broke off with another Saudi opposition organization, the Committee for the Defense of Legitimate Rights, in the late 1990's when al-Faqih sought to keep his group's focus on Saudi Arabia and not to promote the burgeoning pan-Islam movement, which is extremely popular among the Saudi populace. MIRA is well known for taking advantage of modern technology to get its message out, including anonymous faxes, Web sites that frequently change addresses to keep one step ahead of Saudi censors, and now a radio program. Al-Faqih speaks frequently to the Western press about the Middle East, bin Laden and the War on Terrorism. Sawt al-Islah (Voice of Reform) MIRA, BM Box: MIRA, London WC1N 3XX, UK http://www.miraserve.com *1900-2100* 7590 kHz (Clandestine Radio Watch Dec 9 via DXLD) ** SRI LANKA. Seguidamente, una información que tiene que ver con el acuerdo alcanzado entre el Gobierno de Sri Lanka y la guerrilla de los Tigres Tamiles, acuerdo que en consecuencia, llevaría al fin de las operaciones clandestinas de la emisora LA VOZ DE LOS TIGRES (ver Conexion 140, pagina nr. 20) y el próximo Conexion 141. 73's GIB (Gabriel Iván Barrera, Dec 6, Conexión Digital via DXLD) SRI LANKA 19 AÑOS DE GUERRA CIVIL --- Acuerdo histórico del Gobierno y los rebeldes tamiles para un modelo federal en Sri Lanka. OSLO.- El Gobierno de Sri Lanka y la guerrilla rebelde de los Tigres de Liberacion de Tamil Eelam (LTTE) han alcanzado un acuerdo para establecer un modelo federal, que pondria fin a 19 años de guerra civil en el pais. El acuerdo fue alcanzado en Oslo, donde el pasado lunes se inicio una nueva ronda en las negociaciones de paz entre ambas partes, bajos los auspicios del Gobierno noruego. Representantes de ambas partes coincidieron en calificar de historico el acuerdo, que abrira las puertas a una solucion pacifica al conflicto entre el Gobierno y la guerrilla tamil (Fuente: Agencia EFE, 6/12 via GIB, Conexión Digital via DXLD) NEW VOICE OF TIGERS WITH SRILANKAN GOVT. APPROVAL The Srilankan government last month granted approval to the LTTE to clear six tons of equipment to set up a modern Voice of Tigers (VoT) radio broadcasting station. Representatives of the LTTE cleared the container load of cargo from the Colombo Port on November 26 on their leader Velupillai Prabhakaran's birthday. The next day, an armed Police team led by an inspector escorted the sealed container load from Colombo to Omanthai. Army personnel at the check-point had wanted to examine the container when the inspector had objected. He had produced a letter from Defence Secretary Austin Fernando. Thereafter the trailer carrying the container was permitted to cross over to LTTE held Omanthai entry point to Wanni [Tamil Eelam region] at 11.30 pm on November 27 - Maveerar's Day commemorated by the organisation and Tamil peoples. The Sunday Times learns that the equipment arrived in Colombo consigned to the Norwegian Embassy, which in turn, had gifted it to the LTTE. Thereafter, the government had granted clearance with a duty waiver. The Norwegian Embassy avoided repeated calls from The Sunday Times while the Sri Lanka Customs declined to comment. According to highly placed Customs sources, a team of Security Forces communications experts, backed by representatives from the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation had studied the technical specifications. They were of the view that the equipment would enable the LTTE to only broadcast on the FM frequency to a limited area though other technical sources told The Sunday Times their transmissions could be heavily enhanced through boosters to reach areas outside Sri Lanka. A high ranking government official had asked Customs to allow security authorities to examine the equipment at the Colombo port and seal it before it was transported to the Wanni. These sources told The Sunday Times the cleared equipment included FM transmitter, backup transmitter, MPX Clipper Generator, FM Antennas, headphone, patch panel, loudspeaker, microphone, microphone holder, MD recorder, CD player, cables, antenna cables and RDS audio. The LTTE had originally planned to clear the equipment early to enable their leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, to make his annual "Maveerar Week" (Heroes Week) address through the new Voice of Tigers radio station. However, procedural formalities had entailed delays. In a separate report, our Trincomalee Correspondent Sinniah Gurunathan states the LTTE is making preparations to expand the reach of the Voice of Tigers radio to Southern India and Singapore. He quoted LTTE's Arts and Cultural Section head, Puthuvai Ratnathurai, as saying that VoT expansion plans for this purpose were ready. The new VoT broadcasting station is to be located in the Wanni. According to Ratnathurai, its programmes are to reach out to entire Sri Lanka. (source- Sunday Times 8-12-2002 via D. Prabakaran, Tamilnadu, DXLD) (Also very similar story in Gulf News Dec 8 via Artie Bigley, DXLD) (Also a very similar story, which adds:) The VoT had already started a Sinhala Language Service a couple of years ago from the Wanni targeting the government soldiers manned on the Forward Defence Lines (FDLs). They were also reportedly making preparations to expand the reach of the Voice of Tigers Radio to Southern India and Singapore (Deepikaglobal.com via Artie Bigley, DXLD) And more background: LANKA ALLOWS LTTE TO UPGRADE RADIO BROADCASTS http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?artid=30651266 (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) INDIA'S REACTION ON FRESH CONSIGNMENT OF