DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-087, May 21, 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 later at http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldtd3e.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn FIRST AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1183: Wed 2200 on WBCQ 7415, 17495-CUSB? Thu 2030 on WWCR 15825 Fri 1930 on RFPI 15039 WRN ONDEMAND [from Fri]: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [from early UT Thu] [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1183.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1183.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1183h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1183h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1183.html ** ALASKA. 529, 1107-, SQM May 19. Strong signal in CW for SQM: ... _ _ . _ _ _ [location? Not Snoqualmish, WA? --- gh] 530, 1111-, ADK May 19. Good reception with CW ADK: . _ _ .. _ . _ Minor cochannel from TIS. [no doubt Adak, Aleutians] 524, 1115-, MNL Valdez May 19. Fair reception, best in USB for MNL: -- -. .-.. Returned from another impromptu DXpedition with John Bryant and Nick Hall-Patch. Although nothing fantastic, as always the 3 days were filled with good company and unusual DX. Guy Atkins joined us for the Saturday afternoon. We used two Beverage antennae pointed West and North West, as well as a small active antenna constructed by Nick. We experienced a little of everything including lightning, winds, rains, cold temperatures, and then some beautiful sunny warm weather! For those of you not having experienced a DXpedition, I can highly recommend them. This is my fifth time to Grayland, and I'll be back for more. Where else can one listen all night long, and sleep during the day, and then doing it all again the next evening! (Walter Salmaniw, MD, Grayland WA DXpedition, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Numerous other loggings follow in this issue ** AUSTRALIA. 1665, 1235-, 2MM, Sydney, May 18. Weak Greek music heard from this 400 watter. Terrible splash from NA X-banders (Walter Salmaniw, MD, Grayland WA DXpedition, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. 1701.14, 1218-, 4?? Brisbane, Radio, 1701 May 17. Fair signals on this Aussie X-bander. Listed as 100w. Possibly Radio 1701 from Brisbane? South Asian type music noted. Talk by YL at 1218. Nice strong signal at 1232, with Hindi music, so I wonder if this is the 100w Brisbane station? Signal just booming in at 1225 18 May with Hindi music. Always amazing to me how propagation is so enhanced at dawn! Ad for 'fashion bazaar' with phone number. Ad for 'flaming grill' at 1231. Pretty sure I heard Brisbane mentioned as well before the ad (Walter Salmaniw, MD, Grayland WA DXpedition, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. 13635, 1336-, Voice International, Darwin, May 18. Good to very good reception in Hindi with modern Hindi music. Very enjoyable! (Walter Salmaniw, MD, Grayland WA DXpedition, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. RA is about the worst HF station for publishing information. It is also bad for incorrect frequency announcements. At 2359 UT the announcement is usually by Roger Broadbent, the English language coördinator of RA. I have more than once emailed him (Broadbent.Roger@abc.net.au) and given him specific details of the errors as the frequencies closing and opening. Never a reply and the errors continue. Does anyone there really care? (VK3BCY, EDXP via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. 4876.71, 0959-, Radio La Cruz del Sur, May 19. Fair + reception, but need to use USB to avoid nasty QRM. Bolivian music until TOH, then somewhat garbled audio in Spanish (?) (Walter Salmaniw, MD, Grayland WA DXpedition, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. Boa dica do biólogo Paulo Roberto e Souza, de Tefé (AM): as rádios Difusora Acreana, de Rio Branco (AC) e Educadora 6 de Agosto, de Xapuri (AC), emitem, nos sábados, às 1000, o programa Natureza Viva, que tem como bandeira a defesa da floresta e dos homens e mulheres que lutam para proteger a vida. Conta com a participação da Organização Não-Governamental WWF. A Difusora Acreana emite em 4885 kHz. Já a Educadora 6 de Agosto irradia pelos 3255 kHz. Confira! As freqüências de 5955 e 15325 kHz, da Rádio Gazeta, de São Paulo (SP), voltaram a ser captadas em Porto Alegre (RS). De terças a sábados, entre 0200 e 0300, a programação continua sendo da Gazeta, quando os alunos da faculdade de Jornalismo da Cásper Líbero produzem o "Jornal da Gazeta AM Universitária". Às 0200 de segunda-feira, a programação é especial. No dia 12 de maio, apresentou uma enquete, feita na Avenida Paulista, sobre o Dia das Mães (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX May 19 via DXLD) ** CHECHNYA. RADIO RUSSIA TO BROADCAST IN GROZNYY | Text of report in English by Russian news agency ITAR-TASS Moscow, 21 May: Radio Russia has been given a licence allowing it to broadcast on the 69.17 MHz frequency in the Chechen capital of Groznyy. The frequency was contested by Ekho Moskvy and Radio Russia. But Ekho Moskvy withdrew its bid, first deputy media minister Mikhail Seslavinskiy said on Wednesday [21 May]. The decision to grant the broadcasting licence to Radio Russia was given by the federal tender commission. It also gave permission to broadcast in Groznyy to a local television company. The Groznyy Television and Radio Broadcasting Company will make its own programmes and beam for 42 hours a week, six hours each day, from 1800 to midnight. Ten-minute news and a 30-minute weekly news review will be available both in Russia and Chechen. The company will also make programmes for children and young people. Source: ITAR-TASS news agency, Moscow, in English 1429 gmt 21 May 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** CHILE. 6089.96, 0926-, Radio Esperanza, May 18. Fair signal with modern religious vocals, followed by brief talk, then into English song, 'My Girl' (Walter Salmaniw, MD, Grayland WA DXpedition, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COLOMBIA. 5958.45, 1034-, CARACOL Villavicencio, May 19. Fair signal with many time checks in Spanish, and mentions of Colombia. News features. Best in LSB. A difficult frequency. CARACOL and noticias mentioned at 1037:30 (Walter Salmaniw, MD, Grayland WA DXpedition, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CONGO. R. Congo, 5985, May 17 0430-0455+, tune-in to local drums. 0431 ID and into local African music. Fair-good with slight co0- channel QRM, but completely covered by WYFR sign-on at 0455 and Spain at 0500. Checked for Congo earlier at 2245-2300 on 5985 but only heard WYFR. This frequency is a real mess. Best time to hear Congo is in the 0430-0455 window (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. [Re unIDs:] The 96.7 is obviously CMBA-FM Radio Rebelde, Habana, Cuba. The other station 92.3 I would have to check according to the program content. The FM broadcast band is presently under a national expansion program to make high quality broadcasting reach all over the country. 73 and DX, (Your friend in Havana, Arnie Coro, radio amateur CO2KK, Host of Dxers Unlimited, Radio Havana Cuba, via Saul Chernos, WTFDA via DXLD) Thanks! It certainly sounded like it would match Rebelde's format. I'm not used to hearing Rebelde in high-quality FM though! - usually it's buried in interference from thunderstorms and other Latin American stations on AM. I'm afraid I don't have any more program content on the 92.3 station. It may well have been in Mexico, not Cuba, as the band was open to both countries at once. That's welcome news. I wonder how many times FM has been wide open to Cuba but there have been no stations to DX in the areas affected? (Doug Smith W9WI, TN, ibid.) ** CUBA. Re: 3-086: RHC better not go back on 15120, as Arnie seems to expect; at 2045 check May 19, that was occupied as usual by V. of Nigeria, and RHC was on 11760 in English (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. CUBAN SPIES SAY THEY USED PRO-DEMOCRACY FUNDS BY TRACEY EATON, The Dallas Morning News HAVANA - (KRT) - Cuban spies are in a bragging mood these days. They say American pro-democracy groups have unwittingly pumped tens of thousands of dollars into Fidel Castro's intelligence agencies over the past decade. . . http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/news/world/5894866.htm (via David Crawford, DXLD) No mention of radio, but of Cubanet, which has been the source for a number of anti-Castro stories here (gh) ** CUBA [non]. Radio Martí observed at 0750z on 6050 kHz with good signals, free of the jamming affecting parallels of 6030 and 5980 (Paul Ormandy, ZL4TFX, May 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Not for long, I wager. Still no 6050 listed in today`s May 21 IBB online schedule! In HFCC, I see the hole when HCJB is not scheduled on 6050 is 0500-1030. Symptom of beefing up RM as has been called for? (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) I am noting Radio Martí on new 6050 in the period 0600-1000, and also on new 6040 in period 0900-1000. The usual 9755 (Delano) in period 0600-0800 has disappeared, so I believe that either 6040 or 6050 is from that site. IBB's Freq Schedule Report of May 21 does not show these new operations as yet! So, Dan Ferguson, what's the full schedule? ! (Bob Padula, EDXP via DXLD) New 18th anniversary website of R. Martí: http://www.martinoticias.com/radio.asp?MODE=PLAY&MediaID=8332 HORARIO DE PROGRAMACION RADIO MARTI EN SU NUEVA PAGINA WEB http://www.martinoticias.com/schedule.asp NOTA: AL APUNTAR CON EL MOUSE AL PROGRAMA EN ESPECIFICO NOS INDICA LAS FRECUENCIAS DE EMISION. 73's (Oscar de Céspedes, Conexión Digital May 20 via DXLD) Still no 6050 exhibited there either! Grid still shows LA MISA, Servicio católico, Sundays at 7-8 am (1100-1200 UT), VIOLATING SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE, a U.S. government outlet promoting one particular religious sect!!! Wonder if they are still doing horoscopes too within some seemingly innocuous program title. On the lighter side, the venerable LA TREMENDA CORTE `` Comedia radial con la participación de Tres Patines, quien con gran frecuencia visita la tremenda corte para resolver un tremendo caso`` Sat & Sun 1430-1500 (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CZECH REPUBLIC. UPDATED A-03 SCHEDULE FOR RADIO FREE EUROPE/RADIO LIBERTY: ALBANIAN 1900-1930 792 7165 11910 15140 ARABIC# 0100-0300 9730 9865 12030 0300-0400 1314 9730 9865 11910 0400-0600 9730 9865 11930 1400-1500 1314 9825 13755 15170 15495 17740 1500-1600 1314 9825 11805 15170 15495 17740 1600-1700 9825 11805 15170 15495 17740 1700-1800 9865 11805 17690 1800-1900 9740 11805 17690 2000-2200 9615 11885 ARMENIAN 0200-0300 7275 9595 1400-1500 11680 1600-1700 9505 11895 AVARI 0415-0430 9850 11780 15355 1715-1730 9805 11925 17630 AZERI 0300-0400 9680 0900-1000 15510 17665 21520 1300-1400 15145 15255 17710 1500-1600 15385 1800-1900 11865 BELORUSSIAN 0300-0500 612 1188 6170 7295 9635 1300-1430 612 1500-1700 612 1188 9565 11725 15215 1700-1900 612 7190 11730 15480 1900-2100 612 1188 7115 9750 11865 CHECHEN 0430-0445 9850 11780 15355 1730-1745 9805 11925 17630 CHERKASSI 0445-0500 9850 11780 15355 1745-1800 9805 11925 17630 DARI* 0330-0430 801 1269 12140 15730 17670 0730-0830 1269 13710 15690 19010 0930-1030 1269 15690 17685 19010 1330-1430 801 1269 15690 17685 19010 1730-1830 801 1269 9845 12140 15690 2330-0030 801 972 1269 5945 7430 9785 GEORGIAN 0400-0500 9595 1500-1600 17725 1900-2000 11690 KAZAKH 0100-0300 7230 9680 15455 1100-1200 11870 15195 17670 1300-1400 12140 13795 