DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-110, June 20, 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/dxldtd3f.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 NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1187: RFPI: Sat 0130, 0800, 1400, 1730, 2330, Sun 0530, 1130, 1830, Mon 0030, 0630, 1230, Tue 1900, Wed 0100, 0730, 1430 on 7445, 15039 WWCR: Sat 1030 [NEW] 5070, Sun 0230 5070, 0630 3210, Wed 0930 9475 WJIE: Sat 1731 13570, Sun 0030 [NEW} 12160 WBCQ: Mon 0445 7415 WRN: Rest of world Sat 0800; Eu only Sun 0430; NAm Sun 1430 WRN ONDEMAND: 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/wor1187.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1187.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1187h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1187h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1187.html WORLD OF RADIO ON WWCR: New time replacing Sat 0600: Sat 1030 on 5070, effective immediately (Tammy Bishop, WWCR, DX LISTENING DIGEST) WORLD OF RADIO ON WINB: Glenn- Plan is to air DXPL at 0000, WOR at 0030, and Wavescan at 0100, all UT Sun. We hope to air you tomorrow at 0030 as well as the afternoon time this week. We'd then like to switch the time from afternoon to the evening one, so you'd air once a week on Saturday evening. This would be on 12160. Wavescan would also leave Sunday 1430 (Hans Johnson, WINB, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ALASKA. REPORT FROM NICK HALL-PATCH. [I've] been away at sea, working up to 1000+ km offshore. Got to DX. Nothing earth shattering, though many more DU than I expected. May provide a few targets for Graylanders. 73, Nick 530 ALASKA, Adak, "ADK". 1316 5 Jun. "strong" with code ID but only S5 on the meter. (NHP 50N 145W) 550 ALASKA, Anchorage, KTZN?. 1504 10 Jun. "Alaska's total country morning and afternoon", but calls hardly sounded like KTZN; poor-fair in noise (NHP 53N 141W) 560 ALASKA, Kodiak, KVOK. 2010 3 Jun. Ad for Bristol Bay cellular and mention of KVOK; man gave weather forecast, and another KVOK Kodiak ID. Fair strength in ship electrical noise, fairly consistent signal w/another station under. (NHP 50N 145W) 580 ALASKA, Petersburg, KRSA. 1930 2 Jun. "heard daily on KRSA" ID in buzz after mention of Back to the Bible, fair (NHP 50N 141W) 590 ALASKA, Anchorage, KHAR. 1454 9 Jun. KHAR ID out of the blue upon tune in. Good strength in noise (NHP 52N 145W) 620 ALASKA, Homer, KGTL. 2000 2 Jun. A flea market program poor to fair 1943, "KGTL Homer" ID poor in radar noise at 2000 after country mx (NHP 50N 141W) 650 ALASKA, Anchorage, KENI. 1349 7 Jun. "news radio, this is KENI Anchorage" ID at 1400; the other station trading places with it likely Hawaii; also noted 10 June 1342 (NHP 50N 145W 700 ALASKA, Anchorage, KBYR. 1500 9 Jun. "This is talk radio, AM 7 hundred KBYR Anchorage" ID; good strength, format change from last time heard a year ago. (NHP 52N 145W) 750 ALASKA, Anchorage, KFQD. 2000 3 Jun. KFQD ID at top of hour, fair signal in ship's radar noise (NHP 50N 145W) 770t ALASKA, Valdez, KCHU. 1358 9 Jun. NPR mentions, then NPR news // 670 (NHP 52N 145W) 890 ALASKA, Homer, KBBI. 2059 2 Jun. "PRI" mention after what sounded like BBC programming; ID ("KBBI 8-90 Homer" ) on hour by woman followed by wx for Homer and marine forecasts (NHP 50N 141W) 930 ALASKA, Ketchikan, KTKN. 1923 2 Jun. "Ketchikan's news and information station AM-930 KTKN" ID by woman after light pop music, fair (NHP 50N 141W) 1140 ALASKA, Soldotna, KSLD. 1529 10 Jun. "Top of the World... rocking Kenai, this is KSLD" Female announcer between slabs of rock music, fair becoming poor strength (NHP 53N 141W) 1230 ALASKA, Sitka, KIFW. 1743 2 Jun. "you're at work AM 12-30 KIFW", fine signal in broad daylight. This one puts one a good signal into the Pacific (NHP 50N 141W) (Nick Hall-Patch on CCGS John P. Tully at various points in the northeast Pacific Ocean using 60' horizontal wire, matching transformer and Drake R8 driven by laptop, IRCA Soft DX Monitor via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. 1638 tentative, Sydney, 2ME. 1316 9 Jun. Arabic sounding talk, poor-fair (NHP 52N 145W) 1683.24, Sydney. 1318 9 Jun. Ethnic vocal mx, poor; also noted 3 June at this time, along with weak audio 1665, 1638, 1629, 1620, 1611. (NHP 52N 145W) 1701.17, Brisbane, R. 1701. 1152 14 Jun. Rather murky talk by woman, though fair strength, didn't seem EE. Definite Middle Eastern singing followed. Another coastal inlet surprise. (NHP-Rivers Inlet) (Nick Hall-Patch on CCGS John P. Tully at various points in the northeast Pacific Ocean using 60' horizontal wire, matching transformer and Drake R8 driven by laptop. IRCA soft DX Monitor via DXLD, excerpting only the Oz x-banders) ** AUSTRALIA. I was interviewed last night by Roger Broadbent of Radio Australia for this weekend's "Feedback" program about this very subject [DRM]. The program airs 2105 Fri, 0605 Sat and 0305 Sun (all days and times UT). I asked to be introduced as a writer on international broadcasting and shortwave programming for Monitoring Times magazine here in the States (to try and give the mag some worldwide publicity |g|). Feel free to pass this info on to anyone you think might be interested (John Figliozzi, NY, June 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRIA. Alo amigos, Recebi uma correspondência realmente entristecedora da Rádio Austria Internacional, confirmando uma notícia já a muito veinculada aqui na lista, mas que sentimos a dureza da realidade quando temos um contato de maior proximidade. Apresento em seguida a mencionada correspondência: ********************************************************************** Estimado Adalberto, Le agradecemos la gentileza de escribirnos enviando el informe de recepition y el interés que ha mostrado por los programas de Radio Austria Internacional. Le enviamos con la presente uno de los últimos QSL y así nos vamos despidiendo. Esperamos que nos siga acompaãndo hasta el final de las emisiones en español el 30 de junio próximo. Com saluda cordialmente, Departamento de Correspondencia Rádio Austria Internacional, Vanesa Suvalski ********************************************************************** Na minha opinião, quando chegamos a um determinado tempo de nossa vida, devemos comessar a nos preparar para irmos perdendo os apegos materiais que nos fixam a esta vida. Acredito que quanto mais perdemos, estaremos em melhores condições de fazermos esta passagem, pois não teremos quase nada a que nos agarrar nesta vida material. Porém vejo na prática uma realidade muito diferente do comportamento racional que temos... perder é algo muito difícil... é quase inaceitável. Não pretendo nem fazer o informe da confirmação recebida, pois acho que este QSL representa muita tristeza. É só isso que posso falar sobre este episódio. Um abraço a todos, (Adalberto, Barbacena- MG, PY4WTH via Cumbre DX via DXLD) Estimados colegas y amigos: Aquí podrán leer, meditar y publicar la angustiosa despedida de MANUEL ALETRINO, Jefe de Redacción de Radio Austria Internacional en Español, remitida personalmente por Vanesa Suvalski, personal de ORF. Otro adios, otra emisora que deja un hueco en nuestro dial... Rubén Guillermo Margenet Viena, junio de 2003 Estimados oyentes de Radio Austria Internacional, queridos amigos: Pocos días antes de que se reestructure esta emisora, lo que implica la desaparición de programas en español y francés, quiero despedirme yo personalmente de todos vosotros. Todo en la vida cambia, instituciones vienen y se van, personas nacen y fallecen. Esta vez le ha tocado a una institución que para muchos, oyentes y redactores, es algo que va mucho más allá de ser una mera entidad de radio. Ha sido para nosotros y para muchos de ustedes oyentes casi como un asunto de familia. Y despedirse es "morir un poco", dicen los franceses. Yo comencé a trabajar en ROI en 1970 - soy, por tanto, el más veterano de los que trabajamos en el departamento de español. Lo que no es ningún mérito, más bien señal de cuánto me ha gustado siempre este medio y este trabajo. Y ahora me toca cerrar las puertas y apagar las luces. Queríamos hacer un programa informativo y entretenido. Me he dado cuenta, y quién no lo supondría, de que los programas de entretenimiento - Buzón y Música en Austria - han sido los programas mejor acogidos. "El mensaje se presenta con jarabe", se dice en algún país de Oriente Próximo, y espero que esta mezcla haya gustado. Os agradezco la gran simpatía que nos habéis deparado en varias generaciones de audiencia: ya nos escuchan nietos de nuestros primeros oyentes en los años ´70. A partir del 1 de julio de 2003 deja de existir este departamento. Yo seguiré hasta haber hecho las últimas "diligencias". Ya no contaremos con un servicio de oyentes. Las cartas que lleguen no podrán ser respondidas sino en medida muy limitada. Sin vuestra correspondencia, una emisora de onda corta es como un pez en tierra firme: no puede respirar. Gracias a todos por vuestro cariño y vuestros comentarios, en fin, por todo. No olvidaremos tampoco vuestro apoyo en los últimos trances de nuestra lucha por sobrevivir. En resumen, y como despedida, ¡HASTA SIEMPRE! Os abrazo. Manuel Aletrino Jefe de redacción Radio Austria Internacional en Español (via Ruben Guillermo Margent, Argentine, June 20, DXLD) I wonder if the English staff are also saying such goodbyes to listeners? (gh, DXLD) ** BAHAMAS. Glenn, I have just returned from Nassau in The Bahamas. A new station started broadcasting this month, JOYFM. It is on 101.9, and broadcasts from Nassau. It is intended to cover the island of New providence, where Nassau is located. It is a gospel/inspirational station. Naturally, reception was very good in Nassau (Gerwyn Roberts, Wales, June 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BOLIVIA. 6155, R. Fides, 0105-0130, 6/19, Spanish. OM with fútbol match, "Goal" at 0119, several quick mentions of "Coca-Cola" throughout, leads me to believe they are sponsors? "Jingle" ID at 0124, fair signal with QRM splatter until wiped out by co-channel RTE Overseas s/on at 0130 (Scott R. Barbour, Jr., Intervale, NH, Sangean ATS 818, RF Systems MLB-1, RS Longwire w/ RBA balun, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** BOTSWANA. Hi Joe, try this email address: rbeng@info.bw or Rbeng@info.bw You may be able to get some info from the Botswana Telecom web site http://www.bta.org.bw 73 (Sean, G4UCJ Gilbert, hard- core-dx via DXLD) ** CANADA. Re RCI Report: Yeah, right, we've heard that one before, as RCI gets cut even beyond the bone, and is left with the choice of filling time with domestic CBC programs or becoming the propaganda arm of Canada's version of the Ministry of Truth. 73 (Mike Brooker, Ont., hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** COLOMBIA. Caracol 1140 captada en 5958.56 kHz, a las 0944 UT, con noticias. 