RADIO TRANSMITTING EQUIPMENT FROM NORWAY TO TAMIL MILITANTS Asked about the reports that the liberation tigers of Tamil Eelam had acquired a fresh consignment of radio broadcasting equipment from Norway, Mr. Kanwal Sibal, foreign secretary of Indian government said that 'jury is out' on whether it was an FM, with short range capability, or a longer range shortwave, capable transmitting into South Asia. If it was of longer range '' we will evaluate it differently'' he said (source - THE HINDU - daily newspaper-9-12-2002 via D. Prabakaran, Tamilnadu, DXLD) Tamil tigers has not shown any reaction on these news. However, there may be widespread expectations among media that Indian government will not be serious on LTTE'S intention to extend their shortwave radio coverage beyond Srilanka, since the Tigers had already used shortwave facilities for South Asian coverage so many years (up to 2000y). Also the Indian coalition government was supported by some pro-LTTE parties like Samata Party (its leader - George Fernandes, Defence Minister], MDMK, DMK, PMK etc. (D. Prabakaran, Tamilnadu, India, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SRI LANKA. Strong spurious of All Asia Service of Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corp. noted on 7020 now at 1000 UT Sunday. The original frequency of 7115 is also heard but at weaker level. On 9th Nov. 2002, they were noted on 7049. The sked is: 0020-0400, 0800-1530 Indian languages (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS, Hyderabad, Dec 8, dx_india via DXLD) ** SUDAN [non]. CLANDESTINE from UK to SUDAN, 21550, Sowt Al-Qarn untraced on Friday at 1400 and same again today [Monday]. Not even a carrier, was pretty easy just a few weeks ago. Gone? Next time they are scheduled to be on is Friday, any help from Europe would be appreciated (Hans Johnson, Rio Hondo TX, Dec 6-9, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** SWITZERLAND [non]. I'm getting a kick of out listening to 20 year old broadcasts of "The Two Bobs" of Swiss Radio International over IRRS. They're putting in a strong signal this evening, since 0207 UTC, on 6280 kHz, here in Central NJ. This appears to be an unscheduled broadcast, at least as far as I can tell by looking at their website http://www.nexus.org/NEXUS-IBA/Schedules/ (Dan Srebnick http://swradio.us UT Dec 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. BBC R7 starts Sun. Dec 15th, with their on-air launch party that day 8-10 PM (I guess UT 2000-2200), featuring Hancock's Happy Christmas, Dr. Who and I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue. May be included in MR, if you wish. 73, (Ivan Grishin, Ont., Dec 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. MANY VOICES, ONE WORLD BBC World Service was launched 70 years ago to become one of the best respected of all international broadcasters. David Stead looks back at its beginnings and forward to the special programmes to mark the anniversary. 9.30 am on Saturday 19th December, 1932 – with scant financial backing, a skeleton staff and barely a handful of gramophone records to play – Lord Reith launched the BBC Empire Service, the forerunner of what we know today as the World Service. It had taken years of wrangling to reach this point, but Reith`s opening speech, broadcast on air, was a confident assertion of the huge possibilities of international radio. ``Radio``, he said, would become ``a connecting and co-ordinating link between the scattered parts of the British Empire. ``The service as a whole is dedicated to the best interests of mankind.`` Only later did he confide to his diary that after delivering this statement live to five different parts of the world, he was heartily sick of his own words. ``I was very bored with it,`` he noted at the time. Yet in many ways it is Lord Reith`s description of the aims for the service that we are celebrating 70 years later – namely the ability to connect listeners around the globe, and make a difference to people`s lives. The starting point for our anniversary is the World Service Global Party. Anchored by John Peel in London, this live concert transmitted simultaneously from Dakar, Mexico City, Kabul and Mumbai will bring together some of world music`s greatest stars – Youssou N`Dour, Trilok Gurtu, Los de Abajo, Baaba Maal and the young British musical sensation Ms Dynamite. Four days later we will be on top of Table Mountain overlooking Cape Town to re-create one of the most historic moments in World Service history. In 1933, just a year after the start of the Empire Service, one of the first ever re-broadcasts from the dominions back to London came from the top of the mountain courtesy of the Africa Broadcasting Company. It was transmitted by Post Office beam telephone and recorded in London before being distributed to Canada and other parts of the Empire. So on Thursday, 19 December, we will be remembering that moment, and – perhaps more importantly – showing how far we have come, creatively and technically since then. Presenters Ben Malor and Heather Payton will be hosting a day of live broadcasts from the top of the mountain, using the latest in satellite technology to ``take the pulse of the world``, celebrating the diversity both of our listeners, and of the World Service itself. From the time the sun rises above the Indian Ocean until it sets over the Atlantic, they will be linking up with our main re-broadcasting partners around the world, taking listeners` emails and interviewing guests brave enough to make the journey by cable car. The anniversary will also be marked by special