DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-036, March 3, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser, ghauser@hotmail.com Items from DXLD may be reproduced and re-reproduced only if full credit be maintained at all stages and we be provided exchange copies. DXLD may not be reposted in its entirety without permission. Materials taken from Arctic or originating from Olle Alm and not having a commercial copyright are exempt from all restrictions of noncommercial, noncopyrighted reusage except for full credits HTML version of this issue will be posted afterwards at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3c.html [note change] HTML version of February issues: http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3b.html HTML version of all January issues: http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3a.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html For restrixions and searchable 2002 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid2.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn NEXT AIRINGS of WORLD OF RADIO 1171: WJIE: M-F 1300, Mon and Tue 0700 on 7490 RFPI: Tue 1900, Wed 0100, 0700, 1300, 7445 and/or 15038.6 WWCR: Wed 1030 on 9475 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1171.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1171.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1171h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1171h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1171.html ** AFGHANISTAN. YA1CQ was heard this past week and weekend on 17/12/10 meters. Check 18130 kHz around 1200z, around 24940/24950 kHz after 0630z and again after 0800z, and 28480 kHz after 0730z. QSL via JA1CQT. It has also been reported that Nick, G4KUX, is in the country until April 2004 and is active as YA4F. Most of his activity reported on the clusters has been on 40 and 6 meters. Watch around 7048 kHz after 1930z. QSL via G4KUX (OPDX March 3 via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DXLD) ** ANGOLA [non]. Radio Ecclesia, emisora de la Iglesia Católica de Angola, transmite via transmisores de SENTECH (Sudáfrica), de acuerdo al siguiente esquema: 1900-2000 7205 Portugués QTH: Radio Ecclesia, Caixa Postal 3579, Luanda, Angola. Web: http://www.recclesia.org (Marcelo Cornachioni, Argentina, Conexión Digital Mar 2 via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. 15480, HCJB-AUS, 1353 March 2 in English with man preaching, then ID at 1400, into news, then sports report (cricket, etc.) until 1415 when another religious show begins. Playing around with the sync detectors on the Drake SW8, reception overall was fair- to-poor; at one point it seemed that signal was readable with the sync unit turned off (Joe Hanlon in Philadelphia, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Audible here around 1430, a bit better, but lots of flutter (gh, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRIA. Hello all, during the two weeks of existence the Listener's Initiative for Radio Austria International could achieve quite a big resonance within international media. Now we can report a first result: 2 members of the executive body, the "Stiftungsrat", replied --- both voted pro Radio Austria International! Let's hope this start will encourage more members of the Stiftungsrat to make their decision public. http://www.radio-portal.org/roi/votum.html will reflect future developments as soon as they occur... vy 73, (Willi _/_/ http://www.radio-portal.org _/_/ The Radio Search Engine Passmann, March 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BAHRAIN [and non]. Hello Glenn. Welcome from the land of U.S. Naval paradise - Bahrain! I am deployed with the Navy, here in Bahrain on orders for a year, but hopefully, they won't need me and others from my unit for that long! I'd much rather be back home with my family in Atlanta. I saw an interesting item yesterday. It's one of those leaflets we've been hearing about in the news from our psyops people. It lists the frequencies Iraqi people should tune to for information by coalition forces. Here they are: (1800-2300 local - daily): 756 kHz 690 kHz 9715 kHz 11292 kHz 100.4 MHz FM I am not sure if the broadcasts are in AM or SSB, but would strongly guess they're in AM. I don't think too many Iraqis have SSB receivers! I'm sending you this information to possibly share with your listeners and/or readers for an interesting DX catch that we don't hear on a daily basis! I just met two local hams, here in Bahrain, and shared the same information with them. We're located about 500 miles South of Baghdad, so our best opportunities to hear these are probably on either 9715 or 11292. Since they will certainly be in Arabic, I won't understand any of it anyway, but my two new friends would. I've asked them to tell me about what they hear. It is a shame to note the local (and only) ham club station on the island is in bad shape. I have offered to help fix it up again, but don't know when our first work party will be. By the way, I have my trusty Sony 7600 with me, and quickly realized that short wave broadcast radio is pretty dull in the Middle East to a non-Arabic speaking person. It seems many SWL broadcasters really don't broadcast towards this part of the world. There ARE some strong stations to be heard on the bands, but they are almost always in Arabic. I'm used to hearing a great deal more when in Europe or America. It is fun to hear all the Russians, Japanese, Australians and Indians using 40 meters CW at night. That's something you hardly ever hear back home in the states! Finally, you don't remember me, but we did meet before. When Bob Grove was having the annual weekend shows in Knoxville, Tennessee, we and others chatted one evening for a couple of hours. I have enjoyed your radio work for years. If I find other information, I'll be glad to pass it along - if interested? 73; (Tim Lemmon, WK4U, Feb 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Certainly! Good luck to you (gh) ** BELARUS`. Radio Minsk A'03 3/3/03 Radio Station ``Belarus``/ Radio Minsk A'03 ----------------------------------- vul. Chyrvonaya 4, 220807 Minsk, Republic of Belarus` Fax + (375-17)-284 85 74 Telephone + (375-17)-239 58 30, -239 58 31,-239 58 32, -239 58 75 Please, listen to us on the web at http://www.tvr.by Transmissions: Summer 0100 - 0300 UT 5970, 7210 kHz 1900 - 2100 UT 1170, 7105, 7210 kHz B = Belarusian, E = English, G = German, R = Russian UT Mon Tue Wed Thu 0100 B B B B 0130 B B B B 0200 E B E G 0230 R B B B 1900 B B B B 1930 B E G E 2000 R R R R 2030 B E G E Fri Sat Sun 0100 B B B 0130 B B R 0200 E E E 0230 B B G 1900 B B B 1930 R G G 2000 B R B 2030 R G G Mrs. Natalya Khlebus -Director, Radio Station ``Belarus``` Mr. Ilia Dohel - English program editor, Radio Minsk Mrs. Elena Khoroshevich -German program editor, Radio Minsk Mr. Jürgen Eberhardt - German program editor, Radio Minsk (Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, March 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BELGIUM [non]. 3/3/03 RVI A'03 UT Programmes kHz Target Station Direction ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 0300-0330 Flanders Today 15565 America (N,C,S) Bonaire 320 0330-0400 RVi Info 15565 America (N,C,S) Bonaire 320 0500-0530 RVi Info 15195 Europe Krasnodar 284 13685 Europe (SE) Jülich 115 9925 Africa (C) Meyerton 355 0530-0600 RVi Magazine 15195 Europe Krasnodar 284 13685 Europe (SE) Jülich 115 0600-0700 RVi Info+RVi Mag 1512 15195 Europe Krasnodar 284 13685 Europe (SE) Jülich 115 0700-0730 Flanders Today 1512 5985 Europe Jülich ND 0700-0800 RVi Info+RVi Mag 15195 Europe Krasnodar 284 13685 Europe (SW) Skelton 180 1000-1100 Luistervinken(Sun) 1512 21630 Africa (C) Meyerton 355 1100-1130 RVi Info 1512 17650 Europe Krasnodar 284 15195 Europe (SW) Rampisham 168 21630 Africa (C) Meyerton 355 1130-1200 Flanders Today 1512 9865 Asia(E) Petropavlovsk 244 1200-1230 RVi Info 1512 17695 Asia (SE) Tashkent 131 9865 Asia (E) Petropavlovsk 244 1300-1600 Sport Live(sun) 17695 Europe Krasnodar 284 15195 Europe (SW) Skelton 175 1700-1800 RVi Info+RViMag 1512 15195 Europe Krasnodar 284 1700-1715 Ici Bruxelles 1512 9925 Europe Krasnodar 284 1715-1730 Hierist Brüssel 1512 9925 Europe Krasnodar 284 1730-1800 Flanders Today 1512 9925 Europe Krasnodar 284 13690 Europe (SW) Skelton 180 13710 Europe (SE & Jülich 115 Middle East) 1800-1900 RVi Info+RVi Mag 1512 9925 Europe Krasnodar 284 13690 Europe (SW) Skelton 180 13710 Europe (SE & Jülich 115 Middle East) 15325 Africa (C) Dhabayya 225 7470 Africa (S) Madagascar 245 1800-2000 Sport Live (Sat) 5910 Europe Jülich ND 1900-1915 Hier ist Brüssel 1512 9925 Europe Krasnodar 284 1915-1930 Ici Bruxelles 1512 9925 Europe Krasnodar 284 1930-2000 Flanders Today 1512 9925 Europe Krasnodar 284 2000-2100 RVi Info+RVi Mag *1512 9925 Europe Krasnodar 284 13690 Europe (SW) Skelton 165 2230-2300 Flanders Today 15565 America (N,C,S) Bonaire 350 2300-2330 RVi Info 15565 America (N,C,S) Bonaire 350 *till 2130 UT MW 300 kw - 1512 kHz : 1900 -2130 UT MW 25 kw - 1512 kHz : 0600-0730, 1000-1230, 1700-1900 UT (via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, March 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) You might think there is more English than before, but I believe only `Flanders Today` is actually in English (gh, DXLD) ** BIAFRA [non]. Well, the ex-12125 site was identified as Tbilisskaya (rather than Samara) if I remember correctly. But of course this not necessarily means that 7380 now originates from there, too, especially since this is not just a frequency change but a new slot at another time. This is TDP brokerage, TDP already arranged transmissions via Merlin facilities, so anything is possible (Kai Ludwig, Germany, March 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. 13240, Radio Globo, Rio de Janeiro. Se trata de una frecuencia alimentadora de la emisora. Reportada alrededor de las 1400 TUC, pero también antes y después, de esa hora. Transmisión en A3H - Doble Banda Lateral, con Portadora Presente pero Suprimida. SINPO: 44444. La programación incluyó entrevistas, y mucho contenido referente a gran Rio (Adán Mur, Villeta, Paraguay, Conexión Digital Mar 2 via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. Informo a todos que desejarem acompanhar alguma coisa do carnaval brasileiro que a Rádio Bandeirantes, que transmite nas frequências de 6.090, 9.645 e 11.925 KHz estará transmitindo os desfiles das Escolas de Samba do Rio de Janeiro e de São Paulo como também de Salvador na Bahia. Espero que esta informação seja útil para todos e em especial para o amigo José Elias que a solicitou aqui pela lista Cumbre-Dx. Um abraço (Adalberto, Barbacen, MG, Brasil, PY4WTH, March 3, Cumbre DX via DXLD) So Portuguese is now an official Cumbre language? Any idea what times, dates? (gh, DXLD) ** BULGARIA. BULGARIA: LOCAL RADIO STATION TO BROADCAST NEWS TO US SERVICEMEN | Text of report in English by Bulgarian news agency BTA web site on 28 February Radio Bravo will broadcast English-language news reports for the US servicemen stationed in Sarafovo, starting 3 March, Director Toncho Bebov told BTA. The special newscasts, with a duration of a couple of minutes each, will be aired at 8 [0600 gmt], 9, 10, and 11 a.m. on 91.1 MHz [FM]. They will be entitled "Good morning, Sarafovo!" and will be part of the station's regular news programmes. They will cover developments concerning Iraq, presenting different views on the crisis, including those of Bulgarian sources. Fun facts will also be presented. The news items will be read by the station's manager Dora Petrova. Source: BTA web site, Sofia, in English 28 Feb 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) How about that? American service`men` in Bulgaria?! ** CHECHNYA [non]. RUSSIA Gestern bin ich zufällig auf den russischen Sender Radiostantsiya Chechnya Svobodnaya gestossen, der eigentlich nur auf Lang- und Mittelwelle sendet, insbes. 