19/06 (Adán González Catia, La Mar, VENEZUELA, June 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CONGO DR. BUNIA REBELS RESTRUCTURE RADIO, NEW RADIO TO START OPERATING | Excerpt from report by Congolese radio from Bunia on 19 June The national press and information secretary, HE Mathieu Amboko Bebedu [phonetic], yesterday, Wednesday 18 June 2003, presided over an important meeting - as previously planned - for managers of local radio stations and RTNC [National Congolese Television and Radio] journalists present in Bunia. The meeting was first about making an inventory of fixtures in these stations after the deliberate destruction by evil forces. It is interesting to indicate the birth of a new radio station at Katoto called "Radio reveil des paysans", which will be officially inaugurated at the end of this month. Secondly, the meeting examined the administration of RTNC-Bunia which is characterized by the absence of several journalists. The media professionals were briefed on the UPC-RP's [Union of Congolese Patriots for Peace and Reconciliation] policies, before being informed about the restructuring of the RTNC, which was carried out by the national information and press secretary [Passage omitted] Source: Radio Candip, Bunia, in French 0500 gmt 19 Jun 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** CUBA. Hola Glenn, Saludos desde Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA. -He captado a Radio Rebelde hoy 19/06, a las 0847 UT, en la frecuencia de 15074.97 kHz. Transmitía salsa y nueva trova cubana en el marco del espacio "A Esta Hora". Una locutora daba a conocer la programación televisiva del día y el tema de La Mesa Redonda: "Los Rosemberg". Despedida del espacio, a las 0857. SINPO 35322. Fe de erratas: la poderosa estación en los 15075 kHz, a partir de las 0202 UT, es All India Radio. Nada que ver con el mundo árabe. Nota: hay algo que me llamó la atención de Música Beat, la extraña emisora de FM en 19 metros. En casi media hora de escucha, no transmitió ni un solo comercial. Si consideramos que las estaciones, por lo general, hacen cortes comerciales cada 15 minutos, el caso de 96.7 MHz, Música Beat, es muy extraño. ¿Será una estación cubana? 73's y buen DX (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, June 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Adan, En realidad, 96.7 es la frecuencia de R. Rebelde en La Habana -- --- entonces todas las captaciones en 15075v deben tratarse de la misma... ¿La sintoniza en 11655 también, alrededor de 1000-1300, como nos informa José Elías? 73, (Glenn to Adán via DXLD) ** CUBA. Hoy fué inaugurada una nueva emisora cubana en la provincia de Las Tunas, la misma lleva el nombre de: Radio Manatí. La información fué transmitida en el programa: Haciendo Radio que se transmite a traves de Radio Rebelde. Hay que averiguar la frecuencia. Mientras en Radio Rebelde anuncian a Radio Manatí como la nueva emisora inaugurada el dia de hoy en Las Tunas, en Radio Reloj informan que se llama: La Voz del Faro. Atte: (José Elías, Venezuela, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** CUBA [non]. CUBA'S CASTRO APPARENT VICTIM OF RADIO PRANK By Frances Kerry MIAMI (Reuters) - Cuban President Fidel Castro or someone sounding very much like him fell for a trap laid by Miami radio pranksters on Tuesday, thinking he was talking on the phone to Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and abusing the callers when he realized he was being duped. The radio station, Spanish-language station El Zol 95.7, delightedly and repeatedly broadcast the recording from its popular program "El Vacilón de la Mañana" (Morning Joker) in a city that is home to many anti-Castro exiles. There was no immediate way of telling whether it really was Castro on the line, but to Spanish speakers familiar with the Cuban leader's well-known voice it seemed to be him. There was no immediate reaction from government officials in Havana. The Vacilón hosts, Enrique Santos and Joe Ferrero, used the same technique they used in January to catch Chávez on the program, when they cobbled together real phrases spoken by Castro to make the Venezuelan leader think he was talking to his Cuban ally. This time, they used phrases spoken in a speech by Chávez. A presenter posing as a Chávez aide wound his way through a series of Cuban official switchboards -- receptive because Chávez is a strong Castro admirer -- with a story that Chávez needed to speak to Castro because he had lost a suitcase with sensitive documents on a recent trip both leaders made to Argentina. Finally, Castro came on the line and listened to the story of the suitcase. The Chávez "aide" asked Castro if he agreed to help by getting his security detail hunt down the suitcase and the Cuban leader said, "I absolutely agree." "Do you agree with the shit on the island (Cuba), killer?" the Chávez "aide" asked, quickly adding, "You fell for it" and announcing he was on the Miami radio program. "What did I fall for, you shit?" said Castro. "What did I fall for, bastard?," he said. He added a few more words of strong abuse before hanging up, as whoops of joy erupted at the Miami end of the call. 06/18/03 08:15 ET (AOL Canada news via Fred Waterer, DXLD) WXDJ/MIAMI MORNING HOSTS PRANK-CALL FIDEL CASTRO Miami DJs claim to have fooled Castro in phone call By RACHEL LA CORTE, The Associated Press, 6/18/03 6:41 PM MIAMI (AP) -- Two radio show hosts who duped Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez into believing he was speaking by phone with Cuban President Fidel Castro now claim to have similarly tricked Castro. A recording provided by the Cuban-American radio announcers has a man they say is Castro responding for about four minutes Tuesday to snippets of a tape recording of Chávez, a Castro friend. He catches on to the prank after he is called an assassin and the conversation disintegrates into him denouncing the caller with a stream of obscenities. The call was played on Miami's WXDJ-FM on Tuesday; disc jockeys Joe Ferrero and Enrique Santos tricked Chávez in January. "This was a big, big fish that we were trying to get," Ferrero said. "Castro really has his people well-trained to avoid these kind of situations, but we were able to persuade all these people." In Havana, Cuban officials who did not want to be identified said Wednesday they did not know about the prank and could not comment. Venezuelan Embassy spokesman Andrés Izarra said he hadn't heard the recording and couldn't confirm whether the DJs actually got through to Castro. Regardless, "it's another prank by these people who are very irresponsible and unethical," he said. "We totally reject these types of jokes." (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) Joe Ferrero and Enrique Santos, hosts of WXDJ's El Vacilón de la Mañana, gained international notoriety in January for successfully conducting a phony phone call between Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and what were actually recorded, random sentences from Cuban President Fidel Castro taken from an earlier conference with Mexican President Vicente Fox. This morning after their show, Ferrero and Santos called the Cuban presidential palace from a WXDJ production studio, and Ferrero posed as a Venezuelan military leader named "Lt. Camille." After 25 minutes, the duo reached Castro — who stayed on the line for several minutes chatting with what was actually Chávez's voice recorded from the duo's January stunt. "We can't believe it ourselves," Santos tells R&R. "We never thought we would be able to top when we prank-called Hugo Chávez." After several minutes, Ferrero and Santos ran out of phrases from Chávez and explained to Castro that there were problems with the phone line. Then, Santos asked Castro, "Are you happy with the crap you've done in Cuba?" A stunned Castro was then told that he was on the air and that all of Miami was listening to him. Clearly insulted after being repeatedly told that he'd been had, Castro called Santos a "faggot" and a "whore" and cursed at him by saying "shit on your mother" before abruptly hanging up. WXDJ will air the bit, which has already become the talk of Miami, at 5 pm today. The station also plans to air the bit on an hourly basis tomorrow (via Brock Whaley June 17,2002, DXLD) MIAMI RADIO DJS HOAX CASTRO HAHAHAHA! And you can hear it here: http://boss.streamos.com/wmedia/lamusica/fidel.wax Enjoy... (Mike Westfall, NM, NRC-AM via DXLD) 12 minutes; you may want to skip ahead to the last couple (gh) ** EGYPT. Glenn, 17775, Radio Cairo, June 20, 1400-1430+, Noted Interval signal at 1358 followed by quick ID at 1400 and start of programming, all in Arabic. Signal mixing with another Middle Eastern Station, possibly Tashkent, but not sure. Radio Cairo was at a fair level. Radio Cairo not listed in any of my references on this freq at this time (Bolland, Chuck, Clewiston, Florida, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Chuck, try page 174 of the new Shortwave Guide, where you will find Radio Cairo at that time on 17775 kHz. 73 (Sean (G4UCJ) D. Gilbert Editor: Shortwave Guide, hard-core-dx via DXLD) See PUBLICATIONS ** EL SALVADOR. I just picked up from my library: Rebel Radio; the story of El Salvador's Radio Venceremos, by José Ignacio López Vigil, 1991 It seems to cover the years 1979 to the early 1980s or so; and at a glance, it appears to have broadcast somewhere in the 1540 to 1580 range [maybe, but it was on SW around 7 MHz, and I remember it well - -- gh]. The book seems rather stridently written, so we will see how far into it I get . . . Anyone know anything else about this station? PS: it has a good review by (well-known DXer?) Noam Chomsky on the cover: "A tale of almost incredible courage and ingenuity...", an odd phrase for a linguist to use (Eric Floden, Vancouver BC, NRC-AM via DXLD) I work with several people who were in Salvadoran radio in the late 70's when this station started. In general, the rebel or guerrilla movement was financed and advised by Nicaraguan Sandinistas or Cubans. As the book says, the station was "portable" and moved around to avoid detection and the equipment was carried on donkeys. While that sounds quaint, one of my friends and associates was working at YSHH in Santa Ana when some of the same guerrillas broke in, shot him in the chest and took over the station; he left the country after his recovery... nearly half his family, none of whom were military or political, were killed by the rebels. Another friend was telling me his story just yesterday. He worked at another station in Santa Ana, and was twice attacked while on the air; the second time he was kidnapped with two other staffers and taken to a guerrilla safe house where they played Russian roulette several times on him. Again, he left right after... 2/3 of his direct family was killed in the conflicts, some for simply being on the wrong bus. I worked for a San Salvador FM in the early 80's and once had to wear a Kevlar vest around the station, so frightening was the environment. That's should give you an idea why I do not find a station that called for random killing and violence something that is worthy of admiration (David Gleason, CA, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** HAWAII. 620, KIPA, Hilo, 5/19 back on the air // KKON-790 but with very weak signal, even weaker than 500-watt KUAU-1570 and much weaker than the old 1kw KAHU-1060. It's also only audible at night so this must be the Hilo-area tower and not one of the two West Hawaii sites that aired a synchronous signal. Now uses the pompous-sounding slogan "The Voice of Hawaii." (5P-HI) 790, KKON, Kealakekua-Hilo, 4/21 0801 noted reactivated; noted later in May with overmodulated signal and ABC's "Unforgettable Favorites" AdCon oldies service. Some dead air where local ads were supposed to air, corrected during 5/14 recheck. However, master station KIPA-620's West Hawaii relays are still off; sometimes I hear a KSKK-590/KZOO- 1210 mixing product. (5P-HI) 1060, KHBC, Hilo, 5/7 0240 woman named Ululani airing mix of AdCon from 60's to 90's plus Hawaiian and Hawaiian contemporary music, with no ads. Some mentions of "KHBC AM Stereo." At 0300 time check in Hawaiian/English sponsored by KTA Stores supermarket chain, ID "KHBC Radio, Hilo, Hawaii." So KHBC is now the legal call sign as well as a nickname. Ex-KAHU (5P-HI) (Dale Park, HI, IRCA soft DX Monitor June 21 via DXLD) ** HAWAII. REPORT FROM NICK HALL-PATCH --- [I've] been away at sea, working up to 1000+ km. Offshore. Got to DX. Nothing earth shattering, though many more DU than I expected. May provide a few targets for Graylanders. 