DX LISTENING DIGEST 2-198, December 17, 2002
        edited by Glenn Hauser, wghauser@hotmail.com

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WORLD OF RADIO 1160:
WWCR: Wed 1030 9475
RFPI: Wed 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/wor1160h.rm
       (Stream)   http://www.k4cc.net/wor1160h.ram
[Low]  (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1160.rm
       (Stream)   http://www.k4cc.net/wor1160.ram
(Summary)  http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1160.html

WORLD OF RADIO 1161 FIRST AIRINGS:
Wed 2300 on WBCQ 7415, 17495
Thu 2130 on WWCR 9475
Fri 1930 on RFPI 15039

**  AFGHANISTAN [non]. Per your comments in DXLD 2-196 on Merlin's 
dramatic music, "sure wish we had the real name for it...", in absence 
of the source for that loop, I call it "Fanfare for the Common 
Afghan". Apologies to Aaron Copland! (John Cobb, Roswell, Dec 16, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

** ALBANIA. RADIO TIRANA DUMPS MARXISM, GETS RELIGION 
   UK Reuters Mon Dec 16,12:58 AM ET, By Linda Spahia

TIRANA (Reuters) - Before the collapse of communism in 1990, about the 
only things travelling abroad from highly isolated Albania were 
propaganda messages.

They reached far and wide thanks to Chinese-built transmitting 
stations, which made Radio Tirana on short wave one of the clearest 
signals in the region despite coming from a country which was one of 
the poorest and smallest in Europe.

These days, ironically, the state that banned religion during its 
years of hardline communism relies on rebroadcasting Christian 
stations to keep the Radio Tirana service going.

In its heyday, the station tried hard to convince the world to follow
Albania's example -- in 22 languages from English to Indonesian and 
with more than 80 hours of programming a day.

"Luckily the world did not hear," said New Zealander June Taylor, one 
of the many foreigners who worked at Radio Tirana as announcers and 
translators.

Radio Tirana painted a rosy picture of how everybody was happy, 
healthy and working so hard for the good of the country that Albania 
had become self-sufficient, Taylor said.

It portrayed big evil capitalist countries where most people were 
unemployed and could not afford to send children to school while 
youngsters lay in the streets drunk on Coca Cola and Pepsi, two 
beverages Albanians only tasted after 1990.

"The Socialist economy does not know anarchy or crises in production. 
It does not throw workers onto the street because of bankruptcy or 
enterprises closing down," proclaims one transcript of a story 
broadcast in August 1979.

What the stories did not mention was that Albania was a poor and 
repressive state which denied its citizens basic freedoms and shot 
dead many who tried to travel abroad.

WESTERN FANS

But to many people who knew Albania only from what they heard on Radio
Tirana, the country was an island of hope. Taylor's father, a dentist 
from Auckland, was one of them.

He volunteered to stay for two years in Albania, where his medical 
skills and help in translating the books of communist dictator Enver 
Hoxha were most welcome. They ended up staying longer after Taylor 
fell in love and married a local man.

As a native English speaker, she was hired in 1974 to read and 
translate news and stayed at the radio station for 19 years.

"News arrived at the very last minute. The quality of translation left 
much to be desired and they were packed with boring slogans," Taylor 
said.

Phrases like "the army and the people are one and indivisible", or how 
the "working collective of the Enver Hoxha tractor combine fulfilled 
the plan three months ahead of schedule" were among those she read out 
for years.

Still, the station received thousands of letters from all over the 
world. A Swede learnt Albanian just by listening to the radio. Others 
wrote to commend speech programmes and folk music.

An English farmer in 1979, after hearing about an earthquake (news - 
web sites) that hit northern Albania, wrote a letter saying he wanted 
to come and help with his tractor and his family, Taylor said.

"Many Marxists from Western European countries came to Albania 
convinced it was a state run by its people. But it was enough to walk 
out of the radio to realise that it was not true," Taylor said.

DISTORTED NEWS

As part of Radio Tirana's efforts to tell the world what was right and
wrong, Janka Selimi, a Bulgarian national married to an Albanian, had 
the unenviable duty of criticising her home country for being servile 
to the Soviet Union.

"We said that they were turning bourgeois for owning a car and their
apartments. Any time I read that news, I felt like I was betraying my
country," said Selimi, now 58.

Not that she or any other journalist at Radio Tirana had much of a 
choice. Their job was just to read and translate reports that came 
from the official news agency ATA or straight from the Central 
Committee of the Communist party.

"During the war in Vietnam, one of us added up all the numbers of the 
killed American soldiers we had been reading every day and it turned 
out we had wiped out the whole U.S. army at least twice," Taylor said.

But no one dared to tell their bosses.

MARX MAKES WAY FOR JESUS

In the mid 1960s, Albania broke with the Soviet Union and allied 
itself with China. The Chinese then built radio stations in Albania in 
order to make their voice heard in Moscow and Washington, Irfan 
Mandia, the radio's technical director said.

Two transmitting stations -- one for AM and for short wave -- were 
built in isolated locations, heavily guarded by the army and equipped 
with anti-aircraft defence. The powerful signal of Radio Tirana 
reached out to the world, challenging even the BBC.

Engineers now admit it was not just because of the strength of their 
signal that Radio Tirana was heard so clearly.

"Before 1990, we broadcast on the band of frequencies reserved only 
for radio amateurs, where there was not much interference," Mandia 
revealed.

Although the technology of Radio Tirana looks very out of date in the
digital era, the equipment is still up and running -- to the 
astonishment even of the Chinese engineers who built it -- thanks to 
dedicated local maintenance staff.

After communism collapsed and "it became clear we were no shining 
lantern for the world", the foreign radio service was cut to seven 
languages and just three hours a day, Mandia said.

"Now we had free space, the equipment and no programme. So we offered 
our services to international radios," Mandia said.

Religious broadcaster Trans World Radio became the main client of 
Radio Tirana's foreign service and its saviour from bankruptcy.

Mandia said the services Radio Tirana now offers to third parties, 
which also include Voice of America of the United States and Germany's 
Deutsche Welle, have made it profitable.

But he knows that soon it may be harder to find spare parts for his 
Chinese transmitting station than new clients to serve. (via Artie 
Bigley and Mike Terry, DXLD)

** AUSTRALIA. HCJB`s new facility at Kununurra WA will not begin
broadcasting until 5th January 2003. Due to technical difficulties, 
the December 22nd launch has had to be delayed (HCJB mailbag Program 
14/12 via ADXN via DXLD) 

** AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY - HOBART YACHT RACE
John Wright has passed on this information from Ian O`Toole concerning 
radio communications for this event. HF Frequencies expected to be 
used are:

6627 - Should be primary
6516 - New frequency
4483 - Used during previous events
VHF channels 16, 72, 73 & 81

Between 15 & 21 December all entrants are to carry out radio checks on 
both 6 MHz frequencies with Penta Comstat between 0800-1800 local.
The radio schedules for the race are yet to be finalized but will
be available on the web closer to the race start under `Sailing
Instructions` http://from www.cyca.com.au (Dec ADXN via DXLD)

** AUSTRALIA. VMC/VMW

VMW is now transmitting on 12362 (formerly 12353 and originally 
12536). This means it now uses an adjacent channel to VMC on 12365. A 
check from this QTH at 2040 on 29/11 with both sites on air showed VMW 
at S 7 and VMC at S 9 + 5db on the R5000 S meter. The first change was 
due to concerns expressed by ZLM Taupo Radio. VMW voice schedules are 
now broadcast over the FAX stations 0315-0300 UT each day; there is no 
indication of the VMC voice schedules being included although there 
are slots available. Frequency changes from day to night frequencies 
and vice versa are: VMC 1900/0900 UT. VMW 2100/1100 UT (Dec ADXN via 
DXLD) 

** BOLIVIA. 4716.63t. Radio Yura reactivating? 2340 to 0000, very 
weak! (Robert Wilkner, FL, Dec 15, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** BOLIVIA. A rádio San Miguel é uma emissora da cidade de Riberalta, 
no estado de Beni. Emite em 4925 kHz. Ultimamente, tem sido 
sintonizada em 4929 kHz, o que facilita a recepção da rádio Educação 
Rural, de Tefé (AM), que está em 4925 kHz. A San Miguel, conforme 
estudo de Luis Ramiro Beltrán e Jaime Reyes, publicado em 
www.felafacs.org, é uma emissora educativa de destaque na Bolívia.
Além disso, luta para organizar e fortalecer os agricultores de sua 
região (Célio Romais, @tividade DX Dec 14 via DXLD)

** BOLIVIA. 4929.98, Radio San Miguel, Riberalta, Dec 2002 - 0040 UT.
Before my 4-month stay in Sweden Radio San Miguel had a long period 
with serious transmitter problems, very distorted audio and frequency 
drift. Now it seems that this is repaired and both audio and stability 
are without any remarks. Religious program and close down at 0112 UT.

5995.60 UNID LA Dec 2002 - 1045 UT. Maybe Radio Loyola, Sucre, Bolivia 
---  possibly a "Sucre" was heard but I am not at all sure. Radio 
Melodía was heard at the same time on 5996.69 kHz. UT -4 (Björn Malm, 
Quito, Ecuador, SW Bulletin Dec 15, translated by editor Thomas 
Nilsson for DXLD)

** BRAZIL. 3365.00, Radio Cultura, Aranguara, Dec 2002 - 0010 UT. 
Nonstop music with short IDs between the tunes up to the big ID at 
0010.

4925.07, Radio Educação Rural, Tefé, Dec 2 2002 - 0002 UT. Decent 
signal but heavy splashed by Radio Quito. Listed on 3385 kHz so maybe 
a new frequency? [yes, move reported several times in DXLD –gh] "Radio 
Educação Rural, Tefé, Amazonas, Brazil" is a clear ID where also MW 
1270 and SW 4925 (not listed) kHz was mentioned (Björn Malm, Quito, 
Ecuador, SW Bulletin Dec 15, translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for 
DXLD)

** CAMBODIA. 11940.3: V. of Cambodia, Phnom Penh. In English 1159,
signed on with opening music, ID, schedule information. 1201 Asian 
music and talk. Strong signal but bad audio, 8/12 (Takeno, Japan, Dec 
ADXN via DXLD) 

Very tentative, 1226-1245 9/12, exotic vocals and instrumentals, unID 
language talks. Haven't seen any other reports for this recently. Is
Cambodia on the air? Very poor reception with extremely deep fades. 
(Rich D`Angelo, PA, ADXN via DXLD) 

ID and opening announcements in French 1213, though on since 1200 with 
muffled programming, mainly music. Haven't heard this for a while, 
11/12 (Craig Seager, Australia, ADXN via DXLD)

** CANADA. Re RCI 5970 DRM QRM to BBC 5975? I would presume that 
there's a chance, but since BBC WS isn't targeting NAm, they may not 
have taken that into consideration. 73- (Bill Westenhaver, RCI, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

** CANADA [non?]. 12025 HCJB via Ascension. Christian religious talk 
in Arabic giving Malaga address, good 2115 on 8/11 (Frank Agius, Vic., 
ADXN)

12025 R. Ibrahim, Cyprus via Ascension. Discussion in Arabic (or 
similar) at 2127 tune-in. Music played is cross between European and 
ME types. Mention of `Limassol` and `Stockholm` in TOH announcements 
with address in Stockholm. Still on air at 2205. Operating this day 
beyond the reported 2130–2200 time slot. Good strength and readable 
signal. 2127 8/12 (Charles Jones, NSW, ADXN) 