171 Armavir. Aber jetzt auch auf KW: 2. März 2003, 2055-2100* UTC, 5985 kHz. Rst. Chechnya Svobodnaya, in Russisch, mit russ. Popmx, dann kurz vor der vollen Stunde ID und Frequenzansage (ohne 5985 zu erwähnen), russische Nationalhymne und c/d um 2100. SINPO 42333, I=Nachbarkanäle. Weiter zu beobachten! (Eike Bierwirth via A-DX) --- Chechnya Svobodnaya reported back on shortwave, 5985 until 2100 sign-off. I tried it tonight: There was something on 5985, probably a Russian-language program and herewith indeed them, but the slope from both 5980 and 5990 made it a hopeless case (Kai Ludwig, Germany, March 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yesterday I heard, among others, Radiostation FREE CHECHNYA on 5985 kHz. This is the official Russian radiostation for Chechnya, normally via Armavir on 171 longwave. 02 March 2003, 2055-2100* UT, 5985 kHz, Lang.: Russian, SINPO 42333 with QRM from both neighbouring channels. 2055 into Russian pop music, just before the top of the hour ID and frequencies announced (not including 5985), then the National Anthem and c/d at 2100. 73, (Eike Bierwirth, Leipzig, DL, March 3, hard-core- dx via DXLD) Thanks for this info, Eike! In fact I have been waiting for it, although I did not say anything to anybody :-) I observe this station from *0730-1500* UT on 12025 kHz, they do not announce frequencies so I did not know what frequency they use after 1500. Maybe it is the 5985 you mention at 2100*. I will try it tomorrow. WRTH brings no schedule on Radio Chechnya Svobodnaya (Radio Free Chechnya). GOOD DX, (Karel Honzik, the Czech Republic (Czechia), ibid.) ** CONGO DR. DX TARGET: RADIO OKAPI, A FONDATION HIRONDELLE PROJECT - ENABLING THE PEOPLE OF THE CONGO TO COMMUNICATE -- Richard A. D'Angelo A new shortwave broadcast station began operations in February 2002 from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Called Radio Okapi, the station is a joint project in the DRC by the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) and the Fondation Hirondelle, located in Switzerland. This DX Target will focus on the DRC, the Fondation Hirondelle (or Hirondelle Foundation) and, of course, the station, Radio Okapi. The Country The Democratic Republic of the Congo, located in central Africa, is one of the largest countries on the continent. French is the official language. Years of civil war and corruption have badly damaged the country's infrastructure. The DRC shares its borders with Angola, Zambia, Burundi, Sudan, Rwanda, Tanzania, the Central African Republic and the Republic of the Congo. The country's capital city is Kinshasa. Other important cities include Lubumbashi, Mbuji-Mayi and Kisangani. An international port is situated at Matadi on the Zaire River. The DRC has one of the richest reserves of natural resources in the world. Although the country should benefit as a result of this fact, this is not the case. Together with economic mismanagement, the on- going conflict in the country has resulted in the economic decline of the DRC. The war has meant a decrease in national production in all industry sectors. The war in the DRC has claimed over a million lives. The conflict is by no means a clean-cut case of civil war, it is one of a multi-national character involving seven nations. Formerly, the Belgian Congo, this territory was inhabited by ancient Negrito peoples (Pygmies), who were pushed into the mountains by Bantu and Nilotic invaders. The American correspondent Henry M. Stanley navigated the Congo River in 1877 and opened the interior to exploration. Commissioned by King Leopold II of Belgium, Stanley made treaties with native chiefs that enabled the king to obtain personal title to the territory at the Berlin Conference of 1885. Brussels granted freedom to the former colony on 30 June 1960. The Katanga Province seceded from the new republic on July 11 beginning many years of national civil strife. In one form or another unstable governments and revolution since independence have besieged the former Belgian Congo. Since 1997 the Democratic Republic of the Congo, formerly called Zaire, has experienced ethnic strife and civil war, touched off by a massive inflow in 1994 of refugees from the fighting in Rwanda and Burundi. The government of former president Mobutu Sese Seko was toppled by a rebellion led by Laurent Kabila in May 1997. His regime was subsequently challenged by a Rwanda and Uganda-backed rebellion in August 1998. Troops from Zimbabwe, Angola, Namibia, Chad, and Sudan intervened to support the Kinshasa regime. The DRC, Zimbabwe, Angola, Uganda, Namibia, and Rwanda signed a cease-fire on 10 July 1999 with Congolese armed rebel groups. Nevertheless, sporadic fighting has continued. Kabila was assassinated on 16 January 2001 and his son Joseph was named head of state on 26 January 2001. Despite taking a radically different approach than his father, the new president has been equally unsuccessful in ending the war. The Hirondelle Foundation The Hirondelle Foundation is an organization of journalists, which sets up and operates media services in crisis areas. It is the only organization in the world, which has such specialized experience in this field. As a result of its activities, a number of interesting radio stations appeared around the world. Unfortunately, many of these stations have had very short broadcasting lives. Since its founding in 1995, Hirondelle has established and managed Radio Agatashya in the Great Lakes region of Africa, Star Radio in Liberia, the Hirondelle News Agency at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda at Arusha in Tanzania, Radio Blue Sky in Kosovo, Radio Ndeke Luka in Bangui in the Central African Republic, and Moris Hamutuk, a radio program for refugees in Timor. Its latest venture is Radio Okapi in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Foundation strongly believes that an independent media [sic] has a fundamental role to play in societies where authoritarian and non- democratic regimes are in power. In such situations, the traditional media tend to fall silent because of insecurity and physical risks. The Hirondelle Foundation collaborates in the development of tolerant and democratic societies and contributes to creating a responsible, civic-minded exchange of opinions within the public. The following governments finance the projects of the Hirondelle Foundation: Switzerland, the European Community, the United States, the Netherlands, Sweden, Great Britain, France, Canada, Germany and Japan. International organizations involved include the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization ("UNESCO"), the International Committee of the Red Cross ("ICRC"), the International Foundation for Electoral Systems and the United Nations Development Program ("UNDP"). The Hirondelle Foundation falls under Swiss law. One of the Hirondelle Foundation's cardinal rules is independence from political and economic influences. Independence can guarantee the impartiality of the Foundation's journalistic activities and ensure credibility to its audiences. The Foundation aims to create or support independent media. The staff of the Foundation comes from all nationalities and cultures. The Foundation works to establish an independent media under the most difficult circumstances in authoritarian and non-democratic societies. The Fondation Hirondelle is usually active where conflict is endemic, where there are open hostilities or in post-conflict regions. It is also present in situations where the political, economic or social conditions are not as inviting for an independent media. Obviously, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is well suited for the media and communications expertise the Hirondelle Foundation offers. The Station Radio Okapi is named after a peaceful, four-legged mammal that lives mainly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and is a protected species. It has no known enemies. The okapi is well liked by the people of the DRC. Over the years, it has lent its name to various Congolese businesses. No political or military force has tried to appropriate the okapi's name in the past. The MONUC's station is the first such use of the okapi name. Radio Okapi is the largest radio project that the United Nations and the Fondation Hirondelle have ever conducted. It is a radio operation enabling the people of the Congo to communicate with their compatriots. It is a radio station intended to work hand-in-hand with the peace process. Radio Okapi is a network of radio stations designed to cover this immense country of 2.4 million square kilometers, providing services for approximately 45 million inhabitants. The network center is in the capital, Kinshasa. There are six regional studios with plans for four other regional studios to be located in four political and military hotspots. The network is served by satellite, shortwave and FM transmitters and by the Internet. Radio Okapi is a service aimed at a population suffering from years of military conflict and economic stagnation resulting in almost one million refugees and over two million displaced people. Three million people rely on daily food programs while about 300 thousand people are treated for malnutrition. The school attendance rate tumbled to 43% in 1999 from 70% in 1993. Programs are designed to contain non-partisan, credible information broadcast throughout the country. Programs are devoted to themes relating to health, education, human rights, culture and music. The first year's budget is nearly US$2 million. This should be less in succeeding years once the initial start up costs have been made. The operation will be run by around 100 journalists, presenters and staff, the majority of whom will be Congolese. The project involves close co-operation between the United Nations and the Hirondelle Foundation with the aim of making a lasting contribution to peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It also involves co-operation with the existing media in the DRC, mainly with other radios in the fields of production and training. The project is a network of stations designed to continue into the post- MONUC phase. Programs Radio Okapi offers programs, which include news bulletins, magazines and music to everybody in the DRC, whether they are the parties to the conflict or the international community. All broadcasts fall under the authority of the MONUC, the United Nations Observer Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Radio Okapi broadcasts those programs that are prepared under the supervision of the Hirondelle Foundation. Apart from news, these broadcasts focus on such topics as humanitarian aid with the main goal being the promotion of a peaceful solution to the conflict in the DRC. The programs produced by Radio Okapi are distributed free of charge to local radio under an agreement specifying the terms and conditions of their use and their rebroadcast. Radio Okapi pays particular attention to the situation of the victims of the violence and war, refugees, displaced persons and those who are destitute and especially vulnerable. In its information and magazine programs, Radio Okapi provides specific information on the activities of the United Nations and its specialized agencies, as well as about the MONUC mission, its priorities, the problems it is facing and the peace process. Radio Okapi provides detailed coverage to the process of dialogue among the various political and military groups in the DRC. The programs are produced and broadcast mainly in French, Lingala, Swahili, but also in Chiluba and in other local languages as well as English for members of the international community. Radio Okapi provides local, regional and international news. It produces magazines and interviews done on the spot. Broadcasting