17670 1400-1500 4995 15355 15455 2300-2400 7250 9615 9865 KYRGHYZ 0000-0200 6170 7295 9715 1200-1230 11930 15120 17615 1300-1330 11930 15205 17865 1400-1500 5860 11845 15530 1500-1600 5860 11960 15530 PASHTO* 0230-0330 801 1269 12140 15730 17670 0630-0730 1269 13710 15690 19010 0830-0930 1269 15690 17685 19010 1230-1330 801 1269 15690 17685 19010 1630-1730 801 1269 9845 12140 15690 2230-2330 801 1269 5945 7430 9785 PERSIAN@ 0030-0200 1170 1539 1593 9615 9795 9805 0200-0400 1170 1539 1593 9775 9795 9805 0400-0600 1170 1539 1593 9510 9795 15185 15290 0600-0800 1170 1539 1593 9510 15290 17835 0800-0830 1170 1539 1593 9510 13680 15290 17835 21530 0830-1400 1170 1539 1593 13680 21530 1400-1600 1170 1539 1593 9435 13680 17750 1600-1700 1170 1539 1593 9435 13680 17670 1700-1900 1170 1539 1593 11705 11845 1900-2000 1170 1539 1593 5860 6140 11670 11985 2000-2100 1170 1539 1593 5860 9960 11960 11985 2100-2130 1170 1539 1593 9960 11960 11985 2130-0030 1170 1539 1593 ROMANIAN 0300-0330 7210 9595 Monday to Friday 1500-1530 9505 11995 1600-1630 9870 11865 1630-1700 9870 11865 Monday to Friday 1800-1900 7115 12045 Monday to Friday RUSSIAN 0000-0100 6095 5985 7120 7170 7220 9520 0200-0300 6000 6105 7155 7220 7255 9520 0300-0400 6000 6105 7155 7220 9520 11725 0400-0500 5995 7220 9520 9760 11710 11725 0500-0600 7220 9520 9705 9760 11885 17730 0600-0700 9520 9705 11815 15130 17730 17810 0700-0800 9520 9705 11815 11860 15130 17730 17810 0800-1000 11860 15280 17730 17810 1000-1100 11860 11875 15130 15145 17730 17810 17890 1100-1200 13745 15130 15145 15205 17730 17890 1200-1300 13745 15130 15205 15215 17730 17890 1400-1500 9595 11725 11885 11895 15205 15215 1500-1600 9520 9725 11895 13755 15355 1600-1700 7220 9520 9725 11885 13755 1900-2000 6105 7220 9520 9530 9615 11885 2000-2100 5955 6105 7220 7260 9520 9530 9825 2100-2200 6105 7155 7220 7245 7260 9520 9715 2200-2300 5985 6095 7220 7245 9520 9615 2300-2400 5985 6095 7120 7170 7220 9520 RUSSIAN CE.AS 0400-0415 9850 11780 15355 1700-1715 9805 11925 17630 SERBOCROATIAN 0230-0330 1197 0730-0800 9555 11970 15260 1300-1330 9555 11795 17605 1600-1700 1197 6040 7115 11925 1730-1800 1188 9625 13635 15245 1800-1900 1188 9625 15160 15245 2000-2100 5970 7165 7245 2130-2200 1188 2200-2400 1188 1197 6130 9635 11730 TAJIK 0100-0200 4760 9760 11660 0200-0400 9760 11660 15520 1400-1500 15145 15370 17670 1500-1630 9790 15145 15370 1630-1700 4760 9790 15145 15370 TATAR-BASHKIR 0300-0400 9815 11820 0500-0600 11990 15245 1500-1600 11990 15245 1900-2000 9650 11925 TURKMEN 0200-0300 864 7295 9555 15295 0300-0400 7185 9555 15295 1400-1500 13815 15345 17825 1500-1530 13815 15160 17825 1530-1600 864 13815 15160 17825 1600-1800 13815 15160 17885 UKRAINIAN 0300-0400 6065 7115 9710 Monday to Friday 0500-0600 7115 7165 11815 Monday to Friday 1700-1800 9855 11895 15115 1800-1900 7165 11715 11875 1900-2000 3995 11875 15115 Sunday to Friday UZBEK 0100-0200 864 0200-0400 9785 12015 21770 0400-0600 12015 17630 21770 1300-1400 1143 1600-1700 9595 11980 15335 1700-1800 9595 11815 11980 # Radio Free Iraq * Radio Free Afghanistan @ Radio Farda 73 from Ivo and Angel! (Observer, Bulgaria, May 20 via DXLD) ** ECUADOR. 3279.56, 0945-, La Voz del Napo, May 18. Quechua language programming heard at good to very good levels, with mentions of María, Israel. No ID at TOH, but a very long prayer, with many, many mentions of Gracias, Señor. Good ID in Spanish by male at 1007 as 'Radiodifusora cultural la Voz del Napo'. Mentioned Padre Salomon (Walter Salmaniw, MD, Grayland WA DXpedition, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 3280, La Voz del Napo, religious talks, sermons and catholic rosarios May 19 at 0050-0125 [sic]; 0034 religious chants, 0136 totally disppearred because of local sunrise (0536 MSK), 33333. Too many thanks to Arnaldo Slaen, Gert Nilsson, Henrik Klemetz, Hermod Pedersen and Tore Vik for help me to identify this one (Artyom Prokhorov, in a countryside just 70 kms South of Moscow using Sony 7600G and its telescopic antenna, Cumbre DX via DXLD) 3279.56, LV del Napo, 21 May, 0041, Nice canned ID with frequency announcement by M over Mariah Carey music. Good clear signal. No sign of any other station around this frequency (Dave Valko, Dunlo PA, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** EGYPT. Estimados Colegas, Finalmente consegui a minha primeira captação da tão famosa e difícil Rádio Cairo! :) Claro, que devo agradecer ao nosso colega Samuel Cassio, fornecedor dessa grande ferramenta que é o SONY ICF-SW7600GR. :) Bom, precisarei da opinião de vocês sobre se devo ou não tentar o QSL, tendo em vista as peculiaridades da recepção. Vamos aos detalhes: Emissora: Rádio Cairo Data: 20/05/2003 Hora: 22:22 UTC Idioma: Português Freqüência: 11.793 Khz (isso mesmo!) Receptor: SONY ICF-SW7600GR. Antena: antena compacta AN-71 (fornecida junto com receptor) SINPO: 1 2 2 1 2 Foi possívl identificar que a maioria dos programas foram apresentados por locutora com sotaque possivelmente português, além de músicas árabes etc. Percebi que sempre quando que entra alguma música na programação o sinal melhora sensivelmente, o mesmo acontecendo quando da vinheta dos programas e na identificação da emissora. Considerando-se a freqüência "oficial" de 11790, o SINPO seria de 1 1 2 1 1, não sendo possível identificar práticamente nada da transmissão, exceto talvez algo das vinhetas e trechos de músicas. Agora, as inevitáveis perguntas: Essa variação nas freqüências é normal nas emissoras internacionais? Por que isso ocorre?(essa é a primeira vez que fiz DX m rádio com display digital) (Claudio, Volta Redonda/RJ, radioescutas via DXLD) Was the carrier frequency really 11793? ** ERITREA. STATE TV NOW TRANSMITTING VIA SATELLITE; RADIO TO BE CARRIED SOON | Text of report by Eritrean radio on 20 May Eritreans resident in various countries are sending congratulatory messages on being able to watch programmes of Eritrean television [state-owned EriTV] via satellite. So far, messages we have received from Eritreans living in Syria, Lebanon, Sudan, Djibouti, UAE, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Kuwait indicate that Eritreans living in those countries are watching the programmes of Eritrean television with clear video and audio. The citizens hailed the efforts by the Ministry of Information and the concern demonstrated by the Eritrean government to enable its citizens in the Diaspora to follow the situation and the development programmes being carried out in their country. Eritrean television programmes are broadcast on Arabsat 26 degrees east, on transponder frequency 11623 [MHz]. The Voice of the Broad Masses of Eritrea [state-owned radio] will also be on satellite in the coming few weeks. Source: Voice of the Broad Masses of Eritrea, Asmara, in Tigrinya 0430 gmt 20 May 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** FRANCE. 13610, 0409-, Radio France International, May 19. English programming to Africa at fair level, marred by long/short path echo. Parallel to Gabon 9550 at poor level (Walter Salmaniw, MD, Grayland WA DXpedition, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY [non]. RWANDA 11945, 0415-, Deutsche Welle May 19 Excellent reception of DW to Africa via Kigali, Rwanda. Parallel to equally strong 15410 via Wertachtal, and 7225 at fair level via Rwanda (Walter Salmaniw, MD, Grayland WA DXpedition, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Auf Englisch ** GERMANY. Two pictures of the now silent Wöbbelin site: http://www.wiechern.privat.t-online.de/meckpomm.htm By the way, it appears that all attempts to save Megaradio failed, any other result of the bankruptcy proceedings than a liquidation of the company would be a wonder now. Meanwhile even some of the major commercial FM stations are in serious trouble, word is that the Halle- based HitRadio Brocken is not far away from going bankrupt anymore. Not that it would be a real loss (Kai Ludwig, Germany, May 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUATEMALA. R. Cultural Coatán, 4779.98, May 10 0225-0233* Spanish announcements, local ranchera music, 0231 ID, sign-off with lite instrumental music. Poor to weak; irregular (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUYANA. GBC? 3291.25, May 17 0400-0500+ weak signal, too weak to catch any kind of program details. Also heard at 0925. Perhaps Guyana back on the air again? (Brian Alexander, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GUYANA. 3291.24, 0932-, Voice of Guyana, May 19. Haven't seen this one reported for a while. A presumed logging with Hindi music at poor levels (Walter Salmaniw, MD, Grayland WA DXpedition, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** INDIA. 9620.42, 1312-, All India Radio, May 18. AIR listed in Sindhi from Aligarh with 125,000w on this variable off frequency with Indian music. Parallel to much weaker 11585 Bangalore with 500 kW. Drifted up to 9620.48 within a few minutes. Good overall. 9620.54 at 1326 (Walter Salmaniw, MD, Grayland WA DXpedition, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Can anybody confirm that I am hearing an AIR station on 9620.7? It is an odd choice and I think I have heard Delhi mentioned but the audio sounds as if it's an off-air relay. The program appears to be in Hindi and is observed from 1230 and went off at 1300 and was back on when I rechecked at 1315. It is not // 10330 although an identical news bulletin with a M/A [male announcer???] at 1330. It has Indian type music but sounds more geared to Afghanistan/Central Asia by the rhythm patterns. The station seems to vary daily and on previous days seemed to be on 9625.6. Jose Jacob, can you help? (Robin L Harwood, Tasmania, May 21, EDXP via DXLD) The monitored schedule of AIR Patna relayed via Delhi on 11620 is as follows: Morning Transmission 0015-0445 (Sun 0956) Afternoon Transmission 0630-0956 Evening/Night Transmission 1130(Sun 1030)-1741 These special transmissions are still continuing even today 20th May 2003.The External Services on 11620 between 0015-1745 has been cancelled due to these broadcasts. These special relays will stop soon after the 100 kw MW transmitter of AIR Patna on 621 kHz is rectified. ===== 73 (Jose Jacob, VU2JOS/AT0J, May 19, dx-india via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. 4869.96, 1054-1340, May 17 Very strong signal with country style vocals in ? language. Suspect Indonesian here, as it would match the style. Annoying pulses on USB, but LSB in the clear. No ID at TOH, however. Some sort of jingle at 1102, but then immediately into another vocal of same genre. At 1103 went into a 70s western pop song (Fleetwood Mack, I believe). Then another same vintage song 'Wonderful world, beautiful people'. 