73, Nick [see also ALASKA, AUSTRALIA] 590 HAWAII, Honolulu, KSSK. 1349 5 Jun. "30 stories above Waikiki KSSK AM-5-90 and 92-3 KSSK" followed by teletalk. (NHP 50N 145W) 690 HAWAII, Honolulu, KORL. 1359 5 Jun. Hyper R. Disney and AM 690 KORL ID, fair strength in noise (NHP 50N 145W) 900 HAWAII, Kahului, KNUI. 1303 10 Jun. KNUI ID upon tune in, fair signal, followed by Hawaiian mx (NHP 53N 141W) 940 HAWAII, Honolulu, KHCM. 1309 10 Jun. Big KHCM ID between country music selections (NHP 53N 141W) 990 HAWAII, Honolulu, ?. 1248 5 Jun. various "Hawaii's talk radio" IDs... but advertising the "Rich Hamada experience on KHVH 830". What's happening here? good signal; dominant (NHP 50N 145W) 1110 HAWAII, Kihei, KAOI. 1356 5 Jun. Mention of Sandalwood Golf Course, ."aloha" etc. "here in Hawaii" "in our islands" then a KAOI ID. Big bassy signal. (NHP 50N 145W) 1370t HAWAII, Pearl City, KJPN. 1300 11 Jun. Couldn't find ID at top of hour, JJ talk by woman, then by man. This one is about 20Hz high on channel? Also noted 1314 10 June. (NHP 53N 136W) 1460 HAWAII, Honolulu, KHRA. 1358 8 Jun. Musical interlude, good strength, followed by Radio Korea ID 1359 (NHP 50N 147W) 1500 HAWAII, Honolulu, KUMU. 1350 11 Jun. Finally, an ID (Music for Memories KUMU AM-fifteen hundred), poorish, and fading down, after lots of laid back mx. Much stronger 1/2 hour before and on other days (NHP 53N 136W) 1540 HAWAII, Honolulu, KREA. 1301 9 Jun. Man w/KK talk of P`yongyangish intensity at fair level voiced over female vocal operatic music followed by "this is KREA Honolulu ....." EE ID (NHP 52N 145W) (Nick Hall-Patch on CCGS John P. Tully at various points in the northeast Pacific Ocean using 60' horizontal wire, matching transformer and Drake R8 driven by laptop, IRCA Soft DX Monitor via DXLD) ** HONG KONG. REPRIMAND OF HONG KONG TALK SHOW HOST DRAWS COMPLAINTS By MARGARET WONG Associated Press Writer APws 06/20 0417 HONG KONG (AP) -- The Broadcast Authority said Friday that reprimands handed recently to a sharp-tongued radio talk show host drew hundreds of complaints from listeners worried Hong Kong's liberties might be endangered. Albert Cheng is well known here for voicing grass-roots gripes and sharp criticisms of government leaders in his popular weekday program, "Teacup in the Storm." The Broadcast Authority censured Cheng last week for failing to "take special care in the use of language" that it said could hurt the reputations of two recent guest speakers -- a top Hospital Authority official and a senior housing department official, whom he described as a "dog" -- a term Cheng uses often. The authority, which is in theory independent but whose head is appointed by Hong Kong's top political leader, Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, said it acted after receiving 157 complaints against Cheng. But the reprimand drew even more complaints -- 563 so far, Broadcast Authority spokeswoman Mandy Au Yeung said Friday. Au Yeung said the authority planned to open more phone lines to handle the flood of complaints, which it will "take note" of, although it has no mechanism to do anything about them, she said. The fracas comes at a time of heightened sensitivities in this city of 6.8 million. The local legislature is debating anti-subversion legislation that critics fear could abridge civil liberties guaranteed to Hong Kong when Britain handed it back to China in 1997. The recent SARS outbreak and mounting unemployment have added to the anxieties. Some fear that independent Commercial Radio, which broadcasts Cheng's show,might lose its operating license when it expires next year. But Hong Kong's commerce secretary, Henry Tang, said the reprimands had nothing to do with licensing decisions. "The issue of renewing Commercial Radio's license is a very serious matter and we will not let one individual complaint influence such a serious matter," Tang said. Commercial Radio said it had no immediate comment. Saying he believed the reprimands signaled a crackdown on press freedoms, Cheng urged the broadcasting watchdog to be "transparent, fair and just." "What it should protect is the rights of the minority rather than the top officials," he said. Cheng is accustomed to controversy: Five years ago he was severely wounded when two assailants chopped him with meat cleavers outside the radio station in an attack he says was provoked by his outspokenness. But for now, he's had enough. Cheng said he's taking a holiday while he decides whether to stay on the job or retire (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** IRAN. 9910, Voice of David via VIRI. My letter to their address in Lebanon was returned as Post Office Box is closed (P.O. Box 113-718 Beirut, Lebanon) (Edward Kusalik-CANADA, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** IRAN [non]. CLANDESTINE (Iranian) 7470 Radio Barabari (Forward): My report to their Vancouver address was returned back to me with written notice as 'wrong box' and 'Please let Post Office Clerk know if this name belongs to your box' Obviously, some one at the Post Office was doing some detective work. The address used was P.O. Box 47040 Vancouver, British Columbia, V6G 3E1 (Edward Kusalik-CANADA, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** IRAQ. IRAQI JOURNALISTS MAKE THEIR POINT WITH SHORT-LIVED STRIKE FOR BETTER PAY --- By Sandra Jontz, Stars and Stripes, June 12, 2003 http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=15394&archive=true BAGHDAD, Iraq - Roughly 300 Iraqi journalists, who have worked for 35 days with no pay, went on strike Wednesday, getting their first taste of new-found democracy in Iraq and the negotiations process with the Department of Defense. "I'm happy to see this happen, it's a sign of democracy and though the show must go on, people have their rights," said Ahmad Al-Rilkaby, who heads up the newly formed Iraqi Media Network. "This is the first strike of the Iraqi media," he beamed. The strike was short-lived after Defense Department officials and a representative from DOD contractor SAIC met behind closed doors with a select few Media Network representatives to hash out details of the journalists' demands, which included a building of their own to work out of, overtime pay and incentive pay. One demand was met, and after promises that payment was coming Saturday, the journalists, some begrudgingly, returned to covering the news. "They have a very legitimate grievance," said Bob Reilly, the DOD's senior adviser to Iraq's former Ministry of Information, which is being reorganized by the U.S. government. "They've worked for no pay and we're addressing that as quickly as possible." The journalists, considered civil servants for the time being, will be paid on a salary scale based on job descriptions and years of service, Reilly said. When rumor got out that all journalists would be paid 100,000 Iraqi dinars, or roughly $70 a month regardless of experience, shouting matches exploded in the halls of the Convention Center in downtown Baghdad. Al-Rilkaby repeatedly quieted the crowd, not once raising his voice to do it. Though suffering from a headache, and being pulled in many directions, he found the day's events exhilarating. It's a dream come true, he said. In 1969, his parents were one of the first to oppose Saddam Hussein's climb to the top of the Baath Party and Iraq's helm, and fled the nation instead of being killed, he said. Al-Rilkaby, born in Prague, Czechoslovakia, 33 years ago, inherited that combative spirit. For the past five years, he has broadcast from London news about his homeland and the reigning government on Radio Free Iraq, a station picked up in Iraq on short- and medium-wave radio. To listen to it in Iraq was suicide, but people did it anyway, he said. He became a celebrity. "When I arrived here and I would introduce myself on the streets, people knew my name," he said. "They'd say they heard my radio broadcast and tell me about programs that I now don't even remember. It was amazing." He arrived in Baghdad two days after the April 9 fall of the regime, and immediately went to work setting up a free press. But he's constantly looking over his shoulder. There's a bounty on his head. "Some members of the Baath Party are irritated with me, for obvious reasons, and they'd like to see me gone," he said. Some rumors say he already is. "They say that I am dead and that my tongue was cut out," he said. He laughs. "Actually, the rumors work to my advantage. And some say that I am old, bald, with a white mustache. But these rumors help protect me." (estripes.com Jun 12, 2003 via N. Grace-USA for CRW via DXLD) STRIKE THREATENED AT IRAQI MEDIA NETWORK Excerpted from: US Launches New Hunt for Suspected Saddam Loyalists Reuters, June 15, 2003 http://www.sabcnews.com/world/north_america/0,1009,60544,00.html In Baghdad, scores of media employees held a protest over wages and threatened a strike that would put two United States-backed radio stations and a television channel off the air. The employees of the Iraqi Media Network, set up by the United States-led administration after the fall of Saddam, said they had yet to be paid. "We are working 12 hours a day and we have received nothing but promises," said Eman Sadaq, a presenter (Reuters Jun 15, 2003 via N. Grace-USA for CRW via DXLD) LOUDSPEAKERS SUBSTITUTE FOR PROTESTING IRAQI JOURNALISTS Excerpted from: Latest Operation Out to Rid Iraq of Larger Weaponry By Sandra Jontz, Stars and Stripes, June 16, 2003 http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=16091 BAGHDAD, Iraq --- U.S. military forces ramped up checkpoints and patrols Sunday as the two-week weapons amnesty period expired. The new operation, dubbed ``Operation Desert Scorpion,`` kicked off at midnight Sunday. Military forces throughout the country are on the hunt for weapons larger than 7.62 mm machine guns, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, grenades and other larger weaponry, officials said. Under U.S. imposed rules, Iraqis are permitted to keep rifles, such as the popular AK-47s, and handguns for protection, provided those weapons are kept in homes or places of business. The weapons also must be registered with local officials, said Army Sgt. 1st Class Brian Thomas, a V Corps spokesman. Citizens caught carrying weapons in public without the temporary weapons cards will be detained, their weapons confiscated and they will face fines and jail sentences up to a year. If weapons are found in cars, the cars also will be confiscated, Thomas said. The weapons cards are issued to individuals hired in jobs that require them to carry weapons, such as the police force or security details. Between June 1 and Saturday, locals were encouraged to drop the larger weapons at military checkpoints or local Iraqi police stations — but that call for arms was met with little turnout. While the low turnout was anticipated by coalition forces, it was a disappointment nonetheless, officials said. In the two-week time span, Iraqi citizens turned in 123 pistols, 76 semi-automatic rifles or shotguns, 435 automatic rifles, 46 machine guns, 162 anti-tank weapons --- such as rocket-propelled grenade launchers --- 11 anti-aircraft weapons, and 381 grenades and other explosive devices, according to a news release. With the local Iraqi Media Network journalists on another strike Sunday, U.S. officials depended on loud speakers, interpreters and fliers to get the word out, Thomas said. Soldiers with the 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division, for example, have increased the percentage of their patrol times searching for weapons, said Maj. Clifford Wheeler, the brigade`s executive officer. But Operation Desert Scorpion is more than a weapons roundup effort, Wheeler said. It includes programs to rebuild the country, delivery of humanitarian aid, and disposal of unexploded ordnance, he said. (estripes.com Jun 16, 2003 via N.Grace-USA for CRW via DXLD) SADDAM LOYALISTS ALLY WITH ISLAMISTS By Paul Martin, The Washington Times [Moony], page 1A June 17, 2003 http://www.washtimes.com/world/20030616-113913-8670r.htm BAGHDAD - A shadowy group of Saddam Hussein loyalists calling itself al Awda, meaning "the Return," is forming an alliance with Islamist militants linked to al Qaeda for a full-scale uprising against the U.S.