and Production Facilities The capital, Kinshasa, the headquarters of MONUC, has a central studio coordinating the national program. The shortwave broadcasting system based in Kinshasa covers the entire country. Each regional studio receives the program from Kinshasa and broadcasts it locally. A medium-powered FM transmitter adapted to the local topography provides FM quality reception in its area. The main program is also broadcast via the Internet and the latest news as well as specific programs are available on the Internet. In February 2002, the first morning programs on Radio Okapi commenced on FM in Kinshasa and on shortwave, consisting of one to two hours a day of news broadcasts and magazine features. The station's head of technical services, Georges Schleger, says the station broadcasts on shortwave using 6030 kHz, 9550 kHz and 11690 kHz with a 10-kilowatt transmitter using a Marconi exciter and amplifier. The antenna is a yagi three element pointed to the east 80 degrees from Kinshasa. The 11690 kHz outlet his has competition from Radio Africa International in French from 0600 to 0800 UT so a listener needs to be careful logging Radio Okapi. Several governments have shown an interest in the Radio Okapi project and have been asked to contribute over the long term to the financing of the operation. Three countries contributed to cover the budget for the first year: Great Britain, Switzerland and the United States. The station appears that it will be an excellent verifier of listener reception reports. Electronic reports can be sent direct to info@hirondelle.org. Through this route I have heard from Dominque Jaccard, Desk Officer in a speedy 4 minutes and 33 seconds and from Georges Schleger / VE2EK, Communications Officer, Head of Technical Services Radio Okapi, MONUC in only one day. A postal report will take a little longer and is answered with a nice QSL card. Written reception reports with return postage can be sent to: Radio Okapi, c/o Fondation Hirondelle, 3, Rue Traversière, CH 1018- Lausanne, Switzerland As always, remember to send those exotic Radio Okapi logs to Edwin Southwell for the Shortwave Logbook. Of course, those interesting and rare QSL verifications should be sent to Mark Hattam for inclusion in the QSL Report column. Good luck with this DX Target (March World DX Club Contact via DXLD) ** CYPRUS. The 600 kW transmitter in Cyprus with Radio SAWA is supposed to have moved to 990 kHz (ex981) on 28 February, acc. to the current IBB online schedule. The beam of 140 degrees has remained the same (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, MWDX via DXLD) Viz.: 990 0000 2400 VOA MRN3 ARAB CYP A 140 (via gh, DXLD) Thanks to a tip from Bernd Trutenau concerning the new R. Sawa schedule, I can now confirm that the station has indeed finally moved to 990 kHz. Audible here in Finland as I am writing this, with the usual format of a mix of Western & Arab pop music with short announcements. Because of more interference, reception on 990 kHz is however poorer than 981 kHz used to be (Mika Mäkeläinen, March 3, dxing.info via DXLD) ** DENMARK [non]. R A D I O D E N M A R K A-03 March 30 - October 25, 2003 UTC Target (primary coverage in brackets) kHz Tx Beam 1130-1155 Europe, Mediterranean, Canary Islands 13800 K 180 North America (east), Caribbean 15705 S 280 South America, Canary Islands 18950 S 235 1230-1255 Far East 15705 K 40 North America (east + central), Greenland 15735 S 300 North America (east), Caribbean 17520 S 280 South East Asia, Australia (west), Russia 18950 K 80 1330-1355 Europe 9590 S 180 South East Asia, Australia (west), Russia 15705 K 80 North America (east + central), Greenland 15735 S 300 1430-1455 North America (west), Greenland 15705 S 315 Middle East (north), South Asia, Russia 15735 K 95 1530-1555 North America (west), Greenland 15705 S 315 Middle East (north), South Asia, Russia 15735 K 95 1630-1655 Europe 9920 S 180 North America (east), Caribbean 15705 S 280 1730-1755 Europe 11615 S 180 Europe (south east), Middle East (west), Africa (east) 15705 K 145 1830-1855 Europe 7490 S 180 New Zealand 13800 K 35 1930-1955 Europe, Canary Islands 7490 S 180 Africa (west, central & south), Europe (south) 13800 K 180 North America (west), Greenland 17505 S 315 2030-2055 Europe, Canary Islands 7490 S 180 Australia (east) 9510 K 65 2130-2155 Australia (east) 9510 K 65 2230-2255 South America 9925 S 235 Far East 11845 K 35 2330-2355 South East Asia, Australia (west) 9415 K 80 North America (east), Caribbean 9945 S 280 South America 9985 S 235 Far East 11845 K 35 0030-0055 South East Asia, Australia (west) 9930 K 80 North America (east), Caribbean 9985 S 280 North America (east + central), Greenland 11635 S 300 0130-0155 South Asia 9975 K 95 North America (east), Caribbean, South America (north west) 9985 S 280 North America (east + central), Greenland 11635 S 300 0230-0255 South Asia 9975 K 95 0330-0355 Russia, Europe (south east), Middle East (north) 7490 K 95 North America (west), Greenland 9960 S 315 Europe (south east), Middle East (west), Africa (east) 13800 K 145 0430-0455 Europe 7465 S 180 Russia, Europe (south east), Middle East 7490 K 110 North America (west), Greenland 9475 S 315 Europe (south east), Middle East (west), Africa (east) 13800 K 145 0530-0555 Europe 7465 S 180 Europe (south east), Middle East (west) 11615 K 120 Europe (south), Africa 13800 K 165 0630-0655 Europe, Canary Islands 7180 K 165 Europe (south west), Canary Islands, Africa (north west), New Zealand 9590 S 195 Europe (south west), Canary Islands, Africa (west) 11615 S 220 Europe (south), Africa, New Zealand 13800 K 165 0730-0755 Europe 7180 K 165 Europe, Canary Islands 9590 K 195 Europe (south west), Africa (west), Canary Islands, New Zealand 11615 S 220 0830-0855 Middle East (east) 15735 K 110 Australia, Europe (southwest), Canary Islands, South America 13800 S 250 0930-0955 Australia, Europe (southwest), Canary Islands, South America 13800 S 250 Far East, New Zealand 17500 K 40 1030-1055 Europe, Mediterranean, Canary Islands 13800 S 180 Address: Radio Danmark, Radioavisen, Rosenorns Allé 22, DK-1999 Frederiksberg C, Denmark RD office telephone: +45 35 20 57 84 (then press ‘9’) - Telefax: +45 35 20 57 81. e-mail: schedule, programme matters: rdk@dr.dk - technical, reports: rdktek@dr.dk The schedule is also available by auto-reply email from: schedule@dr.dk WWW: http://www.dr.dk/rdk or http://www.dr.dk/radiodanmark - including RealAudio 'on demand' of our broadcasts. The two daily news transmissions in Danish only are aired at 11.30 and 17.30 utc. Transmissions inbetween are repeats. The technical letterbox programme, ``Tune In`` is heard every second Saturday from 11.48 UT until 16.48 UT. Transmissions may be cancelled without warning. Radio Denmark shares the Norwegian transmitters with Radio Norway. They broadcast at xx.00- xx.30, followed by Denmark at xx.30-xx.55, 24 hours a day. Stations: Kvitsoy (K) and Sveio (S) each have two 500 kW transmitters, but run at 250 kW.They are located on the Norwegian west coast near Stavanger and Haugesund at 05.27E 59.04N (K) and 05.19E 59.37N (S). Kvitsoy covers the Eastern Globe, while Sveio covers the Western Globe [hemispheres]. Radio Denmark replies to complete reports by a QSL-card. Although not necessary, return postage is appreciated (1 IRC, 1 Euro or 1 US dollar). Recordings (incl. RealAudio and MP3 email files) are accepted. Tapes, however, are not returned. (Via : Mr Erik Koie) (via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, DXLD) ** DUCIE ISLAND. Remember, the second DXpedition to Ducie Island will be active possibly next weekend on March 8th or 9th, depending upon seas and weather. The station callsign will be announced shortly before the operation begins (either from DXpedition organizer Kan, JA1BK, or the pilot stations JE2EHP, DJ8NK and WA2MOE). Activity is expected on CW, SSB and RTTY with operations on all HF bands and 6 meters. AO-40 was also mentioned. Please refer to OPDX.595 for more details. QSL via JR2KDN (OPDX March 3 via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DXLD) ** ETHIOPIA. 9561.07, 1601-, Radio Ethiopia Feb 22. Fair reception of a variety program in English presented by a man and woman with modern western music. A very tough frequency with loud hets and much adjacent splatter. A real tough assignment for my HF-2050 which outperforms the AOR 7030+ by a wide margin in this instance (Walt Salmaniw, Victoria, BC, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. 5 MHz: A new on-air source of propagation data is now testing on 5195 kHz and being received with good signals across most of Europe. The callsign, DRA5, is a German commercial callsign because the station is operating outside the normal amateur bands. However, it is run by a team from DARC, the German national amateur radio society, and is co-located with the 10 MHz beacon, DK0WCY. Like DK0WCY it transmits the latest solar data, refreshed every three hours, but with the addition of RTTY, bpsk31and qpsk31. Power is 30 watts to a dipole favouring the UK. http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/psc.htm (sourced from rsgb news; Q-News March 2 via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DXLD) ** GHANA. Received a QSL card from Ghana for a reception report on 3/24/02. Unfortunately, I have no record of having sent them a report- -either by e-mail or postal mail! Well I suppose that makes up for all the reports I've sent with no reply (Spence Carter, swl via DXLD) ** GUAM. KTWR-GUAM A'03 Trans World Radio - Guam (March 30, 2003 - October 26, 2003) Freq Time UTC Call Pwr Azm Target Days Language (KHz) Open-Close Sign (kW) (deg) CIRAF(zones)(Mon-Sun) ======= ==== ==== ==== === === ============ ======= ========= 7455.0 1100-1615 KTWR 100 320 42,43,44 1234567 Mandarin 9430.0 1100-1200 KTWR 100 285 49 1234567 Vietnamese 9430.0 1400-1445 KTWR 100 278 49 1234567 Vietnamese 9465.0 1200-1300 KTWR 100 345 45 1234567 Japanese 9740.0 1600-1630 KTWR 100 345 44,45 12345 7 Korean 9865.0 0930-1100 KTWR 100 315 42,43,44 1234567 Mandarin 9910.0 0915-1100 KTWR 100 320 42,43,44 1234567 Mandarin 9975.0 1300-1330 KTWR 100 315 42,43,44 1234567 Mandarin 9975.0 1330-1400 KTWR 100 285 42,43,44 1234567 Swatow 9975.0 1400-1415 KTWR 100 285 42,43,44 6 Cantonese 9975.0 1400-1445 KTWR 100 285 42,43,44 12345 Cantonese 9975.0 1400-1500 KTWR 100 285 42,43,44 7 Cantonese 11690.0 2100-2200 KTWR 100 345 45 1234567 Japanese 11720.0 1230-1330 KTWR 100 278 49 1234567 Khmer 11765.0 1100-1200 KTWR 100 345 44,45 1234567 Korean 11850.0 1200-1300 KTWR 100 255 49,54 1234567 Javanese 11875.0 2200-2215 KTWR 100 293 43,44 6 Cantonese 11875.0 2200-2245 KTWR 100 293 43,44 12345 Cantonese 11875.0 2200-2300 KTWR 100 293 43,44 7 Cantonese 12105.0 2230-2300 KTWR 100 285 43,44 1234567 Hakka 12130.0 0915-1615 KTWR 100 305 42,43,44 1234567 Mandarin 12130.0 2115-2200 KTWR 100 305 42,43,44 1234567 Mandarin 13715.0 2200-2230 KTWR 100 285 49 1234567 Vietnamese 15195.0 2200-2230 KTWR 100 255 54 1234567 Indonesian 15200.0 0900-0915 KTWR 100 248 54 12 567 Balinese 15200.0 0900-0915 KTWR 100 248 54 34 Torajanese 15200.0 0915-1000 KTWR 100 248 54 1234567 Madurese 15200.0 1030-1100 KTWR 100 248 54 1234567 Sundanese 15200.0 1100-1230 KTWR 100 248 54 1234567 Indonesian 15205.0 0725-0900 KTWR 100 263 49,50,54 12345 English 15205.0 0730-0900 KTWR 100 263 49,50,54 67 English 15330.0 0745-0930 KTWR 100 165 51,55,56, 12345 English 58,59,60 15330.0 0815-0930 KTWR 100 165 51,55,56, 67 English 58,59,60 15330.0 0930-1100 KTWR 100 255 54 1234567 Indonesian 15330.0 1415-1445 KTWR 100 285 49 1234567 Sgaw Karan 15330.0 1445-1545 KTWR 100 285 41,48,49 1234567 English 15365.0 1300-1415 KTWR 100 285 49 1234567 Burmese 15395.0 1330-1400 KTWR 100 293 41,49 1234567 Indian 15585.0 2200-2315 KTWR 100 305 42,43,44 1234567 Mandarin Regds (Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA [and non]. Noted AIR regionals carrying cricket commentary from the World Cricket Cup in South Africa today on many channels including 4830 kHz. I don't have an outlet listed for this channel and wonder if I've missed something? Others around 1830z heard were: 4760 Port Blair/Leh 4880 Lucknow 4895 Kurseong 4910 Jaipur 4920 Chennai (best) 4970 Shillong 4990 Itanagar 5010 Thiruvanathapuram Also heard was R Pakistan 5027.2, also carrying the cricket commentary in English. Cheers, (Paul Ormandy, NZ, Host of The South Pacific DX Report, March 4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Yes, you missed something, the new AIR outlet in Jammu/Kashmir on 4830 reported e.g. in DXLD 2-205 (gh, DXLD) ** INTERNATIONAL VACUUM [and non]. AFP Friday, Feb 28, 2003, Page 2 NO FURTHER CHINESE COMPLAINTS ABOUT SIGNAL HIJACKS: DGT Telecommunication authorities yesterday said they have received no further complaints from China about hijacking of satellite television signals after an alleged hijacker was nabbed here three months ago... http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2003/02/28/196195 (via Jilly Dybka, KF4ZEO, DXLD) ** IRAQ. Glenn, turned the radio on tonight at 2200 and noticed two very strong carriers around 11787 the old Baghdad freq. One carrier measured 11786.78 kHz and the other exactly 1 kHz higher on 11787.78 kHz. The resulting mess meant that I was unable to hear any audio. Both carriers went off at exactly the same time at 2215 UT, suggesting that it was only one transmitter. These were heard on more than one receiver so is not receiver related. 