HFCC says HCJB via Skelton here 2100-2230, so some question on the 
correct site. I assume the ``Ibrahim`` thing is part of the HCJB 
transmitter time -cs (Craig Seager, ADXN editor)

12025 RCI-Wertachtal. Araboc to N. Africa *2100 ID, fair, 14/11 (Ted 
Carter, Tasmania, Dec ADXN via DXLD)

These loggings from the latest Australian DX News do not take into 
account our more recent reports that 12025 at 2100-2230 is now HCJB 
via Sackville! But maybe the November log was before changes were 
made. I was processing this item at 2225 UT Dec 17, so punched up 
12025, and yes, it`s still very strong, obviously North American 
origin, not European. Whether there be a connexion between Ibrahim and 
HCJB, I don`t know; but in the final 5 minutes of transmission in 
Arabic, much of which was innocuous secular-sounding vocal music, 
there was **no** mention of ``Ibrahim`` --- nor of HCJB! Just the 
Apartado in Málaga, Espagne. RCI bilingual ID squeezed in just before 
transmitter cut at 2129 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** CANADA. 6030, CKMX (SW relay) Calgary, 0930, After Sudwestrundfunk 
started to fade with daylight in Germany, yet before R. Martí and the 
Cuban Jammer obliterated the frequency, I had very nice reception of 
this 100 watt SW relay of CKMX. I'm not sure of the SW call letters, 
perhaps CFVP? Excellent modulation. Respectable S7 signal peaks with a 
little flutter due to the effects of a some what elevated solar wind 
from a weak coronal hole. Program consisted of nice Christmas music. 
"Little Drummer Boy" was playing when I tuned. At 0932 I caught the 
following canned ID: "Our holiday music is almost as fun as tearing 
open Christmas presents. AM 1010 CKMX." Then into a remake of "Blue 
Christmas". By 0954 recheck, there was a 20 over 9 unmodulated 
carrier, presumably from Martí on top (David Hodgson, TN, Dec 16, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST) 

** CANADA/CANARY ISLANDS. 6715 USB, "Halifax Military", Dec 13, Should 
read 2205 not 1605. I put it in Central Standard Time instead of GMT, 
sorry (David Hodgson, TN, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** CHINA. Hi Glenn, Noted on 6160 kHz both VOA and China broadcasting 
in Chinese at 1200-1300. I am assuming that China is here to jam the 
VOA broadcast because I don't have any references of this freq being 
used by China at this time? Anyway VOA is broadcasting from the 
Philippines while I think that it is the Central Peoples Broadcasting 
System from Shijiazhuang broadcasting here too. I searched for a 
parallel broadcast of the China station and came up with Shijiazhuang 
on 5880 kHz. At the moment China is winning the battle of dominance 
here. Thanks (Chuck Bolland, Clewiston, Florida, Dec 15, DX LISTENING 
DIGEST)

** COLOMBIA. 3479.99H, Ondas del Orteguaza, Florencia. Nov 20 2002 - 
1037 UT. Great signal and transmission intended for farmers up early 
in the mornings: "Amanecer campesino". I have earlier heard the 
station on its 2-nd harmonic 2319.72H. Harmonic from 1160 kHz (3 x 
1159.96). (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, SW Bulletin Dec 15, translated 
by editor Thomas Nilsson for DXLD)

** CUBA. Re: No sign of RHC on 6195...

Glenn, I've found R Havana tonight at 0400- on 6275, badly FMing. 
Cuba, 6275, R Havana, 0400 Dec. 15, Badly FMing extremely distorted in 
AM, but nice and clean in FM mode. Also, there is a distorted spur 75 
kHz up on 6350. Popular music px with Cuban rap groups during the time 
I listened. R Havana ID at 0425 by announcer (David Hodgson, TN, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST) 

David, I assume you mean in English? Will be interesting to see if 
they stay there. And if Arnie Coro starts promoting their FM service! 
Also the frequency for the 2230 broadcast is normally different from 
those used after 0100. 73, (Glenn to David via DXLD)

No, it was in Spanish. There were a enough similar sounding words to 
figure out the basic meaning of the program content. Then of course, 
there was the actual ID (Hodgson, ibid.) See also VENEZUELA non

** CUBA. Estimado Glenn: Te informo que sigo en el espacio DX de 
Ventana Rebelde los domingos (lunes 0430 UT) por los 6120 kHz, y En 
Contacto de RHC donde en enero haré un concurso por los aniversarios 
de las emisoras Radio Rebelde, Radio Reloj y Radio Habana Cuba. 
Felices fiestas y buen año para tí (Manolo de la Rosa, Cuba, Dec 16, 
DX LISTENING DIGEST) I`ve lost track of current times and frequencies 
for En Contacto; used to be a quarter-hour Sundays around 1335 and 
2200~ (gh, DXLD)

** ECUADOR. HCJB`s website http://www.hcjb.org has been redesigned. On 
my way to find latest DXPL audio, which, it turned out, was not yet 
there, I noticed they have a link to the day`s World Newscast, with 
the emphasis on Latin America, an 8.3 minute ram file. At 1552 UT 
Monday this was from 1200 UT, apparently the same date judging from 
references, tho date was not announced. But how can you live in South 
America and not know how to pronounce `Chávez`?? Real news lasted only 
6.3 minutes, then ``Mission Network News`` for the remainder. At least 
they keep this separate (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) See 
also CANADA

Glenn: For the past several days been listening to a station, strong, 
sometimes heavy QSB, on 9650 kHz from about 7 PM to 9 PM PST, or 0300 
to 0500 UT. Language appears to be Spanish, music and talk, but during 
the last half hour 0430 to 0500 UT, they have an English program, news 
articles, etc., spoken very slowly and distinctly as if they were 
teaching a class or like the "Special English" the VOA uses (but with 
a British accent). Right after the English program, they sign off with 
a Spanish sentence or two. Nothing in my 2002 Passport. Any ideas? 
Thanks, Gordon

I know HCJB`s Spanish service has moved to 9650 this season. Hadn`t 
noticed the English teaching show then, but I have heard it at other 
times on HCJB Spanish frequencies (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** ECUADOR [and non]. First of all I want to congratulate SWB for 
having published 1500 issues! Fantastic, it is a great honour for me 
to contribute to this jubilee-issue!

In August my wife returned to Quito and she felt it was good to get 
rid of the hottest summer ever and to enjoy the relative ?cold? in her
native country Ecuador: 22 degrees the year round. I returned back in
November and felt it was nice to change the Swedish winter cold to 
these 22 degrees! We stayed in Sweden for some weeks at my dad`s place 
on the small island "Smögen" on the Swedish west coast and happened to
experience one of the worst thunderstorms ever; parts of the west 
Sweden were declared as catastrophic area. We are quite experienced in 
Quito with exploding volcanoes, heavy earthquakes, etc. but this 
almost took our breath away --- we stayed trembling in our small bed 
at ten in the evening. The Ecuadorian people really take their 
Catholic religion seriously and my wife begged a long prayer 
requesting help from `above`. We listened at the same time to the 
programme "Karlavagnen" where listeners phoned in to speak about the 
theme of the evening "thunderstorms"! Very good timing from the 
Swedish state radio. One of those phoning in to "Karlavagnen" that 
evening was our member JOE/John Ekwall, who works as a meteorologist 
at SMHI and at once we did not feel that bad.

2240.00H, Radio Positiva, Quito, Dec 2002 - at 0000. It started
when my wife did not find her favourite program on 860 kHz/Radio 
Visión --- a medical program that every Sunday morning treated a 
special theme with experts invited and questions by phone in from 
their listeners. Some weeks later I was on the frequency 2240.00 where 
obviously a local Quito-station among others advertised for a company 
with the address "Avenida la Prensa y Vaca de Castro", that is where I 
live! I don`t know of any "Radio Positiva" in Quito but the 
explanation is simply that "Radio Visión"-860 kHz now is called "Radio 
Positiva". I can`t figure out why the station can be heard so well on 
2240 kHz. I don?` think it is a real harmonic. Close down 0003 UT with 
ID: "Desde Quito capital del Ecuador transmite Radio Positiva 860 kHz 
en amplitud modulada, una voz ecuatoriana para el mundo" then followed 
the NA. Sometimes with closedown later in the evening.

2700.78H, La Voz de Santo Domingo, Santo Domingo de los Colorados,
Dec 2002 - 0205 UT. Located in the same province as Quito (Pichincha). 
Sometimes ads for local companies here in Quito. Close down 0215 UT. 
Santo Domingo de los Colorados or "Santo Domingo of the coloured" got 
its name from a nowadays very small Indian tribe where the woman are 
bare breasted and the men mainly use "achiote", a substance from a 
tree, to get their hair coloured red. I sometimes use to mix in some 
anchiote powder in soups and other food. Here in Quito they use to say 
"Santo Domingo de los Colombianos" due to the fact that a lot of 
people from Colombia live there!

6579.80H, Radio Centro, Ambato, Nov 27 2002 - 1100 UT. Of the few HC-
stations still active on SW this is my favourite with good news
reporting and nice music. Harmonic from 3289.90 kHz. Congratulations 
to Radio Centro who this year celebrates their 35-year jubilee. 
Nowadays they are covering the whole country not only by the SW 
transmitter but also from cooperation with "Bonita FM" and all their 
transmitters in Ecuador.

Björn Malm , c/o Susana Garcès de Malm, Avenida la Prensa 4408 y Vaca 
de Castro, Quito, Ecuador. Tel: +593 2 598 470, email: 
bjornmalm@yahoo.es rx: NRD-535, Loewe HF-150 samt Sangean 808ATS. Ant: 
12 m lw Ö/V, 24 m lw N/S + Lw Magnetic Balun + MFJ1025 phaser
[More of his loggings in this issue under: BOLIVIA, BRAZIL, COLOMBIA, 
EL SALVADOR, PERU] (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, SW Bulletin Dec 15, 
translated by editor Thomas Nilsson for DXLD)

** EL SALVADOR. 17835.36, Radio Imperial, Sonsonate, Nov 30 2002 - 
2335 UT. When I logged YSDA in March this year it was on 17833.83 kHz 
with very weak modulation. Is now quite on frequency but with much 
better modulation. Now they also announce the frequency 17835 kHz 
which they did not previously. Nonstop Mexican music, ID and ads.
(Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, SW Bulletin Dec 15, translated by editor 
Thomas Nilsson for DXLD)

** FRANCE. Hi, RFI's Persian service puzzled me up in past days. I 
couldn't hear any of the given registered channels of RFI Persian 
1800-1900 7350*[exc Mar], 9430, 11650**[spring]. A look to the RFI 
Persian website showed the following entries only: 1600-1630 6015 
[DUS] 6035 [SNG]; 1800-1900 6145 [DHA] 6185 [TAC] maybe brokered by 
Merlin MNO too. The 1600 UT portion was mentioned in DX press in past 
weeks as Pushtu/Dari service. 73 wb df5sx (Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany, 
Dec 17, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 

** GERMANY. 7265, Sudwestrundfunk, 0650, Very nice copy of this 
domestic broadcaster, with signal peaks hitting 10 to 20 db over S9 in 
the southern USA. Pop music with male DJ. Commercial format. Ad for 
what sounded like "Media Mart" around 0659. News at 0700. Very nice 
audio quality. // 6030 which was running around S7 here. These two 
transmitters both put out 20 kW into flat top antennas but the one on 
7260 is facing E/W and the one on 6030 has the lobes running N/S, so 
I'm right in the null of the 49 meter outlet (David Hodgson, TN, Dec 
16, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 

