DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-113, June 25, 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 WORLD OF RADIO 1188: WBCQ: Wed 2200 7415, 17495-CUSB, Mon 0445 7415 WWCR: Thu 2030 15825, Sat 1030 5070, Sun 0230 5070, Sun 0630 3210 ... RFPI: Fri 1930, Sat 0130, 0800, 1400, 1730, 2330, Sun 0530, 1130, 1830, Mon 0030, 0630, 1230. . . 7445, 15039 WRN: Rest of world Sat 0800, Europe Sun 0430, North America Sun 1400 WINB: Sun 0030 12160 WRN ONDEMAND [from Fri]: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1188.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1188.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1188h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1188h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1188.html ** AUSTRIA [non]. Estimados Amigos: Como ustedes saben, el 30 de junio terminan las emisiones en español y francés de ORF Radio Austria Internacional. Por tal motivo, el sábado 28 de junio a través del programa "Antena de la Amistad" por Radio Corea Internacional los oyentes podrán escuchar las voces de Isabel Miró y Jaime Carbonell como así también parte del mensaje final del Jefe de Redacción del Departamento Español de ORF, Manuel Aletrino. El siguiente es el esquema actual de KBS Radio Corea Internacional (UT, frecuencias y áreas de destino): 1000-1100 15210 Khz p/Europa; 9580 Khz y 9760 Khz (vía Sackville- Canadá) p/América del Sur 2000-2100 15575 Khz p/Europa y 0100-0200 11810 Khz p/América del Sur (El programa se transmite a los 10' de comenzada cada emisión, después de las noticias.) En el aire por Internet entrando a http://rki.kbs.co.kr en los siguientes horarios UTC y canales: 2000-2100 - CH1 2100-2200 - CH2 0100-0200 - CH1 1300-1400 - CH2 También en audio por demanda entrando en http://rki.kbs.co.kr (click en Select Language/Spanish, luego Antena-Buzón y elegir la fecha aludida). El programa se carga uno o dos días después de su emisión. Están disponibles los siete (7) últimos programas emitidos. Gracias por su difusión (Rubén Guillermo Margenet, Argentina, June 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BAHAMAS. Does anyone know the call sign and coordinates of 94.9 "More FM" in the Bahamas? Got a positive ID! (Shawn De Cesari - Providence, RI, June 23, WTFDA via DXLD) What's the format? Something is under WHOM here at the office in Southboro, MA? (Steve Solomon, ibid.) Just in case anyone's interested, I called More 94 in the Bahamas to find out the legal call sign and their legal call sign is MORE. LOL Just so someone else will know should they catch that station. (Shawn De Cesari - Providence, RI, FM DXer and Roadgeek Extraordinaire! Ibid.) I really want to thank Shawn for this tip. I came home around noon for a quick lunch between jobs and read the posts, then shut down the computer and decided to check FM before I left. There was plenty of tropo to the northwest, but I swung the antenna down south and flipped to 94.9 and heard it!. Mostly weak, but toward the end it went into stereo. Sounded just like a US station except for the Caribbean music and DJs. IDed as More FM and at 12:30 "The Hot Lunch on All New More 94 FM". Outside of that I only heard one skip station on 92.1 briefly. As far as call letters, doesn't the Bahamas use Z (zed). I remember a station on 1540 I used to hear on AM years ago which used calls beginning with Z (Mike Bugaj, Enfield, CT June 23, ibid.) BAHAMAS FM STATIONS 89.9 - Splash FM - Spanish Wells BS 93.5 - Radio Abaco - Abaco BS 94.9 - 94-More FM - Nassau (New Providence) BS |--------- 96.1 - Cool FM - Freeport (Grand Bahama) BS.. ac 97.5 - LISTEN LIVE Love 97 FM - Nassau (New Providence) BS.. ac/news 100.3 - 100 Jamz - Nassau (New Providence) BS 102.9 - Island 102.9 FM - Nassau (New Providence) BS 104.5 - Power 104.5 (ZNS FM) - Nassau (New Providence) BS 107.1 - ZNS-1 - Nassau (New Providence) BS 107.9 - ZNS-2 - Nassau (New Providence) BS http://www.tvradioworld.com/region1/bah/Radio_Tv_Frequencies.asp (From TV Radio World via Mike Bugaj, WTFDA via DXLD) My 'South of the Border' appendix (which I have added to my new FM Atlas & includes Mexico, the islands and Central America by frequency) shows 94.9 BM Nassau 'More FM' with the calls of ZBM-FM. Incidentally, the letter Z is assigned to all British Stations in the Caribbean and Atlantic Islands, which includes the Bahamas and Bermuda. (Jim Thomas, wdx0fbu, Milliken, Colorado, ibid.) What`s the URL??? Jim, From researching on the Internet, ZBM-FM is actually 89.1 in Hamilton, Bermuda. Perhaps the stuff I'm seeing is wrong? (Shawn, ibid.) Depends on where you're looking :-} I can say with certainty, however, that "MORE" is NOT a government-assigned call, despite what the station personnel may think or say. If there is a government-assigned call it would be a "ZB-" call. Did you try the FCC's AM Query ? (Russ Edmundsm Blue Bell, PA ( 360' ASL ), ibid.) Thanks Shawn for CORRECTLY pointing that out. I was quickly rifling through my directory and thought that was their listing. MORE FM is Officially recognized as their assignment, however, they do have a Z-- assignment. It seems to be lost though. Mike, I still haven't helped you out. (Jim T, wdx0fbu, ibid.) The Bahamas are now an independent nation; the old British Z-calls are no longer official. Doesn't necessarily mean they aren't using them |grin|. Their officially-assigned prefix block is C6A-C6Z. Some official sources do show calls in those blocks assigned to (AM) broadcast stations - for example, if I recall properly the former ZNS-3 is now officially C6B3. I've seen nothing on the FM stations though. It's not at all impossible that they *don't have* callsigns assigned. I just log them by slogan (Doug Smith W9WI, Pleasant View (Nashville), TN EM66, ibid.) I'm well acquainted with the Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas, and have visited all of their facilities at various times, and am personally acquainted with several staff members. Here's an extract from the official ZNS web site http://www.znsbahamas.com/index.php that those following this thread will find interesting. ------- HISTORY ZNS are the call letters for the National Radio and Television Broadcasting System. These letters were assigned when the fledgling radio station was recognized and accredited by the American Federal Communications Commission (F.C.C.). The letter Z was assigned to all British Stations in the Caribbean and Atlantic Islands, including Bermuda. The words attached to the call letters ZNS are Zephyr (Balmy Breeze) -- Nassau -- Sunshine. It was in 1936, when broadcasting commenced in The Bahamas from a studio atop the ``Snappy Hat Shop`` at the corner of Shirley and East Street in Nassau. In 1938, Room was made for the broadcast service to move into the telecommunications building where it remained until the new ZNS building was opened in Centreville. Radio Station ZNS was the broadcast medium of the then Telecommunications Department, the forerunner of today`s Bahamas Telecommunication Corporation. At first, ZNS was on the air for a period of four hours each day, on an assigned frequency of 640 kilocycles AM, and a shortwave frequency of 6090 kilocycles with a transmitting power of 500 watts. Mr. Harcourt (Rusty) Bethel served as General Manager from 1944 until 1970. `Rusty` Bethel`s voice was synonymous with early broadcasting in the country and his famous ``If It`s O. K. Flour, It`s O.K.`` commercial is still fondly remembered by many. In 1947, the medium wave frequency of 640 kilocycles per second on which ZNS had operated from its inception, was taken over by Cuba. Under the term of the North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement, the new frequency of 1540 was assigned to The Bahamas. From the inception of Broadcasting in The Bahamas, and up to 1950, the daily operational costs were borne by the government in the form of an annual grant. Because of an expressed desire for more radio involvement and more entertainment, the decision for commercial broadcasting was made. On August 1950, ZNS became self-supportive, as the station went full- fledged into commercial advertising. In the early years, the primary purpose of ZNS radio was to broadcast information to people living in the distant or ?out of islands? of the Bahamas which includes shipping reports, mail boat departures and arrivals, and urgent personal messages for those without telephone service. ------- This URL http://www.tvradioworld.com/region1/bah/Radio_Tv_Frequencies.asp gets you to a section showing all broadcast operations. I believe there is some mis-information. For example ZNS-3 (810 AM in Freeport, Grand Bahama) runs 10 kW [note...this operation *may* have been cut back to 5 kW] using 3 towers to achieve a cardioid east/west pattern. Many listings imply that there are two channel 13 transmitters...one on New Providence (Nassau) and another on Grand Bahama (at Freeport). To the best of my knowledge the Freeport transmitter has never been built, however there is a "ZNS-3 TV" on cable channel 13 on Grand Bahama Island only. It originates some local live programming but mostly carries feeds from the Nassau facilities. At least one of the non-call letter FM stations in Nassau is a ZNS- owned and operated facility --- and I wouldn't be surprised if there might be a similar arrangement in Freeport. It's an intriguing operation ---and was even more fascinating prior to television and FM. I also came across another URL http://bahamasmedia.com/resources/media-profile-main.htm that might be of interest to those seeking information on Bahamas stations. It repeats some of the information found in the previous section, but has more detail on on the overall media scene in the country. Even MORE ZNS history at [sic --- see below] ache:iGqzDZWc5cAJ:www.znsbahamas.com/history.htm+ZNS-3+&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 This is part of a previous site which had more complete history sections, but along the way has been severed from the home page and is apparently only in the Google cache library. [Later:] Hopefully this will fix the error in the last link in the previous post: http://216.239.39.100/search?q=cache:iGqzDZWc5cAJ:www.znsbahamas.com/history.htm+ZNS-3+&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 You may have to copy and paste it into your browser (Tom Bryant / Nashville, TN, ibid.) ** CANADA. AN RCI REVIVAL Thankfully, listeners – both Canadian and international – have never given up on Radio Canada International even on the alltoomany occasions when its prospects looked bleak. That steadfast faith appears to be paying off as RCI slowly but steadily emerges from its most recent near-death experience with a roster of developing programs that demonstrate a sharper and more consistent focus than in recent years. One program (though no longer on the schedule) already has earned international accolades: Wojtek Gwiazda`s documentary ``Refugees,`` from his Canada in the World series, received special commendation from the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union. (The audio file of the program remains available from http://www.rcinet.ca ) RCI`s in-house productions now bring a strong, welcome, and much- needed Canadian focus and perspective to major areas of interest to international listeners. After all, if RCI doesn`t do it, who will? Current features on the schedule