11786.78 2200 Unid Carrier mixing with carrier on 11787.78 kHz S/off 2215 3-- 03/03 GP 11787.78 2200 Unid Carrier mixing with carrier on 11786.78 kHz S/off 2215 4-- 03/03 GP Will keep monitoring to see if it appears again tomorrow. Have you had any reports?? (Graham Powell, Wales, Editor of the Online DX Logbook, http://www.shortwave.org.uk hard-core-dx via DXLD) Just yours so far ** IRAQ [and non]. In case you don`t find enough in DXLD under this heading, hard-core-dx has an IRAQ SPECIAL section grouping this material in one place, much of it from or via DXLD: http://www.hard-core-dx.com/index.php?topic=iraq&page=1 (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) [changing link to page 1 instead of 2] See also BAHRAIN [non] ** KOREA NORTH. Following story mentions R. Free Asia (as well as VOA) are now using MW to North Korea, but as of March 3 the RFA schedule at http://www.rfa.org/front/progsched.html does not show any MW frequency! Who is wrong? The IBB schedule (excluding RFA) shows one hour of VOA Korean from just across the Russian border at Ussuriysk, listed by WRTH as 1000 kW: KORE VOA T 1300 1400 USS 648 kHz 230 degrees So it would seem likely RFA would also be on that if really on MW; no other usage of Razdolnoye is shown (under VOA, WRTH designates it RAZ instead of USS as in the Asian frequency list). RFA Korean (on SW) is at 1400-1700 and 2200-2300. Guess what. 648 is right next to a 1500 kW North Korean on 657 (which we used to DX in WNAm on 655) (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) INFILTRATORS OF NORTH KOREA: TINY RADIOS, By JAMES BROOKE SEOUL, South Korea --- As the Pentagon studies moving tons of military hardware within striking range of North Korea, some say the weapon most feared by the Stalinist government there may be a disposable radio the size of a cigarette pack. "Little throwaway radios, you listen, you throw away - the smaller the better, the more disposable, the better," said Pastor Douglas E. Shin, a Korean-American human rights activist who advocates smuggling thousands of tiny radios capable of receiving foreign broadcasts into the North. The radio smuggling is part of a growing public and private effort, including foreign radio broadcasts, to crack an information monopoly in the North that has helped keep the Kim family in power for nearly 60 years. So tight is the information blackout that defectors report that they believed that their country --- one of the world's poorest - -- was wealthier than South Korea and that the United States donated rice as a form of tribute to the powerful Communist state. In January, in a bid to emulate the experience of East Europeans in the cold war, Radio Free Asia and Voice of America doubled their hours of Korean-language broadcasting into North Korea. In February, Radio Free Asia joined Voice of America in broadcasting into North Korea on medium wave, a bandwidth accessible with cheap AM radios. But the first challenge, skeptics note, is that few people in the North have the radios --- or the courage --- to listen to foreign broadcasts, something that advocates of the tiny disposable radio say they are determined to change. Under threat of severe penalties, the vast majority of North Korea's 22 million people are not allowed any contact with the outside world - letters, telephone calls, travel, radio or television programs. All citizens are required to register their radios with the local police. On registration, foreign-made radios are tuned to the state radio frequency, soldered into place, and sealed. The police then make unannounced inspections of households with foreign-made radios to verify that they have not been tampered with. "A lot of people in the White House believe the Iron Curtain came down because U.S. government radio supplied the information that created the Velvet Revolution," said an American diplomat here, referring to Czechoslovakia's revolt against Communism. "But in the case of North Korea, is it the sound of one hand clapping? Is it getting in there?" Advocates of smuggling radios into the North, mostly human rights and Christian church groups, say their effort is aimed at ensuring that someone is indeed listening. Even if only a tiny elite tune in, they say, the effect can be powerful. "The populace will suffer a kind of psychological collapse when they learn what has been done to them and what the real world is really like," predicted Radek Sikorski, who grew up listening to Voice of America and Radio Free Europe in communist Poland and now works at the American Enterprise Institute. "Control of information," he said, "is absolutely crucial to the survival of this regime because the system is based on lies." In a recent manifesto, Mr. Sikorski joined 16 American policy makers in demanding that the Bush administration tie talks with North Korea over its nuclear weapons program to an opening on human rights, including freer information. Citing the impact of the Helsinki Agreement of 1975 in undermining the Soviet Union and its East European allies, the group called for "significantly expanding the current, scandalously inadequate Korean-language Radio Free Asia broadcasts." Already, in a small office rented on the seventh floor of a Seoul newspaper building, Radio Free Asia broadcasters try to bring to North Koreans four hours of news a day. "North Korean people are not told the truth, so somehow we have to be surrogates, to tell them what is going on," said Ahn Jae Hoon, who was born in Pyongyang, North Korea, and became director of the Korean branch of Radio Free Asia in 1997, after 26 years at The Washington Post. The reports are clearly aimed at undermining the leadership of Kim Jong Il. Some broadcasts report on food and power shortages, others on the image of North Korea as isolated and weak abroad. Still other reports discuss military dissatisfaction and coup attempts in the 1990's, and the fact that Mr. Kim insists that all soldiers be disarmed before he visits a military unit. The radio also gives practical information for defectors --- how to contact missionary groups in northern China, how to dress and behave to escape arrest and deportation to North Korea. In contrast, under Seoul's "sunshine policy" of reconciliation, South Korea's state-owned Korean Broadcasting Service increasingly airs programs intended not to provoke the North and to promote peaceful coexistence on the peninsula. On Saturday at a national park near Kosung, North Korea, two park guides spoke dismissively of foreign broadcasts. "Why would we want to listen to radio from the South? No one is stopping us from listening, but we don't want to anyway," said Kim Dong Chul, 31. "The music is not our style and the news is not for us. It's for the people in Seoul." Another guide, a 26-year-old man who declined to be identified, said, "I don't have enough time in a day to listen to our radio, and then to listen to radio meant for other people." The guides are largely chosen for their political loyalties, because they come in contact with large numbers of South Korean tourists. Backers of foreign broadcasts, however, say more and more North Koreans are finding ways to tune in. As trade with China increases and radio prices fall, some North Koreans now buy two radios, but register only one with the police, defectors say. In a country wracked by power shortages, government jamming is spotty. Also, some North Koreans dare to tinker with state- supplied radios, defectors add. Still, for now, foreign broadcasting is largely limited to North Korea's elite. In 1999, Mr. Ahn said, a survey commissioned by Radio Free Asia found that one of 12 "elite" defectors polled had listened to Radio Free Asia. A similar survey in 2001 found that the proportion had risen to 6 of 12 (New York Times, via Hans Johnson, March 3, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** KOREA NORTH [non]/KOREA SOUTH [non]. This afternoon in Maakeski listening post the AM band was rather dead, bringing only dreadful CNR-1 programme on 3-4 frequencies (990, 1377, 1539, 1593) so I switched to SW, which was a wise move. I logged some interesting Korean stations, including some clandestines I have very seldom heard. 4450 3.3. 1425- Voice Of National Salvation. "Kuguge sori". This North Korean clandestine transmitting to South happened to provide most entertaining programme. Nice Korean sentimental and pop music. 6348 3.3. 1245- Echo Of Hope. "Shimang e meiari". Instrumental music and talk programmes from South Korea to North. 6400 3.3. 1235- Pyongyang BC, Kanggye. Refreshing military music and patriotic hymns for the glory of Great Follower Kim Jong-Il. 6600 3.3. 1250- Voice Of The People. The strongest Korean clandestine today, with obviously dry-as-hell talks hour after hour, that are supposed to enlighten the masses of North. (Jari Lehtinen, Lahti, Finland, March 3, dxing.info via DXLD) ** KOREA SOUTH [and non]. A contribution of Andreas Niederdeppe to the German Radio-Kurier magazine (edition 5/2003) includes following monitoring observations from Seoul, done in last September: 657, 819, 999, 1053 and 1080 are subject of heavy jamming, also the shortwave // of the 1053 clandestine operation (but mind you, all other affected mediumwave channels carry regular services from Pyongyang). Also 6250 is jammed but not 2850 and 6400, possibly because 2850 and 6400 are out of range for radios in widespread use in South Korea. Andreas Niederdeppe also points out that the producers of the "Voice of the People" clandestine program (believed to be a KBS production if memory serves right) would have to be considered as criminals because broadcasting hymns praising Kim Il Sung and the armed forces of North Korea is a criminal offence. The 3912 frequency was probably selected because also North Korean stations broadcast on 75 metres, hence it appears to be likely that there are radios around in the North which can be tuned into this frequency. 