** GUAM. KSDA is usually audible here at 2100 on 11980 and/or 11960, 
but no sign of it Dec 15 when the much-publicized JSWC anniversary 
special was to run; still typhooned off? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

** GUAM. KTWR-Trans World Radio's SW station on Guam suffered 
extensive damage to their antenna field as a result of Super-Typhoon 
Pongsona. On Sunday Dec 8 the typhoon lashed the island with 150 mph 
winds and 180 mph gusts. The typhoon went up the entire east side of 
the island, keeping it in the eyewall of the typhoon. The KTWR staff 
has been able to get antennas 2 and 5 together to have two 
transmitters on the air by Thursday Dec 12th. Work is ongoing, and
further assessment is yet to be made (George Ross - KTWR Guam, WWDXC 
Dec 14 via BC-DX via DXLD)

** IRAN. TEHRAN, Iran, Dec. 17 - Iran's reformist-dominated parliament 
approved a bill Tuesday to lift restrictions on the public's access to 
most satellite television channels. While the proposal reflects a 
majority of Iranians' wishes for a more open society, it still must be 
approved by the hard-line Guardian Council before becoming law. More 
on http://famulus.msnbc.com/FamulusIntl/ap12-17-081928.asp?reg=MIDEAST 
(AP via MSNBC via Mike Terry, DXLD)
 
** IRAQ [non]. AIRBORNE RADIO STATION BEAMS MESSAGES TO IRAQ
U.S. MILITARY URGING SOLDIERS TO STOP SUPPORTING SADDAM

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. military is using aircraft to broadcast 
radio signals into southern Iraq, encouraging Iraqi military forces to 
stop supporting the regime of President Saddam Hussein. The signals 
are coming from a type of modified Air Force transport plane known as 
"Commando Solo," which saw similar action over Afghanistan when 
personnel aboard broadcast messages that urged the Taliban to 
surrender. 

These are the first such broadcasts to the Iraqi region by the U.S. 
military since the recent escalation of tension began between 
Washington and Baghdad, a Pentagon official said Tuesday. 

The radio programming is transmitted during flights of EC-130J 
aircraft operated by the 193rd Special Operations Wing of the 
Pennsylvania Air National Guard, based near Middletown, Pennsylvania. 
The flights began Thursday, and the signals are to be transmitted 
between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. local time in southern Iraq every day, 
depending on the weather. The planes remain in Kuwaiti airspace. 
Military officials said the broadcasts include songs in Arabic and 
English to encourage Iraqi soldiers to listen. U.S.-backed political 
messages are also played. Officials said the themes of the broadcasts 
include: 

• Saddam's diversion of money intended for food to weapons production, 
and previous Iraqi "intransigence" on U.N. Security Council 
resolutions 
• Saddam's use of chemical weapons on his own people 
• Saddam's previous military "misadventures," and his "squandering" of 
money on personal pursuits such as palaces 

The U.S. military has used "Commando Solo" aircraft before as tools of 
"psychological operations" or propaganda, defense sources have 
confirmed. Some of the signals sent to Afghanistan last year were 
monitored by short-wave radio hobbyists in the United States. 
[with illustrations, links:]
http://www.cnn.com/2002/WORLD/meast/12/17/us.iraq.radio/
(CNN via Artie Bigley, DXLD)

VOAnews version:
PENTAGON BEGINS AIRING PROPAGANDA BROADCASTS TO IRAQ
http://www.voanews.com/article.cfm?objectID=9F1B4D59-367D-47AE-806D788DD1E57798
(via Artie Bigley, DXLD)

PENTAGON BROADCASTS PROPAGANDA OVER IRAQ 
The Associated Press, Washington, Dec. 17

The Pentagon has launched a radio propaganda war in Iraq, broadcasting 
anti-Saddam Hussein messages officials say are aimed at weakening his 
support among his people and his military.

"People of Iraq ... the amount of money Saddam spends on himself in 
one day would be more than enough to feed a family for a year," said 
an English translation of one radio broadcast released by the U.S. 
Central Command. "How much longer will this corrupt rule be allowed to 
exploit and oppress the Iraqi people?"

"Soldiers of Iraq. Saddam does not care for the military of Iraq," 
said another of several radio messages. "Saddam uses his soldiers as 
puppets ... for his own personal glory.

"Saddam also sacrificed thousands of soldiers during the Iran/Iraq war 
... When the Iraqi soldiers that were taken prisoner were returned, 
Saddam ordered their ears to be cut off as punishment for being 
captured."

Transmitted five hours a night from American planes flying outside the 
country, the broadcasts are the first of their kind since those used 
in the 1991 Persian Gulf War when Iraqi forces were ousted from 
Kuwait, defense officials said.

The broadcasts of Arabic music and anti-Saddam messages began 
Thursday, said Pentagon spokesman Lt. Daniel D. Hetlage. But the 
program only became known Monday when the Central Command said it had 
dropped 480,000 leaflets over the southern no-fly zone in Iraq, 
including some alerting the Iraqis to radio frequencies and times to 
tune in to the American broadcasts.

The radio programs aim to "dissuade the Iraqi military from supporting 
Saddam," said Hetlage. Other versions include ones on Saddam's past 
use of weapons of mass destruction and explaining the world's view of 
weapons inspections now under way in Iraq.

They are being transmitted from an Air Force EC-130E Commando Solo 
aircraft, according to another official.

Leaflets dropped Monday to advertise the broadcasts feature a map of 
Iraq and two radio transmitters, with a message saying "Information 
Radio" can be heard from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., at five frequencies.
The mass drop of nearly half a million leaflets was the seventh 
distribution of flyers over southern Iraq in three months and the 
largest. Leaflets were dropped over six locations and also included 
messages warning Iraqi military not to shoot at coalition aircraft 
monitoring the restricted zones, saying the zones are set up to 
protect the Iraqi people.

Officials said other drops have had little effect in getting Iraqi 
forces to stop harassing British and American planes that have been 
monitoring no-fly zones set up a decade ago over the country. The 
northern zones protect the Kurdish minority and the southern zones 
protect the Shiites. Saddam considers the zones a violation of his 
sovereignty.... (via Mike Cooper, DXLD; also:)
http://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/ap20021217_784.html
(via ABCNews.com via Artie Bigley, DXLD)

INFORMATION RADIO, DAILY 9715 11292 KHZ AT 1500-2000 UT  
   
"Information Radio" broadcasts to Iraq from US Central Command Psyops 
are now being broadcast daily on 5 frequencies according to this item 
from Associated Press in the Guardian: extracts below - full story at:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-2251241,00.html 
[same AP story as elsewhere]

``...the broadcasts are the first of their kind since those used in
the 1991 Persian Gulf War when Iraqi forces were ousted from Kuwait, 
defense officials said.``  
[but what about their operation in Afghanistan?? - Alan Pennington]

According to the US Central Command public information website:
http://www.centcom.mil/Default.htm
which pictures the leaflets dropped at
http://www.centcom.mil/Galleries/Photos/leaflets/Iraq_Leaflets/20021216.htm
the 5 frequencies used "1800-2300 daily" (= 1500 to 2000 UTC) are:

693 and 756 kHz mediumwave
9715 and 11292 kHz shortwave
and 100.4 MHz FM

Transcripts of the messages broadcast are also on this site.
So worth checking these shortwave frequencies 1500-2000 UTC!!
(Alan Pennington, BDXC-UK, Caversham, UK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

Of the frequencies mentioned, 11292 kHz looks like an interesting 
choice. A quick search on the Internet revealed that this frequency 
has in the past been used by Radio Iraq International - as well as by 
a so-called spy station broadcasting in Arabic, // 6645 or 6647 kHz. 
Anyone hearing the station on 11292 or other frequencies? (Mika 
Mäkeläinen, dxing.info via DXLD)

I monitored 11292 for most of an hour around 1700 Dec 17, but nothing 
at all heard here (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** IRAQ [and non]. ANALYSIS: US RADIO PROPAGANDA BROADCASTS TARGET 
IRAQIS | Text of editorial analysis by Peter Feuilherade of BBC 
Monitoring's Foreign Media Unit on 17 December 

The US has stepped up psychological operations against President 
Saddam Husayn of Iraq with the start of radio broadcasts targeted at 
military commanders as well as civilians. The broadcasts, launched on 
12 December, are transmitted by US planes flying over southern Iraq. 

They urge the Iraqi people not to support their president, and accuse 
him of diverting revenue from oil sales from food to weapons 
purchases. And in the seventh leaflet blitz over southern Iraq in 
three months, coalition aircraft dropped half a million leaflets 
warning Iraqi forces not to repair damaged communications facilities 
hit in air strikes on Saturday 14 December. 

Overthrow Saddam, US broadcasts urge 

The American radio broadcasts comment that "Saddam lives like a king, 
while his soldiers are underpaid and underequipped... Saddam does not 
wish the soldiers of Iraq to have the honour and dignity that their 
profession warrants." They urge the Iraqi armed forces: "Do not let 
Saddam tarnish the reputation of soldiers any longer." 

The broadcasts, which feature Arabic music as well as anti-Saddam 
messages, aim to "dissuade the Iraqi military from supporting Saddam," 
said Pentagon spokesman Lt. Daniel D. Hetlage. 

Other broadcasts, directed at Iraqi civilians, point to the many 
monuments and portraits of Saddam Husayn dotted around the country. 
Saying the cost of the leader's ego trip would be better spent on the 
welfare of his people, the US broadcasts ask: "How much longer will 
this corrupt rule be allowed to exploit and oppress the Iraqi people?" 

Specialist US psy-ops unit 

Leaflets printed in Arabic and English dropped over Iraq say the 
American "Information Radio" broadcasts are on the air from 1500-2000 
gmt on five separate frequencies in the FM, mediumwave and shortwave 
bands. 

The frequencies listed are: 693 and 756 kHz mediumwave, 9715 and 11292 
kHz shortwave, and 100.4 MHz FM. These are all frequencies that have 
been used at some stage by Republic of Iraq Radio. The broadcasts come 
from Commando Solo aircraft operated by a specialist US psy-ops unit. 

The EC-130E Commando Solo is a modified four-engine Hercules transport 
aircraft that can broadcast simultaneous high-power mediumwave, 
shortwave, FM and TV signals. The planes can also jam or override 
local transmissions, in an effort to persuade listeners to tune to the 
propaganda frequencies. 

Over the years, the unit has carried out missions in Vietnam, South 
Korea, Panama, Puerto Rico, Haiti, the Persian Gulf and Serbia. Most 
recently, it was in action over Afghanistan, broadcasting propaganda 
messages to the local population and Taleban fighters. 

As well as the airborne broadcasts, the US has the use of ground 
transmitters in Kuwait and elsewhere in the Gulf to beam anti-Saddam 
programming to the Iraqi people. 

"Bombs will do the talking" 

The aim of the propaganda broadcasts is "to isolate the Iraqi 
leadership who are hiding in bunkers," John Pike of the US think tank 
Globalsecurity.org told the Washington Post newspaper earlier this 
year. 