-led occupation in mid-July. The information comes from leaflets circulating in Baghdad, as well as a series of extended interviews with a former official in Saddam's security services who held the rank of brigadier general. Al Awda is aiming for a spectacular attack and uprising on or about July 17 to mark the anniversary of the Ba'athist revolution in 1968, the former general said. The Islamists have indicated they are willing to join forces to battle the Americans, even though they dislike Saddam and his secular Ba'ath Party ideology. A leaflet by Jaish Mohammed, one of two Islamist groups operating in Iraq, said it was willing to work with the Ba'athists despite Saddam's repression of Islamic fundamentalism. The leaflet, obtained by The Washington Times, makes a direct appeal for former intelligence officers, security personnel, Fedayeen Saddam members, Republican Guard troops and Ba'ath Party members to join forces. "The first act will be spectacular, possibly smashing an oil refinery near Baghdad," said the former general, who has been urged by al Awda to join the leadership of the planned anticoalition front. The former officer said the effort goes well beyond the sporadic shootings in the past three weeks that have left at least 10 Americans dead. Al Awda is well-financed, he said. It uses money stashed away by Saddam and his supporters well before the coalition's invasion, and its funds are enhanced by bank robberies and the removal of huge quantities of cash from the central bank early in the conflict. The former officer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said he had agreed to join al Awda, though still may avoid full commitment, because "otherwise they'll come tomorrow and throw hand grenades into my house and at my wife and kids." Among al Awda's membership were a considerable number of former Iraqi commandos and well-trained soldiers, who now had no jobs or prospects of employment, the informant said. "The coalition pushed them into the Ba'athists' arms by disbanding the whole army and security services. "That left these men with despair and hatred and so easy pickings for Ba'athists with money and propaganda," he said. He claimed that his own growing contempt for the American occupation led him a week and a half ago to shoot a U.S. solider through the neck using a Russian-made sniper rifle. He said he was the third-best sniper in the armed forces in his younger days and that he believed the American solider died. Less-experienced fighters are being trained in guerrilla-warfare skills and assaults using abandoned buildings and remote locations, the informant said. "At first, they were offering between $500 and $600 to anyone killing an American. Now it's up to 1 million dinars [more than $700]," he told The Times. Copies of a handwritten, signed letter purported to have been composed by Saddam urging an uprising were scattered in several Baghdad neighborhoods yesterday. The two main Sunni Muslim Islamist groups are Jaish Mohammed, or "Mohammed's Army," in the north, which began operating in Jordan even before the war, and Islamic Jihad in the west. Each has similar commitment to the hard-line Wahhabi philosophy, originating in Sa`udi Arabia, that places them within the al Qa`eda sphere. One band from Jaish Mohammed was eliminated by U.S. troops through combined helicopter and land action, killing about 70 in an encampment on the Euphrates River last week. From the camp, soldiers captured handwritten pages from lined notebooks showing diagrams to make bombs and grenades. The papers, seen by The Times, bear the slogan "Either victory or martyrdom." They state that C-4 should be "mixed with RDX, half put into a can of [gasoline], and close it carefully." C-4 and RDX are plastic explosives. For grenades, the instructions say, "Place nails inside to have a bigger explosive effect, and strongly tighten the lid." Other scraps of paper urged fighters to change their names. "Get ready to take action. ... You have to seize the chance to gain intelligence," it advised, and elsewhere added the warning "Beware of traitors and hypocrites." That the Ba'athist al Awda has been wooing the Islamists in recent days is evident from some of the Islamic terminology it is using. It is referring in its underground leaflets to al Awda fighters as mujahideen, a term used for Muslim rebels in Afghanistan and in other conflict zones. The al Awda propaganda is venomously anti-Western. "Teach your children to hate all foreigners," and "all foreigners are enemies," said leaflets distributed in Fallujah and other Ba'athist strongholds. The Islamic groups have been spreading an even more vicious form of propaganda. In attempting to demonize the coalition, its adherents have been calling L. Paul Bremer, the chief administrator, "Bremer Hussein" and using the slogan "One dictator goes, another dictator comes." In a recent sermon in a Fallujah mosque that was packed with adherents and broadcast by loudspeakers to many more outside, a preacher demanded, "Fight the Americans. Don't deal with them. Don't shake hands with them. They are dirty." The preacher added that Mr. Bremer was encouraging Jews to return and reclaim their houses, and any Arab businessman helping this process should be killed. In Baghdad yesterday, a 12-year-old schoolboy asked his father if all Americans - as he had been told - were carriers of AIDS. He said adults had told him this was evident from blood seemingly coming out of the ear of a female U.S. soldier who had visited the school. A Western reporter saw a recent gathering at which men in Western garb sat in rows of white plastic chairs alongside others in white robes - another apparent sign that Ba'athists and Islamists were holding joint meetings. The reporter was unable to hear what was said at the meeting, which took place in the yard of a home near Baghdad airport. Both parties are portraying the uprising as a chance to regain the wealth of the country, its oil fields, from the American invaders. They also are exploiting widespread resentment at U.S. forces' raids on private homes, where doors have been kicked in and women's rooms entered, and this week's stringent stop-and-search policy at roadblocks. Few weapons have been found in these operations, locals say. So far, the uprising plans have been confined to Sunni Muslims and Ba'athist sympathizers. "If they can persuade the Shi'ite Muslims to join in, the Americans will not be able to survive two months," said the former general. The Shi'ites, who make up about 60 percent of the Iraqi population and have been treated the worst of all segments under the old regime, remain on the sidelines, he said. "They are also resentful, but their masters have told them to wait - so far," the former general said (Washington Times [Moony], Jun 17, 2003 via N. Grace-USA for CRW via DXLD) ** ISRAEL. From Ha`aretz --- It mentions that they're cutting about 500 employees from all divisions, "Towards September" -- I don't know if that's a timeframe to look out for regarding Shortwave service... http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=305349&contrassID=1&subContrassID=4&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y Last Update: 18/06/2003 13:47 I IBA PULLS PLUG ON GOOD MORNING ISRAEL DUE TO BUDGET CUTS By Ronny Koren-Dinar The Israel Broadcasting Authority is pulling the plug on Good Morning Israel because of budget constraints. The dawn news show, from 6:45 to 8:00, hosted by veteran anchors Dalia Mazor, Daniel Pe'er and various others, has been aired for ten years now. Its average rating is 2%, after losing ground by the inauguration of Channel 10's competing morning news show. Instead of Good Morning Israel, Channel 1 will show reruns from the night for another two hours. It may maintain an emergency news staff, and show news flashes when events warrant it. The IBA management has tried twice before to ditch Good Morning Israel, back in the days of general manager Uri Porat. Sources at the authority say the show's budget in 2002 was NIS 10 million, but this year it got only NIS 6 million. IBA spokesperson Oren Helman commented that Good Morning Israel, like many other shows, is taking a two-month summer recess, partly in order to save money. The treasury's economic program has reduced the IBA’s budget by NIS 200 million a year. Toward September, the IBA will be firing about 500 people from all its divisions. It plans to shut down Channel 33, and all the unprofitable Voice of Israel stations. That actually means all its stations other than Reshet Gimmel and 88FM. The list of doomed radio stations include the Kol Hamusika of classical music, Reshet Aleph, Reshet Heh of shortwave broadcasts to overseas, Radio Olim for immigrants and others. The Arabic station will merge with the Middle East channel (via Doni Rosenzweig, June 18, DXLD) ** ISRAEL. PM SAVES IMMIGRANT RADIO FROM CLOSURE By Lily Galili http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=307165&contrassID=2&subContrassID=1&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y [REKA is the Immigrants network. It broadcasts Amharic (the language that the Ethiopians speak) and Russian. Now if only Sharon would step in on the shortwave! D.R.] Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has personally intervened to try to stop the closure of Reka Radio - Israel Radio's Immigrant Absorption Channel. A statement from his office yesterday said, "the prime minister believes that Reka is a vital, most accessible, and sometimes the only tool for giving up-to-date and dependable information to the million Russian speakers living in Israel." Sharon has succeeded where many others before him failed and Reka will continue to broadcast. Israel Broadcasting Authority chief Yosef Barel wanted to close the channel, which transmits 10 hours a day in Russian and two hours in Amharic, as part of the IBA recovery plan. The decision angered the Russian community. "Immigrants aren't in fashion now," said one community member cynically. Many feel that since the last elections when Yisrael b'Aliyah got just two Knesset seats, the immigrant community has lost not just its political power, but its power as a pressure group. "I hear this from all the immigrant groups who have recently lost their power and status," said one active member of the Russian- speaking community. This sudden impotence was felt by ministers Natan Sharansky and Avigdor Lieberman, who recently met Barel to change his mind about Reka. The meeting with Lieberman was particularly strained - the minister's threat to "punish" the IBA in the Knesset Finance Committee failed to move Barel. Barel stood firm in his meeting with Sharansky, who is seeking to pass legislation to protect the channel from future attempts to close it. These high-ranking petitioners with a 60 percent rating share in the community all failed to convince Barel. But Barel failed to take account of a political campaign, led by Sharon himself, to stop the voters of the Russian community from straying and ensure their firm support for the Likud for years to come. Industry and Trade Minister Ehud Olmert, the minister in charge of the IBA, also supports this. He too threatened to veto Barel's plans to close the station. Two days before the IBA board was due to discuss the channel closure, Sharon pulled his weight and halted Reka's closure (via Doni Rosenzweig, June 19, DXLD) ** LESOTHO. 4800, R. Lesotho (Presumed), 2243-2258*, 6/18. Booming signal with Afropops at tunein, 2 OM with banter, laughter, YL joins via telephone, signal suddenly disappears at 2258. Continued listening, pips noted at 2300 followed by OM and YL in Mandarin, just audible. Presumably co-channel CPBS, China. Doesn't Lesotho normally sign-off at 2200? I was surprised to hear them at this hour (Scott R. Barbour, Jr., Intervale, NH, Sangean ATS 818, RF Systems MLB-1, RS Longwire w/ RBA balun, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** MADAGASCAR. Radio Madagascar heard this afternoon (19 June) on new (to me) 7105. Interestingly, it's a USB+carrier transmission. Heard from shortly after 1300 in parallel with 6135.07. During the middle of the day the station is on 6135 and 9688.86, and during the evening is on 3287.6 and 5010, so not sure how 7105 will fit into the pattern. Regards (Chris Greenway, Nairobi, Kenya, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MALTA [non]. FREQUENCY & PROGRAMME SCHEDULE SPRING SUMMER 03 - VOM I queried whether VOM still had a DX or Mailbag programme and this is the reply. It appears they do not - at least nothing is mentioned in their programme schedule. 73 (Dave Kenny, Jun 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joanna Scicluna" joanna.scicluna@vomradio.com Sent: Wednesday, June 18, 2003 11:25 AM Subject: FREQ & PROG SCH SPRING SUMMER 03 - VOM Dear Mr. Dave Kenny, Hereunder please find our current Frequency Table and Programme Schedule. As you can see the latter is about to be changed. The new Schedule which comes into force on 01 July 2003 will be duly inserted in our website. Thank you for your kind attention. Kind regards, Joanna Scicluna, F/Managing Director VOM FREQUENCY TABLE 30 MARCH TO 25 OCTOBER 2003 Time in UTC CET Mon to Sat: 6110 kHz SW 0530 - 0600 Arabic 0730-0800 6185 kHz SW 1700 - 1730 Italian 1900-1930 1730 - 1800 English 1930-2000 12060 kHz SW 1900 - 2000 English** 2100-2200 2000 - 2100 Arabic 2200-2300 ** Except on Friday Friday: 12060 kHz SW 1900 - 2100 Arabic 2100-2300 Sunday: 17570 kHz SW 0500 - 0600 Japanese 9605 kHz SW 0700 - 0800 Italian 0900-1000 0800 - 0900 English 1000-1100 0900 - 1000 Maltese 1100-1200 1000 - 1100 French 1200-1300 1100 - 1200 German 1300-1400 12060 kHz SW 1900 - 2000 English 2100-2200 2000 - 2030 French 2200-2230 2030 - 2100 German 2230-2300 VOICE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN PROGRAMME SCHEDULE - WEEKDAYS - April - June 2003 12060 kHz Monday : This week in history - Vincent Zammit Art focus - Louis Lagana' Travelogue - Albert Storace Tuesday : Cultural café - Tony Cassar Darien Insight - Richard Sladden Malta and Beyond - Victor Shields & Donald Arthur Wednesday : Showcase of Malta - Vincent Zammit Cultural notebook - Henry Frendo Malta - Remains of Atlantis - Francis Galea Thursday : VOM Bookshelf - Fr. Norbert Ellul Vincenti Malta's Ways and Music - Joe Izzo Saturday : The world of operetta - Lino Gatt More Malta Memories - Mike Roberts Random reflections - Godwin Scerri 6185 kHz Monday : Italian : Al corrente - Elsa Romei/John Suda Una finestra su Malta - Elsa Romei/John Suda English : Cultural Café - Tony Cassar Darien Bits and pieces/Today in History - Godwin Scerri Tuesday : Italian : Al corrente - Elsa Romei/John Suda Poeti e scrittori maltesi - Elsa Romei/John Suda English : Human dimension - Omar Grech et al Bits and pieces/Today in History - Godwin Scerri Wednesday : Italian : Al corrente - Elsa Romei/John Suda Racconto - Elsa Romei/John Suda English : Insight - Richard Sladden Bits and pieces/Today in History - Godwin Scerri Thursday : Italian : Al corrente - Elsa Romei/John Suda Cucina maltese - Elsa Romei/John Suda English : Contemporary Mediterranean writers - Karsten Xuereb; Bits and Pieces / Today in History- Godwin Scerri Friday : Italian : Al corrente - Elsa Romei/John Suda Ventaglio culturale - Elsa Romei/John Suda English : The wonderful world of opera - Lino Gatt Bits and Pieces / Today in History- Godwin Scerri Saturday : Italian : Al corrente - Elsa Romei/John Suda Malta ieri e oggi - Elsa Romei/John Suda English : Cultural notebook - Henry Frendo Bits and Pieces / Today in History- Godwin Scerri PROGRAMME SCHEDULE - SUNDAYS - April - June 2003 9605 / 12060 kHz Italian - Elsa Romei / John Suda Al corrente - rubrica di attualita' Angeli a Malta Onde radio - rubrica DX per radio amatori Ieri e Oggi Notizie della settimana English - Margaret Agius / Narcy Calamatta A Thinker's thoughtful think The Sovereign Palaces Malta Today Short stories with Maltese background Weekly news update Maltese - Marthese Brincat / Joe Vella Il-Lingwa Maltija Maltin illum Muzicisti Maltin Grajjiet kurrenti Stejjer ta' Charles Clews Ahbarijiet French - Charles Xuereb / Claudine Camilleri / Paul Camilleri Weekly theme [sics listed in English] Special report Tourist attraction News and view on current affairs German - Anette Butterweck --- The contents of this programme range from the 6,000 years of Maltese history to local customs, towns and villages, places of Interest, cultural themes such as art, interviews with interesting people living in Malta, news and useful tips to help visitors to make the most of their holidays here. 17570 kHz Japanese - Mayuko Vassallo Momosaka --- This programme is packed with information about Malta and its People. Events of the month, charming Malta, legends and folklore of Malta, towns and villages of Malta and Gozo, Malta and the European Union, listeners' letters etc., are among the many interesting features presented in the programme (via Dave Kenny, DXLD) ** MONGOLIA. 12085, VOICE OF MONGOLIA, 1013 12 June, AM Female announcer in EE with commentary. Short local Mongolian tune at 1016. Difficult copy of female with monotone voice. Another short tune at 1020 and back to female announcer. Another mx break which is the same tune played each time, at 1022. Talks about China at this time. This is not the same announcer hrd last fall. A change of staff once again. 1028, This is the end of our Program for today', then to freq schedules. Address given. 'Goodbye', then to IS played 3 times and language change at 1030 (Bob Montgomery, PA, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** NIGERIA. I could be the happiest man on earth today. I just received my first QSL full data cards from Radio Nigeria Enugu, Nigeria. It was for my report of 19th November 2002, on 10 kW 6025 kHz. It was signed by Engr. Nnamadi Louis, deputy Director (ES). My self addressed envelop was returned, but I guess my stamp was used for the reply. This again after almost ten years of faithful listening and numerous reception reports and follow ups. I also remember reporting late last year that I called up the station to complain about those QSL cards, and they promised to look into the issue. Apparently after many months of patience, there is finally good news. Finally I want to know if anybody has a QSL card from Radio Nigeria Enugu, and where should I classify this one. Nigeria or Biafra? (Emmanuel Ezeani, P. O. Box 1633, Sokoto, Sokoto State, Nigeria, June 20, DX LISTENING DIGEST) To NASWA it`s Biafra; I should think a non-Biafran Nigerian would hesitate. Another Enugu QSL just reported in DXLD 3-102 and followed up in 3-104, so perhaps they are in a QSLing mood. Hmm, wonder if that`s where Kojo Nnamdi is from, WAMU talkhost (gh, DXLD) ** NIGERIA. 6050, R. Nigeria, Kaduna, 2134-2149*, 6/18, English. YL with news re government, DPR Congo and National Consortium, construction contracts. Drums at 2145, OM with signoff announcements, Pledge to Nigeria, NA? Poor, choppy signal (Scott R. Barbour, Jr., Intervale, NH, Sangean ATS 818, RF Systems MLB-1, RS Longwire w/ RBA balun, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** NORWAY. A discussion in a German web forum indicates that the Norwegian transmission provider Norkring also does some DRM transmissions in connection with the current WARC at Geneve. Many others report the times and frequencies in use from Sveiø; it appears that these details are known amongst the circle of DRM enthusiasts here in Germany. More interesting for me is a comment given today by one of those enthusiasts: He appreciates it that the Norkring test today contained the NRK P3 pop music network instead of "a boring foreign service". (Kai Ludwig, Germany, June 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAKISTAN. 15065, R. Pakistan. June 16 at 1559(IS)-1616(S/off). SINPO 35433. IS and time pips for 1600, followed by news in English. Commentary at 1610 (Iwao Nagatani, Kobe, Japan Premium via DXLD) ** POLAND [and non]. POLNISCHER RUNDFUNKRAT RUEGT "RADIO MARYJA" WEGEN ANTISEMITISMUS Warschau (dpa) - Der polnische Rundfunkrat hat am Mittwoch den von dem Redemptoristenpater Tadeusz Rydzyk betriebenen Rundfunksender "Radio Maryja" wegen der Verbreitung antisemitischer Stereotype geruegt. Der Sender habe entsprechende Kommentare in Hoerersendungen unerwidert gelassen und durch mangelnde Reaktionen "auf diese Weise falsche Uberzeugungen bestaetigt", hiess es im Bericht ueber die Ergebnisse einer dreiwoechigen Uberpruefung der Programminhalte von "Radio Maryja". Ausserdem wurde den Programmberatern Irrefuehrung der Hoerer vorgeworfen. So sei behauptet worden, Papst Johannes Paul II. habe waehrend einer Audienz "Radio Maryja" sowie den ebenfalls von Rydzyk betriebenen Fernsehsender "Trwam" gesegnet. Recherchen der katholischen Nachrichtenagentur KAI haetten jedoch ergeben, dass dies nicht der Wahrheit entsprach. Die polnische Amtskirche hat sich in den vergangenen Jahren von dem Sender distanziert. Bei der vergangenen Parlamentswahl unterstuetzte "Radio Maryja" die rechtspopulistische "Liga Polnischer Familien" (LPR), die wiederholt mit nationalistischen und antisemitischen Aeusserungen fuer Skandale im polnischen Parlament sorgte. dpa (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** RUSSIA [non]. UKRAINE: Radio Krishna Loka was observed crash- starting at 0103 on 18th June on 7434.2 kHz, which had drifted up to 7436.3 kHz when checked at 0250 (nominal span 0100-0300). Reception only fair to poor, but "Radio Krishna Loka" ID quite clear when heard about 10 minutes into the broadcast - hear this on the Interval Signals Archive website at http://www.intervalsignals.net Regards, (Dave Kernick, June 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TAIWAN. Taipei Radio International (CBS) will change their name to Taiwan Radio International from July 1 (Gaku IWATA, Chiba, Japan Premium via DXLD) All other reports say Radio Taiwan International, but were not originally in English; was this? (gh) An announcement on the 0200 English broadcast on June 20 said that as of July 1, Radio Taipei International will be changing its name to Radio Taiwan International. I'm sure the diplomat types in Chinese Beijing are thrilled with that. ;-) Also, "Instant Noodles" is apparently back on the schedule, now being hosted by Andrew Ryan. "Instant Noodles", for those who didn't hear the previous incarnation (hosted, IIRC, by Shereen Wang) is a program of "news of the weird" from the Asia/Pacific region. Think of RA's "AsiaPacific" not taking itself seriously. (Sorry, John.) Here in the US, RTI can be heard at 0200 and 0300 UTC on 5950 kHz and 9680 kHz. In the northeast, you may also be able to catch the 2200 UT broadcast on 15600 kHz from WYFR in Okeechobee, FL, beamed to Europe, which is a repeat of the features from 0215-0300, although the news is updated (Ted Schuerzinger, June 19, swprograms via DXLD) ** TIBET. 