6600 on the other hand was once used by Radio Pyongyang (Kai Ludwig, Germany, March 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LUXEMBOURG [and non]. A posting in a German bulletin board indicates that Junglinster was today testing on 6095 in AM prior to 1000. I had no time to check the Junglinster DRM test earlier, so I do not know if they really spoiled Radio Polonia. Now at 1615 there is indeed a DRM signal on 6095, leaving Munich 6085 in the clear but seriously disturbing Bijeljina 6100. Somewhere I read that they indeed moved 5 kHz up in order to protect Bayerischer Rundfunk. Those old-fashioned foreign services obviously do not matter at all (Kai Ludwig, Germany, March 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I checked 6095 at times from 1210. The Luxembourg "jammer" was active already at that time and wiped out Poland. Later, when Poland had Russian, their signal was stronger, but still the DRM background noise was annoying. Olle Alm, Sweden, March 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) That makes this matter really worse from a German point of view because Radio Polonia has German on 6095 from 1230. Yes, there is still // 9525, but in my opinion it is nevertheless inacceptable what BCE does. Still no reply from them on this matter... Best regards, (Kai Ludwig, Germany, March 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. XEPRS-1090 has a killer signal tonight, better than their previous night signal; maybe a new transmitter/antenna pattern to go with new format? Bizarre combination of San Diego Charger/Padres audio clips, "It's Coming.. . . . It's Coming. . . . The Mighty 1090" IDs, and the occasional Spanish ID giving the location as Rosarito Beach (their array is quite prominent on the coastal road from Tijuana to Rosarito). I'm not too surprised to see this since XERTA-690 starting simulcasting with 1150; most San Diegans resent being treated as a suburb of LA. I wonder if the Chargers/Padres clips indicate XEPRS will try to secure broadcast rights for those San Diego teams?? (Harry Helms AK6C Ridgecrest, CA DM15, March 1, NRC-*-AM via DXLD) ** MONGOLIA. Hi Glenn, you are pointing at the beam of 140 degrees given by the IBB for 981 in contrast to 120 degrees given by VOM for 990 kHz: I don't know what antenna system is used for 990 kHz, but it is not uncommon that directional antenna systems provide an option for a slew of up to +/- 30 degrees. 73 (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Feb 28, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGER. 1339 2/3/003 45.650 weak music ???? (David, name unknown, location unknown, harmonics yahoogroup via DXLD) That`s a very promising sign for the F2; well done and welcome aboard, David (Tim Bucknall, UK, ibid.) Hi David, This can only be La Voix du Sahel from Niger (Juergen Kubiak from Germany, ibid.) 0.5 x 91.3 MHz, often reported before (gh) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 3205, Radio Sundaun (WRTH called it West Sepik) heard again around 1015-1032 UT (Roland Schulze, Pangasinan, the Philippines, BC-DX Mar 3 via DXLD) ** PERU. Amigos, ouvida agora há pouco, a nova emissora peruana Radio Santa Mónica, Cusco, 4964, 02/03 2308-2355, SS, música andina de Carnaval, "Carnavalito", OM em tom festivo com ads de Cusco, saudaçoes a ouvintes. Identificações em meio à locução. 34333 SCM 73 (Samuel Cássio Martins, São Carlos, SP, Brasil, Sony 7600GR, longwire 25 metros, radioescutas via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. Some interesting news in this item I have yet to see anywhere in English: Sometime this year, digital transmitters will go into use in Moscow and Irkutsk; DRM tests to Japan were made from the latter last year. Irkutsk-DRM will be used only for relays of foreign stations. VOR has a joint project with the private station Russkoye Radio: VOR will provide news, RR entertainment. VOR is the first Russian station authorized to transmit from Germany. It will be 18 hours per day in Russian, German and English, via DTK. VOR is now heard in the US via a variety of means besides SW and internet: local cable systems, NEXTEL cell phones, satellite delivery to vehicles (via WRN and Sirius), and also on the Scola satellite (gh`s translation summary of the following for DXLD) Nota especial enviada por Francisco "Pancho" Rodríguez, de La Voz de Rusia. LA VOZ DE RUSIA: PROYECTOS Y PLANES TRANSMISOR DIGITAL PARA LA VOZ DE RUSIA Durante el año en curso será puesto en actividad el primer transmisor digital, para las emisiones al exterior de La Voz de Rusia, según informó el Director General de la Red de Radio y Televisión Rusa, Guennadi Sklyar, quien señaló que se trabaja muy seriamente con La Voz de Rusia para mejorar las perspectivas de la radiodifusión al extranjero. El año antepasado se experimentó con una transmisión desde Irkutsk, en Siberia Oriental, hacia Japón. Los primeros transmisores digitales comenzarán a funcionar en la region de Moscú y en Irkutsk. Con ellos se transmitirá hacia Europa y Asia. Cabe recordar que grandes emisoras mundiales como La Voz de America, la BBC, Deutsche Welle, Radio Netherland y otras, son clientes y socias de la Red de Radio y Television Rusa, que garantiza a esas emisoras sus transmisiones a terceros países de Asia, África y América del Norte. Todos los transmisores digitales que se pondrán en funcionamiento en Irkutsk, serán utilizados por esas emisoras internacionales. A comienzos de diciembre pasado se realizó en Moscú un encuentro con representantes de 14 grandes emisoras extranjeras, donde se acordó realizar un trabajo conjunto para la puesta en funcionamiento de las nuevas tecnologías digitales. PROYECTO CONJUNTO DE LA VOZ DE RUSIA Y RUSSKOYE-RADIO La Voz de Rusia tiene un nuevo proyecto de difusión de programas que realizará junto con la popular emisora en FM Russkoye-Radio. Se trata de programaciones conjuntas en ruso, hacia los países fronterizos, así como también hacia Europa y Asia, en stándard de emisión digital. Ambas emisoras tienen formatos distintos de programación y según explicó el presidente de La Voz de Rusia, Armen Oganesian: ``...aunque La Voz de Rusia es una emisora estatal, y Russkoye Radio, una emisora comercial, encontramos posibilidades comunes para ofrecer nuestro producto al extranjero. La tecnología digital para la radio, significa la posibilidad de recepcionar [sic] cualquier programa con una excelente calidad. Además de esto, el auditorio de La Voz de Rusia está compuesto no sólo por los emigrantes rusos de las primeras y segundas oleadas. Ya hay en este auditorio, oyentes de generaciones medias y jóvenes. Hoy tenemos que orientarnos hacia ellos, tener en cuenta sus gustos y afanes culturales. En esto nos dará una inapreciable ayuda Russkoye Radio. La parte de información y análisis correrá por cuenta de La Voz de Rusia y la parte distractivo­musical sera responsabilidad de Russkoye Radio, que en esta materia es una de las mejores del país. LA VOZ DE RUSIA EN ALEMANIA Recordemos que además de esto, La Voz de Rusia está involucrada en una serie de otros proyectos. Como se informaba en su oportunidad a través del programa Frecuencia RM, La Voz de Rusia es la primera radiodifusora rusa que ha obtenido el derecho oficial de transmitir en el territorio de Alemania. La correspondiente licencia por un plazo de cinco años fue entregada el pasado día 05 de diciembre al presidente de nuestra casa radial Armen Oganesyan por las autoridades de Berlin- Branderburgo. La licencia autoriza a realizar emisiones en onda media a todo el territorio de Alemania. Los programas se emiten en alemán, ruso e inglés durante dieciocho horas al día. Armen Oganesyan señaló con esa ocasión que este acontecimiento es sumamente importante para promover la producción radial rusa a Europa, lo que en gran medida es resultado del progreso que hay en las relaciones ruso-alemanas. El principal socio de La Voz de Rusia en la realización de este proyecto de radiodifusión es la compañía alemana T-Systems de la empresa Deutsche Telekom. LA VOZ DE RUSIA EN EE.UU. Por otro lado, desde el primero de enero de este año, las emisiones de La Voz de Rusia, además de la onda corta e internet, han comenazado a llegar a los oyentes estadounidenses via red local de cables, por teléfonos celulares y mediante receptores de radio en automóviles. La Voz de Rusia colabora con la Red Mundial de Información, conocida por sus siglas en inglés de WRN, con cuyo apoyo técnico nuestra emisora transmite en Real Audio por internet. Además, via satélite retransmitimos nuestros programas en inglés, ruso y alemán a redes locales de Asia, África, América del Norte y parte de Europa. Antes de realizarse el proyecto del que hablamos, las emisiones de La Voz de Rusia vía satelite, se retransmitían en reducidos fragmentos y a horas poco cómodas por la noche. A partir del primero de enero, los programas especiales del servicio en inglés se pueden escuchar al interior de EEUU y en un horario más comodo, 18 hora local. [en qué zona?] La Voz de Rusia transmite hacia Estados Unidos a traves del satelite Telstar-5, cuya señal es captada por el principal auditorio de la WRN, sistema al que mensualmente se conectan 770 mil familias. A través de la radio Sirius que transmite via satélite, o el denominado canal 111, una radio especial para receptores de vehículos, la señal de La Voz de Rusia llega a los automovilistas. Actualmente hay en Estados Unidos unos 100 mil vehículos equipados con tal tipo de receptores. Existe, además, la red Scola, organización educacional no comercial, que transmite los programas de La Voz de Rusia a través de sus redes. El auditorio de esta organización, en su mayoría son escolares, estudiantes y profesores. Además, en EEUU existe una red de teléfonos celulares NEXTEL, que garantiza la radiodifusión de los programas en inglés y en ruso de nuestra emisora, a través de teléfonos celulares. Hay que agregar que La Voz de Rusia es la segunda emisora de radio en popularidad en NEXTEL (Francisco Rodríguez, programa DX Frecuencia RM, La Voz de Rusia, (Conexión Digital March 2 via DXLD) ** SWEDEN [and non]. RADIO SWEDEN'S ENGLISH SCHEDULE A'03 ----------------------------------- Here is the upcoming Radio Sweden English broadcast schedule for the period beginning March 30, 2003 (all times UTC unless otherwise indicated): [shortwave section already in DXLD] UTC -4 h New York, -5 h Chicago, -7 h Los Angeles [what about -6 --- does no one in the MDT zone count??? For that matter, does no one outside those three cities matter? --- gh] In North America on satellite Via WRN at 2:30 AM EDT/11:30 PM PDT, 9:30 AM EDT/6:30 AM PDT, 3:00 PM EDT/12:00 PM PDT, and 9:30 PM EDT/6:30 PM PDT on Telstar 5 Transponder 27, 12.177 GHz/V (SR 23000 FEC 2/3). Radio Sweden is now being relayed via WRN across America on the new Sirius Satellite Radio, on stream 115. Across Canada on CBC Overnight 2:05 AM local time (weekend times may vary). Program Schedule Weekdays Sixty Degrees North includes: Mon: SportsScan Tues (1st): Close Up Wed: Special features Thu: (1st): Nordic Lights, (2nd): GreenScan, (3rd): HeartBeat, (4th): S-Files Fri: Review of the Newsweek Weekends: Sat (1st): Network Europe (2nd): Sweden Today (3rd): Spectrum (4th): Studio 49 Sun (1st): In Touch With Stockholm (2nd, 3rd & 4th): Sounds Nordic Please note that these times and frequencies can change, especially the WRN relays. Look for the latest information online at http://radiosweden.org (via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, March 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UKRAINE. Glenn, I'm not exactly sure of RUI's "completely digital" statement. Listen to "Hello From Kiev" Sunday 0100 or 0400 UT on 7375 to North America as the program is repeated for a month (new version will not be on until April 6). Also, the DX program, "The Whole World on Radio Dial" is also repeated for a month. Hunting around the RUI website, http://admin.nrcu.gov.ua/eng/frame.html I don't see anything related to digital or ending SW broadcasts. Once hearing the digital comments on "Hello From Kiev" what do others think? I've asked my RUI contact for more information. 