But not all American military analysts are convinced that 
psychological warfare will succeed. William Arkin, a former army 
intelligence officer and now a military analyst, said in remarks 
published in the Baltimore Sun in November that if the United States 
invades Iraq, "bombs are going to do the talking," rather than any 
psychological operation that attempts to influence the entire country. 
Source: BBC Monitoring research 17 Dec 02 (via DXLD)

[Dec 17] The psyop war has begun. Commando Solo, according to leaflets
being dropped on southern Iraq and released to the media by U.S. 
Central Commando on Monday, is broadcasting Information Radio with the 
following schedule: *1500-2000* 756, 693, 9715, 11292 kHz, 100.4 MHz.
http://www.ClandestineRadio.com/intel/iraq.htm

A copy of the leaflet can be viewed at:
http://www.ClandestineRadio.com/dossier/iraq2003/2002_1217_leaflets.htm

Tip per Jay Novello on chat #swl on Starchat (via David Ross, DXLD)

[Log:] 11292, 1846 Dec 17, CLANDESTINE, Commando Solo psyops to Iraq 
presumed the weak signal with ME music here, barely readable in USB 
mode. Thanks to Nick Grace, CRW for the tip (Paul Ormandy, NZ, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

Iraq: U.S. Centcom Press Release, December 16, 2002

COALITION AIRCRAFT DROP LEAFLETS IN SOUTHERN IRAQ

MACDILL AFB, FL -- Coalition aircraft dropped 480,000 leaflets at 
about 4 a.m. EST today over southern Iraq.

Leaflets containing six separate messages were dropped at six 
locations, including near communications facilities that were damaged 
or destroyed by Coalition aircraft flying Operation Southern Watch 
missions on December 14. Leaflets dropped at those locations warned 
Iraqi forces that the Coalition has targeted fiber optic cables for 
destruction and that repairing the facilities place Iraqi military 
lives at risk.

Other leaflets:

• referred Iraqis to radio frequencies where they could hear 
broadcasts by Coalition forces providing information
• warned Iraqi air defenses that targeting Coalition aircraft or 
tracking them with radar could result in Coalition air strikes
• stated that Coalition aircraft enforce the no-fly zones to protect 
the Iraqi people, and that threatening Coalition aircraft may result 
in air strikes

This was the seventh leaflet drop over southern Iraq in the last 
three months. Broadcast transcripts: 

http://www.centcom.mil/News/Misc/radioscripts.htm
(via Nick Grace, Clandestine Radio Watch Dec 17 via DXLD)

** ISLE OF MAN. IOMBC - "objections crumble in court"  
    
(Maybe 2003 will see the start of "MusicMann 279" (working title) 
following this encouraging news from 
http://www.longwaveradio.com/News.html posted on 1 December. I am 
pleased to note there will be a "draft judgement as quickly as 
possible, probably shortly before Christmas" - Mike).

Half a dozen objections to the award of a Siting Licence for the LW
transmission facility were withdrawn when the case came before the 
High Court in Douglas at the end of November John Wright, the advocate 
for Bride Parish Commissioners said he would not now be proceeding 
with allegations of bias, secrecy and other complaints against the 
Department of Transport. "I shall now pursue only that it was unfair 
of the Department not to consult with my clients before awarding the 
permission," he told Acting Deemster Jeremy Storey, a leading UK silk. 
He also said that he would not now be relying on the evidence of Mr 
Cussons.

The Petitioners claimed that the Hon. Tony Brown, now Speaker of the 
House of Keys, but until last November the Minister responsible for 
the Department of Transport, had acted unfairly in not ensuring Bride 
Parish Commission members were consulted when considering awarding a 
Siting Licence to Isle of Man International Broadcasting plc for the 
facility to be located on a platform at sea, adjacent to the Bride 
coast.

'The applicants for the licence, Isle of Man International 
Broadcasting plc, engaged professional environmental scientists, 
Watermans, to consult a large number of potentially affected parties," 
explained the Government Advocate, Stephen Harding, on behalf of the 
Department. "This included not only the relevant Government 
Departments, who in turn consulted experts, but also non Governmental 
bodies too, who might be affected. They particularly included 
environmental organisations, shipping and fishermen's organisations 
and followed their advice when selecting a location."

Bride's concerns were all addressed at the previous 'land based' 
planning inquiry and the only grounds for rejection were found to be 
Land Use and Visual Impact. By moving the facility onto a platform and 
locating it several miles out to sea, the visual impact of the 
antenna, less than 100 feet tall, is considerably reduced, becoming no 
more than a small feature on the horizon. The Minister had clearly 
considered this point carefully and spelt out his reasoning in his 
affidavit, which was read to the court. He had taken particular note 
and been consulted by the Director of Harbours on this point as he was 
not only a former Minister of DoLGE, thus responsible for planning, 
but had been a Member of the Council of Ministers which only recently 
had examined and considered the Report of the Planning Inspector.

Bride's concerns of fuel spillage and the potential for pollution had 
been carefully addressed by the Director of Harbours, Captain Michael 
Brew and were the subject of a professionally produced Oil Spill 
Contingency Plan which showed there to be a negligible 1% chance of 
fuel coming ashore, due to the ease with which diesel evaporates and 
the location chosen for the platform. Further, it had been agreed that 
tender trips to resupply the facility would only take place under calm 
conditions, considerably reducing the prospect of any spillage.

As a result of the withdrawal of so many of the objectors' arguments, 
the hearing was cut dramatically short before the end of the second 
day. Its start had been delayed from July as the Petitioners had 
suggested there was so much evidence it would take three days to hear 
and a suitably lengthy window was not available. The Petitioner's 
advocate requested a further delay of the judgement until the New 
Year, as was taking two weeks holiday in December, however Seth Caine 
objected saying his clients were "chomping at the bit and keen to get 
on."  The Acting Deemster said he would circulate a draft judgement as 
quickly as possible, probably shortly before Christmas.
1 December 2002

(PS the website says "We believe the 279 Long Wave signal will reach 
as far as Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, but plan to boost reception 
still further by broadcasting on satellite and short wave to other 
parts of the world.")  (via Mike Terry, Dec 15, DXLD)

** ITALY. RECEPTION  REPORT  FROM  FINLAND	December 16th, 2002

Station:	Studio X, Momigno
Frequency:	1584 kHz medium wave
Date :		Friday-Saturday night, December 14th, 2002			
Time:		00.51 – 01.28 Italian time

What a lovely feeling to discover that Your station can be heard all 
the way over here in Finland.  I was listening to the frequency of 
1584 kHz when I heard a voice in American English, who was Glenn 
Hauser and World of Radio. After this I heard nice music, with inserts 
of Studio X announcements inbetween the music records. 

I hope that this report will be of use to use. I enjoyed hearing the 
music, very good, nowadays mostly talk programs on medium wave. There 
was not much interference either, just a little bit from a Spanish 
Station. You are doing just a perfect job. I hope I will reach you 
with this letter.  From what I could hear Studio X in interesting also 
in long distance reception reports, you have a nice and informative 
program called World of Radio. 

Here are some details from what I heard:
0051 DX-program / World of Radio Edition 1158.
"Sign off at 1958 or 1959. This is.. unusual for Ramadan ..Propagation 
to East Africa was excellent" ...

... 0126 Male announcer: "To be a great Music Station, It's not just 
what you play, it`s the way you play them, And we play them better 
than anyone else – Oh Yeah! – 1-5-8-4 Studio X" into disco music.

This must be an incredible catch! I am glad to hear this station on 
1584 kHz medium wave, where other stations actually also are 
broadcasting. I use a Japanese communications receiver, NRD 525 from 
Japan Radio company and I have a 500 meter long "beverage" antenna. 
This antenna consists simply of a copper wire 1000 meter in direction 
to the area and station I want to hear and it is very selective for 
other stations outside this direction. 

Thank You very much indeed for this fine moment in front of my radio 
set. I hope to hear the same station again sometimes, when reception 
conditions permit. ---I would like to send my greetings to the male 
announcer, whose voice traveled this distance. Perhaps you can 
recognize this person. I would very much like you to comment on this 
program, so I can learn more about your radio. Your verification 
answer would be very much appreciated as a memory of the contact. 

Best regards, Mr. Per-Ole Stenman, JAKOBSTAD, Finland
(via Massimiliano Marchi, Radio Studio X, DXLD)

**  JAPAN. NHK domestic relay Osaka 2, very weak 15 DEC at 1235 UT on 
3373.5 USB, listed as 300 watts. Also Tokyo 1, not \\, slightly 
stronger on 3607.5U.  Off 1300 (John Cobb, Roswell, GA, R75 and 80-
foot Windom w/L-C tuner, Dec 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** JAPAN. Hi, JAPAN PREMIUM readers. We, KDXC, release frequency and 
adress list of Japanese radio stations incl FM. Please visit, 
http://www10.plala.or.jp/azwave/ Thank you. -- _/_/ (IWATA Gaku. 
Chiba, JAPAN. editor of JAPAN PREMIUM via DXLD)

** JAPAN. AFN RADIO SERVES DIVERSE AUDIENCE WITH DIVERSE PROGRAMMING 
   By Joseph Giordono and Hana Kusumoto, Stars and Stripes
   Stripes Sunday magazine, December 15, 2002

What do you get if you cross Metallica with Faith Hill, with running
commentary by Rush Limbaugh and Dr. Laura? AFN Radio.

AFN Eagle 810 AM radio broadcasts across the Kanto Plain to 50,000
listeners at Yokota Air Base, Yokosuka Naval Base, Camp Fuji, Camp 
Zama and Atsugi Naval Air Facility. Other stations bring the sound of 
home to U.S. bases from Okinawa to Iceland.

And because they have to be all things to all people, regional 
military radio stations face programming challenges unlike any 
commercial station, industry figures say.

Eagle 810, the American Forces Network station that serves bases 
around Tokyo, ended a three-week hiatus in mid-October, touting a 
revamped format focusing on news, popular music and individual DJs as 
radio personalities.

Radio programmers in Japan and the United States say that, with such a
diverse and large audience, Eagle 810 and other military stations have
to make conscious choices about which audience they most want to 
reach.

'It has elements of a sports station, a news station and a music
station. It covers many genres. It`s elusive,' said Shigeru Yamamoto,
head of programming at Inter FM, one of just two Japanese commercial
stations in the Kanto Plain area that broadcast predominantly in
English.

'When there weren`t many FM stations in Japan, I think Japanese people
tuned in to listen to music,' he said, referring to AFN. 'But 
recently, Western music isn’t hard to find,' noting that stations such 
as MTV Japan are the trendsetters.

American radio programmers also said Eagle 810 faces unique choices.

'The trend in radio has always been to be a niche station, to be known
as the place for country or adult contemporary or R&B,' said 
Christopher Parks, a programming executive in Los Angeles for one of 
the largest commercial radio ownership groups in the United States.

Parks said programming one station to serve an entire community would 
be almost impossible.

'They’re between the proverbial rock and a hard place,' Parks said, 
who hasn’t listened to Eagle 810. 'You have to offer different formats 
to satisfy the different demographics of the audience, but if you 
break things up too much, you lose everyone.'

But Parks said some advantages come with being a radio station playing
to military audiences overseas.

'The bottom line is that they don’t have to sell themselves to
advertisers. When you’ve got a captive audience, like they have, there
isn’t bottom-line pressure to sell time,' he said.

'If they’re the only station that gives American news, American sports
and American music, then no matter how many listener complaints they
might get, those listeners are going to keep listening.'