'Indonesia' at 1115. Is this a frequency change from RRI Sorong? RRI news at 1200 with many transmitter breaks. Finally off in mid-song at about 1340. Still very strong (Walter Salmaniw, MD, Grayland WA DXpedition, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 4870. RRI Wamena? (reported as this one.) Good signal here some nights around 0850. Has plenty of English recordings with no announcement until 0930 then a short announcement in Indonesian and into News? Timor mentioned on occasion. Is not in parallel to other RRI outlets at this time. Is anyone able to confirm RRI Wamena and any contact for them? Regards, (Ian Cattermole, New Zealand, May 21, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** IRAN. DAILY LISTS 187 WEB SITES "FILTERED" BY IRANIAN GOVERNMENT | Text of report by Iranian newspaper Nasim-e Saba web site on 20 May Two weeks after the policy of filtering web site has been officially announced [in Iran], a Rooydad http://www.rooydad.com/ web site reporter has acquired a list of the filtered web sites. The list includes 187 web sites. Although there are some unethical sites included in the list, most of the filtered sites belong to political groups inside and outside the country or to the individuals and organizations who independently discuss social and political issues. One of these sites belongs to Foruhar family. [Dariush Foruhar and his wife were killed in the course of serial political murders of 1998]. Emrooz, Peyk Net, Mossadeq, Mihan, Roshangari, Iran Emrooz, Pars Pejvak, Rah-e Tudeh, Iran-va-Jahan, Dadnameh and Asr-e Now are among the well known political web sites which have been filtered. The web site of [dissident cleric] Ayatollah Montazeri has also been blocked. Also in this list are the web sites of Radio Farda and Radio Liberty. Several specialized web sites including "Women in Iran" http://www.womeniniran.com have also been filtered. But the most interesting case is the filtering of Aftab magazine. [The hard copy edition of] Aftab is being published based on a permit issued by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. Source: Nasim-e Saba web site, Tehran, in Persian 20 May 03, p3 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** IRAQ. SWEDISH IRAQI BECOMES NEW HEAD OF IRAQI TELEVISION | Text of report by Swedish radio Ekot web site on 20 May Swedish Iraqi Ahmad al-Rikabi is to become the new head of Iraqi state television. Al-Rikabi has worked in Radio Sweden's Arabic service, part of Sveriges Radio [national public-service broadcaster]. He has also been presenter of the SVT [Swedish television] programme 'Mosaik'. Al-Rikabi succeeds former dictator Saddam Husayn's son Uday as head of Iraqi television [as published]. State-owned Iraqi propaganda TV is to be turned into a free medium serving democracy. Source: Sveriges Radio Ekot web site, Stockholm, in Swedish 20 May 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** IRAQ [non]. New unidentified service from LIBYA, q.v.!! ** ISRAEL. YONNI BEN-MENACHEM ELECTED AS NEW DIRECTOR OF ISRAEL RADIO http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/295193.html By Anat Balint, Haaretz Correspondent Yonni Ben-Menachem, Israel Radio's diplomatic correspondent for the past six years, was elected as the new director of Israel Radio Tuesday night by a 7-2 majority of the Israel Broadcasting Authority's tenders committee. The stormy committee meeting was interrupted early on when members realized the two representatives sent by the Journalists' Associations in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem were Israel Radio workers, a clear conflict of interest. The IBA legal adviser, Hannah Metzkovich, insisted on their replacement before the vote. Before the meeting, committee member Dr. Ilan Asia sent a vehement letter to Industry Minister Ehud Olmert, the minister with the IBA portfolio, charging IBA Chairman Avraham Natan was not qualified to chair the tenders committee. Asia claimed that Natan announced at the last session of the tenders committee that he'd "make sure no observers attend to this affair, so the tender can be conducted in an orderly fashion." He was referring to an observer from the Attorney General's Office at the last appointments tender, which selected the director of Channel One TV. After the vote, the attorney general's envoy sent a letter to the state attorney charging that some of the votes for Ben-Menachem were not cast for professional reasons. Asia wrote to Olmert that "it seems Natan wants to hold the tenders committee sessions in the dark, out of the public eye, and that raises suspicions about his motives." Ben-Menachem's close ties with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon have raised fears among many journalists in Israel Radio that he will serve as the prime minister's proxy at the news station. (via Doni Rosenzweig, May 20, DXLD) ** JAPAN. 3373.5, 1018-, NHK Mihara, May 18. Fair reception of this 300w back up USB transmitter of NHK Osaka 2, with Japanese talk by mostly YL, with occasional interjection by OM. Lots of splatter. This one usually heard better in the depths of winter. 3373.5, 1137-, NHK, Mihara, May 19. USB back up 300 watt transmitter for Osaka 2. English lesson about whales. Good with a fair amount of atmospheric static. ID for NHK at 1140. No SW parallels noted. 3607.5, 1027-, NHK, Shobu-Kuki, Tokyo, May 18. Good reception with lively talk between a man and a woman. Lots of laughter, and music. 900 w USB back up transmitter for NHK Tokyo 1. Good reception. 3970, 1141-, NHK Sapporo 1, May 19. Good reception of this 600 w back up USB transmitter carrying NHK 1. Parallels include 3259 (600 w NHK Kasuga), 3607.5 (900 w NHK, Shobu-Kuki, Tokyo). Latter is best with good/very good reception. At 1255 recheck, 3607.5 and 3970 are no longer in parallel. At top of hour, back in parallel. Also parallel to 6005 (600 w Sapporo 1). At 1300 all transmitters are off except 3970 which continues despite scheduled sign-off. 6005, 1212-, NHK Sapporo May 17 Good reception, best in LSB with Japanese talk by male. Not a bad signal for a 600w transmitter, in a crowded band! 6005, 1223-1230, NHK, May 19. No ID on sign-off after Japanese female vocal. 600w Sapporo 1 transmitter (Walter Salmaniw, MD, Grayland WA DXpedition, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** KOREA NORTH. Nuevo esquema en español de la Voz de Corea Pyongyang: 00 UT [¿y?] 0200 UT 11735 13760 1700 9975 11735 1800 4405 11710 15760 15245 2200 4405 13760 15245 Muchos 73 y buen DX... (Adán González, Venezuela, May 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** LIBYA. On 18/5/03 around 2130 UT I was trying to pick up Bahrain on 9745 kHz but I heard a station mentioning Iraq a lot and most of the time talking to the Iraqi people and telling them about how great it's to have the rule of the people not the rule of a party or one leader. then there was a program called ``To our brothers in Iraq`` identifying the Party meanings etc... By the end of the transmission I heard them announcing a phone # and a fax #, also an address at (Libya)... I was really amazed by that but that ruling by the people thing brought Libya to my mind as they say it's the first country to be ruled by the people. They gave the times in Baghdad time; also I think they have 2 transmissions. The frequencies mentioned were 9745 kHz, 11660 kHz and 7245 tentative. I wanted to get the full details with the address in Libya and the phone # and the fax # but they were not on 19/5/03; maybe tonight they will be on (primary Report). (Tarek Zeidan, Cairo, Egypt, May 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) [9745??:] I noticed that it's not only Iran targeting Iraq with a special radio station. Around 2130 UT yesterday I managed to pick up a station targeting the Iraqi people will revert tomorrow with the whole story and the name of the station with the fax/tel number as I was very tired yesterday to grab a pen and a piece of paper to write the frequencies and times down as they announce it in Iraq Time :( Anyway, just bear with me and I'll keep you posted. All the best guys (from Cairo, Tarek Zeidan, May 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) As I'm writing this they are on both 7245 and 11660 but the QRM on 7245 from Radio Svoboda RFE/RL is driving me crazy!! Hopefully I'll be able to get the contact details by the end of the transmission. On 11660 they are really so weak I could hear a word or two. And then heavy QRM from another station. On 9745 they are not on. I could hear only an Arabic station (tentatively Bahrain) playing only Arabic music. Couldn`t get any ID. Same gossip about "how important is the rule of the people, not the rule of a party ... Don`t be fooled by any group of people that may get into power through you" They are using the same terms they use on the Libyan stations, exactly like people's committees. Mauno, if you are awake, can you record like the last five minutes of that transmission, 2155 just in case I couldn't get a clear catch of the contact details. Hopefully by the end of this hour you'll have the full picture :) (Tarek Zeidan, Cairo, Egypt, May 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi again guys, hope I ain`t boring you with all these e Mails. First of all I have to thank Mr. Mauno Ritola for his help by sending me the last 4 minutes of that station which really helped me to clarify the times of that transmission. here we go with the final/corrected contact details: Address: The General Center for Overseas Stations, P. O. Box 4677, Tripoli, The Great Jamahirya (that's Libya in common words) Fax: ++ 218 21 44 46 875 (corrected). They have 2 phone numbers: ++ 218 21 44 49 106, ++ 218 21 44 49 872. Times of the broadcast: twice a day, the first one at 10.00 - 11.00 P.M Baghdad time (1800-1900 UT), second transmission 01.00 - 02.00 A.M Baghdad time (2100-2200 UT); a repeat the transmission again at 04.00 - 05.00 P.M Baghdad time (1200-1300 UT). I think that's about it, guys. Hopefully I'll be able to get an ID of that station soon. All the best (Tarek Zeidan, Cairo, Egypt, May 21, DX LISTENING DIGEST) This seems to be the station that is about 50/50% here with Radio Bahrain [9745], signing on at sign-on [sic] at 2100z. Thanks Tarek! (Paul Ormandy, Oamaru, New Zealand, May 21, dxing.info via DXLD) Has anyone checked their Web site to see if there's some info in Arabic there? I suggest clicking on http://www.ljbc.net/fpage_2.htm which bypasses the Flash intro screen. There's nothing on the English site http://en.ljbc.net/ but unfortunately I don't read Arabic so it could be staring me in the face and I wouldn't know :-( 73, (Andy Sennitt, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Please note that the unknown station Libya to Iraq in Arabic was not on air between 1200 and 1300 gmt. Source: BBC Monitoring research in Arabic 21 May 03 (via DXLD) ** LITHUANIA. Sitkunai SW: the relays of Radio Barabari, Avaye Ashena and FBN have been cancelled. Apart from daily transmissions of Radio Vilnius, there is still Radio Santec in German on 9710 Sun 1200-1300 (to Europe). Please note that the name of this station is Radio Santec, while the alternative name "Universelles Leben" / "Universal Life" is the name of the radio ministry in Germany (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, May 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Cancelled by Sitkunai or by the clients? Have they each moved to some other site, or off the air? (gh, DXLD) ** MEXICO. Radio UNAM onda corta Estimados amigos: el día de hoy (20/05/03) por la tarde se escucho muy mejorado el audio de Radio UNAM onda corta. La portadora sigue escuchándose con buena intensidad, existe desvanecimiento, y el audio como lo anotamos arriba ha mejorado. Si tienes informes al respecto hazlo llegar, para comunicarnos con el Ing. Mejía quien agradece esta ayuda. 73's (Julián Santiago, clubdiexistamexico yahoogroup via Héctor García Bojorge, DF, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** MOROCCO. Local programming from Tangier was observed on May 17 at 0500 on 11920, see original message below. Of course not so much a surprise but I think nowhere reported previously. This raises the question how IBB Briech receives the RTM audio, perhaps simply by Ballempfang (FM pick-up)? Anyway the audio quality of the source in use is quite poor (crackling, at times severe non-linear distortion) (Kai Ludwig, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Marokkanisches Lokalprogramm auf KW? Hallo! Heute morgen vor dem s/off um 0500 UT auf 11920 identifizierte sich der marokkanische Rundfunk "Idha´at mamlaka t´ill maghribiya min Tanger". Gerade eben war auf 15340 kHz wieder die bekannte ID "...min Ribat" zu hören. Könnte es sich bei der Morgensendung um die Übertragung eines Lokalprogrammes aus Tanger gehandelt haben? 