include Business Sense (Canadian products, businesses and practices), Media Zone (Canadian journalists` forum), Sci-Tech File (Canadian research and innovations), Spotlight (Canadian arts and culture), and The Maple Leaf Mailbag. The daily magazine Canada Today also appears in two editions, including a new live edition hosted by Gwiazda for the Americas and India. Full details for RCI’s service to the Americas in English are included in each month`s SWG (John Figliozzi, Program Highlights, July MONITORING TIMES via DXLD) ** CANADA. Toronto's CFRX is back on the air on 6070 kHz. Heard today (June 24) loud and clear from about 2150 UT, with its usual CFRB 1010 relay (Sergei Sosedkin, IL, June 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. ABORIGINAL RADIO NETWORK SEEKS TO EXPAND Adrienne Lamb, The Arts Report http://www.cbc.ca/artsCanada/stories/abor230603 EDMONTON --- An aboriginal radio network is hoping to add Montreal and Edmonton to its growing roster of stations across Canada.Mark McLeod, director of licensing with the Aboriginal Voices Radio Network, said he believes they have a good chance in Edmonton. "It's very irresistible for the commission," said McLeod, who's leading the delegation before the CRTC. "They mention in their speeches about how proud they are that they've licensed an aboriginal broadcasting company in Canada." Margo Pariseau, vice-president of the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women, said the station would have a tremendous impact for aboriginal women in Edmonton. "Many of the women who made a difference - going back to school or deciding what to do with their lives - got the information through the radio. It's the radio that reaches them. "Within five years of operation, the Aboriginal Voices Radio Network has been able to get licenses in Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Ottawa and Kitchener-Waterloo. The non-profit station broadcasts live via the Internet. The goal is to extend its reach to 27 major urban centres across Canada. Charmain Logan, founding director of the Northern Styles Native Arts Society, said she has been trying to sell music by aboriginal artists for years. "We have a wealth of aboriginal musicians and I know that it's been a struggle for them to have their music put into mainstream," she said. For more arts news, listen to The Arts Report weekdays at 7:12 a.m., 8:12 a.m. and 5:55 p.m. on CBC Radio Two. Copyright 2002 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation - All Rights Reserved (via Bill Westenahver, Jilly Dybka, DXLD) ** CZECH REPUBLIC. RFE ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL DISCUSSES MOVE IN PRAGUE | Excerpt from report in English by Czech news agency CTK Prague, 24 June: The US administrative council of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty [RFE/RL] met to discuss moving the radio's headquarters and paying for the move in Prague today. RFE/RL spokeswoman Sonia Winter said that various aspects were discussed as part of moving. According to information obtained earlier, the US Congress must approve of funds to be used for the move. Winter did not say where the council will ask for the funds to be approved after today's meeting. According to some estimates, the move could cost as much as 20m dollars. RFE/RL President Thomas Dine recently confirmed that the radio will move from the former Czechoslovak federal parliament building in the centre of Prague to another site in the city. The rental agreement signed with the Czech government ends next year. The radio is currently negotiating with several possible locations. [passage omitted] Source: CTK news agency, Prague, in English 1619 gmt 24 Jun 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** ECUADOR. 1610.10 kHz, Ecos del Portéte, Girón (Ecuador). 16 juni 2003 - 0200 UT. 1610.10 kHz, "Radio Sabor", QTH desconocido (probablemente Perú). 16 juni 2003 - 0200 UT. Estimados amigos de ``Conexión Digital``! Realmente es un gran placer para mi participar en su muy conocida ``mailing list``. Mi colega sueco Henrik Klemetz y los otros miembros de SWB han recibido información, junto con grabaciónes, por medio de ``SWB América Latina`` durante el mes de junio tratando de ``Ecos del Portete``, Girón (Ecuador) en 1610.10 kHz y ``Radio Sabor``, QTH desconocido (probablemente Perú) tambien en la frecuencia de 1610.10 kHz. Grabaciónes de las dos emisoras pueden escuchar en la página web: http://homepage.sverige.net/~a-0901/ Por el momento está Radio Sabor en 1610.11 kHz con el mismo tipo de programación, música non-stop sin hablar. Ecos del Portéte se ha movido a aproximadamente 1614 kHz – mejor calidad de sonido en AM, difícil usar SSB. Antes 0100 UT tiene normalmente Portéte programa religioso y a partir de 0100 UT normalmente música non-stop, rocolera ecuatoriana y cumbia es común. 73s de (Björn Malm, La Prensa 4408 y Vaca de Castro, Quito, Ecuador (+593 2) 2598 470, JRC 535 – HF 150. MFJ 616 – MFJ 1025. 12m LW + 24m LW + Longwire Magnetic Balun, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HUNGARY. Effective June 15 Radio Liberty relay via new transmitter site Jaszbereny: 0300-0400 Tajik on 9760 JBR 250 / 075, ex LAM 100 / 075 0400-0500 Russian on 11710 JBR 250 / 055, ex WOF 300 / 075 0500-0600 Russian on 11885 JBR 250 / 055, ex WOF 300 / 075 1600-1700 Armenian on 9505 JBR 250 / 108, ex WOF 300 / 102 73 from (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, June 24 via DXLD) ** IRAN. 'HARMFUL' ELECTRONIC JAMMING OF WESTERN TV SIGNALS INTENSIFIES | Text of report in English by Iranian newspaper Iran Daily web site on 24 June Local stations transmitting powerful electronic signals to distort foreign satellite TV programs has increased over the past few weeks, an expert said. Mohammad Reza Molavi, a faculty member at the Post and Telecommunications University, told the student news agency ISNA that these signals have been intensified since the start of the recent student unrest in the capital city. Medical experts maintain that such signals are harmful to public health and can cause cancers and infertility. Molavi added that unknown groups sending such signals will have to lease a satellite for distorting foreign satellite TV programs. Source: Iran Daily web site, Tehran, in English 24 Jun 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) Meaning, carrying out jamming FROM a satellite?? What satellite operator would coöperate with that?(gh, DXLD) ** IRAN [non]. Hello again from New Zealand. Here are some recent loggings. USA. 7460. KSRI. Radio Sedaye Iran. 0230. Fair in Farsi. Has anyone had a verie from this one? I have been using their online message format but no luck with a reply except for their automated response (Ian Cattermole, New Zealand, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** IRAN [non]. AZERBAIJAN / IRAN [non] The clandestine station Voice of Southern Azerbaijan on 9375 kHz is indeed broadcast from a transmitter in Azerbaijan. The Azeri version of the text quoted in DXLD 3104 http://www.cehreganli.com/xeberler/radiok1.txt directly refers to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Communications. (NB. This text is written in simplified Azeri ortography without special Azeri characters. The station name is spelled "Güney Azerbaycanin sesi"). The Azerbaijani state radio is already transmitting twice daily to listeners in "Southern Azerbaijan" (i.e. northern Iran) via the MW transmitter in Pirsaat on 1296 kHz (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, June 25, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISLE OF MAN. ISLE OF MAN SET FOR INTERNET FIRST The first ever live Webcast from the Isle of Man will take place on 7 July. Manx Radio http://www.manxradio.com Manx Telecom http://www.manx-telecom.com, Greenlight Television http://www.greenlight-tv.com and the government's information systems division are all collaborating to bring the Tynwald Day ceremony to the world. Tynwald, the Isle of Man parliament, is claimed to be the world's oldest democratic parliament, and has already celebrated its millennium, though the exact date of its establishment is open to debate. Tynwald Day is an ancient ceremony marking the original annual gathering of Monarch, nobles and commoners which developed over the course of centuries to become today's elected House of Keys. This year, HM Queen Elizabeth II will preside over the day's events. The subcommittee responsible for coverage of the event decide to provide a big screen to permit as many local people as possible to follow proceedings, and from that followed a suggestion that the same video feed could be streamed on the Internet. Manx Radio Managing Director Stewart Watterson said: 'The Manx Radio website will carry live video coverage of the whole proceedings with what will be the Isle of Man's first major live webcast. Manx Radio will take its video feed from Greenlight Television's production unit which will be sited near the Royal Chapel. Greenlight TV production crews will commence coverage at 0845 UTC until the fireworks finale at aroud 2200 UTC. In addition to the live narrowband webcast by Manx Radio, Manx Telecom will be providing edited highlights of the event from the government website and its own http://www.manx.net (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 24 June 2003 via DXLD) ** ITALY. 5775. IRRS. 2000. Fair in English religious on this frequency change from 5780 recently announced (Ian Cattermole, New Zealand, June 25, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** JAPAN. Hola amigos: Aquí una información sobre RADIO JAPON: Escuché a un locutor de Radio Japón en Español que anunciaba el inicio de programas de la NHK en Español via internet y dio la página y aquí se las paso para los interesados: http://www.nhk.or.jp/daily/spanish (CESAR PEREZ DIOSES, CORREO CENTRAL, CHIMBOTE, PERU, June 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Nunca antes? ** KOREA SOUTH. See AUSTRIA [non] ** MEXICO. Looking for XEXQ-OC, 6045, as reported by HGB, UT June 25 at 0345 I could detect only a very weak signal amidst the splash from 6050/6055, and T-storm crashes. At 0356 all I could make out were the words ``onda corta`` and could not even detect the Mexican NA as reported for sign-off around 0400. At 1312 again a very weak signal faded up slightly and seemed to be in Spanish (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NEW ZEALAND. A LITTLE REST --- SUMMERTIME EASY LISTENING Close your eyes and imagine this. (On second thought, I guess you`ll have to read this first and then imagine it again from memory.) How about a warm, breezy moonlit evening. The windows and shades are thrown wide open. The room is dark but for the green pulsating circle of the tuning eye and soft orange glow reflecting off the dial of that old Grundig-Majestic tube table model with the rich, deep audio. (It could be your favorite portable, but this is my dream sequence, thank you.) You`re stretched out on the couch (or the rug, or the recliner, on the screen porch – whatever!) That grand radio is playing a familiar classical piece; or is it a string of hits from the `60s? (It could be either or both.) The sound is steady, even strong; but with a hint of air in the signal telling you that it`s coming from quite a ways away. This is how a lot of midweek summer evenings are spent at my house. The station is Radio New Zealand International, which historically has come in very solidly and quite reliably on 17675 kHz during the high summer months, even here in upstate New York. The programming originates from National Radio, the primary domestic network. It`s midafternoon in New Zealand; but just after sunset the previous (?!) evening where I`m listening. Midwinter there; midsummer here. Regardless, it works seamlessly in both places. After the ``1:00 news`` (0100 UT) and nationwide weather report, it`s Cadenza. Cadenza, an hour of shorter classical music pieces – spanning the spectrum but mostly mainstream – offering a thoughtful, pleasant background for your nighttime musings. It`s produced and presented by Peter Fry, who serves as a friendly but unintrusive guide. Following the news and weather ``at 2`` (0200 UT), the pace changes some with Wayne`s Music, the first hour of In Touch with New Zealand. Wayne is Wayne Mowat, National Radio`s afternoon host, and there isn`t a more relaxed and relaxing host than the warm-voiced Mowat. The National Radio online guide says it best, ``Wayne aims to settle you into cruise mode right away with an oasis of nostalgia, Wayne`s Music....This is a delightful part of the day, whether you`re thirty- something or eighty-wards inclined – a chance to reacquaint yourself with the hits of your era, from the 1920s to the 1970s, and everything in between. Each week Wayne takes us back to a different decade to reawaken some of those sleeping memories. From Fats Waller to Abba, Doris Day to the Beatles, Alberta Hunter to Dean Martin, Duke Ellington to Supertramp...