4820, Xizang PBS, Lhasa, 2302-2330, 6/18 Chinese/English. Apparent language lesson with OM and YL in Chinese, lots of repetitive words and phrases. Brief music at 2320 with (presumed) ID by YL with echo effect. YL in EG at 2324 spelling "parrot" and "garden", OM repeats in Chinese. Signal begins to fadedout, gone by 2330. Good at tunein. Logged this one on 5/21, same time and format. WRTH lists CNR 1 relay. 6050, Xizang PBS, Lhasa, 2150-2215, 6/18, Chinese OM and YL with talks noted over co-channel HCJB after Nigeria signoff. Pips and (presumed) ID at 2200, different YL with news, jingles and talk at 2205, HCJB taking over by 2215 (Scott R. Barbour, Jr., Intervale, NH, Sangean ATS 818, RF Systems MLB-1, RS Longwire w/ RBA balun, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** TUNISIA. Hi folks, I hope you're OK. Thank you very much for your valuable DX activity. I wonder if there is any DXer who will visit Tunisia this summer or in the next months. Please, If you'll visit Tunisia, contact me on my personal e-mail. My FREE DXpedition has failed; no one accepted to participate. May be for security reasons. But, be sure that Tunisia is a very peaceful country. So, I'll try to make some single meetings with some DXers who will visit Tunisia, and this to increase DX activity here. Waiting for your answers. 73's from Tunisia (Achraf Chaabane, CRW North Africa Bureau (Tunisia) achraftn@yahoo.com June 19, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** U S A. IBC RADIO NETWORK ANNOUNCES DISCUSSIONS WITH INTERNATIONAL SHORTWAVE STATION SANTA MARIA, Calif. -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- June 19, 2003 -- International Broadcasting Corporation (OTCBB:IBCS) announced today that it is in talks with Miami-based International shortwave station WRMI. The discussion involves several different topic areas and IBCS will keep the shareholders informed of the specifics as they evolve. Earlier this year, IBC Radio Network and its strategic partner, Lou Gentile's Paranormal Radio Network (LGPRN), began broadcasting limited programming on WRMI. Recent Network Studio Upgrades IBC Radio Network, a division of International Broadcasting Corporation, based in Santa Maria, CA, recently upgraded its technical broadcasting infrastructure. In a complete technical infrastructure merger with Lou Gentile's Paranormal Radio Network (LGPRN), IBC Radio Network now offers several independent FM radio-quality stereo Internet radio feeds customizable to the listener's Internet connection. These upgrades provide the necessary technical foundation for expanded distribution to AM and FM stations and satellite. IBC Radio Network is also proud to announce that it has expanded its studios and production facilities to two locations, one in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and another on Vancouver Island, Canada. The Canadian studio is the first step in establishing an International presence. About WRMI Since 1994, Radio Miami International has operated FCC-licensed shortwave station WRMI -- a commercial international radio station which transmits to listeners throughout the Americas -- from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego -- in English, Spanish and other languages. The WRMI staff has decades of experience in shortwave broadcasting. Jeff White is General Manager of WRMI. He began listening to shortwave radio as a teenager in 1972, and became a shortwave broadcaster in 1977. He has a journalism degree from Northern Illinois University, where he served as News Manager for the public radio station there for several years. Jeff has worked as a freelance journalist and/or audience researcher for a variety of international radio stations, including the BBC, Voice of America, Radio Canada International, Deutsche Welle, Radio Netherlands, Swiss Radio International, National Public Radio and many others. He co-founded shortwave stations Radio Earth and Radio Discovery, as well as WRMI (of which he is a co-owner). Mr. White currently serves as President of the National Association of Shortwave Broadcasters (NASB). About International Broadcasting Corporation International Broadcasting Corporation is a developmental stage company that endeavors to develop successful publishing, media, and broadcasting related businesses and ventures. The Company is focused on developing and providing online information and entertainment content through three units: IBC Radio Network http://www.ibcradio.com IBC News Network http://www.ibcnn.com and IBC Entertainment Group http://www.cultmoviesonline.com For more information about IBCS and all of the different services, visit the corporate website at http://www.IBCmedia.com. Statements in this press release other than statements of historical fact are "forward-looking statements." Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties including the demand for the Company's services, litigation, labor market, and other risk factors identified from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that could cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements represent the Company's judgment as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims, however, any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Contact: International Broadcasting Corporation Daryn P. Fleming, 805/938-5573 invest@ibcmedia.com (IBCS June 19 via DXLD) I guess there is some arcane legal reason why IBC has to beat around the bush. Presumably the ``discussions`` are about buying cut-rate WRMI at last. What else could this be about? (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. KCUV/1510 and KNRC/1150 are still running \\. But as they prepare to take KCUV dark, I noticed that at approximately :12 and :42 after the hour KCUV is inserting an amusing announcement right over the top of the program audio. It sounds like one of those irritating telephone operator reject messages starting with 3 rude tones. Then the operator says "The radio frequency you have tuned to has changed. The new frequency is AM eleven-fifty. Lock eleven-fifty into your AM dial to continue listening to KNRC and to avoid hearing this interruption again. Hear both sides talk. AM eleven-fifty, KNRC." (Patrick Griffith, N0NNK CBT CBNT, June 18, Westminster, CO, USA, NRC- AM via DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. Radio Amazonas, hoy 19/06, con señal bastante buena a las 0938 UT, en los 4939.69 kHz. Modulación distorsionada. Emitía música llanera. SINPO 45443 (Adán González Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, June 19, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. 1386 kHz: On 19 Jun at 1940 on 1386 I noted a station with instrumental music, good old tunes like "Twistin' Patricia" "Bésame Mucho" "Never on Sunday" etc. Non-stop, no announcements at the TOH 2000. During these disturbed conditions was overriding VOR in English on this channel almost completely. I have heard this station also some other days. Haven't been much on MW lately. Is there a game Lithuania vs. VOR going on here? As writing this at 2020 music goes on (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hello Jari and others, we (Ronny Forslund and Jan Edh) heard the same station with the same music twice some time ago (May 29th, June 3rd) at about 2100 and 2000 UT respectively. Both times there were extremely bad conditions, leaving the MW-band almost empty for e.g. German stations, leaving Italians and stations from Southwest Europe/Near East almost alone. We had the same thoughts about possible Lithuania (It was not Kaliningrad), but there were no identifications or other announcements. Best regards from (Jan Edh, Hudiksvall, Sweden, DX-ing from Freriksfors, ibid.) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ 2003 SHORTWAVE GUIDE A few weeks ago WRTH Publications issued their 2003 Shortwave Guide with A03 schedules. I have made an evaluation of it which you can read in my review on http://www.dswci.org/news/0306/shortwaveguide2003.html . . .during June 07-14, 2003, I again randomly selected 100 broadcasts in all SW bands and compared them with the details published in the SWG 2. Result: 95 of these broadcasts had all essential details! An increase in accuracy from 68% in WRTH 2003 to 95% in SWG 2 is a fantastic improvement and achievement ! You cannot find a more correct Shortwave Handbook right now in the world! . . . Best 73, (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DX LISTENIN DIGEST) POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ UNDERSTANDING THE FCC'S BROADBAND OVER POWER LINE (BPL) NOTICE OF INQUIRY --- By Rick Lindquist, N1RL, ARRL Senior News Editor, June 19, 2003 Broadband Over Power Line (BPL) technology poses significant interference potential to HF and low-VHF spectrum use between 2 and 80 MHz. [Caption] Power lines used as conductors for RF signals at HF and low band VHF create the potential for interference from radiated emissions. The BPL NOI In a Nutshell On May 23, 2003, the FCC published a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) in ET Docket 03-104 asking how it should regulate the delivery of broadband services to homes and businesses using electrical wiring to conduct high-speed digital signals. The FCC calls this technology "Broadband over Power Line" (BPL)--a technology also known as Power Line Carrier or PLC. This article briefly explains the NOI and what amateurs should know so they can make informed comments to the FCC. BPL uses building and/or overhead power lines to conduct HF and VHF digital signals to network computers. There are a number of ways people can obtain broadband services--from cable modem to digital subscriber line (DSL) to satellite. The FCC views BPL as a competitive Internet access point, and the utilities view the technology as a means to use existing infrastructure to generate additional revenue from something other than power generation and distribution. The NOI asks how BPL should be regulated and states that the FCC wants to remove regulatory hurdles to its deployment. Present rules already permit BPL right now at significant power levels. Utilities would prefer that the FCC authorize even higher power levels. As of mid-June, nearly 1000 comments already had been filed. It is worth your time to become informed by reading the NOI itself and this article and to make your views known to the FCC. Amateurs should outline the important uses they make of Amateur Radio and the impact strong interference from BPL might have at HF and low-VHF amateur frequencies. Electric utility companies will operate many, if not most, BPL systems. ARRL members who have had experience dealing with power line interference and utilities' responses to complaints can describe those experiences in their comments to the Commission. Information on how to file comments is at the end of this article. An ARRL white paper, "Calculated Impact of PLC on Stations Operating in the Amateur Radio Service." provides a more detailed presentation on the technical aspects of this issue. The ARRL's Broadband Over Power Line resource page contains links to worldwide studies and resources to help Amateur Radio with BPL issues. How will the radiation from BPL wiring affect other systems, such as telephone or cable TV? What to Tell the FCC Amateurs filing comments to the FCC NOI might want to consider