73, (-.. . Kraig Krist, VA, March 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. TOTP COMES TO THE WORLD SERVICE 12:34 GMT, Friday 28th February 2003 -- by Jason Crawley Top Of The Pops, one of the world's biggest music brands, will be transmitted to music fans across the globe on the BBC World Service from April http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds10533.html (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) I`m sick of hearing the terms `brands` and `branding` applied to *noncommercial* public radio! (gh, DXLD) ** U S A [non]. R. Sawa via Cyprus QSY confirmed: CYPRUS; RFA on same frequency: MONGOLIA ** U S A. Noticed on Friday's news that the architect for the new 1776 ft. building that will be built on the WTC site said that the NYC transmitters will be going on top of it. I guess this will kill the proposed 2000 ft. tower for either Jersey City or Bayonne, N.J. and also explains why nothing further has been heard about it. Completion time for the new structure is put at about 10 years (Joe Fela, NJ, March 1, WTFDA via DXLD) ** U S A. HOW TO KILL A RADIO STATION -- DEATH OF WNEW-FM A CAUTIONARY TALE --- Monday, March 3, 2003 Posted: 1:45 PM EST (1845 GMT) NEW YORK (AP) -- For 32 years, it was the place where rock lived. WNEW-FM once ruled as the nation's premier rock station, boasting an influence that extended far beyond its Manhattan-based signal. 'NEW was rock 'n' roll: John Lennon stopped by to spin records, the Grateful Dead played cards in the studio, and new music from the Rolling Stones to the Ramones to the Replacements was championed. "Like MTV is now?" says Tom Taylor, editor of the trade publication Inside Radio. "WNEW was that." The venerable station has gone from free-form to free fall, barely registering an Arbitron rating and dumping its most recent format -- talk -- last month. That decision followed a scandal that threatened the station's license: two shock jocks broadcast a pair of listeners allegedly having sex inside St. Patrick's Cathedral. The station plans to reincarnate itself, with a new format debuting this spring... http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Music/03/03/wkd.wnew.woes.ap (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** U S A. WHAT THE CORPORATE MEDIA WON'T TELL YOU Unreality TV and Yellow Journalism: What the Media Execs-including Media General-Won't Tell You at Today's Richmond Hearing The nation's largest media conglomerates are seeking to overturn the remaining federal "checks and balances" on media ownership. If successful, one major TV network will be able to buy another, merge with cable giants, and swallow up newspapers and additional radio and TV stations. There will be fewer owners of media outlets in a community, and meaningful "freedom of speech" will rest in the hands of a few-with tremendous political and commercial power. Since these same companies provide the public with news and information, they will be largely unaccountable, failing to cover their own political activities. Take, for example, Media General --- owner of the Richmond Times- Dispatch and 24 other daily newspapers, 26 TV stations, and 50 online services. Its readers and viewers are unaware that over the last 60 days the company has filed almost 600 pages of documents with the FCC asking that ownership rules be eliminated-including any limits on the number of TV stations they can own in a town. Nor have they been forthcoming in how their Washington lawyers have lobbied Commissioners Abernathy, Adelstein, and Martin. Not a word about how they arranged a special trip for the FCC chief of Policy and Plans to see their new "convergence" news center in Tampa, Florida (where they also presented the official with a videotape promoting their efforts). But more disturbingly, Media General hasn't felt compelled to spend any ink or airtime informing the public about all the promises made on their behalf if the federal rules are axed. Fox, NBC, and Viacom/CBS have already told Michael Powell's FCC that there shouldn't be any safeguards at all. At today's hearing, industry execs will undoubtedly speak from the same tired script that works so well in Washington, DC, where money and power too often triumph over the needs of the public. Claim: The networks say they can't compete without overturning the ownership rules Fact: The broadcast networks have already used their political power in Congress to win hundreds of billions of dollars worth of cable channels and digital spectrum for free! The future of Viacom/CBS, News Corp/Fox, GE/NBC, and Disney/ABC is already secure because of their private "pork barrel" lobbying efforts. Claim: The networks say that the nation's anti-trust laws can protect the public and that the FCC should no longer worry about the "public interest, convenience and necessity." Fact: The networks lie. They know that media anti-trust policy as conducted by the Department of Justice and the FTC is a joke. Media mergers are routinely approved by these agencies. Only when a media giant with White House clout mobilizes to oppose a deal-such as Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. do the regulators pay attention. Otherwise deals sail through, like Comcast's recent buy-out of AT&T cable. Claim: The networks' hired economic and legal experts say that the Internet will protect us from undue media conglomerate control, so there are no reasons for any safeguards. Fact: The networks know well that the Internet as an open medium is now threatened because of recent Bush FCC rules that will allow cable and phone companies to control more of the Net's broadband architecture. That's why these networks are now lobbying the FCC and the Hill for preferential distribution for their interactive content via cable. Claim: The media companies have told the courts that any safeguard limiting their ability to own any outlet violates the First Amendment. Fact: These companies distort the meaning of the First Amendment, which is also designed to ensure that public has access to a wide range of diverse sources of information. While cloaking themselves behind the First Amendment to eliminate rules they oppose, these same interests vehemently claim that because of their special status as "public trustees" they should receive a host of publicly endowed goodies, like cable must-carry, retransmission consent, digital spectrum, and the like. Claim: Michael Powell and the networks claim that the court has overturned the ownership rules and they must revise them. They also say Congress requires the end of all rules as a result of the 1996 Telecommunications Act. Fact: This is perhaps Michael Powell's and the industry's biggest lie. The court has not overturned all the rules. Rather, they have asked for more documentation of what the limits should be. Powell could inform the court that the current rules are necessary and even need to be strengthened. He could appeal the Appeals court decision in this matter. Powell could remind the court that the 1996 Act made it very clear that the public interest was to prevail. But because Powell is fixated on a deregulatory market approach, he prefers to distort the legal record to suit his own ideological beliefs. Claim: The big companies will win and the public is powerless. Fact: The new programming capacity that digital television will bring, along with the incorporation of streaming Internet media by the cable industry, should provide plenty of room for creativity, controversy, and content that is truly reflective of our diverse society. But this will only happen if members of the public join with allies from journalism, Hollywood, and the public interest community to fight for the democratic "soul" of the US media system. Support a media-reform movement that seizes upon the digital revolution and stakes a new claim for the public interest. For more information on media ownership issues, including how this affects the Internet, visit the Center for Digital Democracy's web site: http://www.democraticmedia.org Jeff Chester, executive director: 202-452-9898 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This is from the FCC hearings in Richmond, VA; another FCC hearing is scheduled for Seattle, WA within the next month (from what I hear). 73 and good DX from Eric, Amateur Radio Station N0UIH Registered Monitor KDX0STL, KMO0CN Hazelwood, MO Grid Square EM48, DXing The World since 1981 Turn Off Clear Channel Communications! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/turnoffclearchannel PRAY FOR AN END TO COMMERCIAL RADIO DEREGULATION (via Eric Bueneman, MO, IRCA via DXLD) ** U S A. Howdy! I am on a radio drama list for people who work in radio drama. Someone posted something relative to discussions that have happened on this list. I asked the poster, if I could re-post it here. He said it was OK. It is a message from AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists). The subject is how there is very little "live" radio originating locally. Robyn Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2003 17:16:30 -0500 From: To: "Radio Theater List" Subject: Keep Radio Live I received this from AFTRA membership. It applies to commercial radio. Yet another reason for public radio to exist. We're "live". American Federation of Television and Radio Artists --- February 2003 SUBJECT: RADIO IS DYING Live radio and local radio in this country are under attack. The consolidation of media empires is impacting even the smallest communities by killing local radio and homogenizing everything. As a union member, you need to know how certain business practices are impacting you and your colleagues in the media and entertainment industries. Please visit http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/Keep_Radio_Live/ to GET INFORMATION, TAKE ACTION, ADD YOUR SUPPORT and become part of the fight to KEEP RADIO LIVE. What's At Stake! Live radio and live radio announcers could become extinct! All around the country, Clear Channel Communications is replacing live and local announcers with pre-recorded "voice-tracking" radio programs. "Voice-tracking" is the process though which live radio broadcasts are simulated through the insertion of pre-recorded announcements between the music and commercials broadcast. The announcements are recorded in bulk and tailored for specific markets. Voice-tracking differs from syndication, which is the distribution of generic national programs that are presented as national programs. Under its "voice-tracking" plan, however, Clear Channel tries to make its radio shows sound live and local. In reality, they are neither. DJs on your local radio station may not actually be broadcasting from your community. Clear Channel gives its announcers 'cheat sheets' about local news and places, so that they'll sound local, even when their broadcast has been pre-recorded in another city far away. When you call a station to request a song, there might not actually be a live announcer at the station to answer the phone. In cases where there IS a local announcer, your requests or dedications may be recorded, so that Clear Channel can broadcast them in another city, after doctoring up the call to make it sound live and local. Because Clear Channel owns so many radio stations across the country, they save money by creating cookie-cutter formats like their "KISS FM" format. Rather than playing music that the local community wants to hear, they have executives in other cities making decisions about what kind of music will be broadcast in your community. If a local band wants to get on the air in your market, forget about it. Clear Channel runs most of its contests on a nationwide basis. So, when you call up to win concert tickets or a new car, you might not know that you are competing against listeners at over 1,200 stations across the country. When they replace live announcers with canned announcements from another city, your community loses professional jobs. ---------------------------------------- End of