73, (Patrick Robich, Austria, A-DX via Kai Ludwig, DXLD) ** MYANMAR. 5985.81, 1423-, Radio Myanmar, May 18. After some time on exactly 5985, and also 5986, I'm again hearing Myanmar on their long- standing old frequency. Fair to almost good reception with Burmese music (Walter Salmaniw, MD, Grayland WA DXpedition, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NETHERLANDS. AUTOMATIC AMBIENT RADIO Radio DOM was an automatic radio-station located on the Dom tower in Utrecht, broadcasting a dynamic auditory soundscape based on the sounds of the city of Utrecht. Radio DOM got its inputs from six computer-controlled surveillance microphones installed on the Dom tower, which constantly scanned the inner city area. The sound signals picked up by these microphones were algorithmically combined into a continuously varying soundscape which was broadcast 24 hours a day by an FM radio transmitter installed on the Dom tower. The transmissions of Radio DOM could be received in the city of Utrecht from June 4 until October 3, 1999, at 102.3 MHz FM. Radio DOM was part of the exhibition Panorama 2000, organised by the Centraal Museum in Utrecht . . . http://iaaa.nl/radio/domE.html (via Benn Kobb, DXLD) ** NIGERIA. 7255, 0454-, Voice of Nigeria, May 19. Excellent reception with very drawn out Interval signal and occasional, 'You are listening to the Voice of Nigeria'. Into National Anthem at 0456. Into French language programming. At same time 15120 comes on with English at fair level (Walter Salmaniw, MD, Grayland WA DXpedition, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Voice of Nigeria heard on 19 May with nice reception on clear 7255 kHz from 2100 UT (after CRI sign-off) until 2115 (blocked by RAI). Opening announcements, ID, talk, etc, in presumed Fulfulde. Seemed to make a big thing out of the 'new' website with an emphatic mention of it early on! Listening over past couple of days seems to indicate that Yoruba 2000-2100, Fulfulde 2100-2200 and Hausa 2200-2300 are on 7255. English heard, as expected, on 15120 kHz when checked at 2115 on 19 May (Tony Rogers, Birmingham - UK, BDXC-UK via DXLD) VON LAUNCHES WEBSITE This Day (Lagos), May 20, 2003, Posted to the web May 20, 2003 Chikas Ohadoma, Abuja Voice of Nigeria (VON) yesterday broke new grounds when it launched its official website. At the official launch of the website, http://www.voiceofnigeria.org which was planned by NigeraNet [sic], VON's technical partners, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Prof. Jerry Gana commended the Director-General of VON Mr. Taiwo Allimi for the numerous achievements recorded by the management team and staff of the organisation in the last four years. Gana said before now, "almost all international broadcasters are accessible through the internet. That posed a clear challenge for Nigeria's only international radio station, a challenge that I am glad that the management of Voice of Nigeria, under the very able leadership of the Director-General, Mr. Taiwo Allimi, has successfully tackled. We are proud of your zeal, determination and commitment to excellence." Gana also commended the inclusion in the website of a provision for opinion poll. "This is a wonderful decision because opinion polls can be employed effectively by Voice of Nigeria in enriching its programming. "I have no doubt that it will also be a useful tool in our policy- making process as a nation," the Minister said. Earlier, the Director General of VON, Allimi noted that the launch of the website had taken the Corporation fully into the world of Information Technology. Explaining the nature of the website, Allimi said "Voice of Nigeria website will inform on VON, its history, its radio frequencies and programmes guide" adding "Visitors will also find information about Nigeria such as investment tips, tourism destinations and weather profile for the tourists, peoples and languages of Nigeria, music and theatre, arts and culture, etc." Allimi disclosed that the VON website would have similar pages on Africa. (http://allafrica.com/stories/200305200652.html via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) VOICE OF NIGERIA WEB SITE OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED The Voice of Nigeria (VON) yesterday officially launched its Web site, http://www.voiceofnigeria.org which has been in operation already for well over a year. At the launch ceremony, Prof. Jerry Gana, Minister of Information and National Orientation, commended VON Director- General Taiwo Allimi for the achievements of the organisation in the last four years. Gana commended the inclusion in the site of technology to hold opinion polls. "This is a wonderful decision because opinion polls can be employed effectively by Voice of Nigeria in enriching its programming. I have no doubt that it will also be a useful tool in our policy-making process as a nation," he said (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 20 May 2003 via DXLD) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 1725 kHz, 1226-, GA, Goroka, May 17. Fair reception of 50w aero beacon from Goroka in AM [MCW / A2?] mode. 1737 kHz, 1229-, KUT, Kutubu, May 17, poor to fair reception of this 50 w aero beacon. Not as strong as 1725 (Walter Salmaniw, MD, Grayland WA DXpedition, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAPUA NEW GUINEA. 4890, 1034-, NBC Port Moresby, May 18, PNG bandscan. Good to very reception with prayer in English. Splatter from RTM Malaysia. Then an American religious song 'Celebrate Jesus' Name'. 3905, 1038-, Radio New Ireland, May 18. Strong signals with Pidgin religious programming. 3850, 1039-, Radio Independent Makumui, May 18. Not heard today. 3395, 1041-, Radio Eastern Highlands, May 18. Not on air. 3385, 1042-, Radio Eastern New Britain, Rabaul, May 18. Not on air. 3375, 1043-, Radio Western Highlands, Mount Hagen, May 18. Not on air. 3365, 1044-, Radio Milne Bay, Alotau, May 18. Not on air. 3355, 1045-, Radio Simbu, Kundiawa, May 18-19. A messy frequency, but they don't appear to be on the air. Lots of splatter from Indo just above this frequency. 19 May: 0916 At fair to good levels with Port Moresby relay of National news in English. 3345, 1046-, Radio Northern, Popondetta, May 18. Nothing here except RRI, Ternate on 3344.85 with strong signal. 3335, 1049-, Radio East Sepik, Wewak, May 18. Excellent reception with a radio play in Pidgin. 3325, 1051-, Radio Bougainville, Kubu, May 18. Relatively strong signal with many mentions of Bougainville under music, which I thought might be RRI Palangkaraya, but then they played a Christian hymn. Still there does appear to be two stations co-channel. 3315, 1055-, Radio Manus, Lorengau, May 18-19. Not on air. May 19: Good reception with National news via Port Moresby in English. 3305, 1115-, Radio Western, Daru, May 18. Very weak het only, so I presume not on air? Needs more investigation to confirm. Anyone in Australia/NZ able to confirm? When rechecked at 1138, they were on the air, with a fair signal with local music, then Pidgin announcement. Did hear 'Voice of ?'. Will have to listen to the MD recording. Lots of ute QRM on this freq. Rapidly faded way down to poor levels within a minute, concurrent to QRM going way up! Still could make out 'Sunday evening'. Sounded like sign-off announcements at 1155, then dead air for about a minute, then back in Pidgin, with mentions of 5:00. Broadcasting to the people of the Western province from our studios in Daru. Radio Western ID. This was in English. Followed by National Anthem at good level, now over the pesky ute. Off at 1200:45. 3290, 1118-, Radio Central, Boroko, May 18. Good signal with islands music, and Pidgin talk. 3275, 1119-, Radio Southern Highlands, Mendi, May 18. Good reception with EZL music. They must have paid their electrical bills, as I have them as previously off air for non-payment of the bill. Fair amount of static, and lower modulation when announcer came on. Did hear 'good night'. In Pidgin. Only at fair level due to the static and low modulation. 3260, 1121-, Radio Madang, May 18. Not on air. Only slop from NHK, Kasuga, 600w relaying JOLK, Fukuoka 1 in USB at good levels. 3245, 1126-, Radio Gulf, Kerama, May 18. Not on air. 3235, 1127-, Radio West New Britain, Kimbe, May 18. Excellent levels with local choral hymn. 3220, 1129-, Radio Morobe, Lae, May 18. Weak het, then Russian fishermen came on with excellent levels in USB. Presumed not on the air. 19 May: Same Russian fishermen. On LSB there is something very weakly heard, but I doubt PNG. 3204.97, 1131-, Radio West Sepik, Vanimo, May 18. Good levels with Pidgin talk and local music. 2410, 1037-, Radio Enga, May 18. Not on the air (Walter Salmaniw, MD, Grayland WA DXpedition, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. 4975, Radio del Pacífico clear ID at 0130 May 17, ``Pacífico Radio``, religious program, good audibility till 0300 UT. Nowadays, it is the most powerful Peruvian station on the dial. No trace of Radio Unión on 6115 these weekends (Artyom Prokhorov, in a countryside just 70 km South of Moscow using Sony 7600G and its telescopic antenna, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** PORTUGAL. ONDA CURTA EM NOTÍCIA Cortesia do jornalista Célio Romais. Não perca em "RADIONOTICIAS" as notícias desta onda. Visite http://www.aminharadio.com (António Silva, radioescutas via DXLD) ** PUERTO RICO. WI2XSO, 1260, Mayagüez, new synchro for WISO Ponce is on (AM Switch, NRC DX News May 19 via DXLD) Will it keep the experimental calls? Sob! Now how are we to tell whether we are hearing Ponce or Mayagüez? There otta bea law (gh, DXLD) ** RUSSIA. VOICE OF RUSSIA TO START INTERNET BROADCASTING The Voice of Russia state radio company broadcasting in 32 languages begins internet broadcasting, reads the company's press release. . . http://newsfromrussia.com/main/2003/05/20/47202.html (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** RUSSIA. 180 kHz, 1214-, Radio Rossii May 19 Petropavlovsk at weak strength with Russian talk. 279 kHz, 1221-, Radio Rossii, May 19. Also noted Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk in parallel to 180 but slightly out of sync with Russian programming. Poor, but better than 180 (Walter Salmaniw, MD, Grayland WA DXpedition, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** RUSSIA. VOICE OF RUSSIA TO LAUNCH ON-LINE VIDEO BROADCASTING | Text of report by Russian news agency RIA Moscow, 20 May: The Russian state broadcasting company Voice of Russia, which broadcasts in 32 languages on the airwaves, is launching video broadcasting on the Internet, says a press release from the company received by RIA-Novosti on Tuesday [20 May]. "On-line video broadcasting is to become one of the main areas of the company's operation in the future," the company notes. A special section is to be opened on the Voice of Russia website shortly, in which the most significant and interesting programmes and interviews will be posted in a video format. "In those conditions when the electronic mass media are developing fast" it is necessary to provide listeners, through the Internet and the worldwide web, with "the most up-to-date news product, a balanced combination of audio and video components, as well as textual and graphic information", says Voice of Russia broadcasting company chairman Armen Oganesyan. Source: RIA news agency, Moscow, in Russian 1213 gmt 20 May 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** SAHARA WESTERN [non]. Hoy se cumplen 30 años de existencia del Frente Polisario, que lucha por obtener la liberación de su país ocupado desde hace 27 años por Marruecos en contra de los mandatos de la ONU. Hay conmemoraciones en los campamentos de Tinduf, ubicados en Argelia. La RNRASD se encuentra ubicada en Bir Lehlu, capital de los territorios liberados del Sahara Occidental y comenzó sus emisiones el 28 Diciembre 1975. Además de su onda corta, emite en 1550 khz. A estar atentos entonces a las frecuencias cercanas a 7470, en donde se la escuchaba tiempo atrás a Radio Nacional de la República Árabe Saharaui Democrática. 