`` In my opinion, this is the most refreshing and relaxing two hour block on shortwave radio. After a hard day at the office, I find myself looking forward to two hours with RNZI. I only wish reception was as good in our winter months as it is in the summer. But then again it`s that ``limited time only`` availability that makes it all the more special. Tune in Monday-Friday 0100-0300 on 17675 kHz. Radio New Zealand International -- The Saturday Comedy Zone (Sat. 0130) and Play It Again (Sat. 0930) originate from the domestic National Radio service. Both programs feature a random selection of humorous series and programs – the former usually of Kiwi vintage and the latter often old BBC chestnuts. For frequencies, consult the MT Shortwave Guide and, until August, r e l a x with good listening! (John Figliozzi, Programming Spotlight, July MONITORING TIMES via DXLD) ** PALESTINE. PALESTINIAN INFORMATION MINISTRY CLOSES THREE UNLICENSED RADIO STATIONS | Text of report by Palestinian news agency Wafa web site Ramallah, 25 June: The Palestinian Information Ministry said today that the decision to close Al-Manar, Alwan and Al-Aqsa radio stations, which broadcast from the Gaza Strip, was made because they do not have the necessary licences. The ministry stressed that closing these radio stations is not related to media rights, freedom of opinion and expression or peoples' right to obtain information; neither does it reflect any new tendencies on any level in the competent PNA [Palestinian National Authority] institutions against freedom of opinion and expression or pluralism. Rather, it is an administrative measure related to the implementation of relevant laws and regulations which fall within the Palestinian government's interest in safeguarding the supremacy and implementation of the law to secure the peoples' and homeland's safety. The ministry affirmed to Palestinian journalists and media men its interest in serving them and facilitating their tasks. Source: Palestinian news agency Wafa web site, Gaza, in Arabic 25 Jun 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** PERU. 1610 kHz, R. Sabor: see ECUADOR ** PERU. En la mañana del dia de hoy entre las 1035 y 1050 UT tuve la oportunidad de captar en los 4825 kHz a la peruana La Voz de La Selva, con una identificación musical que mas o menos dice así: " Por mas de un año llevando la alegría LVS tu radio digital" Este archivo sonoro está a la orden de los colegas diexistas. Atte: (José Elías Díaz Gómez, Venezuela, June 25, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** PERU. 4890. Radio Macedonia. 0600. Very good some days prior to PNG on this frequency. Later mixed with PNG. Regards from (Ian Cattermole, New Zealand, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** RUSSIA [non?]. OLD ``GERMAN NUMBERS`` BROADCAST RESUMES The Northern Hemisphere spring brought a return of balmy weather, blooming flowers, and – German-speaking numbers? Yup. Years after German unification causeda huge decline in these transmissions, a weird, machine-edited, male voice was heard speaking German on 5315 kHz. Something similar was heard on another frequency. On 5315, the initial callup was ``Sieben Drei Zwo,`` ``732`` in German, being repeated mechanically. This was followed by several repetitions of ``964,`` and finally a message in 5-number groups. The particular human voice being assembled by machine into the transmission was unfamiliar to veteran ``numbers`` listeners. Also, upper sideband (USB) was being used instead of the former amplitude modulation (AM). Everything else, though, suggested the return of a station not heard since late 1995. Among other things, there was the same distinctive hum in the audio, as if the same circuits had been put back into use, and the same use of ``Null`` for ``zero.`` Both of these suggest the old ``German Man`` transmission from Russian intelligence. The recordings reveal a great similarity to the same agency`s ultra-loud transmission to the United States. This one substitutes a voice in English, but the format is otherwise very close. Once again, we see a good reason never to take old ``numbers`` stations off the lists (Hugh Stegman, HF Communications, July MONITORING TIMES via DXLD) ** SEYCHELLES [non]. INTERNATIONAL(non): Updated A-03 schedule of FEBA Radio: [with kW powers, azimuth degrees] NORTH INDIA, NEPAL, TIBET 0015-0030 Sun NEPALI 12045 ARM 250 / 129 0015-0030 Mon/Tue CHATTISGARHI 12045 ARM 250 / 129 0015-0030 Wed MARWARI 12045 ARM 250 / 129 0015-0030 Thu HINDI 12045 ARM 250 / 129 0015-0030 Fri URDU 12045 ARM 250 / 129 0015-0030 Sat PUNJABI 12045 ARM 250 / 129 0030-0045 Mon-Thu BANGLA 12045 ARM 250 / 129 0030-0115 Fri-Sun HINDI 12045 ARM 250 / 129 0045-0115 Mon-Thu HINDI 12045 ARM 250 / 129 0115-0130 Sun-Thu MARATHI 12045 ARM 250 / 129 0115-0130 Fri BHILI 12045 ARM 250 / 129 0115-0130 Sat BHOJPURI 12045 ARM 250 / 129 1200-1230 Daily TIBETAN 15525 DHA 250 / 085, ex 15605 SAM 1230-1245 Sun BHILI 15525 SAM 250 / 129, ex 15605 1230-1245 Mon/Tue MUNDARI 15225 SAM 250 / 129, ex 15605 1230-1245 Wed MARWARI 15225 SAM 250 / 129, ex 15605 1230-1245 Thu-Sat BHOJPURI 15225 SAM 250 / 129, ex 15605 1245-1315 Sat KUMAUNI 15225 SAM 250 / 129, ex 15605 1245-1300 Sun KANGRI 15225 SAM 250 / 129, ex 15605 1245-1300 Mon-Fri PUNJABI 15225 SAM 250 / 129, ex 15605 1300-1315 Sun/Mon/Wed/Thu ORIYA 15225 SAM 250 / 129, ex 15605 1300-1330 Tue/Fri GUJARATI 15225 SAM 250 / 129, ex 15605 1315-1330 Sat-Mon/Wed/Thu GUJARATI 15225 SAM 250 / 129, ex 15605 1330-1345 Tue-Fri CHATTISGARHI 15225 SAM 250 / 129, ex 15605 1330-1345 Sun/Mon NEPALI 15225 SAM 250 / 129, ex 15605 1330-1345 Sat MAGHI 15225 SAM 250 / 129, ex 15605 1345-1400 Daily BANGLA 15225 SAM 250 / 129, ex 15605 1400-1415 Sun-Thu URDU 15225 SAM 250 / 129, ex 15605 1400-1500 Fri/Sat HINDI 15225 SAM 250 / 129, ex 15605 1415-1500 Sun-Thu HINDI 15225 SAM 250 / 129, ex 15605 SOUTH INDIA, MALDIVES, SRI LANKA 0015-0045 Sun/Thu KANNADA 15425 TCH 250 / 230, ex 15580 0015-0030 Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat KANNADA 15425 TCH 250 / 230, ex 15580 0015-0030 Tue TULU 15425 TCH 250 / 230, ex 15580 0030-0045 Fri/Sat BADAGA 15425 TCH 250 / 230, ex 15580 0030-0130 Mon-Wed TAMIL 15425 TCH 250 / 230, ex 15580 0045-0130 Thu-Sun TAMIL 15425 TCH 250 / 230, ex 15580 0130-0200 Daily TELUGU 15435 DHA 250 / 105, ex 15580 TCH 1400-1430 Mon-Wed MALAYALAM 7460 IRK 250 / 224 1400-1445 Thu-Sun MALAYALAM 7460 IRK 250 / 224 1445-1500 Thu-Sun TELUGU 7460 IRK 250 / 224 1430-1500 Mon-Wed TELUGU 7460 IRK 250 / 224 1500-1600 Daily ENGLISH 7460 IRK 250 / 224 1600-1615 Sun-Tue SINHALA 7460 IRK 250 / 224 1600-1615 Thu-Sat DHIVEHI 7460 IRK 250 / 224 1600-1615 Wed MALAY 7460 IRK 250 / 224 PAKISTAN, AFGHANISTAN, IRAN 0030-0045 Daily ENGLISH 9465 MOS 500 / 090 0045-0115 Sun PUNJABI 9465 MOS 500 / 090 0045-0100 Mon-Sat HINDKO 9465 MOS 500 / 090 0100-0115 Mon/Tue/Fri/Sat PUNJABI 9465 MOS 500 / 090 0115-0130 Tue/Fri-Sun URDU 9465 MOS 500 / 090 0100-0130 Wed/Thu URDU 9465 MOS 500 / 090 0115-0130 Mon POTHWARI 9465 MOS 500 / 090 0130-0145 Fri-Sun SINDHI 9465 MOS 500 / 090 0130-0145 Mon-Thu SIRAIKI 9465 MOS 500 / 090 0145-0200 Wed-Sun BALUCHI 9465 MOS 500 / 090 0145-0200 Mon/Tue BRAHUI 9465 MOS 500 / 090 0200-0215 Daily PASHTO 11995 DHA 250 / 045 0215-0245 Daily DARI 11995 DHA 250 / 045 0245-0300 Daily HAZARAGI 11995 DHA 250 / 045 0530-0715 Fri PERSIAN 9660 DHA 250 / 345, ex 0530- 0700 1530-1630 Daily PERSIAN 9650 ARM 100 / 150, ex 9495 1300-1400 Thu-Sun URDU 9495 NVS 250 / 195 1300-1415 Mon/Wed URDU 9495 NVS 250 / 195 1300-1345 Tue URDU 9495 NVS 250 / 195 1400-1415 Thu-Sun BALTI 9495 NVS 250 / 195 1345-1415 Tue PUNJABI 9495 NVS 250 / 195 1530-1600 Daily PASHTO 9415 ARM 100 / 104 1600-1630 Daily DARI 9415 ARM 100 / 104 1630-1645 Daily HAZARAGI 9415 ARM 100 / 104 1645-1700 Tue-Thu TURKMEN 9415 ARM 100 / 104 1645-1700 Fri-Mon UZBEK 9415 ARM 100 / 104 MIDDLE EAST 0345-0430 Daily ARABIC 15530 MSK 250 / 169 0500-0530 Fri SINHALA 6125 DHA 250 / 300 0530-0630 Fri MALAYALAM 6125 DHA 250 / 300 1100-1245 Daily ARABIC 15530 ARM 250 / 188 1245-1300 Daily ENGLISH 15530 ARM 250 / 188 AFRICA, ETHIOPIA, SUDAN 1515-1530 Daily NUER 12070 MEY 250 / 007, ex 11885 1530-1545 Daily DINKA 12070 MEY 250 / 007, ex 11885 1545-1600 Daily MAKONDE 12070 MEY 250 / 032, ex 11885 1600-1630 Thu-Sun AMHARIC 12070 MEY 250 / 019, ex 11885 1600-1630 Mon-Wed GURAGENA 12070 MEY 250 / 019, ex 11885 1630-1700 Daily AMHARIC 12070 MEY 250 / 019, ex 11885 1700-1730 Fri-Sun OROMO 9590 DHA 250 / 230 1700-1730 Daily SOMALI 11690 KIG 250 / 030 1730-1800 Daily TIGRINYA 11690 KIG 250 / 030 1830-1900 Daily FRENCH 15130 ASC 250 / 070 Tx sites: KIG=Kigali/Rwanda ARM=Armavir/Russia NVS=Novosibirsk/Russia ASC=Ascension Island MEY=Meyerton/So.Africa IRK=Irkutsk/Russia SAM=Samara/Russia DHA=Al-Dhabayya/UAE MOS=Moosbrunn/Austria MSK=Moskow/Russia TCH=Tchita/Russia (Ivo and Angel! Observer, Bulgaria, June 24 via DXLD) ** SPAIN. Hello GLENN, I have been reading your pages for years now and was waiting for a chance to help with some news. Now I have found time to check up all schedules I have found. SPAIN REE on nf 11890 to 0654 close down. Probably from 0500. Listed on 9710 but not audible here. 21610 is active today at +1130 past 1300. Listed 0700-0900 for A03. During B02 they was active 0700-1700 in Spanish By the way all above are in Spanish. I may come back with full times later on. 73´s (Rikard Johansson, Malmoe, Sweden, June 25, DX Listening Digest) ** TAIWAN. UNDERGROUND RADIO STATIONS SAID DISRUPTING AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL | Text of report in English by Taiwan News web site on 23 June Evidence recently compiled by the government indicates that air traffic control communication channels of both Taipei's Sungshan Airport and Taoyuan's Chiang Kai Shek International Airport are adversely affected by signals from pirate radio stations during weekends, according to Chinese language media. The report surfaced after two air incidents over the past five days, in which a civilian aircraft and a helicopter flew near restricted airspace over the presidential office Wednesday and yesterday respectively. According to the report, Sungshan Airport's air traffic control channel experienced problems at 2.10 p.m. [local time] Saturday, and Taoyuan's CKS International Airport's communications were affected 20 minutes later. After tracing the signals, the telecommunication authorities suspect that the cause of the disruption in both cases were both from underground radio stations. However, telecommunication professionals doubt the telecommunication authority's suspicions. Lin Kun-tong, deputy chairman of the Chinese Taipei Amateur Radio League, explained that signals of the nation's some 80,000 underground radio stations are traceable and stationary. "The capacity for underground radio stations to influence air traffic control channels is very small," Lin said. Wang Ruey-de, adviser to the CTARL, concurred with Lin, explaining that the frequencies used by underground radio stations are not strong enough to affect air traffic control channels. Wang, meanwhile, said that the nation's telecommunication authorities have failed to enforce existing regulations that ban pirate radio stations. He specified that illegal radios used by taxis drivers are one of the sources of disruption. Under current regulations, those found illegally transmitting radio signals could be fined between 10,000-50,000 new Taiwanese dollars. Source: Taiwan News web site, Taipei, in English 23 Jun 03 (Via BBCM via DXLD) 80 thousand pirates???!!! WTFK? Straying above 108 MHz? (gh, DXLD) ** UGANDA. SOROTI MPS WANT RADIO BACK ON AIR http://allafrica.com/stories/200306240399.html The Monitor (Kampala), June 24, 2003, Posted to the web June 24, 2003 Kennedy Lule, Kampala Members of Parliament yesterday asked the government to re-open the Catholic Church-owned radio station that was closed by the army and police on Sunday. Radio Veritas FM in Soroti went off air on Sunday after security operatives and Soroti RDC, Mr Edward Masiga, stormed and searched its offices. The station earned the wrath of the government for defying a minister's directive not to broadcast news about rebel attacks in the area. But several MPs from the Teso sub-region yesterday said that the decision to close Radio Veritas should be reviewed. "I was shocked by [the] closure. It is an attack on media freedom yet it is the same government which has been boasting about it," Mr Francis Epetait (Ngora) said. Epetait said that the station was not being used to propagate the rebel Lord's Resistance Army propaganda but to alert the public about the dangers posed by the rebels. "Veritas in Latin means truth. The radio station was basically doing that," he said. According to Mr Patrick Amuriat (Kumi), the station was still closed by yesterday afternoon. He said that the radio was doing a good job in mobilising the population both against the war and for development. "How will our people be informed when and where to run in case the LRA attacks?" Amuriat wondered. The Soroti woman MP, Ms Alice Alaso, said that closing the radio would be like killing a messenger who delivers a bad message (via Mike terry, DXLD) ** U K. A new book about the BBC "ON AIR - A HISTORY OF BBC TRANSMISSION" http://www.onairbook.co.uk/ The BBC's services were broadcast by its own transmitters from 1922 until 1997 - a lifetime. Thousands of people were involved in the process of researching, planning, designing, specifying, acquiring, making, operating, maintaining and managing the facilities needed to transmit the programmes and hundreds of millions of people benefited through the information, education and entertainment that they received. This book celebrates a lifetime of achievement in the world of broadcast transmission engineering and includes many anecdotes from the lives of people involved. The idea for ON AIR arose in 1997 when BBC Transmission was privatized and two new companies were formed: now called Crown Castle and Merlin Communications. It was the end of an era and a natural point for reflection on past achievements. The result is a book of some 80,000 words contributed by over 50 people, edited by Norman Shacklady and Martin Ellen. We would like to thank the BBC, Crown Castle, Merlin Communications and over 50 contributors for their help in creating this book. If you have any comments concerning the book or BBC Transmission then we would be pleased to hear from you. Email: editors@onairbook.co.uk The book is now available in paperback and the hardback version is due by the end of June 2003. To order please click Order Form above. Staff with BBC R&D or BBC World Service should check for internal distribution arrangements. Martin Ellen will have books for sale in the reception area of Crown Castle's building at Warwick between 12:30 and 14:00 on 10 July 2003 (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** U K / U A E. BBC WORLD SERVICE BEGINS FM BROADCASTS IN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES | Text of press release by BBC World Service on 24 June BBC World Service has begun transmitting on FM in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates capital and plans to launch a second FM frequency in the UAE in Dubai, one of the Middle East's major business centres, this summer. The new 24-hour FM frequency in Abu Dhabi, on 90.3 MHz, is the fifth new FM frequency to be launched by BBC World Service in the Middle East since March. Last month BBC World Service announced it had begun FM broadcasts in Arabic and English in the Iraqi cities of Baghdad, Basrah and Al-Amarah. "BBC Arabic is pleased to add Abu Dhabi to its growing number of FM frequencies across the Middle East. Abu Dhabi and Dubai, where we plan to launch another FM frequency later this summer, are both important commercial centres and listeners and business people there will benefit from high quality FM transmissions," said Jerry Timmins, head of Middle East and Africa region at BBC World Service. BBC World Service now has FM facilities in all Gulf Cooperation Council States with the exception of Saudi Arabia. BBC Arabic is also available on FM in Amman (Jordan) reaching Jerusalem and other West Bank centres, in Ajloun (Jordan) for Damascus, northern Jordan, southern Lebanon, and northern Israel, in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Khartoum and Wad Madani in Sudan. Around the world BBC World Service is present in FM in 140 capital cities. BBC Arabic is the oldest of BBC World Service's 42 language services and also broadcasts throughout the Arab World on shortwave frequencies. Source: BBC World Service press release, London, in English 24 Jun 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** U S A. ARYAN NATIONS PLOTS A COMEBACK AT IDAHO CAMPOUT BUT CRITICS SAY CIVIL SUIT MADE RACIST GROUP IRRELEVANT By Karl Huus, MSNBC FARRAGUT STATE PARK, Idaho, June 22 --- Amid a stand of pines in the Idaho panhandle, Richard Butler sits slightly hunched in a camp chair, a large swastika affixed to the wall of the campground bathrooms behind him. He is surrounded by a loyal coterie of men, some in full Nazi uniform, others in skinhead garb. At 85, the founder of the Idaho-based Aryan Nations is frail, but still influential in racist circles, and extremely tenacious. ``What you’re seeing today is the prelude to the awakening of the white race,`` he says. But others say it’s more like the death rattle for the umbrella organization of white-supremacy groups. . . Hal Turner: A surprise guest from New Jersey, Turner is a talk show host who does a daily broadcast of fiercely anti-immigrant, anti- Jewish and anti-federal rhetoric via shortwave radio [WBCQ] and the Internet. Turner has the cachet of show business and draws easily on the politics of the day to support his case. . . . http://www.msnbc.com/news/927968.asp?0cv=NB10 (via Jilly Bydka, DXLD) Same story: http://www.msnbc.com/modules/exports/ct_email.asp?/news/927968.asp (via jm, Media Network, DXLD) ** U S A. Following item is similar to one in 3-109 which only mentioned NMC in passing (gh) COAST STATIONS NMC, KPH AND KFS WILL RETURN TO THE AIR USING MORSE CODE For the first time since 12 July 1999 listeners around the world will have the opportunity to hear three historic US coast stations on the air using Morse code. On July 1st, Coast Guard Communications Area Master Station Pacific (CAMSPAC), Pt Reyes will retire the historic "Sparks" from the Telecommunications Specialist Enlisted Rating Badge, as the Coast Guard restructures its work force replacing that specialty with two others, the Operations Specialist and the Information Technology Specialist. As a special part of the ceremony surrounding this change NMC will return to the air using Morse code (CW) and possibly radioteletype (RTTY). These services, once the mainstays of Coast Guard communications, have been retired for several years but will be reinstated for this ceremony. At present the frequencies known to be authorized for NMC are 8574 kc and 500 kc with the possible addition of 488 kc. Additional HF frequencies may be authorized by the time of the event. Those wishing the latest information about NMC frequencies and times of operation should write directly to TCCM Loren R. O'Banion at LObanion@d11.uscg.mil . The public is invited to visit NMC to participate in this event. The unit's Receiver Site, located at 17000 Sir Francis Drake Blvd on the Pt Reyes National Seashore will be open to the public between the hours of 9 am and 3 pm [PDT = UT -7]. Persons wishing to attend must RSVP to (415) 669-2004. KPH will activate its HF and MF transmitters to participate in this historic event and to give listeners the opportunity to hear three US coast stations on the air - possibly for the last time. KFS will also return to the air on a single frequency. KPH will transmit on 6477.5, 8642.0, 12808.5 and 17016.5 on HF and on 500 and 426 kc on MF. KFS will transmit on 17026.0 kc. These frequencies have been made available through the generous cooperation of Globe Wireless, the current owner of the KPH and KFS licenses. KPH and KFS operators will listen for calls from ships on 6276.0, 8368.0, 12552.0 and 16736.0 on HF and 500 kc on MF. Reception reports for NMC may be sent to: USCG CAMSPAC Pt. Reyes ATTN: LCCT O'Banian 1700 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. , POB 560 Point Reyes Station, CA 94956-0560 USA Reception reports for KPH and KFS may be sent to: Ms. DA Stoops P.O. Box 381 Bolinas CA 94924-0381 USA (viennawireless yahoogroup via Alan Bosch, DXLD) ** U S A. FCC EXPERIMENTAL LICENSES The United States Federal Communications Commission has long granted special licenses with callsigns that look amateur. However, they`re from the specially reserved ``X`` block. The first letter of the callsign suffix, immediately after the number, is always an X, for experimental. It`s assumed that some new type of device or application is being studied for research or the development of new technology. Some pretty ambitious commercial operations have started out with these amateur-style calls. When WLW in Cincinnati wanted to build a 500,000-watt AM broadcasting station, they first tested it as W8XO. In New York City, WQXR started out as W2XR (``Experimental Radio``), when FM broadcasting really was experimental. One Los Angeles TV station began as W6XAO, broadcasting snowy test patterns to a handful of experimental receivers. Today, however, the experimental calls all seem to come from the ``2`` area, and ordinary amateurs have been given X calls with the other numbers. In the last year or so, some rather interesting test licenses have been granted by the FCC. These promise more funny noises ahead on the high-frequency (HF) band. Right up there in the noise department would be WD2XAX, with transmitters in Florida, and licensed to the Department of Marine Science at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. The operation`s purpose is not immediately evident from the FCC`s sketchy description, but a quick look at the frequencies gives it away fast. These authorized frequencies are 4470, 4550, 4800, and 4900 kHz. This frequency range is one of three commonly used by HF coastal radar stations for basic research and development. Maybe you`ve heard the dweep, dweep, dweep sound, as their pulsed carriers make an upward sweep of 50 to 100 kHz from the assigned frequency, once or twice per second. Sure enough, a quick trip to the university`s web site turns up a research contract for development of HF sea surface radar in Florida and North Carolina, both for surveillance and current mapping. The technical parameters sound like the SeaSonde system, made by Codar Ocean Sensors. This company was started by the original developers of Codar (Coastal Ocean Dynamics Applications Radar), who left the US weather service to market it commercially. It`s not a major interference machine, with its small transmitters and simple antennas. But if reception gets dweepy on these frequencies, again, here`s one guess who`s doing it. (More on p.35) [below] Another experimental license in the North Carolina area is WD2XBI, granted to Thales Mackay Radio. Frequencies are listed as 2142.4, 4916.5, 7422, 9973, 10423, 13423, 15711.5, 18178.5, 23007, and 27547 kHz. The purpose is for ``test and development of communications technology.`` Thales, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thomson-CSF in France, supplies a lot of the transmitters and receivers used by the US Navy. They are typically remote-controlled rack units, with sophisticated user interfaces and Automated Link Establishment (ALE) operation. They are also rated for Link-11, the multitone, HF, tactical data link which allows participating military units to exchange target tracking data. The only really ominous test license, though, is to WC2XXK, Ameren Energy Communications, Inc., for operation ANYWHERE from 1705 kilohertz to 30 megahertz – the WHOLE band! This is another of those new schemes for sending high-speed data through power lines, presumably getting our newly deregulated electric companies right into the broadband communications business. In April, the FCC issued a Notice of Inquiry soliciting comments on the effects of these systems on radio users. FCC has gotten a real earful. According to ham radio organizations which have examined the technical data, there is no way such a system could be deployed throughout the entire power grid without radio waves leaking out and buzzing HF from one end to the other. The American Radio Relay league`s technical expert predicts ``a significant increase in noise levels.`` This one is really worth watching, as it could be yet another of those seemingly yearly threats to the whole radio hobby (Hugh Stegman, HF Communications, July MONITORING TIMES via DXLD) ** U S A. ALL AT SEA WITH CODAR This month we focus on CODAR or Coastal Ocean Detection And Ranging, a form of radar that is appearing increasingly on HF frequencies throughout the world. Back in the late 1960s a scientist named Donald E. Barrick pioneered much of the theory behind the use of HF radio for the purposes of measuring and monitoring ocean currents. While at NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), Barrick and others in the Wave Propagation Laboratory successfully developed HF-based radar theory and systems to measure sea wave height, period and flow. CODARs make use of a phenomenon called Bragg scattering, something that happens to any electromagnetic radiation (radio signals or light) when the wave encounters fluctuations or turbulence which are small compared to the wavelength of the signal. To an HF radio signal, any sea is a turbulent surface with waves of many different heights and periods (the distance between peaks of waves), and when the signal falls on that sea, it scatters in many directions. According to Bragg, the radar signal will return directly to its source only when it scatters off a wave that is exactly half the transmitted signal wavelength, *and* that wave is traveling in a path directly away from or directly towards the radar. In this case, the scattered radar signals add together and produce a strong returning ``echo`` at a very precise wavelength. You can read more about the theory of CODAR at the website of the firm that Barrick started after leaving NOAA, and which supplies the majority of CODAR systems, Codar Ocean Sensors. Most modern CODARs use a variety of HF frequencies from 3-50 MHz to do their work and can therefore use a variety of sea waves for scattering: 25 MHz radar = 12m radio wave can observe 6m ocean waves 10 MHz radar = 25m radio wave can observe 15m ocean waves 4 MHz radar = 75m radio wave can observe 37.5m ocean waves Suffice to say, with these basic facts and a lot of sophisticated signal processing, today`s CODARs are able to measure sea wave length, period, travel direction and speed. And, by using two or more transmitting stations aimed at the same area of water, their reflected signals can be combined to produce information about the overall surface current direction. Figures 1 and 2 shows some typical output (surface flow and wave height) from Rutgers University`s CODAR on the New Jersey coast. Listening in on CODAR The best time for hearing these radars is at nighttime, when many drop to their lower frequencies. At Digital Towers here in the northeastern US, we are able to hear several CODARs during any evening as we slowly tune the receiver from 4 to 5 MHz. There are also regular daytime signals in the band 13400 to 13600 kHz and 23000 to 25000 kHz. The signals have an unmistakable metallic ``schwip, schwip, schwip...`` as the radar signal is swept across a narrow range of frequencies, typically about 20 or 50 kHz. By the time you read this article, there should be a clip of CODAR audio available from Leif Dehio`s excellent website (see Resources). In our case, it`s quite likely that we`re hearing the established set-up of the University of Rutgers Institute of Marine and Coastal Science`s project COOL, operating from its sites in New Jersey and Florida. Here are the data from the FCC website. Figure 3 shows the sites for WA2XXF. Experimental license WA2XXF : Short-range CODAR (70 miles): Brigantine, Brant Beach, Tuckerton, NJ Long-range CODAR (200 miles): Wildwood, Loveladies, NJ Frequency Bands: 4800 to 4900 kHz (50 kHz sweep) 24700 to 25900 kHz (150 kHz sweep) Experimental license WD2XAP monitors the ocean off the West Florida shelf: Short-range CODAR (70 miles): Venice, FL Frequency Bands: 4400 to 4900 kHz (50 kHz sweep) The Rutgers project will soon be running a new CODAR based in Nantucket, MA. With today`s sophisticated digital signal processing (DSP), most CODAR systems use relatively modest levels of power from about 50 W to maybe 1 kW. The transmit and receive antenna systems are also small as Figures 4 and 5 show. For those listeners on the West Coast of the US, Scripps Institute of Oceanography at UCSD San Diego operates CODARs from Point Loma, Imperial Beach, and La Jolla under callsign WC2XYM. Similar to the Rutgers systems, the frequency ranges are quoted at 25000 to 25700 kHz but with a larger 500 kHz sweep. Scripps also provide a video camera controllable from the Internet, that looks out over the wonderful stretch of California coastline monitored by this CODAR. Until next month, enjoy your listening. Resources: Codar Ocean Sensors http://www.codaros.com Rutgers Project COOL http://www.marine.rutgers.edu/mrs Scripps Project SDCOOS http://www.sdcoos.ucsd.edu/index.html CODAR Clip http://www.rover.vistecprivat.de/~signals/ (Mike Chace, Digital Digest, July MONITORING TIMES via DXLD) ** U S A [and non]. NEW YORK VOLMET RETURNS As mysteriously as it had vanished, New York VOLMET suddenly came back onto the air several weeks later, with a very nice signal on 3485, 6604, 10051, and 13270 kHz USB. It had been down to very low power, or no transmissions at all, for at least a month. VOLMET means ``flying weather,`` and it`s one of those repeating broadcasts of weather observations and forecasts for airports in a particular region. Pilots had been heard asking about the disappearance, indicating that, even with all today`s fancy data systems, someone`s still using these. The schedule stays the same, with 20-minute broadcasts on the hour and half hour. The two other ten-minute periods, at 20 and 50 minutes after the hour, are used by Gander Radio in Newfoundland, Canada (Hugh Stegman, HF Communications, July MONITORING TIMES via DXLD) ** U S A. WHAT? WE HAVE TO FILE?! Have you heard about the Nevada Highway Patrol system that has been operating illegally for the past three years? After 10 years of planning and construction and expenditures of more than $15 million, the project`s new manager came to an awful realization: no one ever filed with the Federal Communications Commission to reserve the necessary radio frequencies to operate the system. ``Never in my wildest dreams did I think to ask, `Are we legal?``` said NHP Col. Dave Hosmer. ``We are licensed for no frequencies at this time.`` The highway patrol`s new Motorola system was intended to enable its officers to communicate with each other, the dispatch centers and some other law enforcement agencies, especially rural systems operating on 150 MHz. Though the system began operation in 2000, the highway patrol did not apply to the FCC for the frequencies until mid-2002, when it sought a temporary permit. When that permit expired, the patrol never moved for permanent approval. The FCC ordered the state to abandon the frequencies it has been using by June 9 and return to a conventional system. Some of the 150- megahertz frequencies being used are dedicated to railroads, which have complained that highway patrol traffic interrupts their communications. Christopher Perry, a highway patrol officer, has been assigned to find the answers needed to meet the June deadline and to find a longer-term solution to keep the system going. The patrol, he said, apparently had been operating illegally on 140 channels. The governor`s office and FCC are also working with the NHP on a permanent solution. The patrol operates on a 150-megahertz system. The FCC says there is a limited number of these channels available, and they prefer law enforcement groups to use 700- or 800-megahertz frequencies. However, in some rural counties, the highway patrol trooper is backed up by the sheriff`s office and vice versa. If the highway patrol converted to the Nevada Transportation Department`s 800-MHz system, not only would it mean replacing most of the equipment in the present system, but rural counties fear that would hurt their law enforcement efforts. The governor`s office said there is a possibility that converters could be purchased to upgrade the systems and alleviate those concerns. The patrol said its study on the mistakes will be sent to the state attorney general`s office to determine whether criminal charges should be filed. Meanwhile, all are hoping the FCC will not levy the billion dollars in fines that could potentially be owed for the illegal operation. Stay tuned. As Col. Hosmer reportedly said, ``It`s buffoonery at its finest.`` (Communications, July MONITORING TIMES via DXLD) ** U S A. RADIO/TV TOWERS LOST IN AZ FIRE There are two sites in the Catalina mountains. Mt Bigelow is where there are several TV stations, and the University FM. Radio Ridge, on Mt Lemmon, is mostly public service, a couple of FM and TV translators, and a "Booster" or two. KGMG is perhaps the only "main" there, all several hundred watts. Power wiring was cut, and two of the towers on Radio Ridge are reported down. No AMs are anywhere near the sites. (Barry Mishkind - Tucson, AZ - http://www.broadcast.net/~barry Visit The Broadcast Archive http://www.oldradio.com NRC-AM via DXLD) ** U S A. KFHX 1620: I was in the Fountain Hills area (AZ) and KFHX is alive and well. I don't know why I could not get a peep out of it Sunday. I could hear it way down in the mud on 1620 from my QTH, about 20 miles North and West of Fountain Hills, AZ. I monitored the frequency mobile an it started to fade-in about 8 miles east of F. H. As I wound up the pass into the McDowell Mountains that separate F.H. from Scottsdale/Phoenix, the signal came up rapidly. I heard the station well as far as 8 miles into the desert east of Fountain Hills. (At that point, I turned around to head for home.) I heard the station mid-afternoon local. They were playing a mix of oldies pop and rock with no announcer, though there were two clear canned ID's heard at 2317 and 2330 UT. So, yes, they are still on the air. Ok, 73, (~ Rick Barton, AZ, June 24, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WTIR NOT GONE, JUST CHANGING FREQUENCY Travel network getting boost from wattage Bob Mervine, Staff Writer From the June 20, 2003 print edition of the Orlando Business Journal KISSIMMEE -- A plan for a statewide travel radio network aimed at tourists is edging closer to reality. "The idea has always had great potential," says Dick Kane, a Florida Department of Transportation spokesman. Yet for the past four years, the Travel Information Radio Network, a venture between a local broadcast entrepreneur and the state's transportation department, has tuned in mostly static. Economic conditions, bureaucratic delays and fickle financing all have delayed the project. Now, though, with AM radio stations signing onto the idea, tweaked technology, a new Web site and marketable programming, the Travel Information Radio Network appears poised for growth. Roadblocks Four years ago, the state announced it was teaming with a private broadcaster, Joe Gettys, to create the network. The former marketing director for Kissimmee's Old Town had launched a more rudimentary version while working at the Osceola retail complex. The state's transportation department was interested in developing the network, if for no other reason than as part of its Intelligent Transportation Network, an information system designed to keep traffic slowing smoothly. Plans called to provide a 24-hour statewide radio network broadcasting tourism information, weather reports and travel advisories. Roadblocks appeared almost immediately. The local AM station that was the prototype for the network -- WLAA-AM 1680 -- operated on an old frequency with what Gettys describes as "a big hole" in their broadcast coverage area. Extensive engineering fixes failed. Marketing the fledgling information network to passing cars was the network's single biggest cost: erecting thousands of official blue roadway signs engineered to withstand 200-mph winds, which needed to be placed along rights of way along the state's highway system. The delays, though, have actually helped, says the highway department's Kane. "During the delay, Joe has had a chance to develop a wonderful, very listenable format," he says. Tuning in More important, the network is making changes aimed at ensuring that motorists will be more likely to hear that format. The network is switching over its Orlando radio station from the old 1680 frequency to a better-located, powerful transmitter in Ocoee, WTIR-AM 1300. An improved signal from WTIR's more powerful 10,000-watt AM should be on the air any day, says Gettys. He believes that by Aug. 1 the upgraded one-station "network" will add two more affiliates from Valdosta, Ga. (910 AM), and a new station, (1410 AM) from Alachua, near Gainesville. Three more stations covering Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Daytona are expected to be operational by Sept. 1. Gettys says, "By Labor Day, we will be able to reach the 33 million out-of-town motorists visiting the area on those three highways from Savannah to Palm Bay." And 158 roadside signs are already in place along Central Florida's major highways, Interstate 95, Interstate 75 and Florida's Turnpike, as well as Interstate 4 in Central Florida -- all directing visitors to listen for traffic and tourism updates. Programming appeal The network program content is a 10-minute "wheel" of repeating information, regularly updated by the network and by the local station. Six of the 10 minutes are produced for a statewide audience and will include everything from slickly produced 30-second features to a minute of traffic updates and lane closures on state roads, as well as reminders about seat belt and child seat laws in the state. In addition to the minute of programming, the state also can take control of the entire network in the case of emergencies and natural disasters. The other four minutes are locally produced and contain two minutes of local advertising. "We've found that the content needs to be short," Gettys says. "If anything is too long, people just change the channel and we lose them." The appeal to potential radio advertisers is raw numbers. Many Florida tourists now are traveling the state in cars as an alternative to the lengthy waits and crowded planes of air travel. Of the 37.4 million people who plan to travel 50 miles or more from home just on the Fourth of July weekend, AAA reports 32.6 million plan to go by motor vehicle, an increase of 2 percent -- while air travel plans have declined by 2 percent. There are still hurdles. Certain technical upgrades at the new tower are not finished and the station can't be heard in much of Orlando -- including the travel network's offices on John Young Parkway. Thus, the sophisticated Web site newly developed for the network http://www.tirn.com can't stream the network's audio programming. Marjorie Dobbins, media director for Fry Hammond Barr points out, "There's no way to measure any of that tourist media to determine whether it's reaching the right audience." Dobbins holds a glimmer of hope for future ad buys with the network, but notes "there's a lot more work to do first." Gettys, though, remains upbeat -- if only because the network offers the struggling AM radio market a rich source of listeners. "There are about 700 AM stations out there losing money," he notes. "There's been no lack of broadcasters dying for a niche format like this one." (via Patrick Griffith, N0NNK, CBT CBNT, Westminster, CO, USA, NRC-AM via DXLD) I am not sure what he meant by a "big hole in their coverage", I thought their 10 kw non-DA did pretty well and I used them to get a handle on I-4 road conditions when there. I just saw one of their blue signs a couple of days ago. The "tune to 1680 AM" was pasted over with "1300 AM". on what I think is a long- standing sign. I checked 1300 when I saw the sign, last Thursday. Just a weak Tampa WQBN in Spanish with something else underneath. This is not replacing something else in the Orlando area on 1300 AFAIK, but is a totally new assignment. Unless in the LPRT category, shouldn't there be a CP for it? (Bob Foxworth, ibid.) Nope - this is the 1300 Cocoa license, ex WXXU if memory serves. 5000 day, 1000 night, DA-2. s (Scott Fybush, NY, ibid.) He started out on 1220 in Kissimee. Last I knew, it was Spanish speaking. Used to do the Saturday Nite Cruise from Old Town. (A tourist trap similar to South of the Border, on I-95 at the SC/NC line. It is just south of Disney on the other side of I-4 (Paul Smith, FL, ibid.) ** U S A. CLEAR CHANNEL WANTS TO MEND SOME FENCES W. Scott Bailey Clear Channel Communications Inc., the dominant player in the radio- station market, is attempting to improve its public relations efforts in the aftermath of a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruling that relaxed ownership rules for television and print -- but not radio. Some observers say the move is not as much about the San Antonio-based company protecting its future growth opportunities as it is about holding on to what it already has. On June 2, the FCC announced a ruling that essentially left radio ownership restrictions as is but allowed more room for television and print to explore expanded ownership opportunities. Clear Channel initially lashed out at the FCC ruling, characterizing the decision as a "re-regulation" of the radio industry. Company President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Mays went so far as to accuse the FCC of choosing politics over public interest. But there are recent signs that the communications giant is actually working to lower the volume on its disputes with politicians and the media, replacing some of that harsh rhetoric with a more informative, proactive approach. Clear Channel has been under fire for a number of controversial issues for quite some time. They include participation in industry consolidation, an alleged monopolizing of the market and, more recently, the practice of voice tracking -- which has replaced some local disc jockeys with voices and programming emanating from other locales. Andy Levin, senior vice president of governmental affairs for Clear Channel, was asked if his company's embattled image -- deserved or not -- has hurt its standing with regulators and the public. "I believe that's what has happened," he said from his Washington, D.C., office. "I definitely think that is what we are up against." Levin said that image or reputation has been self-perpetuating in part because of the sheer size of the company, and because it has not moved quickly enough in the past to adequately explain its position on a number of key issues. "Our company, as large as it is, is going to have vocal opposition," explained Levin. "In our case, we grew very large very quickly. I think that made us a lightning rod for criticism." Levin said a number of Clear Channel's image woes can be traced back to the company's failure to be more proactive. "I think we could have told our story better and earlier," he admitted. "They've had a really bad run of publicity," says John Dunbar, a director with the Center for Public Integrity, a Washington, D.C.- based organization that tracks media and governmental issues. Dunbar, who has stated recently that politicians on both sides of the political spectrum are working to distance themselves from Clear Channel as fast as they can, tells the Business Journal: "You don't have to be a genius to know that there has been a backlash against radio in general and Clear Channel in particular." He says any new proactive PR strategy by Clear Channel -- especially in Washington, D.C., -- can likely be attributed at least in part to the fact that the company wants to avoid a run-in with some detractors possessing strong political muscle. "There are people that really don't like that company," Dunbar says. "Some of them are in a position to pass laws that could hurt them in a big way." Setting it right Levin said there are too many misconceptions about Clear Channel that simply need to be clarified. One, he added, is consolidation. "We think people are under the mistaken impression that the radio industry is consolidation run amok," Levin said. "The opposite is true. But some folks, who had a political agenda to keep TV from being further regulated used radio -- especially Clear Channel -- as the scapegoat." Levin added, "It is true that Clear Channel owns about 1,200 radio stations and that's a very large number. But it needs to be put into perspective. There are about 13,000 stations in the U.S. We're only 9 percent -- and only 20 percent of the revenues. That's not a monopoly, yet we've been unfairly targeted." Levin also pointed to voice tracking as an area that Clear Channel needs to address. "We think it's better programming. We're using technology to bring high-quality entertainment to smaller markets that could not otherwise afford it," he explained. "If we stop doing that, a lot of people are going to be unhappy." Levin added, "We certainly need to do a better job of educating people on what this is all about. It's just syndicated programming that's one step better because it is more localized." But has voice tracking led to a generic sound or message throughout the cities where Clear Channel owns radio stations? "I'm not sure the perception is true," Levin said. "If you look at the playlist in Austin versus Washington, D.C., for example, they're very different." Robert Unmacht, a partner in Nashville-based media consultant iN3 Partners, says he has tracked Clear Channel for more than 15 years. He says what Clear Channel is doing is house cleaning. "They've taken so much flack for the way they've operated from so many sides," Unmacht contends, "ultimately, the negativity plays into advertising, where some may rethink their relationships." He adds that any lingering image problems could also haunt Clear Channel in future regulatory decisions and legislation. "I do have high praise for some of what they've done, and there is nothing wrong with them wanting to operate like a business," Unmacht says. "But because of who they are, how big they are, the world demands more from them. "When it comes to radio, people are passionate. It's not a shoe store (Clear Channel is) running," he says. "I'm not sure they understand that yet." Perceptions Said Levin about Clear Channel's detractors, "When people make false accusations, they tend to stick over time. We may have made a mistake in not dealing with that earlier on. Perception becomes reality. We're trying very hard now to show the good that we do for communities." He pointed to the $20 million Clear Channel raised to help victims of the Sept. 11 disaster as an example. "We have not done a good job of taking credit where credit is due. Our image has suffered because of that," Levin said. Has this awakening led to some significant changes in the way Clear Channel is now addressing its public image? "There's no question," said Levin. "Absolutely. We're now much more focused on explaining how our business works." Asked why a communications giant with a global reach perhaps has not been more in tune with the media and the public up to now, Levin explained, "I suspect the company was in a high-growth mode and was busy trying to build and improve its business and its culture. But maybe now attention needs to be paid to reputation and image. We can't turn the clock back. But we can move forward." Dunbar believes Clear Channel's new outreach was prompted, at least partially, out of fear that Congress could put a hurt on the company if politicians continue to feel enough heat from the public to take another look at the radio industry. But is the broadcast company reaching out to its detractors and others more now in an effort to better position itself for future gains or to avoid the possibility of losing some of what it already has? Dunbar believes it is the latter. "There is a vulnerability for them right now," he contends. "If either the public or Congress chooses to get really nasty, Clear Channel could eventually be forced to let go of some stations. What they are doing isn't as much about what they want to add as much as what they want to protect." Levin said pending legislation over the FCC's recent ruling isn't likely to change things for the radio industry one way or the other. He added that there could be a repeal of some of the changes regarding television, however. On the radio side, Levin said, "Deregulation has been good for radio and good for consumers. We're not the evil empire people would like to make Clear Channel out to be." That said, Levin knows hurdles remain. The biggest? "Clearly, its image," he said. "We have to get the word out better about who we are and what we do. We are extremely proud of our company and what we do. We will continue to work as hard as we can from this point to please each community where we do business." (From the June 20, 2003 print edition of the San Antonio Business Journal via Patrick Griffith, N0NNK CBT CBNT, Westminster, CO, USA, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** U S A. AS UNIVISION LOOKS TO RADIO, A DEBATE OVER HOW BIG IS TOO BIG June 23, 2003, By MIREYA NAVARRO http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/23/business/media/23UNIV.html?ex=1057544316&ei=1&en=426cf0f2e4286ca4 A fixture of Spanish-language media in Los Angeles is the 6 p.m. newscast of KMEX-TV Channel 34, delivered from an ultramodern all- digital studio and including such features as job listings for cooks, car alarm installers and bilingual Brink's armored truck drivers. The station's owner is Univision Communications, the nation's largest Spanish-language media company and a dominant force not only in broadcast television but in cable, music, the Internet - and soon, if regulators allow - in radio. Univision, which owns 53 television stations around the country, is seeking approval from the Federal Communications Commission to add more than 60 radio stations to its properties by merging with the Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation of Dallas, whose biggest shareholder is the radio giant Clear Channel Communications. Univision officials said the move would help them compete more evenly with big English-language media companies like Viacom Inc. and Disney for ad dollars. The Justice Department has already signed off on the $3 billion merger, and the F.C.C. is expected to rule within a few weeks. The handicapping in Washington favors approval, with the Republican chairman, Michael K. Powell, and his two Republican colleagues on the commission voting for the deal. But, the two Democrats on the F.C.C. are expected to oppose the merger, just as they voted against the commission's recent sweeping relaxation of longstanding limits on media ownership. Opposition to the $3 billion merger is also coming from consumer groups, Congressional Democrats and competitors, including the Spanish Broadcasting System, a 29-station radio chain that lost out to Univision in the bidding for Hispanic Broadcasting. The opponents argue that the threat of stifling competition and viewpoints is more onerous in the Hispanic market because it has fewer media outlets. In contrast to the thousands of television and radio outlets in English, the Spanish market has only about 145 television stations and 630 radio stations nationwide. Dominance in the Hispanic media business is increasingly valuable, as the nation's Latino population continues to grow. Last week the Census Bureau released estimates indicating that the Hispanic population had overtaken black Americans as the nation's largest minority group. In Los Angeles, the largest and one of the most competitive Hispanic media markets in the United States, Univision would own 5 of the 20 Spanish-language radio stations, including the top-rated KSCA-FM (101.9), if the merger comes through. The company already owns 2 of the 6 Spanish television stations in the Los Angeles area. Univision officials say the company should be viewed as part of the overall broadcasting market, although they concede that there is no company as dominant in English-language media as Univision is in Spanish. By the company's own account, its television network - the nation's fifth largest in overall prime-time audience - captures 80 percent of prime-time Hispanic viewers with a combination of programming from Latin America, including blockbuster prime-time soaps, or telenovelas, and some original productions, including its popular newscasts. Telemundo, Univision's closest competitor, has failed to gain ground in ratings despite joining forces last year with NBC, which bought the network for $2.7 billion. Both NBC and Telemundo are owned by the General Electric Company. Galavision, Univision's cable network, draws more than three times the audience of Telemundo, the company says, adding that Univision.com is the most-visited Spanish-language Web site in the United States. In addition, the Univision Music Group, a recording and publishing company, captures 36 percent of the Latin music market. And last year, Univision began Telefutura, a broadcast network whose programming is in Spanish but which is aimed at bilingual Latinos who watch television in English. With radio, Univision would expand into a medium that is particularly powerful in the Latin market because Spanish speakers tend to rely on radio for information and entertainment more than other groups, and listen longer, according to research from Arbitron, the commercial rating service. (The company has a 30 percent ownership interest in Entravision Communications Corporation, whose radio stations are Hispanic Broadcasting's main competitor in many Latino markets, but the Justice Department has required Univision to sell most of that stake as a condition not to oppose the merger.) Ray Rodríguez, president and chief operating officer of Univision Networks, said in an interview that Univision needed the competitive advantages that the F.C.C. recently granted when it relaxed media ownership limits, though Congress has begun hearings to possibly to restore those restrictions. He said his company could attract more ad revenue by combining with radio - either by selling radio and television advertising packages or by wooing nervous newcomers to the Spanish-language market with radio's cheaper rates. "This is what we need to do to continue moving forward," Mr. Rodriguez said. But what is good for business may not necessarily be so for audiences when they are left with fewer choices, critics of the merger argue. They say they worry about the pitfalls of too much media