David Allen contributed to this story (via Kim Elliott, DXLD)

** KASHMIR. Dear Noel, What you heard is the new transmitter of Radio 
Kashmir, Jammu on 4830! Congratulations! (Thanks to info from Alok Das 
Gupta in Kolkata) The old SW transmitter at Jammu was taken off the 
air some years back. This must be the new 50 kw one. Look out for 
other frequencies on 6 / 7 MHz. In the past they were using 3345, 5960 
and 7160 (Jose Jacob, India, dx_india via DXLD)

RADIO KASHMIR JAMMU RETURNS TO SHORTWAVE  
   
The All India Radio (AIR) station in Jammu, identifying as Radio 
Kashmir, has returned to shortwave. According to Jose Jacob in India, 
a new 50-kilowatt transmitter was inaugurated on December 11. The 
schedule is as follows:

0025-0445  4830, 0630-0930  5965, 1030-2310  4830
The schedule can be extended for special occasions.

Radio Kashmir Jammu can also be heard on 990 kHz mediumwave. Reception
reports can be sent to: Station Engineer, Radio Kashmir (All India 
Radio), Palace Road, Jammu 188001, Jammu & Kashmir, India. The station 
can also be reached by email (DXing.info, December 15, 2002 via Mike 
Terry, DXLD)

The new 50 kw BEL SW Transmitter of Radio Kashmir, Jammu is having 
some teething problems and is now off the air. It is expected to be 
back on air with more tests in one or two days. The schedule is as 
given in my previous messages (Jose Jacob, Dec 16, dx_india via DXLD)

Radio Kashmir, Jammu was heard while I checked just now at 1235 UT but 
it went off suddenly at 1246 UT. Signals were good (Jose Jacob, Dec 
17, ibid.)

** MAURITANIA. 7245, R. Mauritanie, Nouakchott. Poor-fair though in 
the clear with Koran recitation 0815 (Paul Ormandy, NZ, ADXN) Heard 
nightly, though s/on varies - sometimes 0800, occasionally 0830. 
Mostly Arabic programming, lots of chanting. Hangs on late, often till 
past 1000, a characteristic of our summer long path reception from W. 
Africa/Europe. Gone by 0945 on 14/12 (Craig Seager, NSW, Dec ADXN via 
DXLD)

** MYANMAR. 5040.6 is heard regularly now, but with the transmitter 
hum. The AIR transmitter in Jepore has regular problems and some days 
Myanmar is in the clear. I suppose old timers will remember Burma 
using 5040 for its service now on 5985.6 (Victor Goonetilleke, Sri 
Lanka, 4S7VK, DXplorer Dec 9 via BCDX via DXLD)

** NAMIBIA. NBC seem to have left 90 mb altogether; whenever I checked 
they were on 49 mb only, so probably 24 hr. operation on 6060 and 6175 
(Vaclav Korinek, RSA, DX-plorer via DXLD)

** PAKISTAN. 15070, R. Pakistan, 1345-1410 Dec 15, Local music with 
wailing vocals by M. Nice flutes and percussion. M announcer with 
muffled audio briefly around 1355, then more music. Same announcer 
again at 1359, instrumenal music bridge to ToH, very brief anouncement 
by differnet M, then news by W in mid-east language starting with ID. 
W audio was stronger and much clearer. Kind of weak with quick fades 
(Dave Valko, PA, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD)

** PERU. 4834.85, Radio Marañón, 1112-1130 Dec 15, Noted mainly 
comments at beginning of listening, then at about 1115 canned ID from 
a woman. This followed by ad and then a radio drama. I don't know if 
the drama was religious (it's Sunday) or not? Signal was fair during 
the entire period. This surprised me because Peru has been in Daylight 
since about 45 minutes ago. My QTH however, is just at the gray line 
point. Gone at 1130 UT, but came back briefly at 1132 at a poor to 
threshold level. The ionosphere fascinates me. Yesterday prior to and 
during this time period, the entire 4 MHz band was covered by QRN. It 
was suggested that it might have been the Northern Lights causing 
the problem? There were others that reported experiencing the same 
problem (Bolland, Chuck, FL, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 

** PERU. 2662.69, Frecuencia (Dos)*, unknown QTH (Peru) Dec 12 2002 - 
1050 UT. Without being to sure I got the feeling that the station has 
been on air for 5 days. The only geographical clue I got was greetings 
to someone in "Amazonas" and "todos los caseríos en el norte" and a 
place with two words, the last was ".... Grande". The programming was 
live music from a studio and greetings. If it is a real 120-mb station 
and not a harmonic it is almost a small bomb. 

*I am uncertain if they say "Dos"; it might be "Dios" as well -- music 
was type of semi religious "Boleros". Also heard evenings.

6020.08, Radio Victoria, Lima, Dec 2002 - 0145 UT. As usual with
their extremely unpleasant ``milagro``-program. Said 780 and 6020 kHz.
Does it mean that 31 mb Frequency now has finished? (Björn Malm, 
Quito, Ecuador, SW Bulletin Dec 15, translated by editor Thomas 
Nilsson for DXLD)

** SAUDI ARABIA [non]. BACKGROUND ON MOVEMENT FOR ISLAMIC REFORM'S 
RADIO | Excerpt from report by London-based Movement for Islamic 
Reform in Arabia in Arabic on 10 December about the movement's Sawt 
al-Islah [Voice of Reform] Radio; sub-headings as published 

.. The movement has made many efforts to deliver its message through 
more effective means than faxes and the Internet. It has tried to 
implement a broadcast initiative to achieve this aim. But such a 
project is far from easy, especially since we oppose a state, with its 
great capabilities and international support. After many patient 
efforts, we have succeeded, thank God, in beginning broadcasting. We 
ask God to grant us success in delivering the word of truth, 
fulfilling the obligation of spreading the message, and allowing all 
members of the [Islamic] community to participate... . 

Broadcast content 

The most important content will be direct dialogue with the movement's 
official spokesman or with individuals selected by the movement to 
speak with listeners. Broadcasts will also include other cultural, 
social, historical, news and press materials, as well as contributions 
from listeners and letters to read on the air, God willing. The air 
will always be open for listener suggestions. 

How can listeners participate? 

By phone, fax, and e-mail - the station's address is radio@islah.org; 
through the movement's web site http://www.miraserve.com which has a 
special window for radio comments; through the radio section of the 
discussion forum; through the al-Islah room in PalTalk 
http://www.paltalk.com open every day between 2200 and 2400 hours 
Mecca time [1900 to 2100 gmt] for secure participation. The listener 
can participate electronically and ensure complete security by 
employing easy-to-use voice alteration programmes available on the 
Internet.... 

[Question] Why did the movement choose HotBird [European broadcast 
satellite at 13 degrees east] ? 

[Answer] The movement did not choose HotBird. It was compelled to 
choose it, as the other satellites that broadcast to the region are 
controlled by agencies that prevented the movement from using them. 
The movement is prepared to switch to another satellite if it is 
guaranteed secure service... 

FAQ [frequently asked questions] on broadcast content 

[Question] What programmes does the station offer? 

[Answer] The most important programme content offers direct dialogue 
with the movement's official spokesman, or with individuals selected 
by the movement to speak with listeners. There will be open dialogue 
on all subjects relating to our country, our [Islamic] community, and 
especially current problems and future dangers. 

[Question] Are there any limitations on broadcasts? 

[Answer] There are absolutely no limitations aside from a prohibition 
on insults, abuse, foul language, or attacks on religion and personal 
dignity. Additionally, European governments impose certain 
limitations. The movement will be careful to heed them. There are no 
limitations, other than those mentioned above, on discussions of 
politics, society, government, or rulers... 

[Question] How will the movement compete with other media in its 
programmes? 

[Answer] The movement does not aim to compete with other media. 
Broadcast content is intended to further the movement's aims. The 
movement feels that, in essence, this project has no competition. As 
far as we are aware, there is no organization capable of delivering 
the unvarnished truth and opening a free space for vital discussion 
beyond the bounds set by the ruling regime. 

Participation FAQ 

[Question] How can I call without the destination of the call becoming 
known? 

[Answer] You can do this by using an international calling card such 
as AT&T, MCI, or by using a "Call Back" system. In the latter, you 
dial a number in Europe or the United States, hang up the receiver, 
and then get a call that provides an international line. These 
methods, however, do not guarantee security if the individual's phone 
is tapped. What applies to the telephone applies to the fax as well. 
Perhaps the only means to avoid wiretapping, even if the phone is 
tapped, is by using internet telephony systems such as "Net-To-Phone." 
This is an affordable system that provides good voice quality and 
makes it impossible to trace the call. 

[Question] Is written communication with the movement safe? 

[Answer] Yes, written correspondence with the movement, whether by e-
mail or the Web site forum, is completely secure, God willing. There 
is no way for anyone to trace the electronic path back to the person 
who sent the letter or message. 

[Question] Will the movement pay attention to what it receives? 

[Answer] Yes, the movement will read everything it receives. We 
cannot, however, guarantee that all questions and comments will be 
read on the air. A comment may be inappropriate, or we may receive too 
many comments, or there may be other reasons. We ask that anyone who 
wants his comment to be read as is kindly provide clear reasons why 
this should be done. 

[Question] How can I participate using PalTalk [an online chat 
system]? 

[Answer] The movement will open a PalTalk room each day from 2200 to 
2400 hours. The room will be connected to the broadcast so that you 
can hear what is happening in the room on air. People will be able to 
enter the room to participate in the broadcast with a virtual 
microphone. According to the information we possess, it will be 
virtually impossible to perform an electronic trace on participants. 

[Question] Will participants be able to alter their voices? 

[Answer] Yes, there are many programmes available on the Internet for 
secure voice alteration. They make it virtually impossible for the 
state to restore the original voice.... Source: Movement for Islamic 
Reform in Arabia web site, London, in Arabic 10 Dec 02 (via BBCM via
DXLD)

** SRI LANKA. TWR Sri Lanka (882 kHz) is noted back on air this 
morning (16 Dec 2002) after being off air for 3 days (Jose Jacob, 
Hyderabad, India, dx_india via DXLD) 

** SRI LANKA. On 10th December, Mr. Tamilselvan, Jaffna news reporter 
working for the clandestine IBC-TAMIL, was severely assaulted by 
soldiers of the Sri Lanka army and members of EPDP. At the time he was 
attacked, the journalist was covering a mass demonstration in 
Nelliyadi town against EPDP and its unlawful activities. EPDP is a 
pro-government Tamil outfit, funded and armed by Srilankan military, 
now fights alongside government troops against the LTTE. During the 
incident, more than 50 civilians were also assaulted by the soldiers. 
Several human rights organisations and Tamil political parties 
condemned this brutal act of army. 

In the worst press freedom violation of the year 2000, on 19 October, 
Mariyadasan Nimalaranjan who worked for several local newspapers in 
Srilanka, radio and TV stations like IBC-TAMIL, and was also a regular 
contributor to the BBC's Sinhala and Tamil services, died after being 
shot by members EPDP, in his home, which was very near to a [garble]. 

Sri Lankan authorities prevented Colombo-based journalists from 
attending the funeral of Nimalaranjan. On the basis of reports within 
Sri Lanka, the defence ministry had given clearance for four 
journalists to travel to the town of Jaffna from the capital but later 
withdrew permission. The reports were later confirmed by the defence 
ministry who failed to provide a reason for the volte-face (via 
Prabakaran, Tamilnadu, India, DXLD)

PA QUERIES VOICE OF TIGERS -- ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka 

The PA expressed its opposition to the government for allowing the 
Voice of Tigers to take the radio transmission equipment to Wanni. The 
customs has allowed some transmitters and other equipment gifted by 
Norway to take to Wanni. 