73's GIB (Gabriel Iván Barrera, Argentina, May 20, Conexión Digital via DXLD) Gracias, Gabriel por el dato. Y vale agregar para quienes no lo saben que esta emisora entraba con excelente recepción por estas latitudes, hasta hace no más de un par de años atrás, hacia las 2230+ UT, en la frecuencia que Gabriel nos indica. 73's (Arnaldo Slaen, ibid.) ** SAIPAN. ANATAHAN CONTINUES TO BELCH ASHES The volcanic eruption on Anatahan continued for the fifth day yesterday, with the Washington Volcanic Ash Advisory Center reporting of ashes being spewed out to an altitude of 10,000 feet from the volcano's crater. "I have not seen any change in it over the last 24 hours," said Nancy Merckle, a meteorologist at the center's Satellite Analysis Branch. Merckle said clouds of ashes extending up to 15 nautical miles wide were suspended up to an altitude of 13,000 feet above Pacific waters. The ashes were moving 5-10 knots westward toward the northern portion of the Philippines. The ashes have reached over 1,000 miles from Anatahan. . . http://www.saipantribune.com/archives/newsstorysearch.aspx?cat=1&newsID=28350&issID=1245 (Saipan Tribune May 16 via DXLD) So does this have any effect on radio stations such as KFBS? (gh, DXLD) ** SINGAPORE. 6150, 1052-, Radio One, May 19. Strong reception, best in LSB with English financial news. A 'Slice of Life' at 1056 about unemployment. Then ad for Channel news radio, then traffic watch... 'a broken lorry on Mount Batton way'. [Mountbatten? gh] Weather forecast, hazy and warm (low 27, high 32). News from Radio Singapore International at TOH (Walter Salmaniw, MD, Grayland WA DXpedition, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 6150, 1030, Radio Singapore, English - local news broadcast with traffic report, news on SARS, ID's by man and woman as "News Radio 938" good signal on LSB (Brett Saylor, Pennsylvania, May 20, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** SOUTH AFRICA. 3320, 0435-, South African Broadcasting Corporation, May 19. Despite my listings stating that this is Radio Sonder Grense in Afrikaans, what I am hearing at weak level is English (Walter Salmaniw, MD, Grayland WA DXpedition, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SPAIN. Uma dica para quem quer encontrar amigos pelo mundo inteiro é a sintonia do programa Con Respuesta, da Rádio Exterior de Espanha. Vai ao ar, nos sábados, às 1100, em 21570 kHz. De acordo com Leônidas dos Santos Nascimento, de São João Evangelista (MG), o programa recebe cartas, sempre no idioma espanhol, de países como Benin, Ucrânia e Austrália. Destaque para cartas de ouvintes de Cuba, maioria absoluta no programa! (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX via DXLD) ** SYRIA. Hi all, heard Radio Damascus last night at 2110 on 13610 in English with "you are tuned to Radio Damascus" ID, then straight into Arab music. Strong carrier but fairly low modulation. Also noted 300 Hz tone on the carrier, which sounds very similar to a CTCSS tone. Nice to see that Damascus is still alive and broadcasting. 73, (Sean G4UCJ RECEIVER: ICOM IC756; GRUNDIG SATELLIT 600, 3000 ANTENNA: Low Band vertical with 32 x 10m ground radials Indoor dipoles for 14-30 MHz and 50 MHz/Band I TV 1.3m diameter MW loop + FET Preamp., May 21, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** TAIWAN [and non]. A Equipe que faz a programação em espanhol da Rádio Taipei Internacional está indignada com os correios da Argentina e Espanha. Conforme Bonnie Cheng, apresentadora do Buzon Aereo, todas as cartas clássicas enviadas aos ouvintes destes países foram devolvidas, sob o pretexto de que poderiam espalhar o SARS. Nas duas últimas edições do programa, Bonnie explicou, de forma detalhada, que o vírus se espalha "en contacto cercano entre personas". (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX via DXLD) ** U K. BABY BROADCAST BAFFLES PILOTS LONDON, May 19 (Reuters) --- Instead of landing instructions, aircraft approaching Britain's Luton airport heard the squealing of tiny infant Freya Spratley broadcast over their radios. Authorities worked 12 hours to track the frequency and determined that a baby monitor at mother Lisa Spratley's house, located near the airport, was broadcasting her baby's cries to the cockpits of approaching planes, the BBC reported on Monday. "It was like something out of the Ghostbusters. They came down the path and stopped me and said we'd like to check something inside the house," Lisa Spratley told the station. "They said they were working on behalf of Luton airport traffic control. They'd been asked to sort out interference they'd been receiving on the airwaves and had tracked it down to our address." The BBC said there was no threat to safety: pilots who heard the infant Freya instead of air traffic control were able to switch to a different frequency. The company that made the baby monitor supplied the Spratleys with a new one. And little Freya seemed to have little idea of the commotion she had caused. REUTERS (via Andy Sennitt, DXLD) WTFK???!!! (gh) It`s a third harmonic (Tim Bucknall, UK, harmonics yahoogroup via DXLD) Of what, falling where? (gh) ** U K [and non]. Glenn, FYI/FWIW/etc.: http://www.biased-bbc.blogspot.com/ 73, (Harry Helms, NV, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Currently discusses the Jessica Lynch story, Texans in Ardmore, etc. (gh) ** U S A/HAWAII/LATIN AMERICA. 10000, 1417-, May 18. WWVH and WWV fighting it out with Spanish speakers (?drug traffickers) on USB. At least equal in strength. Unwelcome pests! (Walter Salmaniw, MD, Grayland WA DXpedition, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A [non]. GERMANY, 13810, 0412-, Radio Africa International (United Methodist Church), May 19. Excellent reception with French language African programming. Lovely strong, clean modulation with perfect easy to follow French (Walter Salmaniw, MD, Grayland WA DXpedition, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1610 kHz, 1403-, TIS, May 18. Weather forecast loop, then information about the Columbia River bridge. Fair at times, but mostly poor amongst the cacophony of other stations. 1611 stations from Australia still causing a het. Computer generated voice as well 'double U double U...' (Walter Salmaniw, MD, Grayland WA DXpedition, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. 1610.03, 1414-, talking house, May 17. Weakly heard tape loop, mentioning the 'Hi...This is the nice three bedroom...well placed. All new windows. Well cared for. For those...come have a look at it', and a phone number 360- 580-111?6 or 7. Again, ...?$69,500... Take a look, and thank you very much.' Best in LSB. Increased in strength during the day. I sent out John Bryant to locate the transmitter and he confirmed the location as being approximately 2.6 km from this location! Not bad for 100 mw. Coastal effect? Location was an empty trailer with a small sign in the window mentioning 1610 for more information (I have a jpeg of this). Could not see any transmitter anywhere through any of the windows, so I'm assuming it was plugged into an electrical outlet in the bathroom. Not bad, as the trailer was enveloped in aluminum siding. A new method of DXing for me --- going TO the transmitter location! Now for a QSL ;) (Walter Salmaniw, MD, Grayland WA DXpedition, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Rumor is that KEZZ-1470 in Estes Park CO may get one of the country`s first ultra-short Kinstar AM antennas. If the FCC gives their approval, KEZZ may install the 40-foot Kinstar this summer to help resolve a long on-going battle between the station and local politicians over the relocation of the KEZZ antenna (Patrick Griffith, CO, NRC Domestic DX Digest May 19 via DXLD) Visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park this summer, please check this out! (gh) ** U S A. CHEVRON-TEXACO TO DROP SPONSORSHIP OF METROPOLITAN OPERA BROADCASTS http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/21/arts/21CHEV.html ChevronTexaco announced yesterday that it would withdraw its support from the Metropolitan Opera's Saturday afternoon live radio broadcasts after the 2003-4 season, ending the longest continuous commercial sponsorship in broadcast history. Joseph Volpe, general manager of the Met, said that he was determined to continue the broadcasts without ChevronTexaco and that he would look for a new sponsor. Started on Christmas Day in 1931 with Humperdinck's "Hansel and Gretel," the Met matinee broadcasts have introduced opera to millions of people around the world. Mr. Volpe said the broadcasts had been "the single most powerful audience development program in introducing opera to families" and had inspired opera stars. "Many of the singers today first discovered opera on the radio broadcasts," he said. Patricia E. Yarrington, ChevronTexaco's vice president for public and government affairs, said in a statement, "As our business has evolved, we believe it is important to focus more of our resources directly with the countries and markets where we do business." Beginning in 1940 Texaco was the sole sponsor of the broadcasts, which are now heard live from the Met stage at Lincoln Center 20 times a year on 360 stations at an annual cost of about $7 million. Broadcast December through April, the broadcasts reach an estimated 10 million listeners in 42 countries (via Joel Rubin, NY, DXLD) Of course, the Saturday Met broadcasts are one of the oldest broadcasts in the world. They are on a syndicated network in the U.S. and on CBC and on many other stations (Joel Rubin, NY, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I knew an ill wind was blowing when Chevron took over Texaco. Will we detect a little less enthusiasm about C-T in the announcer`s voice next season? More in next issue (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. NEW JERSEY TV TOWER PROPOSAL IN QUESTION http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-ny-attacks-antennas0521may21,0,3139058.story?coll=ny-ap-regional-wire May 21, 2003, 6:59 AM EDT BAYONNE, N.J. (AP) A plan to build a 2,000-foot television tower is on hold after a group of broadcasters asked the Federal Aviation Administration to temporarily suspend its review of the project, The Star-Ledger of Newark, N.J., reported. The Metropolitan Television Alliance made its decision after plans for the Bayonne tower received a negative review from FAA officials who address takeoffs and landings from airports in the New York metropolitan area, said Pat Smith, a spokesman for the alliance. He did not elaborate. Building the tower in Bayonne would mean rerouting planes at three area airports, according to an FAA review released last year. A new tower would improve TV reception in the metropolitan area, which has been spotty for some households without cable since the old tower at the World Trade Center was destroyed in the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The MTVA had asked for permission to build a temporary tower on Governor's Island in New York while the trade center site is being rebuilt, but Mayor Michael Bloomberg has said he would be unlikely to support such a plan. Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the MTVA has been transmitting from a backup system atop the Empire State Building. Though that system is being upgraded, it is outdated. The tower in Bayonne would cost $200 million and would be the world's largest free-standing structure, surpassing the 1,815-foot CN Tower in Toronto. It would serve 11 area television stations and some FM radio stations and emergency communications systems. Copyright © 2003, The Associated Press (via Andy Sennitt, DXLD) ** U S A. IBOC: You might want to check out today's NorthEast Radio Watch, http://www.fybush.com, wherein I recount my ride in the Ibiquity Magic Van a couple of weeks ago... Note, particularly in a WTFDA context, that the suspension of standards-setting applies only to the AM system; the FM system is essentially ready to be unleashed commercially upon the world, whether we DXers are ready for it or not. s (Scott Fybush, May 19, WTFDA via DXLD) ** U S A. FRIENDS, LOYALTY BIND HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES TO THE AREA By ANTHONY VIOLANTI, News Staff Reporter, 5/18/2003 Buffalo broadcasting is the one degree of separation that binds us all. Somehow, we are all connected: from Harry Webb to Carol Jasen; from Clint Buehlman to Sandy Beach. Generations come and go but Buffalonians remain united by the memories of the broadcast personalities who left an imprint on their lives. In our town, broadcasters are family. They mirror the way we were and are - blue collar, ethnic and hard-working. Should we move on to bigger and better things, those familiar radio voices and television faces remind us of media roots that not only shaped a sense of community, but also personal history. So it is for Tim Russert. . . http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20030518/1012581.asp (via Fred Waterer, Ont., DXLD) ** U S A. Interesting story about the 30,000 translator apps the FCC recently received at [registration required] http://www.bizjournals.com/ct/c/419216 (Patrick Griffith Westminster, CO, USA, NRC FMTV via DXLD) ** U S A. PIRATE RADIO STATION BLOCKING WXEL SIGNAL By Joseph Mann, Business Writer http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/local/sfl-zwxel20may20,0,1184414.story?coll=sfla%2Dbusiness%2Dheadlines Posted May 20 2003 An unlicensed radio station broadcasting from downtown Fort Lauderdale is blocking the signal of Palm Beach County-based WXEL, FM 90.7, in parts of Broward and Miami-Dade counties. The pirate station, which broadcasts Caribbean and rap music at 90.9 FM, "is obstructing our signal to thousands of listeners" in the two counties, said Jerry Carr, WXEL's station manager. The pirate's owners are unknown, but Carr said WXEL engineers tracked the broadcast signal to a building in downtown Fort Lauderdale. WXEL, a National Public Radio affiliate, has its studios in Boynton Beach and its transmitter and antenna at Lantana Road and U.S. 441. It broadcasts from Fort Pierce to northern Miami-Dade County. The pirate began broadcasting at 90.9 FM around October of last year, Carr said, and the Federal Communications Commission was immediately notified. Up until now, however, the pirate station has remained on the air. When WXEL made additional calls to the FCC, the public radio station was told that they're "working on it," Carr added. Neither the FCC nor the pirate station could be reached for comment. WXEL, as well as other local stations, have had trouble with unlicensed stations in the past. In some cases, confiscating a pirate's transmitter, antenna and other equipment only takes them off the air for a few days. "A pirate can get on the air for less than $1,000," Carr said. WXEL last month completed a $600,000 upgrade, which raised its antenna height to 1,100 feet and boosted transmission power to over 40,000 watts. "We thought this would eliminate the [pirate's] interference, but it didn't," Carr said. Typically, when the FCC receives word that someone is operating an unauthorized radio station, a federal offense, the agency sends a team to locate the source of the signal, takes this information to a federal prosecutor, seeks a warrant from a federal judge and federal marshals can then shut down the station and seize its equipment. A Florida man was recently prosecuted for operating an FM radio station in the Orlando area without FCC authorization. The man was sentenced to 9 months in prison, to be followed by a year of supervised release and community service. Aside from filing a complaint with the FCC, WXEL also has engaged an attorney in West Palm Beach and is considering a civil lawsuit against the pirate station. "WXEL believes the station is being wronged civilly because the pirate has, in essence, usurped a large pool of listeners and users of WXEL in areas where his signal is causing theirs to be compromised," said Richard Zaretsky, WXEL's lawyer. WXEL and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel are news partners (via Brock Whaley, Artie Bigley, Mike Terry, DXLD) ** U S A. THE HURRICANE WATCH NET NEWSLETTER Welcome to the Hurricane Watch Net News Letter Page. All items presented here are intended for our audience at large. Any questions or comments may be directed to Mike Pilgrim, manager of the Hurricane Watch Net at k5mp@hwn.org. 05/12/2003 Given the broad readership of this web site, it seems prudent that we should explain for those who are not associated with Amateur Radio just who we are and what our role is during hurricane season. We are a group of licensed Amateur Radio Operators trained and organized to provide essential communications support to the National Hurricane Center during times of Hurricane emergencies. Our primary mission is to disseminate tropical storm advisory information to island communities in the Caribbean, Central America, along the Atlantic seaboard of the U.S., and throughout the Gulf of Mexico coastal areas. We also collect observed or measured weather data from amateur radio operators in the storm affected area, and convey that information to the Hurricane Forecasters in the National Hurricane Center via the amateur radio station in the center (WX4NHC). Founded in 1965 by Gerry Murphy, (Amateur radio call sign K8YUW), the Hurricane Watch Net activates 14.325 MHz whenever a hurricane is within 300 miles of projected landfall or becomes a serious threat to a populated area. For those of you who may not possess an amateur radio license, we invite you to monitor net activities on 14.325 MHz which is available on many popular general coverage receivers. Amateur Radio operators who desire to participate are encouraged to visit our membership discussion elsewhere in this web site and note the requirements particular to becoming a member of our organization. As a point of interest, let me emphasize that the Hurricane Watch Net is a group of 35 amateur radio operators strategically disbursed from Toronto, out to Bermuda, through the Caribbean Sea, Central America, Mexico and across the continental USA. We are not housed in a single location as some of our followers believe, rather, we are located such that we can provide a continuous path of communications from storm affected areas to the forecasters in the National Hurricane Center in Miami. Whether or not you have the interest or capability to listen in as we conduct our net operations, we hope that you will discover the plethora of weather related information made available on our web site. Particularly, we invite you to sign in on our ``guest book``, be sure to leave a comment or two to let us know how you think we might better serve you. We have made a link available for you to e-mail directly to Net Management for those kinds of interactions requiring direct comment. Speaking of our web site, through the diligence of our Web Master, Mr. Bobby Graves, you will continue to see enhancements both in content and functionality. We welcome your comments and/or suggestions for additional enhancements. During the off season, members of the Hurricane Watch Net are busy getting ready for the next season. While many take advantage of the slack period to tune up, overhaul, and otherwise fine tune their communications equipment (amateur radios and PC equipment), many of us behind the scenes are paying attention to such things as Web Page management and enhancement, administration of our organizational strategies, plans, recruiting process, and otherwise taking advantage of training opportunities. Many of our members attended the 8th annual mini-conference at the National Hurricane Center on February 1st, which was a full day of orientation and idea sharing as regards our work as communicators of vital weather data. Among the highlights was a personal presentation from Capt. Dave Tenneson, amateur radio operator NL7MT who pilots one of the many NOAA Hurricane Hunter Aircraft during the hurricane season. Perhaps last season many of you tuned in as Capt. Dave checked in to the Hurricane Watch Net with first hand reports from within the eye of Hurricanes Lili and Isidore as each were in the area of the Yucatán Peninsula... During the week of April 14-19 several of us attended the National Hurricane Conference in New Orleans in which we learned of the latest technologies, strategies, and preparations for the upcoming Hurricane season. Additionally, we heard the year 2003 predictions from Dr. Bill Gray (12 named storms, 8 Hurricanes of which 3 will be of Major intensity). Be sure to refer to the link to Dr. Gray`s web site (on our home page) where you will see updates as they are made available. Of all topics discussed in New Orleans, I suppose the one of greatest interest was the decision to begin this year issuing forecast information out to 4 and 5 days ahead of the storm. Given these requirements are established primarily for the Navy`s benefit when ships must be moved out of harms way, or for NASA who requires plenty of lead time to properly secure a shuttle, and for off shore drillers to have time to safely evacuate their crews to safety, it is the decision here in the Hurricane Watch Net to basically ignore the 4/5- day forecast information as it is estimated the margin for error can be as much as 275 to 375 miles when attempting to project point positions that far in advance. You will also note that the Media will treat this new data merely as ``zones of influence`` rather than to attempt any ``point tracking`` in days 4 and 5. Now as we approach the 2003 Hurricane Season, we at the Hurricane Watch Net are hopeful for another season of minimal affects on human life and property. On the other hand, we stand ready to provide all the support as needed during these times of anticipated hurricane emergencies. In closing, let me thank you for your interest in our activities at the Hurricane Watch Net, and invite your comments and suggestions to make our service and this web site more beneficial for your personal needs. Please let us know of topics and ideas you would like to see discussed here in our web page. Your comments may be directed directly to myself, k5mp@hwn.org. Sincerely, Mike Pilgrim, Amateur Radio Station K5MP, Manager, Hurricane Watch Net The following reprint is provided in response to popular demand For those who don`t understand this ``ham radio talk`` but wish to participate in future activities, please refer to the ``FAQ`` selection on the main menu of this web site for guidance as to how you too may participate. Regarding membership in the Hurricane Watch Net and a question frequently asked, let me first of all remind you that you must be an individual (no group memberships available) with a valid amateur