news, sport, arts and science programmes – all reflecting a sense of the past, but very much balanced by the challenges the World Service – and the World itself – faces in the next 70 years. PROGRAMMES AND TIMES (GMT; all dates December) || TALKING POINT SPECIAL – Tony Blair answers your questions 38 mins | Tuesday 3rd/Wednesday 4th You can put your question on international affairs – from the situation in the Middle East to European Union enlargement or famine in South Africa – to the British Prime Minister Tony Blair in this very special World Service 70th Anniversary edition of Talking Point. Ask your question by going to the web site http://www.bbcnews.com (click on `Talking Point`), or email talkingpoint@bbc.co.uk right up to the end of the live webcast. You can also telephone +44 20 8749 5353 in advance (leaving a phone number where you can be contacted). || Live webcast on Talking Point web site: Tuesday 3rd 1630. || On BBC WS: West Africa | Tue 2206 rpt Wed 0006, 0806; Europe | Tue 1906 rpt Wed 0006, 0806; East and South Africa | Wed 0006 rpt 0606; Middle East | Tue 1906 rpt Wed 0006, 0706; South Asia | Tue 1906 rpt 2106, Wed 0406, 0806; East Asia | Tue 1906 rpt Wed 0106, 0806; Americas | Tue 1906 rpt Wed 0006, 0806 || THE BBC WORLD SERVICE 70th BIRTHDAY LECTURE 55 mins | Wednesday 11th The World Service 70th Birthday Lecture will be given by UN Secretary- General Kofi Annan on 10th December at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, in front of an invited audience. It will be broadcast on the World Service on Wednesday 11th. The 20-minute lecture will be followed by a Question and Answer session hosted by Robin Lustig. More details will appear on the Talking Point website (see above). || West Africa | Wed 2206, rpt Thu 0006, 0806; Europe | Wed 1306 rpt 1806, Thu 0006, 0806; East and South Africa | Wed 1206 rpt Thu 0006, 0606; Middle East | Wed 1606 rpt Thu 0006, 0706; South Asia | Wed 1206 rpt 2106, Thu 0406, 0806; East Asia | Wed 1206 rpt 1806, Thu 0106, 0806; Americas | Wed 1306 rpt 1906, Thu 0006, 0806 || WORLD SERVICE GLOBAL PARTY 180 mins | Sunday 15th Hosted by John Peel and Emma B in London, the World Service Global Party is a live broadcast from five concerts in cities around the world – Dakar, Kabul, London, Mexico City and Mumbai – with an all- star line up. The show opens in London with Youssou N`Dour, then travels to the other parties where acts will include Baaba Maal in Dakar, Trilok Gurtu and Ranjit Barot in Mumbai and Los de Abajo in Mexico, as well as many other big-name performers. Britain`s fastest rising star, Ms Dynamite, will be closing the show back in London. || All regions | Sun 15: 1702-2000 GMT || LIVE FROM TABLE MOUNTAIN 14 hours | Thursday 19th In one of the most ambitious and technically challenging outside broadcasts ever attempted by the World Service, we`ll be marking our birthday with a 14-hour special programme from the top of Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa. The broadcast recreates an event in 1933 when one of the first ever re-broadcasts from the `dominions` back to the Empire Service in London was from the top of the same mountain. Presenters Ben Malor and Heather Payton will be on air as the sun rises over the Indian Ocean and continue sharing the day with audiences across the world until the sun sets over the Atlantic. Taking the pulse of the world, they`ll be interviewing star guests and hearing from listeners. As part of the celebrations a Talking Point Special will give you a chance to question, live on air, the Director of the World Service, Mark Byford (see Talking Point Special above for contact details). The day will also include `A Day In The Life Of The World`, short segments which highlight the work of people who are in some way connected with the BBC, from the engineer who looks after the Ascension Island transmitter to one of the stars of World Service soap opera, Westway. || All regions | Thu 19: 0400-1800 GMT || PLAY OF THE WEEK SPECIAL 60 mins | Sunday 15th A drama showcase, recorded in front of an invited audience at the Café Royal in London, which highlights some of the seminal moments of world drama over 70 years. Star guests, including Patricia Routledge and Saeed Jaffrey, recreate scenes from past World Service drama productions, and poet Lemn Sissay will read a specially commissioned poem. Gary Yershon, whose compositions are frequently heard on the World Service, will be providing the music. || West Africa | Sun 0001 rpt 1501; Europe | Sun 0001 rpt 1601, 1801; East and South Africa | Sun 0001 rpt 1001; Middle East | Sun 0001 rpt 1501, 1801; South Asia | Sun 1501; East Asia | Sun 1130 rpt 1801; Americas | Sun 0001 rpt 1601, Mon 0630 || LISTENERS` TALES 5 mins | Thursday 12th - Saturday 20th Five-minute stories which will be broadcast across the schedule throughout the anniversary. Celebrities and other listeners talk about how the World Service has affected their lives. Former hostage Terry Waite, recalls how he was able to listen to the Service while incarcerated in a Beirut prison, and a Sri Lankan listener tells how he almost electrocuted himself mending his aerial so he wouldn`t miss `Sports International`. || All regions | Daily || THIS IS LONDON 15 mins | Monday 16th - Friday 20th Key turning points during 70 years of BBC World Service, including the launch of the Arabic Service and the BBC`s role during the Cold War. `This Is London` will also highlight the impact of changes in the technology of conflict reporting, from the Korean War to the ``war against terror``. || All regions | Daily Mon 16-Fri 