PA spokesman Dr. Sarath Amunugama said the action of the government 
was against customs procedures and telecommunications regulatory 
authority act. He said the action of Norway raises many doubts about 
the neutral role of Norway in the peace process. 

Dr. Amunugama said the equipment has been cleared by PM’s secretary 
without any customs inspection and taken to Wanni without any 
checking. Tigers have said they wanted the equipment to expand their 
broadcast which earlier started as a clandestine radio (via D. 
Prabakaran, Tamilnadu, Dec 16, DXLD)  What`s PA????

LTTE GIVEN LICENSE FOR FM RADIO STATION 
source- THE HINDU- Tamil daily from India 

The controversy over broadcasting equipment imported for the ' voice 
of tigers' has deepened with media reports that the LIBERATION TIGERS 
OF TAMIL EELAM was granted a temporary license for a private FM radio 
station. The LTTE was given the license last month to broadcast at a 
frequency of 98 MHz subject to condition that the station would be at 
Kilinochi [a rebel held town at northern Srilanka], with a coverage of 
20 km radius and an altitude of 75 mts. 

With Kilinochi around 120 km [??????- d.p] as crow files, from 
southern India, the relative ease with which repeaters can be 
installed, the existing VOT network and the fact that signals are 
stronger across seas, could still [make] it possible for the LTTE 
broadcasts to reach South India. 

The temporary license was to broadcast educational, sports, 
entertainment and foreign news along with local news. The equipment 
imported includes transmitters, antennas, amplifiers, a 20 channel 
audio mixer and speaker systems. The consignment, which was handled by 
Norwegian embassy, was then sent with government escort and handed 
over to the LTTE (via D. PRABAKARAN, METTUPALAYAM, TAMILNADU, INDIA, 
Dec 16, DXLD)

** UKRAINE. Hello Glenn - I remember reading your report in the 
December 4th edition of DXLD that Radio Ukraine International would 
begin improved broadcasts to North America next year. Last night (UT 
Dec 17, 0100 and 0400), I tuned into their broadcasts on 9810, and was 
very impressed with their signal, especially on a night which in 
general exhibited poor to average propagation. They must have run 
their Mykolaiv transmitter at full power from 0000 to 0500 UT, with 
English at 0100 and 0400. The signal approached that of local stations 
at times. It's good to hear RUI with such a nice signal on shortwave 
again (Fred Newlin, New York, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 

RUI TO USE 7375 IN JANUARY 2003. Glenn, Against my monitoring 
recommendation, RUI will change from 9810 kHz to 7375 kHz in January 
2003. Reason for my negative impression of 7375 is mainly due to the 
jammer on and around 7375 as shown in the following monitoring log.

0000 UTC SSB talk around 7375 kHz. R. Marti on 7365 NOT causing QRM to 
         7375 kHz.
0030 UTC jammer causing severe QRM to 7375 kHz
0045 UTC same as 0030 UTC
0050 UTC tone begins on 7375 kHz. Still have jammer QRM.
0100 UTC BBC, positive ID, on 7375 kHz. Also severe jammer QRM.
0115 UTC same ast 0100 UTC
0130 UTC BBC transmission ends. Still have jammer QRM.
0145 UTC same as 0130 UTC.
0200 UTC same as 0130 UTC.
0215 UTC same as 0130 UTC.
0230 UTC same as 0130 UTC.
0245 UTC same as 0130 UTC.
0300 UTC jammer on and around 7375 kHz causing severe QRM. Radio 
         Rossii, Moscow (positive ID) on 7380 kHz NOT causing QRM to 
         7375 kHz.
0315 UTC same as 0300 UTC
0330 UTC same as 0300 UTC
0345 UTC same as 0300 UTC
0400 UTC same as 0300 UTC
0415 UTC same as 0300 UTC
0428 UTC jammer on and around 7375 kHz causing severe QRM. Voice of 
         America begins using 7370 kHz causing slight QRM to 7375 kHz.
         0445 UTC same as 0428 UTC.

In my opinion RUI can probably handle the BBC and VOA QRM on 7375 kHz.
However, IMO, RUI will lose to the jammer on and around 7375 kHz. 73, 
(-.. . Kraig, KG4LAC Krist, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** U A E. UAE Radio, Dubai, has finally moved on from ``Saladin, Hero 
of Islam`` to ``Welcome to Islamic Traditions thru the Ages``, Dec 17 
at 1334-1346 on 21598v. This one was about the art of calligraphy, and 
how Arabic lends itself to near mirror-imagery. Closing credit for 
writer sounded like ``Michael Muslim Mills``! (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

** UK. BBC`s 70th anniversary bash, which seems deliberately devoid of 
any classical music, started off fine, after 1700 UT as I was 
listening to the European webstream, tho a few minutes late, until 
well after the first musical performance was underway, at 1710 it 
suddenly switched to this loop: ``Due to restrixions imposed by the 
rights-holders, BBC World Service is unable to offer the current 
programme on the internet``. !!!!! 

It did continue on the special SW frequency 15190, and on the American 
webstream. What is going on here? How embarrassing, that BBC doesn`t 
have the rights to its own celebration in Europe?? 

Spot checked during the next two sesquihours and the same situation 
continued. Since the Americas webstream can also be accessed in 
Europe, what is the point of all this?

The special ran about 5 minutes past 2000, but 15190 stayed on. There 
was a rather abrupt transition to the newshour at 2005, and 15190 
still stayed on. Just as BBCWS chief Mark Byford, who does not speak 
the Queen`s English, was asking what the future holds for the WS, he 
was chopped off at 2029:30 (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

In response to Glen[n]'s original posting let me offer the following 
guess as to what happened with the Internet Feed. Usually BBCWS 
broadcasts Sunday Sports World at 1700 GMT which of course we cannot 
hear in the 'new world' because 15190 has gone off and because none of 
the BBC WS live sports material is webcast. SO someone likely forgot 
to change the system that turns the feed off during the regularly 
scheduled sports show. Just a guess (Sandy Finlayson, swprograms)

No, as I said the birthday bash started off fine, and only after a few 
minutes did we get the blocking message on the Europe webstream (gh, 
DXLD)

** U K. Re: DXLD-2197 "When BBC7 arrives on Sunday, only 120,000 radio 
sets will be able to pick it up".

That's true, but what the article doesn't mention is that so will more 
than 6 million TV sets, as the service will also be available - like 
the other BBC digital services - on the Sky digital platform via the 
Astra satellite. The BBC does a poor job of marketing its existing 
digital services. BBC 5 Live's jingles and ID's refer to its 
mediumwave frequencies of 909 and 693, never to its digital ones. UK 
listeners don't need a Sky subscription to access the BBC services. 

The same call centre that handles Sky viewing cards also issues free 
viewing cards to any UK household with a valid TV licence that asks 
for one. In addition to the BBC, this picks up other UK channels
including ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, Sky News (which is not  
encrypted), the ITV News Channel, CNN, EuroNews, a whole bunch of 
shopping channels and oddities such as Abu Dhabi TV which are free to 
air.

It's therefore erroneous to say that 'BBC digital broadcasts are 
available in only 65 per cent of the country', since anyone from the 
north of Scotland to the Channel Islands can pick them up with a 60 or 
80 cm dish and a digibox. Now, if the argument is that they can only 
be picked up by spending extra money, that's different. Everyone, 
regardless of income, has to pay the same amount for a TV licence, 
which funds these services. But not everyone can afford the extra for 
the equipment to receive them. But the article makes no mention of the 
fact that, if you have digital satellite TV, you don't need to go out 
straight away and buy a digital radio. Nor do you need your TV set on 
to listen to radio, as the digibox has an audio output that can be 
plugged into your hi fi. The only problem is that the digibox doesn't 
have a frequency or channel display, so you either need to know the
channel number of the station, or select it first via the EPG on TV 
screen.

The author of the piece, Ray Snoddy, is a very experienced media 
analyst, but I have often found his pieces to be lacking in research.
73, (Andy Sennitt, Netherlands, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** U S A. Radio Farda (Tomorrow Radio) starts its broadcast in Persian 
(Farsi) 24 hours from studios in Washington, DC and Prague, CZ. 
to Iran on Thursday Dec 19.2002. Its website will be 
http://www.radiofarda.org and will be in operational sometimes in JAN 
2003; at present time redirect you to the http://www.radioazadi.org 
web site. Also on Satellite, Internet and on AM 1593 kHz on 24 hours 
basis. Time UT:

0030-0400 9515 9585 9795 
0400-0600 9585 9795 12015 15290 
0600-0800 9585 15290 17675 
0800-0830 9585 13680 15290 17675 21475 
0830-1400 13680 21475 
1400-1700 9435 13680 15410 
1700-1900 11705 11845 
1900-2000 6140 11960 11985 
2000-2130 9785 11960 11985 
2130-0030 1593, Satellite, and Internet Only
Sincerely (Pete Mohazzabi, Dec 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

I noticed that R. Farda`s posted schedule has gaps in it, hardly 24h, 
so clicked on the webcast ending at 1700 UT Dec 16. After that, the 
webcast went to loop ``This is RFE/RL, Praha``... (gh, DXLD)

** U S A. Wall Street Journal, 16 Dec 2002:  COMMENTARY

WHAT'S 'POP' IN PERSIAN?   By JESSE HELMS

Iran seethes with protests over a death sentence given to a professor
for  disagreeing with the government about who is allowed to interpret
the Koran.  Iranians are now questioning the decisions of their
religious, political and  judicial leaders. The sentence has been
appealed, making the coming weeks  crucial to Iran's internal debate
over freedom. There has never been a  greater  opportunity for U.S.
public diplomacy to assure Iranians of our solidarity  and  to tell 
the story of liberty and limited government.

Unfortunately, we won't be able to, because the most successful U.S. 
broadcasts  into Iran have been shut down. And it wasn't the mullahs 
who shut down these  broadcasts. We did.

Until Dec. 1, Radio Azadi (Persian for freedom) delivered 11 daily
hours of news and discussion of social and political issues. Beginning 
in 1998, it earned the trust of Iranian students and dissidents.
During the 1999 student protests, Azadi broadcast a call from the wife
of a dissident at the very moment the regime's goons where beating 
down the door of her apartment.

In November, as students took to the streets to protest the
professor's death sentence, Azadi broadcast roundtable discussions
between student leaders, other dissidents and the exile community,
providing one of the only means of communication between democratic
forces inside and outside the country. Its death prompted this protest
from a listener: "At a time when the need for democratic forces and
two-way communication with the outside world has increased and become
ever more critical for the very survival of those forces, the most 
effective means of achieving that end has been discarded."

The role earned by Azadi -- as facilitator of conversations between
exiled Iranians and democratic forces inside Iran -- was what Congress
had in mind in 1996 and 1998 when funds were set aside for
broadcasting into Iran. Congress based that legislation on Radio Free
Europe/Radio Liberty, which broadcast messages of hope into Eastern
Europe during the Cold War. It's a major understatement to say that
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty played a crucial role in rolling back
communism.