radiodrama Digest V2003 Issue #20 **************************************** (via swprograms via DXLD) ** U S A. LDS GRABS FOR MEDIA MONOPOLY IN UTAH -- ONLY $173.5 MILLION By Rich Andrews, American Atheists Bonneville International Corporation, the media arm of the Mormon Church, has announced its intention to purchase 15 radio stations from Simmons Media Group. The price tag for this acquisition is $173.5 million. The sale would violate FCC antimonopoly regulations, and require a waiver or change in existing FCC rules. The deal would give the Mormon Church three of the five top-rated radio stations in Salt Lake City. The LDS (Latter-day Saints) already owns KSL-TV and KSL-AM. They hold sway over Salt Lake`s two daily newspapers through their Newspaper Agency Corporation. The Mormon Church also has educational TV and radio stations and a cable television system that serve Salt Lake City and numerous counties in Utah. All the stations involved in the proposed sale are located in the Intermountain area. The Church already owns KCSG-TV channel 4 in Cedar City and St. George, and the sale would give the LDS two AM and two FM stations. It would also allow the LDS to gobble up five FM and three AM stations in the Pocatello - Idaho Falls area, thus cementing the media monopoly the Church already enjoys. All of this is at odds with federal regulations designed to protect people from a high degree of media concentration that is repugnant to antitrust principles, and inconsistent with the Communication Act`s goal of providing for the expression of diverse views. In RED LION BROADCASTING CO. v. FCC (395 US 367, 390 -- 1969) it states: ``It is the purpose of the First Amendment to preserve an uninhibited marketplace of ideas in which the truth will ultimately prevail, rather than to countenance monopolization of that market, whether it be by government itself or a private licensee ... it is the right of the public to receive suitable access to social, political, esthetic, moral and other ideas and experience which is crucial here.`` Many Utahans rightly fear that Church-controlled media is used to propagate the Mormon religion, protect it from outside scrutiny, and exert undue influence on matters of public importance. The 1996 Telecommunications Act instructed the Federal Communications Commission to revise some ownership rules and waiver policies; but the newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership rule was not among the ownership rules it should consider. Furthermore, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the FCC`s diversity standard supporting its newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership policies. Past experience with Mormon media have led many residents of Utah to be wary. This is the same church that purchased documents from Mark Hoffman years ago (including the notorious ``Salamander letter``) to keep them from public view, and aired a groundless story on KSL-AM that Gary Sheets was having marital problems. All of this was designed to deflect attention from scandal within the Latter-day Saints church. Also, KSL-TV was the station that aired another groundless story on Foothill Financial that created a run on its assets and led to its closing. Today, KSL-TV refuses to broadcast Saturday Night Live, and recently took the Jay Leno Show off the air for one night because of its content.. [I think another SLC station picks up SNL, however --- gh] The Mormon Church is seeking to circumvent the FCC rules and acquire these addition stations to add to its existing monopoly. Few potential buyers can match the $173.5 million offer. For the Mormon Church, this is a small price to pay for control of the free flow of information. For further information: http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/utah8.htm (``Mormon Church begins move to control secular media rival,`` 1/7/01) http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/utah7.htm (``Mormon Church closer to Utah media monopoly,`` 12/8/00 http://www.saltlakevalleyatheists.org (Salt Lake Valley Atheists) http://www.atheists.org/ut (Office of the Utah State Director, American Atheists) http://www.atheists.org/church/mormon.html (``Origins of Mormonism,`` by Frank Zindler) ** BACKGROUND: LDS MOVES FOR INFORMATION MONOPOLY (Editor`s note: The following statement was presented this week to the Federal Communications Commission in connection with a proposed rule change. That change would allow Bonneville International Corporation -- the media arm of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints -- to acquire an additional 15 broadcast outlets throughout the Intermountain region. Leading the fight against this dangerous proposal have been Chris Allen and Richard Andrews, both long-time members of the Board of Directors of American Atheists and veterans in the on-going battle to preserve state-church separation in Utah. As for the Mormon Church, its corporate front -- Bonneville Communications -- is the 12th largest media conglomerate in the country, and according to reports from the broadcasting industry has embarked on a multi-million dollar acquisition spree. This includes purchasing stations outright, or swapping stations in order to concentrate in sensitive markets. In 2000, for instance, Bonneville announced that it would be trading its one Los Angeles radio outlet to a private firm in exchange for four stations in St. Louis, Missouri -- ``considered a top twenty radio market`` according to PR News Wire. Other targets for consolidation include Chicago, San Francisco, Washington DC, and Cedar City. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints became actively involved in mass media in 1921, when it received the first U.S. broadcast license issued to an educational institution. It opened its first Salt Lake City station, KZN, in 1922. This later became KSL. During the next quarter-century, the LDS acquired FM radio stations, television outlets, cable companies and eventually broke into the early field of satellite television transmission. Bonneville was formed in 1964 as the holding company for Mormon-owned broadcast media. By 1990, it controlled licenses for seven FM, five AM and two television stations. That number has soared; and now the Church is seeking change or waiver of existing FCC rules to permit it to own newspaper and multiple broadcast outlets in the same regional markets. Critics say that the Church is using its economic clout -- this the result of a number of factors including its tax-exempt status -- to dominate media markets and compete unfairly with private broadcasting companies. Even Drew Horowitz, a regional vice president for Bonneville admits that the church-owned conglomerate enjoys a unique position over its competitors. When Bonneville agreed to purchase two Chicago classical radio stations for a whopping $165 million, an interviewer noted: ``Mr. Horowitz points out that unlike the other local radio kingpins -- including ABC, New York-based CBS Corp`s Infinity Broadcasting Corp., Clear Channel Communications Inc. of San Antonio and Chicago`s Tribune Co. -- the Mormon church-owned Bonneville does not have to answer to shareholders. `Because we don`t live quarter-by-quarter existence, we can spend the money on research, marketing and investing in people that other stations used to spend,` he says.``) * ATHEISTS SPEAK OUT AGAINST FCC RULE CHANGE, LDS MEDIA MONOPOLY ``Preservation Of Our Free Market Of Ideas Is Essential. The Federal Communications Commission has initiated Notice of Proposed Rule Making, and this one-day field hearing to give the general public an opportunity to voice its opinions about broadcast ownership rules. The Commission has asked commenters to provide specific information about the effects of media combinations in their markets. Public-spirited groups and individuals often cannot muster sufficient resources to conduct even limited monitoring of program content. The laborious perusal of documentary evidence will likely be the main barrier to those who argue for the public interest. Consequently, the FCC has a duty to conduct an objective investigation into complaints from the public, because the FCC can use governmental powers and subpoenas to obtain information not available to the general public. An FCC policy that shifts the burden of proof as spelled out in OFFICE OF COMMUNICATION OF UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST v. FCC No. 19, 409, D.C. Cir. June 20, 1965 would give the public a real opportunity to be heard. Government risks suffering from public apathy and lack of public support when it is perceived to listen only to the rich and powerful. The Telecommunication Act of 1996 instructed the Commission to revise particular ownership rules and waiver policies, but the newspaper/ broadcast ownership rule and waiver policies were not among those to be considered. Legislative history of this act shows Congress considered and rejected making changes to the newspaper/broadcast cross ownership policies. The Supreme Court has upheld the newspaper/broadcast ownership rule against a challenge in FCC v. NATIONAL CITIZENS COMM. FOR BROADCASTING 436 u.s. 775796 (1978)(nccb) finding that diversification of ownership would enhance the possibility of achieving greater diversity of viewpoints. The dual goals of diversity and competition will not be served by repeal of the newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership rules. Rumors of the elimination of the newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership rule have already led to proposed sales of radio stations. Bonneville International Corporation has announced its intention to buy 15 radio stations from Simmons Media Group, because according to its web site, Bonneville believes ``the FCC will eliminate the rule.`` That web site also boasts it ``is the 12th-largest radio operator in the country, based on audience reach and revenues.`` Bonneville is the media arm of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints, the Mormon Church. In northern Utah (the Salt Lake Metro area) the Mormon Church already owns KSL-TV and KSL-AM. It also owns educational TV and radio stations, and interests in cable TV. It even has its own cable TV channel. The Church also owns the Deseret News, a Salt Lake daily newspaper, and has veto power over who can own the other daily, the Salt Lake Tribune, although this ownership is still an issue in federal court. The Deseret News and the Salt Lake Tribune do business under a joint operating agreement. The sale of Simmons Radio Stations to Bonneville would give the Mormon Church three of the five top-rated radio stations in northern Utah. In southern Utah, the Mormon Church owns KCSG-TV channel 14 [sic] in Cedar City and St. George, Utah, and the sale would give the Church two AM and two FM stations in this small community. In Idaho, the Mormon Church operates two FM stations in Rexburg through its BYU-Idaho campus. KBYI-FM 100.5 broadcasts at a power of 100,000 watts in southeastern Idaho. KBYR-FM 95.5 provides round-the- clock programming that, according to its web site, is a pleasant mix of over 1500 songs, devotionals, General Conference (Mormon convention) reports, talks from Educational Week and symposia sponsored by BYU and BYU-Idaho. The site reports that listeners are offered a safe haven with uplifting music and messages of hope and inspiration. The Simmons-Bonneville sale would give the Mormon Church five new FM stations and three AM stations in this small southeastern Idaho community. The people of Utah and Idaho have a right to be protected ... [duplicated from above] ... Congress and the courts have not given the FCC guidance to change the cross-ownership rule. The FCC should wait to change the anti-monopoly rules until it can be seen that governmental countenance of monopolization will not result in