radio license authorized for operations on the 20 meter phone band. Secondly you must read in it`s entirety the ``Membership Information`` section here on the web site main menu, and if you feel you qualify, then please feel free to submit the provided application. Please understand that we are not attempting to swell our numbers, rather we are interested primarily in filling certain voids in our coverage in the areas west of the Mississippi. We will entertain applications from anyplace, and will certainly consider any outstanding candidate irregardless of location. Please review carefully our requirements in the above mentioned section of this web site, and if you feel you have something to offer, then by all means, please submit the application. Keep in mind that we are looking for those with the best communications skills (both personal and technical), availability and propagation to the affected areas and the NHC as needed, net control experience, knowledge of our net operations and personal awareness of what we do and how we operate, and a respectable _expression of how you feel you can serve our needs. For those who have short-wave receivers capable of reception on the 14 MHz short-wave band, we hope you will tune in when our net is active. Be advised that we will activate the net on 14.325 MHz when a hurricane is within 300 miles of projected land fall. You may subscribe to current weather advisories (see ``Subscribe`` button on the homepage). For those of you who are licensed amateur radio operators, you may learn from various sources when our net will be active. Please be advised that as a normal course of business we handle all net communications within our own membership. On occasion however, it becomes necessary for us to request assistance for the relay of essential information; at that time we will solicit the assistance of non member stations on frequency. You can be most helpful if you will await our request for that relay assistance rather than to volunteer in an unsolicited form. In order to reduce double transmissions and confusion, do not transmit to the station you hear and wish to relay until permission to do so is given by the Net Control Station. Copyright © 1999 - 2003 The Hurricane Watch Net All rights reserved Last updated: Monday, May 12, 2003 Webmaster: Bobby Graves (KB5HAV) (http://www.hwn.org via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DXLD) See also RECEIVER NEWS below ** UZBEKISTAN. 7285, 1330-, Radio Tashkent, May 18. Radio Tashkent comes up with the short straw here. IS is just audible before their English broadcast (I could hear no other parallels [such as 17775, 15295] --- a sign of declining sunspots and MUFs, unfortunately). Then totally overpowered by Voice of Vietnam sign-on with listed Cambodian at good level (Walter Salmaniw, MD, Grayland WA DXpedition, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VENEZUELA [non]. Hola Glenn, Saludos desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA. El pasado domingo 18 pude anotar otra frecuencia para Aló Presidente: 13750 kHz, aparte de las ya activas de 17750, 13680 y 11670 kHz. Esta vez la peor señal era la de 13680. Excelentes: 13750 y 11670 [vía Cuba] (Adán González, May 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VIETNAM. 5034.77, 1247-, Voice of Vietnam, 3rd program, May 17. Hmong Service with fair reception, classical music. Parallel to much stronger 6165. A question re the latter. If I recall, Saigon used to have a transmitter on this (or was it 6160?). Is this the same transmitter? Brief talk by YL at 1250 and into local vocal. 6378.57, 1126-, Lai Chau, May 17. Presumed logging with weak Vietnamese style music with much atmospheric noise. Poor overall. Much stronger carrier at 1255 recheck, and drifted to 6378.39. Modulation is still very low! (Walter Salmaniw, MD, Grayland WA DXpedition, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ZIMBABWE [non]. They updated their web: More tests on new SW Radio Africa frequency 4880 kHz: Further broadcast times will be Wednesday and Thursday 07.05pm - 07.25pm [sic --- if it`s p.m. you don`t put a zero before it! --gh] (Zimbabwe Time) Listeners in Zimbabwe will be able to receive our signal on 4880 kHz as well as on the usual 6145. We need to know whether the new test signal is an improvement and would urge listeners to contact us with views. 023 275 030 : 00 44 20 8387 1441 : views@swradioafrica.com (Roberto Scaglione http://www.bclnews.it hard-core-dx via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. Re 3-086: the station on 4335.34 and 5728.39 --- perhaps it be significant that the difference between the two frequencies is 1393.05 --- so is there a MW outlet there, which could be mixing with one of the SW frequencies to produce the other? (gh, DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED [non]. Re DXLD 3-086 UNIDENTIFIED 6315: V. of Tigray Revolution has been on 6350 for a year (?) now. The soccer game in question was probably Africa Cup Winners Cup game Etoile Sahel (Tunisia) vs. Club Olympique (Mali) ending 4-0, which took place 17 May. I don't know what kind of receiver was used, possibly one with IF of 455 kHz. Tunisia is listed on 7225 1600-2300. Again old formula 2 x 455 is 910. 7225-910 is 6315. I assume (even if it's dangerous) that it was RTT Tunis program heard on 6315 due to receiver "mirror". Well, the language doesn't match, I believe Tunis has only Arabic programs on SW (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, May 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. Re 3-086 on 6585+ -- see BOLIVIA in same issue! (gh) UNIDENTIFIED [non]. This is my last comment about this unID 9270 (at least for a while) :)). On 19 May at 1830 on 9270, the station with vibrating carrier and Middle-East/Central Asian sounding music was again audible. And it is Tajik Radio, second harmonic of 4635. Not a Turkish harmonic, but harmonic anyway :) 73 (Jari Savolainen, Finland, hard-core-dx via DXLD) Strong signal here in south Italy on 9270; it's Voice of Greece, // 9420 - 9375 - 15650. No more signal on 9270 at 2256 when 9420 go off, and 9375 and 15650 are still on. This is an harmonic from Kavala, but his formula? (Roberto Scaglione, ibid.) Take your pick; or both?? UNIDENTIFIED. International Amateur Radio Union Region 2 -- April 2003 MONITORING SYSTEM NEWSLETTER http://www.echelon.ca/iarumsr2 INTRODUCTION This Newsletter contains news about interference from non-Amateur stations heard in the Amateur bands in IARU Region 2 during the month of March, as well as selected news about interference heard recently in IARU Regions 1 and 3. Notes about interference in bands which are not allocated exclusively to the Amateur Service are for information only. If you have any comments or questions about these news items, please contact your national Amateur Radio society or the IARU Region 2 MS Coordinator. NOTABLE INTRUDERS HEARD IN REGION 2 The following intruders were notable in Region 2 during March : 7006 kHz J3E Encrypted speech, also on 7018, 7021, and 7102 7100 A3E Unidentified SWBC. 14280 A3E Unidentified SWBC, drifting frequency. 24, 28 MHz A3E,J3E Pirates and "CB" types galore! Mysterious speech signals are again being reported in the 40 m band. So far they have been heard in the southern USA on 7006, 7018, 7020, 7021, and 7102 kHz, transmitting encrypted speech in a single-sideband (SSB) mode. According to reports these signals are very similar to ones heard on about the same frequencies between late 1999 and mid- 2001, although they seem to be a little weaker now. More observations of these signals are required. As reported last month, the shortwave broadcasts continue on 7100 kHz by at least two different broadcasters, one on 7099.98 and the other on 7100.00 kHz. They are sometimes on the air at the same time. Three broadcasters known to use this frequency are Voice of the Broad Masses (VoBM) from Eritrea (in scattered one-hour periods from 0330 to 1830 UT), Voice of the Islamic Revolution of Iraq (actually a clandestine broadcast from Iran, 0330-0530 UT) and Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran or Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB, 1930-2000 UT). It does seem confusing. An unidentified shortwave broadcast is being heard regularly in Argentina on 14280 kHz around 1100 UT, apparently from Asia. In Region 3 broadcasts on this frequency are being variously reported as Iran (after 0130 UT) and Beijing (0800-0900 UT). This signal on 14280 kHz is not to be confused with Radio Pyongyang, reported in both Argentina and Canada on 14250 kHz. The unidentified code groups at 0210 UT on 3523 kHz and the "310" broadcast from France at 1700 UT on 14320 kHz reported in previous months are no longer heard and we hope they have gone elsewhere. This seems typical of the clandestine "numbers" broadcasts, many of which change their skeds (frequency and/or time) every few months, some even monthly. An unidentified data signal occupied 3797 kHz for at least 2 nights in early March and was heard with good strength in eastern North America. Although this signal was not a major source of interference, except for those two nights, it is of some technical interest. The signal was an F7D emission with 4 frequencies within a 400 Hz bandwidth. The data rate was 100 or 200 baud and the data was contained within frames of 280 millisecond duration. There seemed to be considerable redundancy in the data, possibly due to one or more data channels being "strapped" together. It was not possible to read out the traffic. A display of the data stream, produced by the Analyzer2000 analysis software shows the structure of the signal. The top panel shows the last received frame of data bits (the vertical axis is frequency); the center panel is a "raster" display of successive frames of data (each horizontal line is 280 msec long); and the bottom panel shows the autocorrelation function for the 280 msec frame (the strong peak at 280 is just beyond the right-hand edge of the display). In the raster display, vertical bars are formed by bits having the same position within the frame. If the bit always has the same value, then the bar is always the same colour. This signal is similar to another unidentified signal that appears sometimes in the 30 m band, with center frequency of 10105.2 kHz. (The 30 m band is a shared band, where the Amateur Service has only Secondary status.) (An image of the described display will appear in the Newsletter published on the website at http://www.echelon.ca/iarumsr2/newsletter.html ) Our monthly report would not be complete without mentioning the persistent and too-numerous radio pirates and "CB" type operators who occupy our 24 and 28 MHz bands, using AM (A3E) and SSB (J3E upper and lower) modes, some with beeps, some with echoes, and none of them with any right or privilege to be there. HIGHLIGHTS FROM REGION 1 The March Newsletter from Region 1 is not available yet. Please stay tuned! HIGHLIGHTS FROM REGION 3 In his Newsletter for February, B. L. Manohar (Arasu), VU2UR, offers the following comments : "A number of data transmitting stations using A7D, F1B, F7D, H2D, M7B modes are regularly reported. The famous "Havana Gurgle" on 18090 kHz is several years old and it is celebrating Birthdays without any hindrance from any authority. "... NZART [New Zealand] and WIA [Australia] are quite regular in reporting Radio Pyongyang, DPR Korea, on 3560 kHz and other harmonics as well. Second harmonics of BBC, All India Radio and Radio Beijing were also heard on 14320, 14290 and 14280 kHz respectively "WIA [Australia] is keeping a tab on 14044 kHz and ARSI [India] are regularly reporting these SE Asian stations, conversing in the slot 2300-0200 UT. Several channels in 40 and 20 mb are used by the Indonesian pirates, as usual, as if these were their International Frequency Registration Bureau [IFRB] registered frequencies. "Unless many of the Member Societies of our Region organize effectively and report, with follow-up of their monitoring systems, it would not be easy to get these pirates/intruders out of our bands." In his report to Arasu for WIA (Australia), Henry, VK8HA, comments that the "mob" of radio pirates on 14144 kHz USB are of ethnic Chinese origin, speaking a southern Chinese dialect akin to Hokkia [Hakka?] but mixed with Indonesian words. Further, by a process of elimination, the other mob on 14044 USB seem to be from either Thailand or Cambodia. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This Newsletter was produced from information provided by the following organizations and individuals. Their contributions and encouragement are hereby acknowledged. Any errors or omissions are entirely the responsibility of the Region 2 MS Coordinator. ARRL (USA) and Coordinator KØBOG KH6B (IARU) LU5DG (IARU) RAC (Canada) and Coordinator VE6JY IARU MS International Coordinator, ZL1BAD IARU MS Region 1 Coordinator, OD5TE IARU MS Region 3 Coordinator, VU2UR DARC (Germany) MS Coordinator, DJ9KR - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - This Newsletter is published for and distributed to the IARU Region 2 Executive Committee, Region 2 member societies and associated individuals by the IARU Region 2 Monitoring System Coordinator, for their use and information. Permission to use information from this Newsletter in other Amateur Radio publications is hereby granted, provided that proper credit is given. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Prepared by : Martin H. Potter, VE3OAT Co-ordinator of the IARU Region 2 Monitoring System P. O. Box 84, Greely, Ontario K4P 1N4, Canada (via Horacio Nigro, Uruguay, May 21, DXLD) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RECEIVER NEWS +++++++++++++ BOEHLERT, HALL TOUT WEATHER RADIO AS A HOMELAND SECURITY ESSENTIAL Committee on Science, SHERWOOD BOEHLERT, CHAIRMAN Ralph M. Hall, Texas, Ranking Democrat http://www.house.gov/science May 20, 2003 Press Contacts: Heidi Mohlman Tringe Heidi.Tringe@mail.house.gov Jeff Donald Jeffrey.Donald@mail.house.gov (202) 225-4275 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) and Ranking Democrat Ralph M. Hall (D-TX) sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge, touting the homeland security benefits of "NOAA Weather Radio" and requesting that the early warning technology be added as an emergency preparedness kit item. "We were recently briefed on the NOAA [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] Weather Radio system and its capability to get warnings to the public for all hazards, including terrorist attacks. We think NOAA's system should be expanded to deal with homeland security," wrote Boehlert and Hall. The Members urged Secretary Ridge to add NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) receivers as an emergency preparedness kit item and consider promoting the system on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website. In addition, they expressed their support for the President's fiscal year 2004 budget request to upgrade the current NWR system to provide local emergency management officials an authenticated, secure, electronic method to send non-weather emergency messages on NWR. They stated, "The Committee on Science recognizes that science and technology are keystones of national security and improving technology is critical. While local emergency managers can use NOAA Weather Radio to broadcast non-weather emergency messages for hazards such as chemical spills and civil emergencies, the process requires manual intervention and can be time consuming." A copy of the letter is available upon request. NOAA Weather Radio is a nationwide radio network, run by NOAA's National Weather Service. Operated directly from government facilities, NWR transmits into the homes of the American public through commercially available receivers and can be programmed to self-activate, so they can alert the public to impending threats anytime day or night. NWR has been successfully alerting communities to natural disasters for the past three decades, and has recently developed into an all-hazards warning system, which can broadcast a wide range of vital updates, including AMBER Alerts and terrorist attacks. Boehlert and Hall also held a press conference today, with other members of the Science Committee, NOAA Administrator Ret. Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, and industry representatives, to increase public awareness of the technology. "Up to the minute warnings on NOAA Weather Radio helped many families seek shelter from the record breaking tornado systems that recently plagued the nation's mid-section," said Lautenbacher. "Coordination between the network of NOAA forecasters, quick acting emergency managers and the broadcast media provided extremely timely warnings." Environment, Technology and Standards (ETS) Subcommittee Chairman Vern Ehlers (R-MI) noted, "Weather emergencies can strike any part of the country at any time. Just last week NOAA Weather Radios were crucial in alerting residents of Marquette, Michigan to a mandatory evacuation of the town due to a severe flood. This was very early in the morning, at 6:00 am, when many people were still asleep and only learned of the flood through their Weather Radio." "NOAA Weather Radio is yet another way in which NOAA can contribute to our homeland security. From NOAA's Space Environment Center, which works closely with the Air Force to ensure accurate GPS readings, to NOAA's Profiler Network, which provides wind data for the prediction of the probable path of harmful substances that may be released into the atmosphere, NOAA is already working on many homeland security fronts. It makes sense for NOAA to expand its weather radio system to get non-weather emergency messages to local emergency managers and the public," said ETS Ranking Democrat Mark Udall (D-CO) Representative Frank Lucas (R-OK) stated, "My congressional district is in the middle of 'Tornado Alley,' so I've seen firsthand the injuries and loss of life that can occur when residents aren't aware that a storm is coming. This month alone, more than 100 Oklahomans have been injured in tornadoes and windstorms. I'd like to see these radios become as prevalent in Oklahoma homes as smoke detectors. When severe storms hit our state, they could be the difference between life and death." "As the Representative of communities who have been devastated by hurricanes in the past, I know how important the 24-hour radio network can be. I wanted to come out today and show my support for this system and encourage the public to use it, it could save their life," said Rep. Nick Lampson (D-TX). "The radio is vital to those living in Southeast Texas due to the hurricane threat but it is also an important part of the Amber Plan. Amber Alerts are sent out over this system and the more people that have it, the better for our children." ### 108-065 Heidi Mohlman Tringe, Communications Director, Committee on Science 2320 RHOB, Washington, DC 20515 202-225-6371 (Voice) 202-226-3875 (Fax) 202-225-1981 (Cell) (via Dan Robinson, DXLD) TELEGRAMS, NOT TELEPHONES, PROVIDED MOST LONG-DISTANCE COMMUNICATIONS Sat, May 17, 2003, By DAN NERHAUGEN For the Journal Good telegraph operators were hot commodities 100 years ago this week, leading to big rewards from one employer. . . http://www.wisinfo.com/journal/spjlocal/278634249201000.shtml (Stevens Point Journal via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ The following is a Real Audio file (37-kb) than runs for approximately 19 seconds. (This is an excerpt from a third-generation copy.) Many thanks for the assistance of N5JEH in creating it. The original recording was made by Glenn Hauser when he was with the USAF at Korat AFB (Nakhon Ratchasima) in Thailand and is of diurnal equatorial sporadic-E on 94.2 MHz from Singapore (at apx 1000 miles) at 0545 Z on 28 September 1970. This is near noon local time and has a midpoint almost on the geomagnetic dip-equator. Note the extreme choppiness to the signal (very similar sounding to the nocturnal F2- related TE flutter). The broadcast is in the Malay language. See the October 1997 issue of QST (pp 39-41) for an excellent description of the phenomenon in the article by Dr. Whitehead. http://www.qsl.net/wa5iyx/ra/94eqes01.ra (From WA5IYX, Pat Dyer, http://home.swbell.net/pjdyer/aud-fil3.htm via DXLD) And now amigos before going QRT , here is Arnie Coro's HF propagation update and forecast.... YET ANOTHER CORONAL HOLE.... we had only a two day break from coronal hole activity, and here we are again seeing the A index, the planetary geomagnetic disturbance indicator moving UP, as a consequence of the solar wind coming from the coronal hole !!! Solar activity is low, and the sunspot number count is near 75. Solar flux is expected to increase slowly during the next several days... it was around 130 units when I was writing the script of the show around 18 hours UTC Tuesday, that's around 2 pm local time here in Havana. There are very good chances of Sporadic E skip events, so be on the lookout for TV DX on channels two to six during the next three to five days (Arnie Coro A., CO2KK, RHC DXers Unlimited May 20 via Bob Chandler, VE3SRE, ODXA via DXLD) FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 21 MAY - 16 JUNE 2003 Solar activity is expected to range from very low to moderate levels during the period. Low to moderate levels are expected early in the period with the return of a zone of active longitude that contained old Regions 345, 349, and 348. These regions are expected to have C- class and possibly M-class potential. Very low to low level activity is expected when these regions depart around 03 June. No greater than 10 MeV proton events are expected during the forecast period. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to reach high levels everyday of the period. The geomagnetic field is expected to range from quiet to major storm levels during the period. A relatively weak coronal hole high speed flow is expected to rotate into a geo-effective position on 21 – 22 May and could produce active to minor storm levels. A large negative polarity coronal hole high speed flow is expected on 27 – 30 May with major storm levels possible. A very large southern hemisphere coronal hole is due to return on 02 – 12 June with major storm levels possible. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2003 May 20 2211 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Environment Center # Product description and SEC contact on the Web # http://www.sec.noaa.gov/wwire.html # # 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table # Issued 2003 May 20 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2003 May 21 130 15 3 2003 May 22 135 15 3 2003 May 23 140 20 4 2003 May 24 145 20 4 2003 May 25 150 20 4 2003 May 26 150 20 4 2003 May 27 150 25 5 2003 May 28 150 35 6 2003 May 29 145 20 4 2003 May 30 145 12 3 2003 May 31 140 8 3 2003 Jun 01 130 15 3 2003 Jun 02 120 20 4 2003 Jun 03 110 35 6 2003 Jun 04 100 30 5 2003 Jun 05 100 30 5 2003 Jun 06 95 35 6 2003 Jun 07 90 30 5 2003 Jun 08 95 20 4 2003 Jun 09 95 20 4 2003 Jun 10 95 30 5 2003 Jun 11 100 20 4 2003 Jun 12 100 20 4 2003 Jun 13 105 15 3 2003 Jun 14 105 15 3 2003 Jun 15 110 15 3 2003 Jun 16 120 15 3 (http://www.sec.noaa.gov/radio May 20 via WORLD OF RADIO 1182, DXLD) ###