20: in place of Analysis, Off The Shelf and the 15-minute editions of From Our Own Correspondent (see main Networks for times) || THE WORLD`S TOP TEN 55 mins | Saturday 21st Steve Wright presents the results of a mega global music poll which will identify the world`s favourite talent – local as well as international. BBC World Service has been asking its 150 million listeners from Azerbaijan to Zimbabwe to vote for their all-time favourite songs, creating the ultimate World`s Top Ten. There`s still time cast your vote, online at http://www.bbcworldservice.com/70 or by post to: PO Box 36835, London WC2B 4WZ (closing date 12th December). || West Africa | Sun 0806 rpt 2106, Mon 0206; Europe | Sat 1306 rpt Mon 0206; East and South Africa | Sun 0706 rpt 1906, Mon 0206; Middle East | Sat 1206 rpt Mon 0206; South Asia | Fri 2206 rpt Sat 0506, Sun 1206; East Asia | Sat 0306; Americas | Sun 0506 rpt Mon 0206 || PICK OF THE WORLD SERVICE 60 mins | 14th; 30 mins | 21st Every week Daire Brehan and the team make their selection of some of the best BBC World Service programmes. But this month they`ll be highlighting not just the regular programmes, but also some of the most memorable programmes from the past 70 years! They`ll delve into history for some of the great World Service moments in drama, sport and music – from broadcasts in English and other World Service languages. [14th]. || West Africa | Sat 2206 rpt Sun 1006; Europe | Sat 2306 rpt Sun 0506, 1306; East and South Africa | Sun 1506; Middle East | Sat 2306 rpt Sun 0806, 2006; South Asia | Sat 0806 rpt 2106; East Asia | Sat 1206 rpt 2306, Sun 0806; Americas | Sat 2006 rpt 2306, Sun 0806 And on the 21st there will be a selection of the best of the anniversary week of special 70th Birthday programmes. || West Africa | Sat 2230 rpt Sun 1030; Europe | Sat 2330 rpt Sun 0530, 1330; East and South Africa | Sun 1530; Middle East | Sat 2330 rpt Sun 0830, 2030; South Asia | Sat 0830 rpt 2130; East Asia | Sat 1230 rpt 2306, Sun 0830; Americas | Sat 2030 rpt 2330, Sun 0830 || NEWSHOUR 120 mins | Monday 16th - Friday 20th During the special week of celebratory broadcasting Newshour will be extended to a two-hour programme including a daily in-depth interview with a key international geopolitical or cultural figure. || All regions | Mon-Fri 1200-1400 GMT || FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT 30 mins | Saturday 14th From Our Own Correspondent re-visits five BBC correspondents` reports on major world events. Kate Adie, Brian Barron, Mark Tully, Mike Wooldridge and Mark Brayne reflect on some their past dispatches, encompassing events from the fall of Saigon to the release of Nelson Mandela. With the benefit of hindsight, did they get their analysis right? Was there something they missed or now wish they`d said differently at the time? || West Africa | Sat 2106 rpt Sun 0230, 1630; Europe | Sun 0230 rpt 1506, 2006; East and South Africa | Sat 2230 rpt Sun 0230, 0806; Middle East | Sat 2006 rpt 2230, Sun 0230, 0806; South Asia | Sat 1806 rpt Sun 0230, 0806; East Asia | Sat 1806 rpt 2230, Sun 0230, 0806, 1506; Americas | Sat 2230 rpt Sun 0806, 1506 ********************************************************************** YOUR CHANCE TO WIN! This month BBC On Air is giving away five special 70th Birthday giftpacks containing a T-shirt, pen and illustrated souvenir brochure looking back at seven decades of broadcasting. For your chance to win email on.air.magazine@bbc.co.uk with `December Network - Birthday Giftpack` in the subject heading. Entries should be received by the end of December. ********************************************************************** Copyright BBC On Air Magazine 2002 (BBCWS Audience Relations via Richard Cuff, DXLD) ** U K [and non]. From an interesting site run by Roger Parsons at http://anotherviewengland.tripod.com THE ULTIMATE IRONY ? Way back in the 1960's Britain was surrounded by Pirate Ships - Pirate Radio Stations that is, at a time when this mode of radio was, whilst not exactly 'playing the game' with the British Government and other neighbouring governments, considered far more acceptable than the land-based totally unlicensed therefore totally illegal as far as H.M. Government are concerned, 'pirates' of today . The vile Marine Offences Act brought in more out of ignorance than reason in 1967 scuppered all but the brave crew of M.V.Caroline , and as we all know DJs Johnny Walker and 'The Admiral' Robbie Dale played on past the midnight of the 14th August when the Bill became law which made it impossible to service the ships from the U.K. and therefor, even though at a high cost it was 'possible' to carry on , such stations as Radio London off Frinton-on-sea, Radio Scotland off Fife Ness and Radio 270 off Bridlington, Yorkshire closed down for ever on the 14th August 1967 a day that will bear witness to the lack of understanding , which continues, between the people of the United Kingdom and those who seek to govern it. The resultant 'dummy' pirate station set up reluctantly by the BBC - with the remarkably inaccurate (and rather unimaginative) name of Radio 1 only managed to get an audience by grabbing such well known and popular star DJ's as Tony Blackburn and Dave Lee Travis - both had worked on Radio Caroline , the only pirate still retaining a massive audience in the remaining months on 1967. 'Caroline never lost its audience whilst the station was on the air and has continued to this day in various forms but regrettably only heard in a fraction of the reception area it enjoyed (and we enjoyed) on 259 Metres Medium Wave in the 60's. However, of late it has been receivable, albeit with satellite radio receivers, throughout most of the British Isles. Regrettably, now it seems the signal has been 'scrambled' and a subscription charge is payable to listen to Radio Caroline which seems the ultimate irony as the main theme of the radio pirates in the '60s was whilst in the U.K. a radio license, 50% of the price of which went straight to the BBC, was £1and 5 shillings (£.1.25) at a time when a VERY good wage was £25 to 30 a week - they, the commercial offshore radio stations were FREE to the listener. However, had the then Labour government with little or no protest from the Conservative official opposition and the Liberal Party members of parliament, really considered how little it would have cost and how much happiness it would have given to the many , many listeners if they, the Government, actually instead of making Radio Caroline, Radio London, Radio Scotland, etc., illegal and destroying the pleasure of millions, had invited the various organisations to build studios and erect masts on land as fully licensed stations, as any reasonable democracy would have done; we in Britain would not have the boring mess of broadcasters , all doing the same with only token localisation we have today. (End of Sermon) (via Mike Terry, DXLD) "RADIO FREE CAROLINE TO COMMENCE LATE NIGHT AM TESTS NEXT MONTH" (Well of course I don't know exactly how much truth there is in this Caroline Community Website story concerning a Radio Free Caroline project, but some other news stories on this website have certainly come to fruition. Also don't forget Radio Caroline is already licensed in Luxembourg. - Mike Terry) From http://www.carolinecentral.com/news/47.html The latest version of Caroline, Radio Free Caroline, has declared an intention to commence late night AM test broadcasts during the early part of 2003. The transmissions are intended to cover Europe in a similar way to the original offshore version of Caroline. Apparently born of disgruntled volunteer workers involved in the Maidstone, Kent (UK) version of Caroline, a Radio Free Caroline spokeswoman stated, "In its hey day Radio Caroline represented Freedom. Unfortunately under the 'care' of Peter Moore the present day Radio Caroline represents everything but Freedom. Presenters and all volunteers have been told to effectively 'be quiet and do as they are told' or be expelled from the landbased operation." Radio Free Caroline claim to be founded by some of those staff that have now been forced out of Moore's operation after its relocation to temporary studios in London. Their spokeswoman added, "We do not want to cause problems or upset to those remaining with the landbased operation, however we say enough is enough. We cannot sit back and allow the present dictatorship continue without an organised opposition." With a warning to be taken seriously, she concluded, "We want to state very clearly ' We shall NOT be silenced' by Peter Moore and his cronies. We are planning the re-launch of Caroline in a totally free environment, free from the restrictions and control of the Archway Impostors." Radio Free Caroline suggest they should appear on Medium Wave with test programming in January. Caroline Central Newsdesk newsdesk@carolinecentral.com Saturday, 7 December 2002 10:24 (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** U K. LONDON'S LBC TO CLOSE FOR THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS Britain's oldest commercial radio station, LBC, is to go off the air on Christmas Eve and will not return until 6 January 2003. This unprecedented move, which required prior permission from the Radio Authority, is all part of a plan by the station's new owners, Chrysalis, to relaunch the talk station on the FM band, swapping dial positions with its sister station News Direct that will be re-named LBC News. During the 12 day break, the news service will be simulcast on 1152 kHz and 97.3 MHz, while a new team of broadcasters hired for the revamped LBC will be conducting off-air 'rehearsals', a procedure known in the broadcasting business as 'dry running.' The temporary absence of LBC, which has an audience of just under half a million that the new owners hope to double within three years, is a potential bonus for the BBC's troubled FM service BBC LDN 94.9. The BBC station, which has seen its own audience slump to below 300,000, is the only other one specifically serving London that has a high proportion of speech programming (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 6 December 2002 via DXLD) ** U S A. 7355, W R N O Radio, 0130-0249, heard on UT Monday Dec 9, from tune-in at 0130 until they finally gave a full station identification at 0249 UT. Programming consisted of a minister speaking in English about a coming economic collapse and steps to be taken to avoid total loss of assets. I thought I had read that WRNO was 'gone' - but not so. SINPO for the entire period in my location was 34443. Programming modulation varied a bit, but generally on the low side. The last time I heard them a long time ago was also in the early UT hours of a Monday, which equates to Sunday evening in North America local time (Bill Matthews, Ohio, USA, EDXP via DXLD) ** U S A. NATIONAL LAWYERS GUILD FILES INFORMAL PETITIONS AGAINST 18 CATHOLIC LPFM APPLICATIONS Washington, Dec 2 (CRU)— The National Lawyers Guild, a New York City- based group of activist attorneys, has filed informal petitions to deny against some 40 LPFM applications today, 18 of which are Catholic. The group filed earlier this year against another cluster of LPFM applications (Catholic Radio Update #173, May 6, 2002). The applications filed against were the following: Clovis Educational Assn., Clovis, NM 105.9 FM Catholic Fellowship Educational Assn., Miles City, MT 100.5 FM Immaculate Heart of Mary Educational Radio Assn., Kearney, NE 104.1 FM San Antonio de Padua Educational Assn., Peñasco, NM 100.9 FM San Francisco de Asis Educational Assn., Ranchos de Taos, NM 102.7 FM San Miguel del Vado, Ribera, NM 98.9 FM St Rose of Lima Educational Assn., Santa Rosa, NM 103.1 FM Padre Pio Educational Assn., Barrigada Guam 99.9 FM St Therese Radio Assn., Clinton, NM 93.7 FM St Patrick Educational Assn., Chama NM 95.1 FM. St Gertrude the Great Educational Assn., Mora, NM 105.5 FM St Alice Educational Assn., Mountainair, NM 101.1 FM St Joseph’s Educational Assn., Springer, NM 99.5 FM. St Anne Educational Assn., Tucumcari, NM 101.1 FM. San Juan Nepomuceno, El Rito, NM 100.7 FM St Therese Educational Radio Assn., Benson, NC 99.7 FM St Therese Radio Assn., Goldsboro, NC 99.9 FM St Therese Radio Assn., Wilson, NC 103.1 FM (Dec 9 Catholic Radio Update, Dec 7 via DXLD) ** U S A. Dear Radio Friend, The latest Shortwave Report (December 6) is up at the website http://www.outfarpress.com/outfarpress/shortwave.shtml in both broadcast quality 13.6 MB) and quickdownload or streaming form (3.4 MB) (29:51). This program will not be aired on Friday evening at KZYX/Z Philo CA due to fundraising. There are several other streams that work better- http://members.cruzio.com/~frsc/ Freak Radio Santa Cruz (96.3 fm) streams this program on Friday at 5:35 pm (PST) and on Monday at 9 am PST. Also check out LavaLamp Radio (Japan)- http://www.rinku.zaq.ne.jp/bkaec205/ streaming the SWR, check out the schedule. [0430, 1230, 2030 UT – daily? Used to run late often] And the Partytown streams are great and informative- http://www.partytown.com/radio I was recently interviewed on a radio program called RISE- the topic was "The End Of The Age Of Oil," talking about living and producing radio off-the-electrical-grid. Kellia Ramares produces the show, which may be found at- http://www.radio4all.net/proginfo.php?id=5835 All that plus times and frequencies for listening at home. I hope you'll listen and air this if you're connected with a radio station. I am still wondering how to get financially compensated for the 25 hours I put into this program weekly- any ideas are appreciated. Any stations rebroadcasting this (or listeners) are welcome to donate for production costs. You can do so through the website. Many thanks to those that have donated! No Guilt! link for broadcast edition- http://www.outfarpress.com/outfarpress/swr_12_6_02.mp3 (13.6 MB) link for smaller file and streaming- http://www.outfarpress.com/outfarpress/shortwave.shtml ¡FurthuR! Dan Roberts [tagline:] --The capacity to combine commitment with skepticism is essential to democracy. - Mary Catherine Bateson (via Rachel Baughn, DXLD) ** U S A. December 8, 2002 Week In Review: I SEEING THE NEWS TODAY, OH BOY --- NYT, By GEOFFREY NUNBERG Every new form of journalism announces itself with a new syntax, which subtly shifts the sense of what news is. Full Story: [registration required] http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/08/weekinreview/08NUMB.html?tntemail0 WHY THE RIGHT RULES THE RADIO WAVES --- NYT, By JOHN LELAND At a time when the public is pretty evenly divided politically, conservative talk radio continues to grow. Full Story: [registration required] http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/08/weekinreview/08LELA.html?tntemail0 (via Deborah Jones, CAJ list via Ricky Leong, DXLD) ** U S A. IN SETTLEMENT WITH KMOX, CHARLES JACO DROPS EFFORT TO KEEP JOB AT STATION -- By DIANE TOROIAN Post-Dispatch 12/07/2002 10:27 PM Radio personality Charles Jaco could return to the local airwaves as soon as Feb. 18 under a settlement reached Friday. Jaco, the cerebral and acerbic talk show host, lost his job at KMOX-AM last month over behavior that the station described as "gross misconduct." Jaco had contested his firing but now has agreed to leave the station. He and KMOX did not reveal financial details. Jaco, 52, earned $122,500 a year at KMOX. On Friday, KMOX released Jaco from a contract provision that would have kept him from working at another radio station for six months. Jaco acknowledges he has been contacted by station KTRS-AM, which is looking to fill an evening time slot. KTRS owner Tim Dorsey "has made some very interesting statements," said Jaco. "I'm sure we'll be talking." As part of the settlement, KMOX agreed to issue a statement that Jaco's behavior at the station was neither immoral nor illegal. Jaco said the term "gross misconduct" had tarnished his reputation. KMOX described the phrase in its statement as "a legal term ... that permits immediate termination of employment." "The use of the term 'gross misconduct' was not intended to convey any belief that Mr. Jaco engaged in conduct that was illegal or immoral," the statement declares. KMOX management never explained why it dismissed Jaco. However, Jaco acknowledges he wrote rude e-mails to some listeners. He also had a confrontation with another KMOX employee in the newsroom. KMOX stood by its decision to fire Jaco. "KMOX-AM has not and will not reinstate Mr. Jaco, as the station and (KMOX owner) Infinity Broadcasting maintain that his dismissal was warranted," the statement says. Jaco said he would like to stay in St. Louis and plans to continue work on a doctoral degree and a book on oil. However, an industry publication, "Inside