Adding insult to injury, Azadi was replaced yesterday by a new format
that specifically excludes any description of U.S. foreign policy and
any discussions with dissidents, either inside or outside Iran.
Instead, the U.S. taxpayer will finance the broadcasting of "Top 40"
American and local pop tunes delivered with a spoonful of headline
news content. This format, which hasn't been approved by Congress, is
the creation of a bureaucracy called the Broadcasting Board of 
Governors, which, until recently, was controlled by Clinton 
appointees.

This ill-advised format is based on the hope of boosting listenership
through pop music. No doubt, some will listen to this network, but to
what end?

It's difficult to believe that the Bush administration has agreed to
support this shift from a proven program of serious policy discussion
to a teeny-bopper music-based format. Nevertheless, Radio Farda was
unveiled yesterday. It likely will insult the cultural sensitivities
of Iranians, as well as their intelligence.

Meanwhile, the brave professor sits in jail cell awaiting execution, 
students plot protests, and the regime struggles to hold the line
against the will of the people. And the U.S. will be spinning Britney
Spears discs?

Mr. Helms is a Republican senator for North Carolina (via Kim Elliott, 
DXLD)

** U S A. CASEY KASEM OR FREEDOM?
By Jackson Diehl, Monday, December 16, 2002; Page A25 Washington Post

After an Iranian court sentenced the reformist academic Hashem 
Aghajari to death last month, the largest and most sustained student 
demonstrations in years erupted in Tehran. As they grew, day after 
day, U.S.-operated Radio Azadi, or "Radio Freedom," was their favorite 
medium. Every day, student leaders would call by cell phone from the 
roiling campuses to the radio's headquarters in Prague and narrate the 
latest developments live. Each night the radio would broadcast a 
roundtable discussion, patching together students and journalists in 
Tehran with exiled opposition leaders to discuss where the reform 
movement was going. So instrumental to the rebellion-in-the-making did 
the radio become that pro-regime counter-demonstrators recently held 
up a placard reading "Who does Radio Azadi talk to?" -- a taunt taken 
by the station's staff as a badge of honor.

The protest movement, now five weeks old, rolls on, spreading from 
students to workers and from Tehran to other cities. Some see 
parallels to the popular movements that overthrew the Communist 
regimes of Europe in 1989 -- with a big dose of help from U.S.-
sponsored Radio Free Europe. In this case, however, the tottering 
dictatorship has gotten a big break: Two weeks ago, Radio Freedom 
abruptly disappeared from the air. Iranians were no longer able to 
hear firsthand reports of the protests or the nightly think tanks 
about their country's future. Instead, after two weeks of virtual 
silence, the broadcasts are being replaced this week with tunes from 
Jennifer Lopez, Whitney Houston and other soft-rockers.

How did the mullahs pull off this well-timed lobotomy? They didn't: 
The U.S. government, in the form of the Broadcasting Board of 
Governors, did it. In an act that mixes Hollywood arrogance with 
astounding ignorance of Iranian reality, the board has silenced the 
most effective opposition radio station in Iran at a time of 
unprecedented ferment. In its place, at three times the expense, the 
United States now will supply Iran's revolutionary students with a 
diet of pop music -- on the theory that this better advances U.S. 
interests.

Even the name of the station has been sanitized. Instead of "Freedom" 
-- regarded as too political by the programmers -- the radio will be 
called "Farda," meaning "tomorrow." Never mind that "freedom" is what 
thousands of young Iranians have been risking their lives to shout 
every day on the streets. "The assumption of the people who did this 
back in Washington is that Iranian young people, like young people in 
most places, don't want to hear news," says Stephen Fairbanks, the 
ousted director of Radio Freedom. But this is not most places -- this 
is Iran, where young people are leading a rebellion against a 
dictatorship that has stifled opposition media. The student leaders 
who used to phone in, Fairbanks says, now tell him that "they are 
losing their voice."

The "people back in Washington" Fairbanks referred to are led by 
Norman Pattiz, a Los Angeles-based commercial radio mogul and generous 
Democratic contributor who was rewarded by President Clinton with an 
appointment to the broadcasting board. As the chairman of the board's 
Middle East committee, Pattiz initially focused on the Voice of 
America's Arabic service, which he deemed out of touch in a region 
where there is growing popular hostility to the United States. His 
solution was to replace what he called the "old-style propaganda" of 
VOA with Radio Sawa, a pop-music station that debuted last March. Sawa 
broadcasts five minutes of news twice each hour, along with Whitney, 
Britney and a few Arabic balladeers.

The jury on Sawa is still out. The good news is that the station seems 
to have captured a fairly large audience in countries such as like 
Jordan and Dubai, where American culture is popular even if American 
policy is not. But Pattiz and his Washington-based program consultant, 
Bert Kleinman -- a former producer of Casey Kasem's hit countdown -- 
have yet to prove that they can sustain the audience while "layering 
in" more news. In fact, they have yet to deliver on promises to 
Congress that the news programming will be significantly increased.
Their argument that young Arabs in cities such as Amman and Beirut are 
more likely to be captured by American music than by canned 
documentaries is not unreasonable. What's inexplicable is the 
extension of that logic to mullah-ruled Iran. Yes, Jordan's young 
population, governed by a pro-American dynasty, is angry at the United 
States; but in Iran, where an anti-American dictatorship is clinging 
to power through sheer brutality, the United States and its policies 
are wildly popular, especially among young people.

So was America's radio station, until recently. "This is not the Cold 
War era, where oppressed people were under the thumb of tyrants, and 
they would stand with one foot in a bathtub holding a wire hanger to 
hear what we would say," Pattiz smugly told the Boston Globe. Maybe 
not in Egypt, but that's exactly what was happening in Iran -- until 
Washington pulled the plug. "We made extraordinary inroads," says 
Fairbanks. "Everyone started to see us as a forum. Each day there were 
students who would report live to us from their mobile phones. It's a 
measure of how bold they have become that they would do that." "Or 
did." 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59781-2002Dec15.html © 
2002 The Washington Post Company (via Kim Elliott, Harry Helms, Mike 
Cooper, DXLD)

** U S A [non]. Airborne PsyOps against IRAQ begin: see IRAQ [non]

** U S A. New York Times (magazine, I think) December 15, 2002

POP-AGANDA  By PAUL TOUGH

Why do they hate us? According to a theory being tested this year by 
the Broadcasting Board of Governors, an arm of the United States 
government, they hate us because we haven't been playing them enough 
J. Lo. In March, the B.B.G. addressed that shortfall by budgeting $35 
million to start Radio Sawa, a 24-hour radio network broadcasting from 
studios in Washington to FM stations in Jordan, Kuwait, the United 
Arab Emirates and Qatar; it's also piped into Iraq, past Saddam's 
scramblers, via Kuwait. 

Radio Sawa is the brainchild of Norman Pattiz, chairman of the 
Westwood One radio network. Soon after President Clinton appointed him 
to help oversee the government's foreign broadcasting efforts, Pattiz 
took a fact-finding trip to the Middle East, and he came back with two
observations: there is a ''media war'' going on in the Arab world, and
the United States is losing. 

The Arab-language all-talk Voice of America, also under the control of
the B.B.G., wasn't up to the fight, Pattiz concluded. It was boring,
especially to the younger generation Pattiz wanted to target. Radio
Sawa, by contrast, is lots of fun: an upbeat mix of contemporary 
Western and Arabic pop (J. Lo segués quite nicely into the Egyptian 
heartthrob Hisham Abbas, it turns out), no ads and two brief news 
segments each hour, presenting the events of the day with a gently 
pro-American spin. Pattiz recruited Arab journalists from Al Hayat (a 
London-based newspaper) and ''Nightline'' to write the news briefs. 

Officially, the reports are balanced and objective, seeking the truth
from all sides. But critics charge that Radio Sawa presents the 
American point of view more explicitly than Voice of America did. For 
example, the V.O.A. was criticized in Washington late in 2001 for 
broadcasting excerpts from an interview with the Taliban leader Mullah 
Muhammed Omar; the news director of Radio Sawa, by contrast, told 
reporters that he wouldn't have broadcast Omar's interview, nor would 
he broadcast the voice of Saddam Hussein. President Bush's June 24, 
2002, speech calling on Palestinians to replace Yasir Arafat, however, 
was broadcast live in its entirety, translated instantly into Arabic. 

The message comes through in the music, too -- like Casey Kasem, the
D.J.'s on Radio Sawa introduce each song with a story about the 
artist. ''When we play a song by Jennifer López, we talk about all the
difficulties she has overcome,'' Pattiz explains. ''Those are great
stories about the kind of things that can happen to you when you live 
in a democracy.'' 

Though reliable ratings figures are sometimes difficult to come by, so
far indications are that Radio Sawa (sawa means ''together'' in 
Arabic) is getting through: Pattiz says that 80 percent of 18- to 30-
year-olds in Amman are regular listeners. And the network is 
expanding; this month, the B.B.G. plans to start a Radio Sawa-like 
service that will broadcast in Farsi to Iran. 

The main problem, so far, is that the network's young Arab listeners
seem to like the pop a lot more than they like the news: Avril 
Lavigne, yes; Condoleezza Rice, no. One Jordanian listener told the 
BBC that he listens to the music on Radio Sawa all the time but turns 
the dial whenever the news comes on. ''It's like listening to Israeli 
radio,'' he said. ''It's biased.'' (via Kim Elliott, DXLD)

** U S A. PENTAGON DEBATES PROPAGANDA PUSH IN ALLIED NATIONS
   By THOM SHANKER and ERIC SCHMITT

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 — The Defense Department is considering issuing a 
secret directive to the American military to conduct covert operations 
aimed at influencing public opinion and policy makers in friendly and 
neutral countries, senior Pentagon and administration officials say.
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld has not yet decided on the 
proposal, which has ignited a fierce battle throughout the Bush 
administration over whether the military should carry out secret 
propaganda missions in friendly nations like Germany, where many of 
the Sept. 11 hijackers congregated, or Pakistan, still considered a 
haven for Al Qaeda's militants.

Such a program, for example, could include efforts to discredit and 
undermine the influence of mosques and religious schools that have 
become breeding grounds for Islamic militancy and anti-Americanism 
across the Middle East, Asia and Europe. It might even include setting 
up schools with secret American financing to teach a moderate Islamic 
position laced with sympathetic depictions of how the religion is 
practiced in America, officials said.

Many administration officials agree that the government's broad 
strategy to counter terrorism must include vigorous and creative 
propaganda to change the negative view of America held in many 
countries.

The fight, one Pentagon official said, is over "the strategic 
communications for our nation, the message we want to send for long-
term influence, and how we do it." As a military officer put it: "We 
have the assets and the capabilities and the training to go into 
friendly and neutral nations to influence public opinion. We could do 
it and get away with it. That doesn't mean we should."...
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/16/international/16MILI.html?ex=1040706000&en=3132532d70106b87&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE 
(via Artie Bigley, DXLD)

** U S A. December 15th - 2328 UT - tuned in to find (I *think* this 
time)  W R N O on 7355 with a strong signal, still a bit low on 
modulation. Programming in English is a man talking about economic 
changes - almost sounds like the same individual I heard a number of 
days ago.