including words on these topics and points as part of their comments to the FCC: Amateur Radio is a valuable resource that must be protected. Describe the use(s) you make of Amateur Radio, especially those with a public service or emergency communication aspect. The present FCC Part 15 limits for this technology already can result in substantial interference potential to amateur frequencies. BPL systems that radiate on wide swaths of spectrum and that occupy entire neighborhoods have greater interference potential than localized systems, such as switching power supplies or electric motors. The FCC has promised to protect licensed users of the spectrum. We must hold them to that promise. A BPL Tutorial The BPL industry claims that the infrastructure to accommodate this technology already is in place. In many field trial areas, however, the BPL purveyors have had to run optical fiber cable throughout the service area to serve as the Internet backbone for the few hundred trial subscribers. Other BPL systems use overhead medium-voltage wiring, with digital "repeaters" installed every 2000 feet or so along the way. This widely spaced, unshielded wiring radiates a strong BPL signal to nearby areas. Still other BPL systems use IEEE 802.11- protocol wireless equipment to make the connection to homes and businesses. A number of BPL system types are in use or in development. Each employs different techniques and architecture, but all are carrier- current systems--a term describing systems that intentionally conduct signals over electrical wiring or power lines. There are two major categories of BPL: Access BPL and In-Building BPL Access BPL uses electrical distribution lines--overhead or underground--to deliver broadband Internet access to homes and businesses. Because the wiring is physically large and often overhead and extends across entire communities, access BPL poses a significant interference potential to over-the-air radio services. Access BPL uses a number of different techniques, from spread spectrum to OFDM (multi- carrier signals). In-building BPL systems are designed to use the electrical wiring within a building to network computers. In-building BPL can be used to interconnect PCs or other devices within a building by using that building's electrical wiring. Access BPL uses electrical distribution wiring to extend that connection to the Internet. [Caption] ARRL Lab Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, is investigating the potential for BPL to cause interference to HF and low-VHF users. What Present FCC Rules Permit The NOI is not asking if BPL technology should be permitted. Under existing FCC rules, BPL systems may be built and used in the United States right now . The FCC is asking how the rules might be changed "to promote and encourage new BPL technology," in the words of the NOI. Present FCC rules say that carrier-current systems--this includes BPL/PLC--need to meet the general radiated emission limits for unlicensed "intentional emitters." An intentional emitter is one that transmits a radio signal as a part of its normal operation. At HF, BPL systems are permitted a radiated field strength of 30 uV/meter measured at 30 meters from the signal source. At VHF, they are permitted radiated emissions of 100 uV/meter measured at 3 meters from the signal source. In most cases, the source will be the electrical wiring within a building or the electric-utility lines that pass close to residences and businesses in the US. The FCC Notice of Inquiry The FCC NOI asks a number of specific questions about BPL and how it should be regulated and tested. BPL systems under development and in field trials right now use spectrum between 1.7 and 80 MHz, but the NOI is also asking whether BPL should also operate on other parts of the spectrum. Amateurs are encouraged to read the NOI in its entirety and answer those questions from an Amateur Radio perspective view. Many amateurs have significant professional credentials and experience and this represents an opportunity to use that amateur experience to help the Commission make a difficult decision. The NOI asks additional questions than we cover here, but these are the ones of greatest interest to most amateurs: What changes should the FCC make to existing rules to promote this technology, consistent with the Commission's objective of protecting licensed radio services? What spectrum should BPL use? Is there a need to define specific frequency bands for BPL to avoid interference to licensed services? How can the potential for interference be predicted? Will access BPL be compatible with other systems such as DSL or cable collocated on utility structures? Will in-building BPL be compatible with other devices plugged into the building electrical system? Are there any test results from BPL field trials that analyze or demonstrate the interference potential? Are existing Part 15 rules adequate to protect authorized users of the spectrum from new high-speed BPL technology? Does new high-speed BPL technology pose a higher risk of interference than existing unlicensed technology? What changes should be made the rules that describe how measurements should be made? How can the Part 15 rules be tailored to both ensure protection against harmful interference and to avoid adversely impacting the development of BPL technology? [caption] NTIA Administrator Nancy Victory has praised the FCC's BPL initiative but cautioned the Commission to take interference concerns into consideration. No Harmful Interference FCC Part 15 rules require that the operator of an unlicensed emitter not cause harmful interference to authorized radio services. The absolute emission limits and the non-interference rule work together to allow most unlicensed devices to operate without causing widespread interference. BPL is different from point-source emitters, however. Access BPL systems are not local in nature. They are expected to occupy entire communities. BPL systems do not create "birdies" on specific frequencies. They create radiated emissions at the FCC limits on entire swaths of spectrum. If interference occurs from localized "unintentional radiator" sources such as power line noise, solutions exist. For example, power companies can change cracked insulators. The FCC has been able to enforce these rules when necessary. Indeed, a number of electric utilities have received letters from the FCC, as have the neighbors of hams who own and operate noisy Part 15 devices. In the case of access BPL, if an amateur doesn't have the broadband system installed in his or her own house but experiences interference from signals radiated via the overhead electrical wiring, the only real solution could be to turn off the BPL system in entire neighborhoods. As a practical matter, that is unlikely to occur. BPL Field Trials A number of field trials have been conducted overseas. In many cases, International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) member-societies have carried out tests in the trial areas. In Austria, video recordings were made of some of the field trials. Field trials are just getting under way in the US. To date, none of them have specifically included Amateur Radio nor have any incorporated interference studies. Typical field trials include from a handful to a few hundred homes in suburban neighborhoods. ARRL has identified active field trials in Briarcliff Manor, New York; Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Cullman, Alabama; Emmaus, Pennsylvania; Hyde Park, Ohio; Manassas, Virginia; Potomac, Maryland; and Raleigh, North Carolina. In addition, the FCC has granted experimental licenses to BPL equipment manufacturers or utilities in a number of other states. To ARRL's knowledge, actual field trials have not started there yet. Immunity To ARRL's knowledge, no field trials have studied immunity. What will happen when amateurs operate their stations in areas where BPL is deployed? ARRL recently petitioned the FCC for a tiny amateur LF allocation in the vicinity of 136 kHz. The electric utility industry claimed in comments on the ARRL's petition that its PLC devices-- operating on an unlicensed basis on frequencies below 490 kHz--would suffer harmful interference from 1 W effective isotropically radiated power (EIRP) amateur stations. The FCC agreed and chose not to grant Amateur Radio the LF allocation it sought. Yet the same utility industry, in consortium with BPL manufacturers, is making the claim that on HF and low-VHF--frequencies where power lines make better antennas than they do on LF--BPL signals can coexist with amateur stations that may be running more than 10,000 W EIRP. Hams are generally very concerned about immunity, because they understand and appreciate the social problems that might result when a neighbor's broadband access doesn't work because the amateur is on the air. One technical issue involves the best method to bridging or bypass the typical step-down pole transformer to deliver BPL from the power grid into an office or dwelling. [caption?] File Comments The FCC now is accepting electronically filed comments via its Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS). Under ECFS Main Links, click on "Submit a Filing." In the "Proceeding" field, enter "03-104" and complete the required fields. Comments may be typed into a form or you may attach a file containing your comments. Comments also may be submitted via e-mail per instructions on the ECFS page. The FCC has created a Web page that offers more information about filing comments. There's also a mailing address for those wishing to file comments by postal mail. Supporting ARRL's Efforts on the BPL Issue The ARRL has initiated an important Spectrum Defense Fund campaign to support activities to educate government officials on the potential threat that BPL poses to Amateur Radio. "Although this technology is already allowed, the industry wants the limits to be relaxed--with greater interference to your ham radio operation," notes ARRL CEO David Sumner, K1ZZ, in an appeal that went out recently to ARRL members. "The staff at ARRL is already hard at work on this issue." To find out more, or to support ARRL's efforts in this area, visit the ARRL's secure BPL Web site. Author's note: ARRL Laboratory Manager Ed Hare, W1RFI, contributed extensively to this article (via Bill Smith, W5USM, DXLD) FYI, here is the actual document. Interesting reading. I for one hope that someone has some sense at the FCC, although money seems to be speaking louder than sense there lately. http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-03-100A1.doc (Bob Combs, KCA6RC, swl at qth.net via DXLD) I also filed a comment against approval. BPL probably would be devastating to all things HF: ham, swl, etc. Filing a comment is very, very easy. Just click Patrick's link and throw in a few sentences. If enough people filed a public comment I think this could have an impact. I encourage everyone on this list to take 30 seconds to do it. (Damon Cassell, ibid.) I filed the following: I am against Broadband Over Power Lines - this will negatively impact communications on MW and SW frequencies for both consumers and for commercial and governmental users. I am heavily involved in emergency communications in support of DOMS, FEMA, and other customers, and rely almost exclusively on MW and HF frequencies. To have any additional barrier in any form, including interference from Broadband Over Power Line emissions, will cripple our emergency services and Homeland Security resources. 