control, such as biased coverage in newscasts and the overplay of artists signed with Univision's labels on Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation stations. Robert Menéndez, a New Jersey congressman who is the House Democratic Caucus chairman, said he was concerned about what he saw as Univision's favorable coverage of President Bush's controversial judicial nomination of Miguel Estrada, a Latino opposed by Hispanic Democrats in Congress for his conservative views. "At the end of the day," Mr. Menéndez said, "is it good for the Hispanic community to have a humongous Univision or a series of competitors?" (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** U S A. Re 3-112 WILM: Allan Loudell regularly joins us at the Winter SWL Fest each year -- and was a luncheon speaker in 2002. He's a neat guy, and firmly believes in WILM's mission and vision. Allan is also a SW DXer and an international broadcasting enthusiast (Richard Cuff / Allentown, PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. Is there a good explanation of radio station call signs and how they are assigned anywhere? The reason I ask is that I've always thought that U.S. radio stations start with a W east of the Mississippi River and K west of it. However, there are glaring exceptions like KDKA in Pittsburgh. Also, while most stations have four-letter calls, there are some three-letter ones like KOY in Phoenix and WLW in Cincinnati. So, since this is probably common knowledge to most of the old-timers, I was wondering if there was a good document which explains this in plain English? Thanks (Adam Myrow, NRC-AM via DXLD) There sure is, written by a fellow named Thomas White. You can find it here: http://earlyradiohistory.us/recap.htm (note the new address, for those of you who have it bookmarked at his old ipass.net URLs...) s (Scott Fybush, ibid.) UNIDENTIFIED [non]. Hi Glenn. Re DXLD 3-112 unidentified 4995: I believe it was RFE/RL in Kazakh transmitted via Tajikistan transmitter. IBB schedule lists it 1500-1700 but RFE/RL schedule as 1400-1500 daily and 1500-1600 We. The audio quality has been "not too good" (Jari Savolainen, Kuusankoski, Finland, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ NO MORSE CODE CONTROVERSY AT WRC-03 NEWINGTON, CT, Jun 24, 2003 -- Whatever else happens at World Radiocommunication Conference 2003 (WRC-03), there's no mystery about the delegates' direction regarding the Morse code requirement. Morse code proficiency will disappear as a treaty obligation for high- frequency access when the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)- sponsored gathering under way in Geneva concludes early next month. "One matter on which there appears to be no disagreement is the Morse requirement," said International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Secretary (and ARRL CEO) David Sumner, K1ZZ, in a report on the second week of activity at WRC-03 at http://www.iaru.org/rel030623.html "It is clear that the outcome will be to leave it to administrations' discretion whether or not to have a Morse receiving and sending requirement. No administration participating in the sub-working group spoke in favor of retaining the Morse code treaty requirement." Sumner reports that the wording to modify Article 25.5 of the international Radio Regulations on June 24 cleared Working Group 4C, which is dealing with this and other proposals relating to Article 25. It says, "Administrations shall determine whether or not a person seeking a license to operate an amateur station shall prove the ability to send and receive texts in Morse code signals." Sumner said it's possible but unlikely that the text would be tinkered with further at the committee level or even in the Plenary, which considers items for adoption. Sumner said delegates continue to wrangle over other aspects of Article 25, which defines Amateur Radio operation. In other Amateur Radio-related items, revisions to Article 19 of the Radio Regulations to provide more flexibility for administrations to assign amateur call signs were among the first to make their way through an initial reading in the Plenary. Administrations would be able to assign amateur stations call signs with suffixes containing up to four characters--the last of which would be a letter. The prefix would be the national identifier and a single numeral (the "call district" in some countries) specified in the Radio Regulations. For special events, the revision provides for even more than four characters for temporary use. The issue of an allocation for satellite-borne synthetic aperture radars (SARs) in the 70-cm band (432-438 MHz) also appears well on the way to resolution. "While it appears very likely that there will be an allocation, it will be secondary," Sumner's report explains. It also will be subject to limitations spelled out in an ITU Recommendation (ITU-R SA.1260-1), designed to protect the Amateur and Amateur-Satellite services, among others. "The IARU has maintained its opposition, but the tide is running against us," Sumner said, adding that if the allocation is secondary and the limits in SA.1260-1 are mandatory, the interference potential should not be that great. Two other agenda items with a potential to have significant impact are the drafting of an agenda for the next WRC, scheduled for 2007 and the revision of footnotes to the Table of Frequency Allocations. A member of the IARU core team has been assigned to follow each of these five i tems, but the greatest focus is on 7 MHz, Sumner said. Full reports on WRC-03 activities are available on the IARU Web site at http://www.iaru.org/iaru-index.html#wrc2003 (ARRL via John Norfolk, OKCOK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) DRM +++ I bought the DRM software over the weekend and got the license key yesterday. I didn't have time to build a 467 kHz oscillator, so I used my old HP 606 signal generator as an LO. I opened my Icom R100 and installed a coax cable from the 455 IF, using a coupling cap... I brought that out to a minicircuits GRA-1 mixer that I bought on eBay. Using the signal from the 606 and the 455 IF, that produced a signal centered at 12 kHz that I fed into my sound card. I put on Radio Canada on 9.795 MHz yesterday afternoon at 1930 or 2000 UTC (I don't remember) and listened to the sign on tune, they mentioned the DRM technology and then I just heard the white noise. Next thing I look at the computer and the sync light came on, then data and audio. Showing a signal to noise raio of 18 dB. Sound quality was real good. But instead of fading and jamming and stuff, there were little twangs in the audio every so often. Maybe from a fade or something in the RF.. I used to work for Sirius Satellite Radio and know the digital side as well as the RF, but digital AM over shortwave... I never thought it would happen, but it's here. Regards, Bob http://members.fortunecity.com/w2eny (Robert Langston, W2ENY, hard-core-dx via DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ MORE TRANS-ATLANTIC TV DX Some more TA DX on band 1 today, but nothing that could be ID'd, only a brief spell of very weak audio too. Mind you, the MUF here in the Midlands did get up to A5 this time. The opening lasted at more than an hour but no mega signals like last time. Offsets were: 1237 A2 ? 55.250.010 Had YL audio very weak at zero offest, N American English then female singer. Weak/fair 1240 A2 ? 55.240.034 Wk/fair 1255 A5 ? 77.251.028 V weak 1402 A4 ? 67.251.108 Weak (also rx'd by David Hamilton) 1410 A2 ? 55.260.033 Weak BUT ... IT GETS MORE INTERESTING ... Our member David Hamilton in SW Scotland believes he may have received TA FM on 88.3. He has placed a recording of the DX on his website at http://www.geocities.com/tvdxrools Actual recording ... http://www.geocities.com/tvdxrools/TA1.mp3 (313k) [unfound when I checked --- gh] This was at 1430 UT and was only very brief, but possibly with a program about ancient civilisations with a YL presenter or interviewee? I think the only two European possibilities (BBC R3 and RTE-1) have been ruled out. Maybe someone might recognise the presenter??? Tim Bucknall has been checking through the stations listed for 88.3 and has come up with a suggestion of CBLJ Wawa ON, a CBC affiliate. Any clues/help appreciated. Don't forget to checkout the BFMTVC listing of band 1 European offsets at http://www.blaggard.nildram.co.uk/offset.txt Cheers and good DX !! (John Faulkner, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire Icom PCR1000 & HS 4 element beam john.fa-@skywaves.info [truncated] http://www.skywaves.info IRC Chat: #bfmtvc June 23, WTFDA via DXLD) After listening to David's tape a few times I am unsure whether this is an NPR announcer or a CBC announcer, but I suspect other members may be more familiar with her voice. If NPR this would be a US station, off course. 73 KAZ (Neil Kazaross, IL, ibid.) Hi Glenn, Further to your report [of Miami etc. in 3-112]. A major SpE event occured here in Australia between 0320 & 0530UT on June 25, 2003 with probably my best mid winter SpE FM DX yet in terms of signal strength, number of stations received, area received & duration of DX. Several one watt stations heard on 87.6 & 87.8 & with stations heard up to 107.9 MHz from NSW & QLD (Ian Baxter - Australia, DX LISTENING DIGEST) FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 25 JUNE - 21 JULY 2003 Solar activity is expected to range from very low to high levels during the period. Region 391 (N15, L=163, class/area Dao/110 on 24 June) is currently in a growth phase and may produce low to moderate activity early in the period. On 27 June, old Region 375 is due to return and may have major flare potential. There is a chance of a greater than 10 MeV proton events at geosynchronous orbit in connection with a major flare when old Region 375 returns. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to reach high levels on 30 June – 03 July, 06 – 07 July, 13 – 14 July and again on 17 – 19 July due to recurrent coronal hole high speed streams. The geomagnetic field is expected to range from quiet to major storm levels during the period. Unsettled to major storm levels are possible on 29 – 30 June and again on 10 – 16 July due to coronal hole high speed streams. Minor storm levels are possible on 25 – 26 June, 03 - 07 July, and again on 18 – 20 July due to smaller recurrent coronal hole high speed streams. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2003 Jun 24 2211 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Environment Center # Product description and SEC contact on the Web # http://www.sec.noaa.gov/wwire.html # # 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table # Issued 2003 Jun 24 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2003 Jun 25 115 20 4 2003 Jun 26 115 20 4 2003 Jun 27 115 15 3 2003 Jun 28 120 15 3 2003 Jun 29 120 30 5 2003 Jun 30 125 30 5 2003 Jul 01 125 25 5 2003 Jul 02 125 15 3 2003 Jul 03 125 20 4 2003 Jul 04 130 25 5 2003 Jul 05 135 25 5 2003 Jul 06 140 25 5 2003 Jul 07 145 25 5 2003 Jul 08 155 20 4 2003 Jul 09 150 15 3 2003 Jul 10 145 12 3 2003 Jul 11 135 20 4 2003 Jul 12 130 20 4 2003 Jul 13 120 15 3 2003 Jul 14 120 40 6 2003 Jul 15 120 40 6 2003 Jul 16 115 20 4 2003 Jul 17 115 12 3 2003 Jul 18 115 20 4 2003 Jul 19 115 15 3 2003 Jul 20 115 20 4 2003 Jul 21 115 20 4 (http://www.sec.noaa.gov/radio via DXLD) ###