Not waiting for Station ID before reporting - last time I waited 1 
hour 19 minutes for one - only to have them sign-off shortly 
thereafter (almost 0300 UT on a Monday) If you need WRNO, here's a 
chance. SINPO in Ohio is 44434 (Bill Matthews, Columbus, Ohio, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

Checked at 0020 UT Dec 16, and a pretty strong carrier, but modulation 
very low; not enough to avoid bubble jammer bleedover from 7365, or 
SSB 2-way on low side; stayed on 2.5 hours, but unlistenable (gh, OK, 
DXLD)

** U S A. Ran across ``Imagination Theatre`` as it was about to end at 
0600 UT Mon Dec 16 on KFAB-1110 Omaha, caught website 
http://www.transmediasf.com which in turn leads to a station list for 
this weekly hour: http://www.transmediasf.com/itstat.html
Unfortunately the listing for KFAB itself is wrong, just `Sat 6 pm and 
midnight`, zone not specified, presumably local UT-6. Some 150 
stations are claimed including some other biggies, such as WCCO, KKOB, 
KPNW (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

** U S A. Re WMQM running 50 kW on 1600:

This is a very remarkable change of the FCC policy. 1600AM was used as 
a low power AM channel. This station might cause a lot of interference 
in the areas of low power stations during nighttime. Nevertheless WMQM 
has more or less a clear channel. Best regards (Eric PA2REH, BDXC, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

Eric, Not really. For many years now FCC has allowed more than 5 kW on 
regional channels, on a case by case basis. Same company already 
accomplished this several years ago with their 1300 in Nashville, 
WNQM, 50 kW. DAYTIME, if there are no stations close enough to be 
interfered (or if applicant can buy off/close down such stations, as 
was done with 1600 and 1300). You apparently haven`t seen my other 
reports about this. Night power is only 35 watts. Of course once they 
are on the air, they might be able to get this changed, or heaven 
forbid, ``forget`` to power down as so many stations do, without 
consequences. And then there`s the prospect of digital... 1600 is 
anything but `clear` with dozens of other stations in the USA, day and 
night. KATZ St Louis tends to dominate here. WMQM has apparently been 
delayed again. Not heard Dec 14 or 15. 73, (Glenn Hauser, DXLD)

WMQM IS ON THE AIR! For Immediate Release 14 December 2002
POC: George McClintock (615) 255-1300 

The "On-Air" date for WMQM, 1600-AM, Memphis, Tennessee's newest 
Christian Radio station has finally arrived. Several unforeseen delays 
have finally been overcome and the station officially began "on-air" 
testing on Saturday evening, 14 December 2002. The station will 
continue testing on Sunday and is expected to begin regular 
programming on Monday, 16 December 2002  (via WWCR website) 

Kept checking 1600, and Mon Dec 16 in the 2200+ period there was no 
particular station dominating the skywave mélange, but at 2238 caught 
an ID for KCRG in Iowa. Surely if WMQM were on yet at full power it 
would be making an appearance before LSS at 2245. Not till 2248 did 
KATZ fade up, with a traffic report for I-55 and I-70. Also checked 
Tue Dec 17 from 1303 to 1330, and nothing identifiable as WMQM; 
occasional dominants were something in Spanish, and KATZ again with 
St. Louis traffic (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

For Immediate Release 16 December 2002

WMQM, 1600-AM, Memphis, Tennessee's newest Christian Radio station has 
arrived. Several unforeseen delays have finally been overcome, with 
only minor problems still existing. The station officially began "on-
air" testing Saturday evening, 14 December 2002. 

The station will continue testing throughout this week and is expected 
to begin regular programming shortly. Currently the station is off the 
air, due to interference being caused to a local railroad crossing 
sign. The railroad officials are working on the situation and should 
have it solved shortly (via WWCR website Dec 17, via DXLD)

** U S A. Received a post card from Gary "Jax" Jackson in today's 
mail. It reads: "Talked to owner KHPY Moreno Valley, CA 1670 kHz. He 
stated they had not been testing only one hour so far. But would be on 
air on a regular basis after first of year." (Art Blair, Folsom, CA, 
Dec 17, IRCA via DXLD)

** U S A. There are 3 days left to comment to the mailing from the 
lawyers requesting night IBOC on AM. Sorry, I understand that this is 
an FM forum but I believe IBOC is important enough to post this. 
Thanks for your patience. (Kevin Redding, WTFDA)

Commissioners, Gentlemen, 

I am writing in reply to the recent request on 99-325 by Mr. John 
Wells King of Garvey Schubert Barer to have IBOC allowed at night. 
Sirs, I am taking this opportunity to request as a end user that 
this NOT be allowed. 

I live in Arizona far from much of the testing that has been done 
with IBOC. I have had interference from the digital sidebands that 
cause me loss of service and difficulty in hearing regularly heard 
stations at my home. At present, although the interference, which 
sounds like rushing water on each side of the center frequency which 
is testing, it can be heard here. 

Not only is the interference with United States stations, it also 
interferes with international frequencies. In the early December 
testing with WLW running IBOC, I was unable to listen to sports 
programming from Southern California that I commonly listen to, 
without interference, from XETRA. The digital artifact was quite 
destructive to XETRA. 

During the later testing between WLW and WOR, considerable 
interference was noted between WOR`s IBOC upper sideband signal and 
KDWN from Las Vegas. This would cause secondary listeners, in a case 
of national emergency such as occurred on 9/11, would be rendered 
unable to retrieve information concerning the emergency. The same 
would be if there was an EAS message to be broadcast. The general 
public uses analog radio and the interference would possibly cause 
many listeners to be rendered unable to receive life saving 
notifications because of an increased noise floor due to the 
sideband digital transmission. 

In the petition on page 3 its noted "...computer models and field 
tests have shown that night time use of the AM IBOC system can in 
certain instances, lead to intolerable levels of interference..." If 
this interference is going to be intolerable in many cases, at least 
extrapolating what could be from what I have heard, then why cause 
the public to lose their service and notification of emergencies in 
any case?

With the significant skywave that is observed on MW frequencies, I 
am of the opinion that digital will not work well, especially in the 
hybrid IBOC mode and will be destructive to the AM analog band in a 
way that will cause listeners to flee to other bands or 
entertainment venues. 

I disagree with the petition on page 4 that states, "...the number of
stations which would cause interference is small." I believe that 
all stations not running IBOC would receive detrimental interference 
if I can hear the sidebands on the other side of the country from 
the testing. This interference has been noted also in California. 

It is for this reason that I believe that even the digital stations 
would interfere with one another in the IBOC hybrid mode. 

I would like to see further testing with several adjacent 
frequencies with stations such as 1060 KDUS, KNX 1070 kHz, KSCO 1080 
kHz or some such clustered arrangement be tested. Furthermore until 
testing is done with 8 or so stations on a graveyard frequency such 
as 1230 and 1240 clustered in a fairly close proximity, then the 
true effect of IBOC will not be understood. 

It`s for the reason that I feel testing is not only complete, but I 
believe that real world testing has not even been accomplished, that 
I am against the night time use of IBOC on MW frequencies at this 
time. Thank You Commissioners for your time in this matter.

(Kevin Redding, Mesa, Arizona, Dec 17, via WTFDA via DXLD)

** U S A. Dear Mike, RAIN has learned that the "Small Commercial 
Webcaster" license for the performance of sound recordings on Internet 
radio - an optional license that can be elected by qualified small 
webcasters in lieu of the statutory license if they so choose - has 
been signed by parties representing both sides and was submitted to 
the Copyright Office on Friday afternoon. Read all about it -- 
including a message from one of the smaller commercial webcasters who 
participated in the negotiations -- in today's issue of "RAIN: Radio 
And Internet Newsletter," which is available online now at 
http://www.kurthanson.com (via Mike Terry, Dec 16, DXLD)

** VATICAN. VATICAN RADIO EMISSIONS "WITHIN THE LAW"

In an official statement, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says 
that electromagnetic emissions from the transmitter site of Vatican 
Radio at Santa Maria di Galeria are "now within the safety limits set 
by the Italian law." This follows problems last year when readings 
taken on behalf of the government had confirmed that radiation 
exceeded the permitted maximum at 11 of the 14 locations subjected to 
checking. The inhabitants of the area around Santa Maria di Galeria, 
north of Rome, claim that local cases of leukaemia were caused by 
pollution from Vatican Radio´s transmitter site. Vatican Radio reduced 
the power on some frequencies and moved certain transmissions to other 
sites (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 17 December 2002 via DXLD)

** VENEZUELA [non]. Checking the weekly Aló Presidente via Cuba, Sun 
Dec 15 at 1440, surprised to find that 15570 was not parallel to 17750 
and 15230, which were parallel to each other. Some had music, others 
talk. So two different transmitter sites and/or different feedlines? 
But at 1445 recheck they had merged. As usual, the other two reported 
frequencies, 11715 and 6140, were inaudible (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX 
LISTENING DIGEST)

** ZANZIBAR. TANZANIA. Zanzibar tuned 11734.1 at 1935 UT, fair signal 
with US/Euro soft rock music and female DJ who was making 
announcements in what sounded like English, last number ran past TOH; 
into Swahili talk at 2000:30 with mentions of Zanzibar and Pemba. 
Local Mid-East style music followed. 73, (John Cobb, Roswell, GA, R75 
and 80-foot Windom w/L-C tuner, Dec 16, DX LISTENING DIGEST)

11734.1, 3.12 1648, Radio Tanzania Zanzibar med s/on kl. 1648 UT, 
arabisk lignende messende sang, fra 1700 UT meget stærk QRM fra Radio 
Africa Int'l på 11735 med 'Goodevening Africa' (amerikansk metodist 
radio via Jülich) 3 SHN (Stig Hartvig Nielsen, Denmark, SW Bulletin 
via DXLD)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

PUBLICATIONS
++++++++++++

BROADCASTS IN ENGLISH WINTER 2002 EDITION

The Winter 2002 edition of Broadcasts in English is now available from 
the British DX Club. It was compiled by Alan Pennington and includes 
details of all currently known international broadcasts in English on 
shortwave and mediumwave for the B-02 schedule period (Winter 2002 in 
northern hemisphere). As usual it  is in time order throughout and 
covers all target areas. Transmitter sites are listed where known.

This edition of Broadcasts in English is incorporated in the special 
January edition of BDXC's monthly bulletin "Communication" which has 
just been posted to all BDXC members. It also includes:
- Guide to DX and Media programmes in English
- Complete listing of all active UK Low Power AM stations
- latest shortwave, mediumwave and UK radio news
- WorldSpace Afristar / WRN EuroMax / IBB mediumwave schedules
and other features....

Copes of this 60 page booklet are available while stocks last at the
following prices (postage included):

United Kingdom - 2 pounds sterling
Europe - 5 Euros or 5 International Reply Coupons
Rest of World - 5 US dollars or 6 International Reply Coupons.

UK cheques/postal orders should be payable to "British DX Club".
Payments in dollars or euros by cash only please.

All order/enquiries to:

British DX Club
126 Bargery Road
Catford
London SE6 2LR UK

Full details also on the BDXC web site: http://www.bdxc.org.uk
(via Mike Terry, hard-core-dx via DXLD)

PROPAGATION
+++++++++++

AURORA

This is most certainly a radio related subject. To obtain an 
explanation and up to date data. http://www.spaceweather.com  Home
page, this will often (but not always) mention auroras (aurorae?).
At any rate then scroll up to link NOAA Space Environment Centre and 
double click this. Click Online Data on the next menu. When this comes 
up scroll to SEC User Groups and double click Aurora (Ken Fletcher, 
UK, 1326 UT 15th November 2002, DX LISTENING DIGEST)   ###