73 de (Tomas, NW7US (AAR0JA/AAM0EWA) Hood, ibid.) DRM [and non] +++ ANALYSIS: DIGITAL SHORTWAVE LAUNCHED, US DIGITAL RADIO ON HOLD | Text of editorial analysis by Chris McWhinnie of BBC Monitoring's Media Services on 19 June On 16 June scheduled Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) shortwave broadcasts began, replacing long-running test transmissions. DRM is a non- proprietary digital transmission system for shortwave, mediumwave and longwave. The venue for the launch was the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-03) in Geneva where DRM Chairman Peter Senger marked the occasion in front of guests at a reception at the Chateau de Penthes in Geneva. A wide range of well-known and not so familiar international broadcasters participated: BBC World Service, Christian Vision, Deutsche Welle, Kuwait Radio, Radio Canada International, Radio France Internationale, Radio Netherlands, Radio Vatican, Swedish Radio International, Voice of America, Voice of Russia and Wales Radio International took part in the event. What does it sound like? BBC Monitoring has listened to the latest broadcasts using a Franhofer DRM software enabled PC receiver coupled to an AOR shortwave receiver with an active whip antenna. The low bit-rate digital audio from DRM does exhibit slight evidence of the process of audio compression. Occasional drop-outs have been observed and the audio quality can degrade to an echo and then either recover or cut to silence for a short period. The audio quality on speech and music is good and all the signals heard so far have sounded less distorted than the lowest bit rates of 48 and 64 kb/s via DAB (Eureka 147 digital audio broadcasting). When one considers that the DRM signal is on shortwave and uses the same radio spectrum as a conventional AM signal, then the results are quite impressive. Regulatory issues There appears to be some uncertainty about exactly how DRM will be used. The improvement in shortwave quality for the main international radio stations is the main benefit. But DRM can significantly improve on mediumwave and longwave reception too. This would involve simulcasting analogue and digital signals, probably on different frequencies. There is also talk of short-range shortwave DRM being used for local programming. It has been said that that DRM and DAB are not not rivals but are instead complementary technology. However this fails to recognise that each is a system intended to deliver terrestrial digital radio signals in a robust fashion. A combined longwave/mediumwave/shortwave DRM receiver with an electronic programme guide, which is already being developed, seems possible and desirable. There are regulatory issues, and commercial broadcasters may cry foul when a foreign station can beam into a country in comparable quality to a local FM, DAB or DRM signal. In addition, if DRM becomes widely available, then suitable shortwave transmission facilities may become a sought-after resource. Rival US system on hold The USA radio industry decided that it needed a single digital radio system which was not DAB - seen as a replacement for FM broadcasting but requiring an additional set of frequencies - or DRM - seen as a replacement for AM only. Instead Ibiquity Digital Corp worked on the Perceptual Audio Coder (PAC) - a compression system which could be used on AM or FM utilizing existing broadcast allocations. This is known as IBOC (in-band on- channel) and the system is mainly referred to as HD (high definition) Radio. In early June, Radio World's web site reported that technical concerns had caused the temporary suspension of standard-setting activities for IBOC. Apparently the engineers wanted time to improve the compression algorithm for the lowest HD Radio bit rates, 36 or even 64 kb/s on the AM band. But a mono DRM signal on the other hand appears to be acceptable at even 20 kb/s, although a digital radio expert told Radio World that audio coding is perceptual and that the DRM and HD Radio compression systems each make different trade-offs. Even with the delay, chip-manufacturer Philips says it will announce the availability of the vital processing components for radio sets within three months. The promise of HD radio sets in US shops by summer 2003 seems optimistic but is ahead of DRM receiver production and roll-out in the rest of the world. HD Radio is politically unlikely to perform a volte-face and adopt AAC+, the DRM coding system, over PAC. So, a world digital AM- replacement standard may be unachievable at present. A question of development There are some questions raised by the development of digital broadcasting. Why did digital radio and TV develop seperately terrestrially, but together via some satellite systems? Will portable communication devices or mobile phones incorporate any of the digital radio systems or use internet protocol for broadcast media? How did the concept of developing separate digital replacements for AM and FM ever come about in the first place? This is in part related to the amount of spectrum available within each band but makes for incompatible chip sets and radios. Why has DAB taken so long to make an impact, and only significantly so in the UK? Why have the enormous spectrum savings afforded by DRM not swept aside the now ageing DAB system? 100 DRM signals of seemingly acceptable audio quality could fit between 106-108 MHz for example. Challenges ahead The challenge for digital radio may be the enormous number of analogue radio sets scattered around most homes and pre-installed in cars; no subscription system to subsidize the cost of new receivers and the reluctance of major manufacturers to commit production facilities to something consumers hardly understand and don't yet think they need. For DRM in particular, the ultimate selling point has yet to be determined because increased choice, rather than just new technology, appears to lead to successful new media systems. Is it significant that the digital radio systems which provide wider content and choice are those with the largest take-up? Sirius Satellite and XM satellite radio in the USA and the free-to-air radio element of the UK's Sky Digital system are all attracting an encouraging number of users. A European direct-to-home satellite system planned by Alcatel and WorldSpace hopes to repeat the success of the US satellite systems. It seems that any new digital radio system which merely duplicates existing choice but requires the purchase a new radio set, whatever the technical advantages, faces a long haul before it becomes the de facto radio system. Source: BBC Monitoring research 19 Jun 03 (via DXLD) see also NORWAY Glenn: Just thot I`d pass this along. Contacted RL Drake last week to ask if they planned a digital upgrade for the R8-B. They do not. Question: am I correct in saying that, if you can get a 12kHz output from the radio (which I have no clue how to do), you could use an outboard decoder to hear DRM programming? (Alan Bosch, DX LISTENIN DIGEST) I think so ... MUSEA +++++ VOA MUSEUM ACQUIRES RADIO ARTIFACTS By Jennifer Edwards, The Cincinnati Enquirer WEST CHESTER TWP. - One of the country's largest museum collections on radio history will leave Cincinnati and make its new home at the Voice of America Museum off Tylersville Road. West Chester Township leaders announced this week they have entered into an agreement with the Gray History of Wireless Museum, formerly located at the WCET Channel 48 (PBS) facilities in the West End, to establish displays and store its large collection at the VOA museum. "The Voice of America Museum is an ideal location for this prestigious collection of artifacts," said Bill Zerkle, West Chester's parks and recreation director. "The Gray Museum and the Voice of America Museum are connected in many ways and both will benefit from this agreement." The Gray History of Wireless Museum is rich in early radio gear, with many items from the beginning of the 19th century. There also are items relating to Powel Crosley, builder of the VOA facility. The Gray museum will remain an independent, nonprofit corporation with its own board of trustees and will retain ownership of the items in its collection. The first phase of a three-part re-creation of the 1940s VOA broadcast building as a public museum should be complete by the Fourth of July. The VOA Bethany Station began relaying news and entertainment around the world in 1944. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, it closed in 1994, and the big radio towers came down in 1997. Now, West Chester owns the VOA building and is converting it into a museum to honor the facility's legacy throughout World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars, and the Cold War era. "The Voice of America Museum is an ideal home for our collection, making it more accessible to the public and providing a larger display area," said William Strangfeld, president of the board of trustees of the Gray museum. "Eventually, we hope to provide a participatory museum experience for visitors." The Gray museum's transition to the VOA is expected to take place as soon as arrangements are made to provide secure areas for storage of the collections and additional display space. "The Gray museum allows us to take a big step forward in creating a museum that educates the public about the significance of the Voice of America and the history of radio technology and communications," Zerkle said. The first glimpse at the Gray museum here will take place at a display at Freedom Fest June 28-29 on VOA grounds. The VOA has been open for tours and special events for several months. Nearly 1,000 people have visited the historic building to learn more about its past - and future. This is the second year of fund-raising efforts to renovate the museum. So far, hundreds of thousands of dollars of in-kind contributions have been donated from West Chester businesses for renovations and access at the VOA. They include carpeting, paint and new entrance roads off Tylersville and Cox roads, said Trustee Catherine Stoker, who is heading up fund-raising with a veterans group and township staff. About $10,000 in cash contributions from various groups and individuals has been donated to the Veterans Voice of America group for the museum. Those funds have been used to promote the facility through mailings and brochures, she said. This year, Veterans Voice of America expects to raise at least $100,000 for the museum. It should be completely renovated within seven years with one full floor of displays plus modifications for museum offices on the second floor (Cincinnati Enquirer June 18 via Artie Bigley, DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ GEOMAGNETIC INDICES Phil Bytheway - Seattle WA - phil_tekno@yahoo.com Geomagnetic Summary May 20 2003 through June 16 2003 Tabulated from email status daily Date Flux A K SA Forecast GM Forecast Etc. 5/20 115 13 3 no storms no storms 7 21 117 13 2 no storms no storms 4 22 119 19 5 minor minor 9 23 118 26 3 minor no storms 6 24 118 15 3 minor no storms 7 25 117 21 5 minor minor 8 26 121 23 3 minor no storms 6 27 125 17 4 minor minor 9 28 129 25 6 strong minor 9 29 130 34 5 strong minor 8 30 138 76 7 severe strong 10 5/31 117 40 6 moderate moderate 7 6/ 1 113 20 2 moderate moderate 5 2 112 18 4 minor minor 7 3 121 26 4 moderate minor 7 4 115 26 5 minor minor 8 5 106 19 3 no storms no storms 5 6 114 11 3 no storms no storms 8 7 126 12 3 minor minor 7 8 133 22 5 no storms minor 9 9 153 22 4 minor minor 7 10 158 27 6 strong minor 9 11 177 29 4 moderate moderate 5 12 193 22 3 strong moderate 4 13 164 21 4 moderate moderate 5 14 151 21 5 minor minor 7 15 134 46 5 moderate minor 7 6/16 129 31 5 strong minor 7 ********************************************************************** (IRCA Soft DX Monitor via DXLD) ###