Radio," has reported that Jaco has a tryout in the works with KIRO-AM in Seattle. http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/News/9F571301FBBF810E86256C88004C6523?OpenDocument&Headline=In+settlement+with+KMOX,+Charles+Jaco+drops+effort+to+keep+job+at+station+ (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** U S A. [editor`s note: a GREAT many further posts on IBOC testing have appeared on the NRC AM list, making it so huge, that we may never get all the way thru it, as happened the last time this subject arose] I believe it [WOR 710 IBOC test] is currently off at night. The tests ran 3 nights from what I can determine and they claim, on the NYC Radio Message Board, that they will release their wealth of findings on the testing. BUT....the IBOC they are running right now, daytime, is much milder than what they were running on at least 2 of the 3 nights. Toronto 740 had a good signal Tuesday AM when WOR was on only analog. It was nearly totally terminated when WOR hit the IBOC mode. Today, I could get on 730 without much of a problem, which was formerly covered during by IBOC during the daytime. What's going on here? See the post I'll be making later (Joe Fela, NJ, Dec 8, amfmtvdx via DXLD) [Later:] The background: on Tuesday morning, I monitored the WOR-710 night time IBOC testing and found IBOC hash stretching from a mix of stations on 680 and extending to 750, getting into WSB's Atlanta signal. (The analog signal didn't affect anything other than 700 and 720 in comparison). I let it go at that, that they had turned-up the IBOC exciter compared to what I have heard during the daytime. Two days later a post on the NYC Radio Message Board from a person in Manhattan complained that WOR's IBOC transmissions had gotten wider, making Long Island on 740 unreadable. The reply to him from Tom Ray, WOR's Corporate Director of Engineering, was that WOR's IBOC sidebands do not extend more than plus/minus 15 kHz from the carrier and, according to their spectrum analyzer, that they were not and never were splashing beyond that --- and that "receiver overload" was the cause of the 740 interference. However, a follow up post by the writer who complained about the 740 interference took exception to the WOR post and claimed after he made the claim, the IBOC on WOR was, in effect, turned down and 740 was now clear of the digital hash. Well, I heard the digital hash down to 750 Monday night and take exception to being told I'm not hearing what I am hearing. Checked the mileage and I'm 22 miles from the WOR towers so receiver overload seems like a stretch. And according to the coverage map on Radio Locator, I'm in a side, not major, pattern lobe. But my 1996 NRC pattern book shows a completely different pattern. Radio Locator: major lobe going SE from NYC. NRC: sort of a figure 8 going NE/SW Which is right? If the NRC book is right, it still sounds like a stretch for receiver overload at 22 miles. Checked the WOR IBOC this morning, at 8 a.m. Sunday, to check its strength. Found I could easily get on 730 - which I couldn't get near before - which had the VA station near DC coming in (got an ID from it) and 740 and 750 were completely clear. So something was changed. But if WOR was never splashing 740, according to them, then why the change??? This was too much. Because of this and other WOR posts claiming they are not causing interference, fired off an e-mail to Tom Ray. A frank e-mail about my reception of digital hash down to 750 and questioning the validity of the tests (are they bogus --- window dressing --- will selective results be given to the FCC?). His reply was that they are not causing interference (according to his $45,000 recently calibrated and certified HP spectrum analyzer --- and only spectrum analyzer results are accepted by the FCC --- but that analyzer didn't show what I was hearing unless there is a lack of truthfulness here). He also didn't think much of DXers, who are anti-IBOC (says we should get off our high horses and back to the real world --- but I haven't DXed AM in at least 12 years and don't plan to again). Also claims there is no regulation that WOR protects the skywave reception of other stations (referring to WLW and WGN). Wonder if that also includes people trying to listen to either in MA or NC. I suggested WCHR-1040 Flemington, NJ, WEVD-1050 NYC, and KYW-1060 Philly should all run IBOC if a real test is to be made of IBOC and what interference is generated. Want to bet the chances of that happening before IBOC gets its final approval? More to come I'm sure. By the way, with IBOC, there are two sidebands, one on either side of the analog signal. Are both required to decode the digital signal? Is one a back-up for the other. Or can a station run two separate digital programs (one on each sideband) plus an analog program under this scheme? Just wondering (Joe Fela, NJ, ibid.) Follow-up. Received an e-mail from Tom Ray who now says that, YES, a stronger version of IBOC (more power) was used Monday and Tuesday during the night time tests. So I wasn't imagining things. The e-mail states that this stronger version is actually the NORMAL version. He states the version now being used and used prior to Dec. 2nd is -6dB in power and was being used at that level at the request of iBiquity. The full strength version was being used at the request of the FCC and NAB to see what happens at night. Further, he states that conjecture is (and is only conjecture at this point) that the normal (stronger) version of IBOC will be used on AM during the daytime hours with the -6dB version to be used at night. That sounds very close to a done deal, no? He adds he is not part of these talks and this is only what he hears (Joe Fela, ibid.) ** VENEZUELA [non]. The first hour at least of Aló Presidente via RHC, Sun Dec 8 from 1400 was mostly music fill, but that`s not unusual. At 1500, as I listened to the nice new signal on 15570, these frequencies were announced: 17750 (also good), 15230 (poor), 11715 (blocked by KJES during this hour), 11875 (inaudible), 6130 (inaudible) --- but no mention of 15570 where I was listening! Typical. Hugo finally started addressing the people around 1508, but it was back to music and chatter from the RHC studio a few minutes later. At least it sounded like him; didn`t pay much attention (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VIRGIN ISLANDS US [and non]. As The KV4FZ Returns In the early 90's I came upon 14313/14315 kHz as one of the strangest collection of amateur radio operators engaged in a type of personal radio warfare I had never heard. Along with a cacophony of unidentified QRMers, Maritime Mobile Net'ites, Inter-Continental Traffic Net'ites, and various camp followers, was the voice of the main protagonist and lightning rod Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ, and the anti-Herb, WB2OTK, Richard Whiten of South Carolina. The attacks and battles were not limited to on-air shouting matches and QRMing. Whenever a vulnerability was uncovered full advantage was taken. A family member would have a brush with the local police and details and fabrications that would put the National Inquirer to shame were aired on frequency over-over-again. Employers would be contacted on the phone or by mail alerting them of the terrible person they had in their employ. Local governments were notified about any and all possible, probable and improbable infractions of rule and law that may have been revealed over the radio. Of course the FCC would be passed "tapes" of the goings on. Herb appeared to me to be a very intelligent individual. The fact that he openly aired his opinions on politics and the questionable practices and activities of the ham nets that "shared" the frequencies made him controversial. Controversy is a place where Herb appeared to always want to be at the center. He was the host of a local Virgin Island talk show, for example. However, Herb had a major Achille's heel; he spent years in a court fight over phone access codes used to make calls without owners' permission/knowledge. The intrigue surrounding the court case and the ham "fraternity" would slowly come out over the years with claims and counter-claims on both sides. Including testimony by local island government official(s) that would later be shown to be fraudulent. It was a real soap opera on 20 meters drawing in new listeners and participants every day. Eventually, Herb's ham license would become the final holy grail. Herb went to Washington, DC to fight for it. Also a contingent of ham detractors would also make the trip to be in attendance (with tape recorder as I recall). The administrative law judge ruled against him for his "alleged lack of candor during subsequent FCC hearings". An attempt to get the US Supreme Court to hear his case, failed and Herb lost his license in 2000. In July of 1999 the anti-Herb, WB2OTK, suddenly left the frequency. FCC attorney Riley Hollingsworth, got word via e-mail from WB2OTK, that Whiten wanted to leave amateur radio and wanted to turn in his license, Hollingsworth obliged. Later Richard would claim that the e-mail was sent in error. He has not been on air heard since. Based on the information at the FCC web site, Herb has his Extra Class ticket back as of late last week. I also heard directly that he has indeed returned and working 160 meters contesting this weekend. Time will tell if this is the end of the soap opera or just the return of a major actor to the show. Stay tuned (Pete Costello, NJ, Dec 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ DRM +++ Hi Glenn, Re John Figliozzi's comments in DXLD 2-192, while John's point is well taken, I suspect the rollout timetable is governed as much by technical considerations as marketing ones. For whatever reason Juelich and Sines were chosen as test sites for DRM, and are therefore equipped and ready to go. It so happens that these sites do not serve North America. No doubt the future rollout timetable of DW takes all sorts of factors into account, such as the age and condition of existing equipment, whether it can be modified for DRM or has to be replaced, etc. as well as the potential audience. And being a large broadcaster with a number of relay stations, planning these changes must be no easy task. Joe Buch is of course right when he says that content is the key to the success of digital shortwave. It's something we at Radio Netherlands have been saying for years, and perhaps that's why we continue to win international awards for programming, as do our colleagues at Deutsche Welle. Neither of us have, to my knowledge, devoted airtime in the recent past to 'tractor production statistics.' As for broadcasting 'smut', that's a rather cheap shot. In my experience, the majority of 'smut' on the Internet originates in the United States itself. To imply that European public broadcasters such as Radio Netherlands would even consider such a thing suggests that Joe has no respect for us either as professionals or as individuals. 73, (Andy Sennitt, Dec 9, standard disclaimer, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Oh, I think he was just bemoaning a general societal trend (gh) ###