the failure of a free market of ideas. Preservation of our free market of ideas is essential to American Democracy, and should be our primary concern. -- Richard Max Andrews, Chris Allen A M E R I C A N A T H E I S T S #1086 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2/26/03 http://www.atheists.org http://www.americanatheist.org http://www.atheistviewpoint.tv ftp.atheists.org/pub/atheists ---------------------------------------------------------- A Service of AMERICAN ATHEISTS ``Leading The Way For Atheist Civil Rights And The Separation Of Church And State`` ----------------------------------------------------------- RESOURCES FROM AMERICAN ATHEISTS * For membership information about American Atheists, send mail to info@atheists.org Kindly include your name and postal mailing address. * For a free catalogue of American Atheist books, videos and other products, send mail to catalogue@atheists.org Kindly include your postal mailing address. * The American Atheist Magazine is now on the web! Check out select articles from current or back issues, as well as special web-only features. Visit http://www.americanatheist.org/ * If you are a current member of American Atheists, sign up for our e-mail discussion group, aachat. We have over 150 participants who discuss topics such as Atheism, religion, First Amendment issues and much more. Contact the Moderator, Margie Wait, through mdwait@atheists.org ** ABOUT THIS LIST... AANEWS is a free service from American Atheists, a nationwide movement founded by Madalyn Murray O`Hair which defends the civil rights of nonbelievers, and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy. You may forward, post or quote from this dispatch, provided that appropriate credit is given to both AANEWS and American Atheists. Please do not post complete editions of this newsletter indiscriminately to news groups, boards or other outlets. Edited by Conrad F. Goeringer, cg@atheists.org Internet Representative is Larry Mundinger, lmundinger@atheists.org President of American Atheists is Ellen Johnson, ej@atheists.org To subscribe, send a blank message to aanews-on@atheists.org (via DXLD) ** U S A. The official Lubavich website, registered to 770 Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, which is the world HQ of the movement, is http://www.chabad.org Hmm - http://therebbe.com has a domain registration address in Toronto although they do seem to have some official connection to the movement. They're on the same server computer as http://www.chabadonline.com which redirects to http://www.chabad.org (Joel Rubin, Queens NY, March 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VIETNAM. 4796, Regional station Son La is not active on their morning service around 2200-0100 UT at present. But regular heard in the 1200-1400 UT night slot (Roland Schulze, Pangasinan, the Philippines, BC-DX Feb 28 via DXLD) ** ZAMBIA. Glenn, Re Chris Hambly's note in DXLD 3035, I have noticed since last week that ZNBC has moved its Radio 1 to new 5915, replacing 6265. Radio 2 is still on 6165. This upsets the nice pattern of all Zambian SW outlets having frequencies ending in 65 (ZNBC on 6165, 6265; Christian Voice on 4965, 6065, 9865). Regards, (Chris Greenway, Kenya, Mar 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Well, at least 5915 is exactly halfway between 5865 and 5965! (gh) UNIDENTIFIED. I have a weak signal almost daily at sunset here in Rio de Janeiro on 1503.00 kHz, that may well be a African station. It's NOT Angola 1502. I was wondering if someone has lately caught Togo here or any other station. Thanks (Rocco Cotroneo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, March 2, dxing.infovia DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. Ran across unID this morning on 9675 around 1322, woman speaking and light orchestral music, too weak to ID the language, but I thought Russian or something Slavic. Programming low-key, like old Mayak stuff, so checked available Moscow parallels, but it wasn't them. Audio was too clean (i.e. none of the characteristic hum) to be Russia-based in any event. Left the air 1357*. Nothing in any of my skeds. Probably nothing rare either, but just curious to find out what. 73, (Al Quaglieri, NY, March 3, hard-core-dx via DXLD) Al, nevertheless, HFCC has this which seems to fit except for the non- hum -- Novosibirsk: 9675 1200 1400 43,44,49 NVS 250 145 1234567 271002 300303 D RUS VOR GFC 3191 73, (Glenn, ibid.) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RECEIVER NEWS +++++++++++++ RADIO ID TAGS SPREAD WAVES OF ANGER AMONG PRIVACY ACTIVISTS By Simon London, Financial Times; Mar 01, 2003 Ultimately this technology will enslave humanity," says Katherine Albrecht, a privacy campaigner and Harvard University doctoral student. The objects of her ire are radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags, slivers of silicon coming soon to supermarket shelves. Gillette, the US consumer products group, last month ordered 500m RFID tags for tracking packets of razors through its supply chain. Michelin has developed a manufacturing process to vulcanise a tag into every tyre. Many companies see RFID tags as the 21st century successors to barcodes, but activists see a world where the movement of every object - and by implication every person - can be monitored. Ms Albrecht, who runs Consumers Against Supermarket Privacy Invasion and Numbering (Caspian), a group that opposes data collection by retailers, is among the most vociferous opponents of RFID technology. Many Caspian members, she says, "would rather walk naked than wear clothes that have been tagged". Chris Hoofnagle, of the Electronic Privacy Information Center (Epic), a Washington-based watchdog says: "There are going to be any number of entities who will want to use the information collected from RFID tags to track individuals or groups. The issue is control. Can you determine when the tag is active and who is using the information collected?" An RFID tag consists of a silicon chip with a unique serial number. Pass the chip through a radio frequency field and it can broadcast its identity for a few feet. According to Caspian, proponents of the RFID tag envisage a pervasive global network of millions of receivers along the entire supply chain - in airports, seaports, along roads, in distribution centres, warehouses, retail stores, and homes. This, Caspian says, would allow for seamless, continuous identification and tracking of physical items as they move from one place to another, enabling companies to determine the whereabouts of all their products at all times. One of the tag's big advantages over barcodes is that information can be collected without a line of sight to the tag. This makes it possible to scan a pallet of goods by simply passing it through a radio field. Moreover, RFID chips can store enough information to give each item - not merely each product line - a unique identity. This should allow companies to be more precise about recalls of faulty products, for example. While the idea has been around for 30 years, the chips are only now becoming cheap enough for companies to consider widespread deployment. Gillette is believed to be paying between 15 cents and 25 cents for each tag. Alien Technology, its California-based supplier, says the cost per tag could fall to 5 cents or below if tags are manufactured in high volume. Getting the price down will be essential if RFID tags are to be economically viable for low-value goods. Procter & Gamble, the household goods group, is also running a pilot project. And retailers such as Wal-Mart in the US, Tesco in the UK and Metro in Germany are testing the technology. The stores have been attracted by potential applications including "smart shelves" that sense when items are removed and re-order automatically, and check-outs that calculate totals when a shopping cart is wheeled through a radio field. But it is possible to see how RFID technology could be misused and some consumers are taking steps to protect themselves against being tracked. From a small office in Brooklyn, Stephen Galluccio sells bags lined with radio frequency-blocking material. It is not only RFID tags against which consumers should think about protecting themselves, he says. The location-tracking chips in cell phones and toll payment cards have similar privacy implications, he argues. "They are selling technology that does not turn off. You just don't have control anymore." Suggestions for an industry-wide solution range from Ms Albrecht's call for a total ban to self-regulation and restraint by companies. Mark Roberti, editor of the RFID Journal, an online newsletter, argues for a code of practice that would switch off tags once they have been scanned at the point of sale. The tag specification drawn up by the Auto-ID Center at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has a "self-destruct" command, allowing its owner to deactivate it. Mr Hoofnagle goes further. He calls on the US government to set up a data protection commission to look at the privacy implications of RFID and other emerging technologies. On one thing, however, almost everyone agrees: without a concerted effort to address concerns about privacy, RFID technology could face a public backlash (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) R-390A vs. IBOC I recently picked up a high grade military receiver, a Collins R-390a which has a very sharp mechanical tuning section. This receiver is so accurate that for many years out government used them and they were classified as top Secret. Now there are thousands of them out there. Everyone from the CIA to NSA to FCC and all branches of the military used them. This is no cheap receiver and very well built to withstand use in extremely high RF areas. And not to Be Overloaded. With 6 bandwidths of mechanical filtering from .1kc, 1kc, 2 kc, 4 kc, 8 kc, and 16 kc bandwidth. OK, now that I gave you the basics, I set the receiver with the 1 kc bandwidth and tuned down to [WOR] 710 and found it very sharp. On the upper IBOC sideband I found it cuts off very sharp at 726 kc at 8 kc bandwidth. It can be heard up to 732 kc on the lower sideband. It cuts off very sharp at 1 kc bandwidth at 695 kc and at 8 kc bandwidth it can be heard as low as 692 kc. But Of course the audio of WOR on 710 at 1 kc bandwidth sounds like hell... so I switched to the 4 kc bandwidth filter. WOR's audio sounded OK. Of course it sounds fine in the 8 kc Position. Back to the 4 kc position, IBOC can be heard up at 727 kc at 727.5 it`s gone. Now the other way it can be heard at 694 kc; at 693 it`s gone. So what I have determined using this military grade receiver that even the FCC has used for many years: that a receiver with a sharp filter at 4 kc bandwidth, the IBOC signal goes from 693 up 727.5 kc. And we are not talking receiver front end overload this time. This is still too wide. 3 kc protection to the 690 kc station and 2.5 kc protection to 730 kc. I could be off by just .25 kc and that's about as close as I can get without a Spectrum analyser. So even if you balance it in the middle it`s only about 2 kc protection up and down the IBOC station`s center. There is not enough protection to the second adjacent station. I just had to post my findings using this military grade receiver (Neal Newman, NJ, WTTM-1680, Mar 2, NRC-AM via DXLD) PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ M. SCHNITZER`S DX AUDIO I put a lot of new radio stations on the audio-clip-site of my homepage. The site has got a new design in country order. Now there can be heard recordings from 109 radio stations, among them many historical ones as well as more topical ones, all received with my home equipment in Germany. Please take a look at: http://home.arcor.de/mschnitzer/ Listen and enjoy! (Michael Schnitzer, Germany, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ###