DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-143, August 9, 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/dxldtd3h.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 CONTINENT OF MEDIA 03-05 is available from August 9: (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/com0305.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/com0305.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/com0305.html [not yet] Also via DXing.com: (Download) http://www.dxing.com/com/com0305.rm (Stream) http://www.dxing.com/com/com0305.ram Nominal schedule on RFPI, 7445: Thu 2000, Sat 2130 plus repeats 6, 12+ and 18+ hours later, but did not air at 0330 Sun On SIUE Webradio: Wed 1830 NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1194: RFPI: Sun 0530, 1130, 1830, Mon 0030, 0630, 1230, Tue 1900, Wed 0100, 0730, 1330 on 7445 [nominal times subject to pre-emption or delay] WWCR: Sun 0630 3210, Wed 0930 9475 WBCQ: Mon 0415 7415 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1194.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1194.ram [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1194h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1194h.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1194.html SOLICITED TESTIMONIAL Glenn, just to confirm that I'm a regular listener on WRN, Hotbird satellite every Saturday at 0800. Thanks! (Andre Schmidt, Germany, July 24) ** AUSTRALIA. 5049.94, 0935 Aug 9, ARDS Radio, Humpty Doo, weak signal with indigenous mx and talk. Thanks to Hans Johnson for the tip (Paul Ormandy, New Zealand, ZL4TFX, DX LISTENING DIGEST) (via Javaradio Australia) 5050, ARDS, 1126 Aug 9, with chorus singing. Fair but QRM from China on 5049.9 and a ute. 1129 ID by man in English. "You are listening to ARDS . . . transmitting from Darwin . . . phone number is . ." 1130 started another song (Hans Johnson, WY, Cumbre DX via DXLD) Hi Paul, yep, this the one I had to figure out the other week but they didn't give an announcement. It`s fairly weak here in Sydney but 1 kw, what do you expect (Johno Wright, Aug 10, ripple via DXLD) Only 400w apparently (Paul Ormandy ZL4TFX, ibid.) Well that pretty well sums it up, using an amateur set, no doubt, 400 watts with a linear. Shoestring ASIC funding, or similar (Johno Wright, Aug 10, ripple via DXLD) Tried as early as 0730 but nothing heard. First noted fading in around 0930 with talks. Became much stronger after 1100 but was mixed with China on the same freq. Generally ARDS Radio was dominant, although there was some deep fading at times. Programming after 1100 consisted of light aboriginal rock music and talks in Gupapuyngu or another Yolngu Matha language. Still going strong after 1200 although China was becoming more powerful by then. Anyone else heard this station yet? (Rob Wagner, VK3BVW, Receivers: Yaesu FRG100, Sangean 909, Antennas: 14 mHz dipole, 5 MHz T2FD, Aug 10, EDXP via DXLD) ** AUSTRALIA. RADIO VNG ITEMS AT DAS STORAGE FACILITY IN VILLAWOOD NSW VNG is going to a good home - the National Museum of Australia in Canberra. They are going to set it up in storage in the same configuration as if it were working, complete with one transmitter. It will be able to be viewed by pre-arrangement (Marion Leiba, VK1BNG, Friday, August 08, 2003 10:49 PM, rec.radio.shortwave via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** BELARUS`. the well known Belarussian military transmitter relays BR 1 from Minsk on 4982 and 5134 kHz in DSB (LSB+USB). Parallel to 279 kHz. On 8 AUG at 0400-0401 UT I heard on both frequencies some communication, resp. a man reading codes (figures and letters) in Russian with "Over" at the end. After that they switched over to radio program again. GOOD DX, (Karel Honzik, the Czech Republic (Czechia), AOR AR-7030 30 m Long Wire, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. Radio Bandeirantes, Brazil is off-channel on all of its SW frequencies: 6089.97, 9645.86, 11925.65 kHz. It was funny: the 31 mb outlet has been keeping this frequency for a long time, but now, as if they knew somebody was meassuring it, on the next day they drifted a bit down to 9645.33 kHz :-) GOOD DX, (Karel Honzik, the Czech Republic (Czechia), AOR AR-7030 30 m Long Wire, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** CANADA. Re: New RCI Relay site: Hoax or truth? I tried the higher level page http://www.cbc.am which says among other things that it is the home page for the Eyre Land Principality, and the URL cbc.am is for sale. If you click on the word "information" on that page, you get another page that links to other pages. Some of them are philosophical or political in nature, but others talk about improving telecommunications services on Pitcairn Island http://cbc.am/ptt.htm From there you can go to a page with shortwave-related items on it http://cbc.am/radio.htm It says the CBC BC site is a proposal and includes a draft(?) of a letter to the Canadian Prime minister promoting the idea. There's also a proposal for a BBC World Service transmitter site in the Faulkland (sic) Islands, proposed frequencies are 1530 and 1620 kHz with 500 kW. This is obviously the work of someone with a vivid imagination and way too much time on their hands! (Bruce Portzer, WA, hard-core-dx via DXLD) Folks, it's official. This was a hoax as received directly from Bill Westenhaver at RCI: (Walt Salmaniw, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Dear Dr. Salmaniw: Thank you very much for your e-mail of the 8th, which we have forwarded to Ian Jones. Let me assure you that there is ABSOLUTELY NO TRUTH to this story about a BC relay site. Personally, I seem to remember something similar popping up on the net a few years ago, which I probably became aware of through something published in Glenn Hauser's DXLD. That was debunked fairly quickly, and this should be debunked as well. I remember having heard that a BC relay station was supposed to have been under consideration decades ago. In fact, that was likely something I heard Ian McFarland mention back in the days of the SWL Digest programme. However, nothing was done. I was surprised to hear your mention of recalling test transmissions, since I was unaware that there might have been anything of the sort. Our frequency manager, Gérald Théorêt, was quite surprised to see this website. He is looking into the matter, trying to determine where the site is registered and to whom it is registered, since it shouldn't be mistaken for any official RCI site. Again, thank you for drawing this to our attention. Yours very truly, (Bill Westenhaver, RCI Audience Relations, via Salmaniw, DXLD) Yes, I recall we had the RCI-West Coast and BBC-Falklands hypothetical stuff in DXLD some time ago. And much longer ago, I recall that RCI briefly carried out some tests from the PTP SW facility near Vancouver --- now, what was it called? Canadian Overseas Telecommunications Corp., I think. 73, (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi Glenn, I'am somewhat surprised at the debate about the cbc.am website. Checking out the website easily reveals that the story about a transmission facility on Canada's west coast is just an, uh, proposal of somebody living in Australia. And the production of this strange site is far away from being professional, considering that some links leads to the folder where the author stored the pages on his computer, a notorious Frontpage Express error. This also applies to a nice page dreaming about a high power mediumwave facility on the Falkland Islands; file:///D:/website-CBC-am/fk.htm will hardly work, but try http://cbc.am/fk.htm for some amusing reading. Best regards, (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Aug 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. CFAN 790 in Newcastle (Miramichi) off the air for good Hi Glenn, After over 50 years on AM as CKMR, CFUN and CFAN, the signal on 790 from Newcastle-Miramichi (pronounced mere-a-mish-ee') has finally gone dark. Chief engineer Eldon Rogers pulled the plug on Wednesday, July 30th at about 1030 in the morning. This completes the move to 99.3 FM where the station has been simulcasting as "The River" http://www.993theriver.com Station management kindly offered to run a few DX test tapes in January of 2003 for the NRC and, as a result, 5000 Watt CFAN was picked up and taped by Curtis McMenamin in Calfornia (farthest catch) among others. The next New Brunswick station to leave AM is expected to be CBZ in Fredericton on 970, which has been give a permit to move its Radio One service to 99.5 FM. 73 (Brent Taylor, VE1JH, Doaktown, NB, Aug 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CANADA. According to his site, the only other Canadian station carrying the Phil Hendrie show is my local CHMJ-730 Vancouver (Eric Flodén, BC, Aug 8, DX LISTENING DIGEST) More in thread: see USA below ** CHAD. Re 3-141: It may be worth mentioning that in the late 1980s a regional station, Radio Moundou, was widely heard on 5286. This one seems to have been a good verifier and is represented by a duplicated letter in my own collection (Olle Alm, Sweden, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA. New morning transmissions for China Radio International in German to WEu: 0500-0557 on 15215 strong co-ch VOIROI Russian till 0527 & DW Turkish from 0530 17690 strong co-ch TRT Voice of Turkey Turkish 0600-0657 on 15215 strong co-ch Channel Africa English/Portuguese 17690 strong co-ch TRT Voice of Turkey Turkish (Observer, Bulgaria, Aug 8 via DXLD) ** COLOMBIA. El 08-08, a las 2221 UT, en 4975.05 kHz, Ondas del Orteguaza, HJKA, desde Florencia, Caquetá. Transmitía boleros y música tradicional. Locutor de guardia con cuñas en vivo. SINPO 33422 (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CORSICA. AFP reports a bomb attack on a TDF facility in an industrial area at Borgo, about 15 km south from Bastia. The bomb detonated on a metallic fence and caused severe damage. Well, the Bastia TV and so most likely also FM transmitters are located elsewhere (Serra di Pigno mountain, 1053 metres ASL), so I guess this could be the 1494 mediumwave transmitter (Kai Ludwig, Aug 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Viz.: ------ ANSCHLAG AUF GEBÄUDE FÜR RUNDFUNK- UND TV-ÜBERTRAGUNG AUF KORSIKA Bastia (AFP) - Auf der französischen Insel Korsika ist ein Sprengstoffanschlag auf das Gebäude des Übertragungsunternehmens Télédiffusion de France verübt worden. Der Sprengsatz explodierte nach Polizeiangaben in der Nacht zum Samstag vor einer Metallabsperrung des Gebäudes im Industriegebiet Borgo, rund 15 Kilometer südlich von Bastia. Die heftige Explosion verursachte erhebliche Sachschäden. Télédiffusion de France ist das größte Unternehmen für die Übertragung von Rundfunk und Fernsehen in Frankreich. Zu dem Attentat bekannte sich zunächst niemand. © AFP 090843 Aug 03 (via Kai Ludwig, DXLD) ** COSTA RICA [non]. I check 15039 frequently in case RFPI comes back, but on Aug 9 around 2230 I was hearing instead the `bonker` pounding away, apparently with data bursts interspersed, on 15040, as closely as I could pinpoint it. Never had this here when RFPI was active. Recheck around 0100 did not hear it (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** DJIBOUTI. 1431, The new 600 kW transmitter for Radio Sawa is being built at Arta in southern Djibouti (Bernd Trutenau, ARC Information Desk 4 Aug 2003 via DXLD) ** ECUADOR. A Pichincha survey made by Björn Malm: 530 HCDC1 R Iris, adress Ulloa 611 y Acuña, La Finca, P1, Quito. No "Casilla". 550 HCGM1 R Reloj, correct address: Panamericana Sur km 14.5 (teléfono 2 691 573), Quito. 570 HCCE1 R El Sol, address: Av. Maldonado 688 y Calvas, Quito. 590 HCSP1 R Carousel, address: Conde Ruíz de Castilla 997 y Muregeón, Quito. 670 HCFF1 R Jesús del Gran Poder, address: Cuenca 477 y Sucre (El convento de San Francisco), Quito. No "Casilla" any longer. 720 HCIC1 R Municipal, address: García Moreno 751, entre Sucre y Bolívar, P3, Quito. 740 HCGC1 R Melodía, address: Panamericana Sur km 14.5 (teléfono 2 678 989), Quito. 780 HCAA1 R Noticia still has the licence for this frequency, but is inactive at the moment. The frequency is neither actual for R Filadelfia (see 1200 kHz). 820 HCUP1 R Unión, address: Iñaquito 133-E2 y Unión Nacional de Periodístas, Quito. No "Casilla". 860 HCPC1 R Positiva, address: Av. Amazonas y Colón, Edif. España, P4, Ofc. 42, Quito. Tel +593 2 2905 471. (ex R Visión). 880 HCRP1 R Católica Nacional, address: Av. América 1830 y Mercadillo, Quito. No "Casilla". 920 HCCM1 R Colón, address: Avellanas E5-107 y Av. Eloy, Alfaro, Quito. 1070 HCVP1 R Libertad, address: Tarquí 785 y Estrada Edif. De Cosi, P2, Quito. 1090 HCVI1 R Irfeyal, address: Carrión 1288 y Av. 10 de Agosto, Quito. 1160 HCCP1 R Presidente, address: Marquesa de Solanda 722, Quito. 1180 HCLR1 Nueva Emisora Central, address: Central Roca 331 y Av. 6 de Diciembre, Quito. 1200 HC..1 R Filadelfia, Quito, new planned frequency, ex 780 kHz. 1220 HCAP1 Sistema de Radiodifusoras Marañon, address: Bolívar 359, entre García Moreno y Venezuela, Quito. 1310 HCGB1 R Nacional Espejo, address: Panamericana Sur km 14.5 (teléfono 2 245 300), Quito. Same owner as stations on 550, 740 and 1310 kHz. 1330 HC..1 R Misión Cristiana Internacional "MCI", Quito, ex R Sideral. Address: Reina Victoria 447 y Roca, Quito. 1410 HCEC1 R El Tiempo, address: Píaz de Pineda 290 y Pedro de Alfaro, Quito. 1450 HC..1 AS La Radio, a new station, address: Calle Bolívar y Alfredo Boada (sobre el Banco del Pichincha), Tabacundo. Te: +593 2 2365 556. Ex Radio Sensación, Cayambe. 1470 HCJC1 Ecos de Cayambe, address: Terán 409 y Av. 10 de Agosto, Cayambe. 1490 HC..1 R Alfaro, Quito inactive. 1540 HCDP1 R Caracol Canal 145, Quito inactive. (Björn Malm, ARC, Quito, August Artic Radio Club LA Newsdesk via Tore Larsson, DXLD) What about HCJB-690, or is this not intended to be an exhaustive list? (gh, DXLD) ** FALKLAND ISLANDS. See CANADA ** GERMANY. DEUTSCHE WELLE AND TRANSMITTER PICTURES Hello, I just found lots of pictures from an earlier visit at Deutsche Welle in Cologne: http://rmrc.de/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=album10 The pages 7, 8 and 9 shows the live studio of the German service which already did no longer exist in July. Interesting to see the soundproofing walls placed in so many studios, I remember a quite severe reverb on certain DW broadcasts a couple of years ago. Pictures of the Rodgau-Weiskirchen 594 kHz transmitter near Frankfurt: http://rmrc.de/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=album10 One rig on these pictures can be identified as 300 kW unit, probably from Brown Boveri / ABB, interestingly operated only at 94 kW when the photos were made. From page 7 also a Siemens transmitter can be seen but no further details are discernible. Anyway it appears that the 1000 kW transmitter is gone, no such rig appears on any of the pictures, instead there seems to be plenty of empty space in the transmitter hall. And Mainflingen: http://rmrc.de/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=album10 The first pictures shows the mediumwave transmitters, certainly it is no problem to identify the two 350 kW units from the sixties. There are also solid-state transmitters in the transmitter hall, apparently a 100 kW and a 50 kW, but what is their purpose? The 100 kW is labelled as TRAM100 L-C, making me wonder what L-C stands for, perhaps longwave-communications? If so these would be utility transmitters. But if not they could be in use for 120 kW operation on 1539 while the old beasts will be heated up only for the 700 kW service -- if there is still one anymore. Page 6 obviously shows the clock facilities for DCF 77, followed by shots of various longwave transmitters, one of them no doubt airing the time signal on 77.5. One of these transmitters was also responsible for Deutschlandfunk service in the days when the Donebach site did not exist yet; first on 151 with the LSB suppressed in order to not disturb the utility services immediately below 150, so close to 151 that the morse signals used to leak through the broad filters of standard radio sets. Until a couple of years ago Mainflingen still stepped in during maintenance work at Donebach, in the mid/late nineties Königs Wusterhausen was throwed in on 153 instead, and now Deutschlandfunk does without a substitute when Donebach is down and instead refers listeners to 207, 549 or 756 (well, actually they have to retune anyway during special broadcasts they are not interested in). (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Aug 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY. UPDATED A-03 SCHEDULE OF DEUTSCHE TELEKOM T-SYSTEMS AS OF AUGUST 3, 2003: Radio Vilnius: [NOT really, as Bernd Trutenau keeps explaining; how many other entries are imaginary???] 0000-0030 9855 JUL 100 kW / 295 deg Daily NoAmEa Lithuanian 0030-0100 9855 JUL 100 kW / 295 deg Daily NoAmEa English ====================================================================== Athmee Yatra He/Gospel For Asia (GFA): 0030-0130 11795 WER 250 kW / 090 deg Daily SoEaAs SoAs languages 1430-1530 15775 WER 250 kW / 075 deg Daily SoEaAs SoAs languages 1530-1630 15660 WER 250 kW / 090 deg Daily SoEaAs SoAs languages 2330-0030 11905 WER 250 kW / 075 deg Daily SoEaAs SoAs languages ====================================================================== Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: 0100-0300 7205 JUL 100 kW / 108 deg Daily ME Arabic 0300-0400 11910 JUL 100 kW / 105 deg Daily ME Arabic 0400-0600 11930 JUL 100 kW / 108 deg Daily ME Arabic 1700-1800 9865 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg Daily ME Arabic 1800-1900 9740 JUL 100 kW / 110 deg Daily ME Arabic 0230-0330 12140 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily ME Pashto 0330-0430 12140 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily ME Dari 0630-0730 15690 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily ME Pashto 0730-0830 15690 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily ME Dari 0830-0930 15690 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily ME Pashto 0930-1030 15690 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily ME Dari 1230-1330 15690 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily ME Pashto 1330-1430 15690 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily ME Dari 1630-1730 15690 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily ME Pashto 1730-1830 15690 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily ME Dari 2230-2330 5945 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily ME Pashto 2330-0030 5945 WER 500 kW / 090 deg Daily ME Dari 1400-1500 11680 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg Daily ME Armenian 1500-1700 9565 JUL 100 kW / 070 deg Daily Eu Belorussian 1600-1700 9870 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg Daily Eu Romanian ====================================================================== Hrvatska Radio/Voice of Croatia: 0300-0700 9925 JUL 100 kW / 325 deg Daily NoAmWe Croatian/En/Sp 0400-0700 9470 JUL 100 kW / 230 deg Daily NZ Croatian/En/Sp 0600-1000 13820 JUL 100 kW / 270 deg Daily AUS Croatian/En/Sp 2300-0300 9925 JUL 100 kW / 300 deg Daily NoAmEa Croatian/En/Sp 2300-0400 9925 JUL 100 kW / 230 deg Daily SoAm Croatian/En/Sp ====================================================================== United Methodist Church/Radio Africa International: 0400-0600 13810 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Daily NoAf French 0600-0800 15435 JUL 100 kW / 190 deg Daily NoAf French 1700-1900 15715 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Daily NoAf English 1700-1900 13820 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg Daily EaAf English ====================================================================== IBRA Radio: 0500-0600 15715 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Daily ME Arabic 1530-1600 15715 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Daily ME English 1600-1630 15715 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Daily ME Persian 1645-1700 11610 WER 125 kW / 090 deg Daily ME Pashto 1700-1715 11610 WER 125 kW / 090 deg Daily ME Dari 1400-1430 15715 JUL 100 kW / 090 deg Daily SoAs English 1430-1500 15715 JUL 100 kW / 090 deg Daily SoAs Persian 1500-1530 15715 JUL 100 kW / 090 deg Daily SoAs Urdu 1730-1745 15450 WER 125 kW / 135 deg Daily EaAf Somali 1730-1830 15695 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg Daily EaAf Swahili 1830-1845 15695 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg Daily EaAf English 1900-2000 12140 JUL 100 kW / 190 deg Daily WeAf Hausa 2000-2100 9605 JUL 100 kW / 175 deg Daily NoAf Arabic ====================================================================== Radio Netherland Wereldomroep: 0600-0655 11655 JUL 100 kW / 020 deg Daily Eu Dutch till 31.08 1030-1225 6045 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Daily Eu English 1030-1225 9860 WER 125 kW / 300 deg Daily Eu English ====================================================================== Swiss Radio International: 0600-0800 15445 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Daily NoEaAf Fr/Ge/It/En 0600-0800 13650 JUL 100 kW / 200 deg Daily NoEaAf Fr/Ge/It/En 1630-1815 13750 NAU 125 kW / 120 deg Daily NoEaAf It/Ar/En/Fr 1630-1815 15515 WER 125 kW / 120 deg Daily NoEaAf It/Ar/En/Fr 1830-2130 11815 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Daily NoEaAf It/Ar/En/Ge/Fr 1830-2130 13645 JUL 100 kW / 200 deg Daily NoEaAf It/Ar/En/Ge/Fr ====================================================================== Voice of Russia: 0600-0800 17670 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg Daily ME English WS 2200-2300 7120 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg Daily ME Arabic ====================================================================== Deutsche Welle: 0600-1000 6140 JUL 100 kW / 175 deg Daily Eu English 1300-1600 6140 JUL 100 kW / 175 deg Daily Eu English ====================================================================== Voice of Hope/High Adventure Ministries: 1330-1430 15775 JUL 100 kW / 070 deg Daily Vietnam Vietnamese ====================================================================== Voice of Russia - Russian International Radio 1400-1500 17705 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Daily Eu Russian# 1900-2100 5985 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Daily ME Russian* 1900-2100 9405 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg Daily ME Russian* 2000-2100 7260 JUL 100 kW / 105 deg Daily ME Russian* # ex Voice of Russia "Commonwealth" in Russian * ex Voice of Russia World Service in Russian ====================================================================== WYFR/Family Radio: 1700-1800 13720 JUL 100 kW / 165 deg Daily NoAf Arabic 2000-2100 13590 JUL 100 kW / 190 deg Daily WeAf French 2000-2100 13855 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Daily ME Arabic ====================================================================== Democratic Voice of Burma: 2330-0030 9435 JUL 100 kW / 080 deg Daily SoEaAs Burmese ====================================================================== Universal Life/Universelles Leben: 0100-0130 9435 JUL 100 kW / 090 deg Sun SoAs English 1600-1630 15265 JUL 100 kW / 175 deg Sun NoAf French 1630-1700 6015 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Tue/Wed/Thu Eu German 1800-1830 15750 JUL 100 kW / 155 deg Sun EaAf English 1900-1930 15565 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Sun ME English ====================================================================== Bible Voice Broadcasting Network/BVBN/: 0130-0200 15600 WER 250 kW / 090 deg Mon-Sat SoAs Hindi 1530-1600 17655 JUL 100 kW / 090 deg Mon/Thu/Fri SoAs English 1600-1615 17655 JUL 100 kW / 090 deg Mon/Thu/Fri SoAs Hindi 1530-1600 17655 JUL 100 kW / 090 deg Tue SoAs Urdu 1600-1615 17655 JUL 100 kW / 090 deg Tue SoAs Hindi 1530-1545 17655 JUL 100 kW / 090 deg Wed SoAs Hindi 1545-1600 17655 JUL 100 kW / 090 deg Wed SoAs English 1600-1615 17655 JUL 100 kW / 090 deg Wed SoAs Hindi 0700-0750 5975 JUL 100 kW / 290 deg Mon-Fri WeEu English 0700-0815 5975 JUL 100 kW / 290 deg Sat/Sun WeEu English 1800-1815 5970#JUL 100 kW / 060 deg Mon-Fri EaEu English 1815-1830 5970#JUL 100 kW / 060 deg Mon-Fri EaEu Russian 1830-1845 5970#JUL 100 kW / 060 deg Mon-Fri EaEu English 1800-1845 5970#WER 125 kW / 060 deg Sat EaEu Russian 1845-1900 5970#WER 125 kW / 060 deg Sat EaEu English 1800-1830 5970#WER 125 kW / 060 deg Sun EaEu English 1830-1900 5970#WER 125 kW / 060 deg Sun EaEu Russian 1900-1930 5970#WER 125 kW / 060 deg Sun EaEu English 0500-0530 13840 WER 125 kW / 120 deg Mon-Fri ME Arabic 0845-1015 17595 WER 125 kW / 135 deg Fri ME Arabic 1515-1800 15680 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Sat/Sun ME English 1530-1700 15680 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Mon/Tue ME English 1530-1730 15680 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Thu ME English 1530-1800 15680 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Wed/Fri ME English 1700-1745 15680 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Tue ME Russian 1615-1730 15750 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Mon-Fri ME Arabic 1700-1800 15750 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Sat/Sun ME English 1800-1815 13845 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg Sat ME English 1815-1900 13845 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg Sat ME Persian 1800-1900 13845 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg Sun ME Persian 1900-1930 13710 WER 250 kW / 120 deg Thu ME Arabic 1900-2000 13710 WER 250 kW / 120 deg Fri-Sun ME English 1630-1700 13810 JUL 100 kW / 130 deg Fri-Tue EaAf Amharic 1630-1730 13810 JUL 100 kW / 130 deg Wed/Thu EaAf Amharic 1900-1915 13725 JUL 100 kW / 175 deg Mon-Thu CeAf English 1900-1930 13725 JUL 100 kW / 175 deg Fri/Sun CeAf English 1900-2000 13725 JUL 100 kW / 175 deg Sat CeAf English # from September 8, 2003 on NF 6010 ====================================================================== RTBF: 0300-0500 9490 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Mon-Fri Af French 0430-0500 9490 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Sat/Sun Af French 0500-0710 17580 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Mon-Fri Af French 0500-0805 17580 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Sun Af French 0500-1000 17580 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Sat Af French 1000-1115 21565 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Sat Af French 1000-1205 21565 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Mon-Fri Af French 1100-1115 21565 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Sun Af French 1500-1715 17570 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Sun-Fri Af French 1600-1715 17570 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Sat Af French ====================================================================== AWR/Adventist World Radio: 0400-0500 7125 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Daily EaEu Bulgarian 1630-1700 15360 JUL 100 kW / 110 deg Daily EaEu Romanian 1700-1800 15235 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Daily EaEu Bulgarian 0900-1000 11880 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg Sat/Sun WeEu Italian 0600-0700 15160 JUL 100 kW / 200 deg Daily NoAf Arabic 0700-0730 15160 JUL 100 kW / 200 deg Daily NoAf French 1900-2000 15175 JUL 100 kW / 200 deg Daily NoAf Arabic 2000-2030 15175 JUL 100 kW / 200 deg Daily NoAf French ====================================================================== Brother Stair/TOM: 0400-0600 9770 JUL 100 kW / 240 deg Daily NZ English 1300-1600 13810 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Daily ME English 1200-1600 6110 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Daily WeEu English 1600-1700 6110 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Sat WeEu English ====================================================================== VRT/Radio Vlaanderen Internationaal: 0500-0655 13685 JUL 100 kW / 133 deg Daily ME Dutch 1730-1755 13710 JUL 100 kW / 133 deg Daily ME English 1800-1855 13710 JUL 100 kW / 133 deg Daily ME Dutch 0700-0725 5985 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Daily Eu English 1800-1955 5910 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Sat Eu Dutch ====================================================================== TWR/Trans World Radio: 0655-0820 6045 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Mon-Fri WeEu English 0645-0750 6045 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Sat WeEu English 0645-0820 6045 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Sun WeEu English 1230-1245 9490 JUL 100 kW / 130 deg Mon-Wed/Fri/Sat EaEu Croatian 1230-1245 9490 JUL 100 kW / 130 deg Thu/Sun EaEu Slovenian 1600-1645 7135 JUL 100 kW / 110 deg Sat EaEu Romanian 1600-1645 9660 JUL 100 kW / 110 deg Sat EaEu Romanian ====================================================================== Voice of Democratic Path of Ethiopian Unity: 0700-0800 21550 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg Sun EaAf Amharic 1830-1930 15565 NAU 125 kW / 135 deg Wed EaAf Amharic ====================================================================== WSHB/Christian Science Monitor: 0900-1000 5985 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Sun Eu German ====================================================================== Evangeliumsradio Hamburg: 0900-1000 6045 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Thu/Sun CeEu German 1730-1800 6015 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Daily CeEu German ====================================================================== Voice of Democratic Eritrea: 1400-1430 5925 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Sat WeEu Tigrina 1430-1500 5925 JUL 100 kW / non-dir Sat WeEu Arabic 1700-1730 15670 JUL 100 kW / 130 deg Mon/Thu EaAf Tigrina 1730-1800 15670 JUL 100 kW / 130 deg Mon/Thu EaAf Arabic ====================================================================== Pan American Broadcasting: 1430-1445 15650 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg Sun ME Arabic 1445-1500 15650 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg Sun ME English 1500-1515 15650 JUL 100 kW / 115 deg Sun ME English 1530-1545 15650 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg Sun ME English 1545-1600 15650 JUL 100 kW / 100 deg Sun ME English ====================================================================== Voice of Ethiopian Salvation: 1600-1700 15670 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg Thu/Sun EaAf Amharic ====================================================================== Radio Huriyo: 1630-1700 15670 JUL 100 kW / 130 deg Tue/Fri EaAf Somali ====================================================================== Voice of Oromo Liberation (Sagalee Bilisummaa Oromoo): 1700-1730 15670 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg Tue/Wed/Fri/Sun EaAf Oromo 1730-1800 15670 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg Tue/Wed/Fri/Sun EaAf Amharic ====================================================================== Radio Reveil Paroles de Vie: 1830-1900 15750 JUL 100 kW / 160 deg Thu Af French ====================================================================== Radio Rainbow/Kestedamena Radio: 1900-2000 15565 JUL 100 kW / 145 deg Fri EaAf Amharic ====================================================================== Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM): 1000-1300 6140 JUL 040 kW / 120 deg Daily Eu Digital test 1305-1455 5975 JUL 040 kW / 060 deg Daily Eu Digital test 1600-1900 6140 JUL 040 kW / non-dir Daily Eu Digital test (Observer, Bulgaria, Aug 8 via DXLD) ** GERMANY. New schedule for Deutsche Welle in Arabic: 1300-1330 NF 21790 addit freq \\ 15545, 15595, 17650 1400-1430 NF 15660*, ex 15650, re-ex 15470 \\ 13720, 17485, 21560 1430-1500 NF 15660*, ex 15650, re-ex 15470 \\ 13720, 15595, 17485 1600-1630 NF 15360 addit freq \\ 13590, 15195 2000-2030 on 6225, 9495, 9690, 11695 * co-ch Voice of Khmer Khrom Radio in Khmer on Tue only!!! (Observer, Bulgaria, Aug 8 via DXLD) ** ISLE OF MAN. THE FINAL COUNTDOWN http://www.longwaveradio.com/News.html The last remaining hurdle to the launch of our radio station will be reached in the High Court shortly, when a Bride resident's Petition of Doleance is heard. The petitioner alleges that the Isle of Man Government's Communications Commission reached its decision to award our broadcast licence unreasonably and that it failed to respond to his requests for information. The Petition of Doleance, similar to a request for judicial review, first came to court last year but has been delayed by a series of legal wrangles, including the question of the petitioner's locus standi (legal standing) to bring such a case. The High Court has already decided that the resident is not an affected party. The Communications Commission will be defended by the Government Advocate, Stephen Harding. Although not a defendant, IMIB plc clearly has a considerable interest in the outcome of the hearing and so will be represented, by Seth Caine of Cains - the Island's largest firm of advocates. The case has been listed for hearing on 30th September 2003 (News release from IOMBC 29 June 2003 via Mike Terry, Aug 9, DXLD) The Sound of Silence http://www.longwaveradio.com/News.html A report issued by one of the UK's leading specialists on noise and vibration has confirmed that it will be almost impossible for anyone on land to perceive any sounds coming from the offshore transmitter site to be constructed near the Bahama bank, just off the coast at Ramsey. The report is in stark contrast to the emotive claims by objectors that "the noise of the radio station will be heard across the Island all day and all night." In fact the level of sound reaching shore will be below the ambient noise levels in even the quietest part of the Island, just as our own engineers have always maintained. ANV's report analysed the sounds produced by various items of equipment on the transmission platform, including power generators, cooling plant, etc and how this would be suppressed using various acoustic treatments. They took into consideration the location on the platform of such equipment (on the eastern side, facing away from shore) and the prevailing winds etc, however for the purpose of the study the worst case scenario of a gentle on shore breeze from the east was assumed. This demonstrated irrefutably that the noise level from the platform at the closest point of land would be considerably below the ambient noise conditions found in that part of the Isle of Man. There is therefore no likelihood of the noise being even discernible on the Island, much less it being a nuisance, as had been claimed by objectors. Other fears (of health effects, risk of oil pollution, etc.) have also been proven erroneous by experts. The report states unequivocally that "The worst case calculations indicate that noise levels from the operation will be below the existing ambient noise levels, assuming a gentle onshore breeze, thus ensuring any potential disturbance is minimised. During periods of higher wind speeds or offshore winds, noise from the operations of the platform will either be masked by other sources or be up to 10 dB(A) lower." IMIB's platform will house four diesel generators (though only one will be in use at night, and two at peak times) and electronic equipment containing cooling fans. The equipment is acoustically treated as appropriate (our staff need to work alongside it at times and noise levels for employees are strictly regulated) and exhausted to the east - away from the Island. In addition, the prevailing winds are from the west, further dispersing any sound. Common sense suggests that the distance between the platform and shore of some 4 kilometres means that any sound is unlikely to be heard at all. 4 July 2003 (IMIB via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** ISRAEL. Frequency change for Kol Israel in Persian: 1400-1500 Sun-Thu and 1400-1525 Fri/Sat NF 17525, ex 13850 \\ 15640, 17545 (Observer, Bulgaria, Aug 8 via DXLD) ** KOREA SOUTH. [With the closure of V. of National Salvation:] So now we will be missing the funny noises produced on 1053 by two highpowered South Korean jammers... (Olle Alm, Sweden, ARC Information Desk 4 Aug 2003 via DXLD) 1566, FEBC Cheju is now scheduled as: 1900-1100 Korean 1100-1230 Chinese, 1230-1345 Japanese, 1345-1730 Chinese, 1730-1800 Russian. (T. Yamashita in ABI June issue via Y. Kato, ARC Information Desk 4 Aug 2003 via DXLD) ** MADAGASCAR. 3215, R. Feon'ny Filazantsara via Madagascar, Jul 30 *1630-1635 1646-1655 14231-24332, Chorus music. 1634 ID. Talk. 1653 Chorus and ID. 1654 IS? and s/off (Hashimoto, Japan Premium via Iwata, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** MEXICO. Looked for EZLN, R. Insurgente, the morning of Aug 9 as publicized. All I found around 5.8 MHz at various checks from 1030 past 1100, and 1200 were R. Martí spurs or mixing products, such as 5835; but high local noise level could have blocked (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PARAGUAY. Adán Mur, from Radio América, told me that the station is on 7370 khz now, 24 hours a day, with low QRP, vertical antenna in parallel with 9905 and 15483 khz on SW. The new transmitter is in Ñemby and relays the programmation from ZP20 Radio América. This is the complete schedule: 1480 KHZ - Ñemby - ZP20 Radio América. 1590 KHZ - Villeta - Radio Villeta. 7370 KHZ - Ñemby - ZP20 Radio América. 9905 KHZ - Villeta - ZP20 Radio América. 15483 KHZ - Villeta - ZP20 Radio América. 326.4 MHZ - Ñemby - ZP20 Radio América -Tropodifusión. 73's & 55's (Arnaldo Slaen, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** PERU. RADIO VICTORIA - LIMA: This religious station that normally is operating on 6020 khz and rarely on 9720 can be now listened to on 15480 khz in the 19 mts band. It was heard by me at 0400 on August 8th, low power. [watch out for Paraguay, just above] RADIO EMISORAS CAJAMARCA: Yesterday I was scanning the bands when, surprise, I caught RADIO EMISORAS CAJAMARCA on 3391.5 between 2330 and 0030 when it signed off. Music and news and ID: ``escuchan Radio emisoras Cajamarca.`` In WRTH this frequency is listed as Radio Cutervo, call sign OAX2R (CESAR PEREZ DIOSES, CHIMBOTE, PERU, Aug 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU [and non]. Quisiera agradecer al amigo Björn Malm por haberme ayudado a identificar una gran cantidad de emisoras andinas. De verdad son muchas en el éter (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PUERTO RICO. Puertorriqueña no identificada en 3160.02, muy común después de las 0400 UT, con sermones religiosos y música cristiana. Al parecer es católica. Es el primer armónico [decimos segundo --- gh] de 1580 kHz. En los directorios de puertorriqueñas en Internet, no pude localizar esa frecuencia de OM (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) En WRTH 2003 hay una en 1580: WMTI, R. Voz, Morovis, 24h, 5/2.5 kW, dirección postal en Hato Rey; pertenece a WVOZ, Radio Voz (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ROMANIA. Radio Romania International changes: 0603-0620 French Daily on 11940 only ||||| Open Radio 0620-0637 German Daily on 11940 only ||||| Open Radio 0637-0654 English Daily on 11940 only ||||| Open Radio 0800-0857 Romanian Sunday delete 21530 0900-0957 Romanian Sunday NF 15450, ex 15180 0900-0957 Romanian Sunday delete 21490 1000-1057 Romanian Sunday delete 21480 (Observer, Bulgaria, Aug 8 via DXLD) ** SUDAN [non]. I tried the e-mail, jgrace@edc.org, but it bounced courtesy of Postmaster@edc.org, who said the "user, jgrace, not listed in the public Name & Address book" E-mail to srs@edc.org appears to have gone through. The reason my e-mail to jgrace@edc.org bounced is it's misspelled! It should read jgroce@edc.org I will try again in the AM! (Scott R Barbour Jr., NH, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Hi all, I made a spelling mistake, when I told you the v/s and e-mail address to Sudan Radio Service. The name is: Jeremy Groce and the e- amil to him: jgroce@edc.org I am very sorry! 73 from (Björn Fransson on the island of Gotland, Sweden, DX LISTENING DIGEST) INDEPENDENT RADIO SERVICE FOR SOUTHERN SUDAN http://www2.edc.org/mcl/projects/pr.asp?ID=23 A recent USAID/OTI assessment team determined that a lack of access to information in southern Sudan, particularly regarding the Machakos peace process, is a significant problem. Given Sudan’s great size, topography and widespread illiteracy, it has been determined that the best choice for the dissemination of information would be the use of Short Wave Radio. Currently, regional language radio programs have been limited to the northern part of Sudan. The need for local language programs in the south is great. As such, EDC, in conjunction with USAID/OTI, is working towards the creation of an independent broad-based, development-focused radio service that would broadcast in local languages to the populations of southern Sudan. The radio service will present a diverse mix of timely and relevant programming broadcast in Sudanese languages by Sudanese presenters. Production of the radio service will be implemented by an EDC field office studio in Nairobi, Kenya, until the political climate allows for relocation to southern Sudan. Transmission will be established from a shortwave transmitter based outside Kenya and the Sudan. The primary goal of the radio service is to link the ongoing peace process and peace building efforts with initiatives that engender good governance and deepen the participation of southern Sudanese in affairs that most affect them. The station will increase access to balanced and useful information through programs of information, education, and entertainment chosen to equip listeners with knowledge and tools to participate more fully in peace making, reconciliation, and national development. Efforts will be made to create occasional programming in all the languages of southern Sudan, but regular programming will target speakers of Dinka, Nuer, Juba-Arabic, and English. The Southern Sudan Radio Service (illustrative working title) seeks, through the design of its programming, to be a potent symbol and example for the new Sudan, in which all cultures and traditions are valued and celebrated within a context of mutual respect and admiration. Funder: USAID/OTI Project contact: Michael Laflin --- Mr. Laflin an EDC Vice president and director of the Multichannel Learning Center. Works with the Zambia IRI project (via Kai Ludwig, DXLD) I think we had something like this before, but other info says it comes from Washington DC (gh) ** U S A [non]. Freq change for Voice of America in Russian: 1700-1900 NF 11935, ex 11770 to avoid Voice of Nigeria in French (Observer, Bulgaria, Aug 8 via DXLD) ** U S A. STATUS OF DIGITAL TV One of the best running (as in weekly) reviews of the status of the transition from an all analog world to an all digital (TV) world is found at http://www.digitaltelevision.com/mondaymemo/mlist This week's "edition" has numerous references with web site references for reading more detail. The chap who does this is a well known and extremely knowledgeable professional in the digital world. I urge members who have questions about FCC policy and actual progress in DTT to check this out (Bob Cooper in New Zealand, August 7, WTFDA via DXLD) ** U S A. [Continuation of thread in last issue under CANADA about Phil Hendrie] Since a historical basis for government control of expression was raised earlier in this thread, let's examine some more history. The Weimar Republic was, in terms of censorship laws, probably more open than the United States today. Every erotic entertainment you can imagine --- and some you don't want to --- were freely available in books, photographs, movies, and stage shows. It outraged many citizens who demanded that something be done. In the early 1930s, cleaning up "the moral mess" was one of the key themes of the nascent Nazi party. When Hitler became chancellor in January, 1933, he helped get laws through the Reichstag cracking down on erotic materials. The censorship law was soon extended to include horror movies, because those upset people. Next came an extension to cover Marxist propaganda, since that was dangerous to state security. And since some people were upset with "Zionist propaganda" (like the Torah), you shouldn't be surprised what the censorship laws were amended to cover next. (This is well told in "Voluptuous Panic" by Mel Gordon.) Yes, the marketplace applied to free speech has its faults, but at least the marketplace has the virtue of being unable, unlike government, to round people up and put them on trains to death camps. Which is the greater downside: being offended or being imprisoned? History offers compelling examples that letting the government "protect" people by restricting free speech is a very dangerous proposition. Sometimes watchdogs turn on you when you least expect it. (Harry Helms, W7HLH, Las Vegas, NV DM26, NRC-AM via DXLD) || Speaking from a larger market perspective, I can say that the stations I know reconcile scheduled spots with the actual data from systems such as Audio Vault. Such systems can verify missed spots, and reconciliation can be done electronically (David Gleason)|| True, but if a station is using something like Audio Vault, Profit, Simian, etc. --- and they do bill a client for a spot that played at the same time a network spot played, and liners were playing, I would think that's a loss. From what I understand the system says it played, and that's what they are looking at. And it would show play. But the fact is, if something else is playing with it, the STL is down, the TX is off, or the jock does not have the channel potted up, it should not be billed (Fred Vobbe, WLIO, ibid.) Some stations create a data link with air monitors. It's nearly impossible to bill for an off-air spot is the system is run right; as to net spots, I don't know anyone who runs nets live. Nearly everyone in major markets records the audio, and, even if the delay is a few seconds, plays back off hard disk, making simultaneous plays hard to have. Talk stations in such markets taking syndicated fare either take separate spot feeds or have some kind of person on duty as most have news, traffic and weather operations (David Gleason, ibid.) ** U S A. LITTLE SAIGON ON 880 AM? Right now, in Memphis, I am receiving a fairly good signal on 880 AM. It is talk in an Asian language. It is apparently Vietnamese, because they gave a web address of littlesaigon.com. I went to that web site, and the title is "Little Saigon Net / Vietnam Today," and the rest is in Vietnamese. Does anybody know what station broadcasts this? It sure was a surprise! I haven't heard Vietnamese on U.S. radio since I visited Anaheim (Adam Myrow, Aug 7, NRC-AM via DXLD) It's the station in Conroe, Texas. As I'm not sitting in front of my radio as I type this, the current CLs escape me, but I believe they are KJOJ, left over from when the station had a religious format. Some years ago, it was simulcasting KPRC-950's news/talk format, so it's undergone a few changes in recent seasons (Rick Dau, Omaha, Neb., ibid.) Their most recent format was Spanish // a couple of stations in Houston that ID as La Raza. Perhaps KJOJ sometiems doesn't switch to night facilities as they seem too easy to hear up here as well. 73 KAZ near Chicago (Neil Kazaross, ibid.) The station that you are hearing on 880 is indeed KJOJ Conroe/Houston. They have been Vietnamese 24/7 for over a year now. Houston has a large Asian population and there are several stations that broadcast to the community. KREH 900 is called "Radio Saigon Houston" and is 5 kW daytime in Vietnamese. KTEK 1110 has some programming in Vietnamese evenings and weekends. KGOL 1180 with 50000 watts programs in Vietnamese, Pakistani [sic] and Chinese. KCHN 1050 a 410 watt daytimer with a good signal into Houston is brokered Chinese. KILE 1560 http://www.kile1560.com broadcasts a variety of ethnic formats. Spanish, South Asian, Russian, Muslem, Pakistani, and Hindu. Check out their website under schedule for information on the various programs. KILE is on from 0600 CDT until 2200 CDT with 800 watts. They have a CP for 50 kW day and an application for 10 kW nights (Mike Oswald, TX, ibid.) I lived in the Houston/Galveston, TX area between 1983-1987, while working for the U.S. Government. There was a lot of tension between the new Vietnamese fisherman and the local established fishing fleet, so my job brought me into contact with many of the local Vietnamese fisherman on a regular basis. One "Little Saigon" village in the Freeport area ran its own pirate radio station on 1610 kc. They ID'd as the "Real Voice Of Vietnam". There was an excellent seafood restaurant that had Karaoke as entertainment and they broadcast it around the area in English. They also broadcasted weather information in Vietnamese to the fishermen while they were out to sea. Never saw the transmitter but suspected that it was a stolen TIS transmitter. The transmit antenna was a current fed Tee type out on the end of a dock over salt water. I could hear the station well to the north in Friendswood. At the time the station was my first MF broadcast band pirate logging (Thomas F. Giella, Meteorologist, C/S KN4LF, Plant City, FL, USA, EL87WX, ibid.) Adam, There's a good reason that KJOJ-880 Conroe, TX reminded you of KVNR-1480 Santa Ana, CA. They're both owned by Liberman Broadcasting. (Brian Leyton, Valley Village, CA, ibid.) Actually, I don't remember what the station I heard in California was. I recall only that it was in Vietnamese and was near the lower end of the dial. KJOJ put a good signal in here for another half hour or so before it started to get hammered by the side-band of WLS and another 880 station (WCBS possibly?) If they aren't dropping power like they should, I bet they do a number on KRVN. Can anybody in KRVN's listening area confirm or deny whether KJOJ interferes with it? Well, that makes two Houston stations that make it out here to Memphis. The other, of course, is KEYH on 850 which is weak but dominant until about 10:00 PM. Then, KOA starts to fade up and fights with KEYH most of the night. With KEYH nulled out, I've gotten KOA pretty good. At about sunrise, KEYH apparently switches to day power and completely takes over for about a half hour before skywave dies out and leaves the frequency clear just in time for the station in Walnut, MS to sign on. 850 is a very active frequency here and is rapidly becoming one of my favorites because I can usually favor one station at a time (Adam Myrow, ibid.) ** U S A. Dear Mr. Hauser, I noticed in your recent DX report that you heard "The Big 66" in Victorville. Please note that the owner of that station has never had anything to do with KMIN in Grants, New Mexico. I worked with him at a Cable FM station in California before I bought KMIN and before he started KRSX. KRSX is an unlicensed pirate station and I have nothing to do with it. I would be very interested to know exactly what was written regarding KMIN in the Route 66 Magazine as it could affect my FCC license. Thank You (Derek Underhill, KD Radio, Inc., Aug 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Presumably refers to this from Tim Hall`s travel log in 3-107: 660 "KRSX" CA Victorville - 5/23 1220 - Good signals with oldies (mostly pre-British invasion) and slogans "Cruisin' Oldies" and "The big 66." I read about this station in Route 66 Magazine; it is run by the former owner of KMIN-980 and runs with 0.1 watts. Commercials sell for $1 each. The signal was audible for 15 or 20 miles along I-15 as we returned on June 7th. (TRH-CA) Also mentioned in passing under the KFHX item in 3-084 (gh, DXLD) ** U S A. Fw: Lowfer digest, 4. KFI Opportunity! (John Andrews) Anyone on the NRC list doing Argo ??? I am not. Note the reference to "here on the East Coast..." (Bob Foxworth, NRC-AM via DXLD) Carl Swanson at KFI in Los Angeles has emailed me saying that they are looking into the strange frequency shift problem, and have talked with the engineering guys at Harris Corp., the manufacturer of their DX-50 transmitter. I will post the results here as they become available. Carl has offered to send special QSLs to anyone in the Lowfer community who submits an Argo/Spectran/Whatever screen shot. Here's what he told me: ----------------------------- "Please forward this email onto your Lowfer mailing list and let them know that I will send any interested listener a verification letter and a KFI sticker if they will e-mail me a standard reception report and a URL to a screenshot of the carrier like you did (with reception details added to the JPG photo itself). Let's try to keep it under a hundred reception reports please, quantity of reports isn't as important as widely varying locations of reception. To recap, each email should have a name/address/city/state/zip/phone number, a standard repection report (date/time(z)/location), and a URL to a screenshot of whatever software they are using showing this unusual waveform, with the same reception details listed in the JPG itself. No attachments to the e-mail, my corporate e-mail will strip any attachment and I will never see it." ------------------------------- I have Carl's email address, and will provide it to you on request. I don't want to post it here, lest it turn into spam fodder when the reflector is archived at QSL.net. Here are the details for your search: KFI is in the Los Angeles area, and runs 50 kw on 640 kHz. Dale Rice and I have observed their transmitter frequency to be centered on 640.0084 kHz, varying about +/- 0.5 Hz in a square-wave pattern. Each "cycle" of the square wave takes about 11.5 minutes. It can be nicely seen on Argo screens from 20 through 60 seconds (Dale has used 120 as well). An Argo 20 second screen shot from my house (2500 miles!) can be seen at: http://webpages.charter.net/w1tag/files/KFI080603.jpg I would suggest Argo 30 or 60 second screens as the best. Here on the east coast, the signal has been visible between 0400 and 0900 UT. Such an odd waveform will be very distinctive, and excellent proof that you have seen KFI's carrier. So, have fun... and pester me for that email address (John Andrews, W1TAG, lowfer at qth.net via Bob Foxworth, NRC- AM via DXLD) I used Argo and Spectran for NDB beacon and daytime AM broadcast band DXing last winter. It allows you to log stations below the prevailing noise floor. 73, (Thomas F. Giella, Meteorologist, C/S KN4LF, Plant City, FL, USA, EL87WX, NRC-AM via DXLD) Interesting stuff but please explain it in much more detail if you have the time since I am totally unfamiliar. As for the DXer in Mass with the KFI plot, I must question how on earth he knows/thinks this is from KFI when there's much more closer stuff on 640. 73's Konfused KAZ (Neil Kazaross, IL, ibid.) Go to Google and put in the search term Argo + Spectran. I just tried it and got 137 results which I haven't checked individually. This is a way to use time correlation over hundreds-of-seconds to pull out very weak carriers from below the noise floor. Primarily used by experimenters in the 185 kHz region with very low power xmtrs ("lowfers", low freq experimenters). KFI is experiencing a very long term carrier freq shift, and the message poster is seeing the trace on his screen. This is the contemporary version/development of what Gordon Nelson was doing with the SAH (sub-audible het.) experiments. I believe the basic principle is being able to detect the presence of carriers at levels way too weak to deliver audio. If you are only doing slow-speed CW work, then your job is done and you can read any off-on CW transitions right from the video plot. GPN theorized, back in 1965, that it would be possible to apply a fast-fourier-transform to the waveform (DC trace of the AGC voltage) and deduce the amplitude and freq offset of all carriers present. However without knowing the exact offset of each carrier, and presuming logically that none of them was time-varying, any such IDs would be guesswork. Nelson's work with IDing TA carriers by using SAH (when the signal was too weak to recover audio) was made possible by having access to the EBU monitoring reports that listed the offset of each European tx, to a 0.1 Hz resolution., and using a BC-221 for a reference. Apparently the KFI carrier IS time-varying. I wonder if this is something that Mark Hattam in the UK can detect? I think this is very similar to his published work of last year (Bob Foxworth, Tampa FL, ibid.) ** U S A. Radio Programming in General I love radio. It has a magical quality to it and feels neat to know there aren`t any wires, cable companies, etc, between their transmitter tower and your antenna. BUT the quality of programming has reached the point where I'm no longer interested in it. In the 70's and 80's I did more DX listening than DXing per se. I liked that I could catch a regional flavor or hear someone rave about their team or locality. It gave me a different perspective. Now with satellite programming, syndicated shock jocks, and "programming for the lowest common denominator," the state of affairs is quite sad indeed. Now I listen long enough to catch the ID and log the station; that`s still fun. Save the ID in a sound file and delete the rest. My 2 cents worth. I'll shut up now. 73 (Mark Clark, N3IRJ, Phoenixville, PA - 20mi (32km) NW of Philadelphia, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** U S A. From today's FCC "Daily Digest'. NEWS --- News media Information 202/418-0500; TTY 202/418-2555; Fax- On-Demand 202/418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street, S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D. C. Circ 1974). FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: News Media contact: August 7, 2003 Jordan Goldstein at (202) 418- 2000 FCC FAILS TO ACT ON ``OPIE AND ANTHONY`` OUTRAGE AS COMPLAINTS LANGUISH ONE YEAR LATER Last August WNEW-FM in New York ran an Opie & Anthony show which allegedly contained a broadcast of sexual activity at St. Patrick`s Cathedral as part of an on-air stunt. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) received numerous outraged e-mails and phone calls complaining that this broadcast violated a federal law against indecent programming. One year later the FCC has failed to even address these complaints. Commissioner Michael J. Copps reacted: ``When we allow complaints to languish for a year, the message is loud and clear that the FCC is not serious about enforcing our nation`s laws. Congress expected action from the FCC, but all too often our citizens` complaints are ignored.`` Copps continued: ``I wonder when the FCC will finally take a firm stand against the `race to the bottom` as stations continue to push the envelope of outrageousness even further.`` Recently, the FCC proposed a mere $27,500 fine against another station owned by this same company -- on WKRK- FM in Detroit --- after it aired some of the most vulgar and disgusting indecency that the Commission has examined. Copps stated: ``Nothing has changed over the past year in the FCC`s enforcement of the indecency laws. And at the same time, the Commission`s actions have ensured that things will get even worse.`` Instead of enforcing indecency laws, the FCC recently rewarded giant station owners by dismantling the FCC`s media concentration protections. The FCC took this action without even considering whether there is a link between increasing media consolidation and increasing indecency on our airwaves. Copps explained: ``It stands to reason that as media conglomerates grow ever bigger and control moves further away from the local community, community standards go by the boards. It is a time to increase, not diminish, our vigilance and our enforcement of the law.`` Copps concluded: ``The time has come for the Commission to send a message that it is serious about enforcing the indecency laws. Yet, we continue to turn a deaf ear to the millions of Americans who are fed up with the patently offensive programming coming their way so much of the time.`` - FCC - (via Bill Hale, Aug 8, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** U S A. Glenn, You asked about MHz TV in Washington, DC. The MHz schedule can be accessed at: http://www.mhznetworks.org/index.php This is from the DCRTV web site: WNVT Goes Russian - 8/8 - WNVT/Channel 53, also known as MHz2, will air Russian programs from 6 PM to midnight starting 8/15. The Russian World TV network was created last year and targets the Russian speaking community in the USA. It's signed a five-year deal with Fairfax-based MHz Networks, which operates non-commercial WNVT. Programming will include newscasts, talk shows, and films - some of which will be subtitled in English. WNVT has been off the air the past few months while it upgrades its Independent Hill transmitter for digital broadcasts on channel 30, but its signal is currently being relayed via land lines to area cable systems. More at http://www.mhznetworks.org WNVT's sister station, WNVC/Channel 56 (known as MHz), features a full time schedule of non-English programming, including an afternoon hour of Russian news. Here is an editorial by MHz VP Fred Thomas that pretty well covers the territory. INDEPENDENT PUBLIC TELEVISION: The Mouse in the Big Tent The issue of media centralization has created a different definition of "media circus" these days. The discussion taking place is big – big networks and big money all under the big-top known as the American media. What I have is a small idea to add into the discussion – a mouse of an idea. But just like a mouse let loose during the elephant act, it's an idea with crazy potential. The idea is this: public television can be the greatest insurance policy the U.S. has against media concentration, but only if it drops its reliance on PBS. I'll present my case not as a bash-PBS argument, but as a story about a couple of stations that have gone it alone. The story starts in Washington, D.C.; northern Virginia to be precise, where we've created a self-sustaining alternative to traditional PBS affiliated public television. In the generic sense it's called independent public television; in our particular case it's called MHz NETWORKS (WNVC and WNVT). What we've done and how we've done it prove that it is possible to create non-PBS affiliated public television programming that is independent, innovative, mission-based – and good! Since 1994 when WNVC became World View TV, and again in 1999 when we dropped the last vestiges of PBS affiliation for WNVT, we have created new programming, a new feel, and drawn new audiences to these two public TV stations now known collectively as MHz. In 1994, we started by trying to garner an audience with the estimated 25% (1M people) of the D.C. region's population that is non-native born. This includes Indians, Pakistanis, Salvadorans, Mexicans, Chinese, Vietnamese, East Europeans, and others. It also includes the general population, most of whom have professional, social, and cultural interests in the international realm. We acquired classic foreign films, World Cup soccer replays, and contemporary foreign language dramas. We built a programming core around daily foreign newscasts, 12 in total. Most importantly, we opened up airtime for local TV producers from these communities. We have averaged 12 hours of locally produced, ethnic specific programming a week since the mid nineties. The format continues to be tweaked but the World View TV brand is still very strong in D.C. So much so, in fact, that the main PBS station in town tried to use a variation of our brand this spring. In 1999 we went after the 15- to 35-year-old audience on our second channel, WNVT, by creating original content that featured music and technology-rich programs that appealed to a more diverse audience. In 2001 we brought both stations under one brand, MHz NETWORKS, to emphasize our increasing role as content creators. Since then we've drawn in Urban, Latino and Asian audiences who pour into our studios in large numbers to see an ever-increasing list of top musicians and performers. Many of these are the kids of the viewers of our foreign language programming. Our talent lists include over 200 local, regional, and national artists, who have helped our tiny stations win multiple Emmy Awards and a Billboard Music Award. To date, over 155 PBS affiliates carry MHz Presents, proving that there seems to be a keen interest in alternative programming and that "locally produced" doesn't mean it has to look like "public access." Being independent doesn't mean you can only create a little bit of your own programming either. Using multi-talented recent college graduates, streamlined production techniques ("live" TV is one of our favorites), and providing creative room to work, MHz's production group (nine full-time employees) produced 350 hours of original programming last year. That's more original programming than any other PBS affiliated station in our state and covers a range from international affairs talk shows to music video review programs. Recently, we broke our educational services department out of its institutional culture and into the world of content creation as well. The result, open.tv, is an original, live, daily technology education program, linked to state and national technology standards. The program targets an after-school audience and features local student hosts, interactive software, and music videos. The result is a fun program that is cool to watch. All of this has been done without PBS or, for that matter, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Even as the nation's most culturally diverse public stations, MHz doesn't qualify for Community Service Grants (CSGs) under the current CPB formula. CSGs are the financial lifeline for public stations. The absence of sustaining government funds forced us to rethink the business side of public television years in advance of what others are just now coming to grips with. We've learned a lot and feel like we're way ahead of everyone out there. So much so that we'd take our independent status over a PBS affiliation any day of the week. Will It Play In Peoria? I'm not proposing that all public television stations adopt an international and/or youth-oriented program format. That format works well for us in the Washington, D.C. markets; it might not in other markets. Then again, multicultural America is becoming more and more the mainstream audience. That audience responds to MHz passionately. What I am proposing is that each station acquires and makes its own programming decisions for its specific market. Yes, in most cases this means dropping the PBS main feed and going it alone. Scary perhaps, but it's the entrance fee to being able to call yourself truly independent since PBS's hold on local public television stations is just another form of media centralization, albeit a non-commercial one. And although it may sound radical, independent media was the original concept behind public television. Upon signing the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, President Johnson said, "It will be free, and it will be independent --- and it will belong to all of our people." Certainly much has changed in the media landscape since 1967, but the concept Johnson spoke of is no less important today and who should do it no less obvious. Independent Public Television Besides being a springboard for new creativity, the independent public television concept has tremendous mission potential – which is the key to any non-profit's ability to raise money. In an age when everything and everyone seems owned, Independent is a very powerful theme. It's a theme that can attract the entire spectrum of cultural, social, foundation, business and political support. Independent as a generic "movement" has a great future in America; public television, starting at the station-by-station level, should embrace the concept as its own. As 345 independent community voices, public television stations could become the protectors of independent thought and protectors against media centralization in the United States. Doing that could make independent public television the mouse that roars! Frederick Thomas, Executive Vice President/General Manager and visionary of MHz NETWORKS © 2003 MHz NETWORKS ® Here is their announcement of the new deal for Russian programs: MHz NETWORKS Signs 5-Year Exclusive Agreement with Russian World TV 40+ Hours of Weekly Programming (English subtitles) on MHz2 beginning Friday, August 15, 2003 The Russians are coming to Washington, DC. Specifically, they're coming to MHz NETWORKS, which has just signed an exclusive, five-year agreement with Russian World TV to broadcast more than 40 hours a week of programming to a growing Russian audience as well as a mainstream audience. The 40+ hours - full of Russian movies of all genres, Russian-style situation comedies, children's programming, documentaries, music, game shows, cartoons and educational programming - represent a quantum boost of MHz's Russian selections, which currently feature a Russian World TV news program weekday afternoons and an entertainment block Thursday evenings. The new block of daily Russian World TV programming, with English subtitles, begins Friday, August 15, 2003 from 6 PM to 12 midnight on MHz2. The agreement with Russian World TV is a continuation of MHz's broadcasting policy, which can now bring the world of Russia not only to Russians, but to everyone within reach of a television remote. While Russian World TV is available elsewhere in the United States (specifically New York and Miami) on a subscription or cable basis, MHz NETWORKS broadcasts the programming for free. "MHz NETWORKS is the only place you'll find Russian World TV programming here in DC," Frederick Thomas, MHz NETWORKS Executive Vice President and General Manager, said. "As usual, MHz is taking the lead in bringing innovative, international programming to Washington. We're very excited about this new partnership with Russian World and how much it will benefit our community." Movies will represent a big part of the programming and include all genres, both old and new. Titles include a film version of Jack London's "White Fang," many films made in the former Soviet Union, as well as newer films. Series include "Captain Pravda" and the sitcom "The Agency," which is not about the CIA but the foibles of Russians working at an advertising agency. Russian World TV is owned and operated by VKT-R (Russia), which has agreements with numerous Russian television channels allowing them access to the best and most wide-ranging programs originating in Russia. Russian World TV entered the American market in 2002 as a full-scale, round-the-clock channel offering programming tailored to the Russian American community. There are plans to supplement the Russian-made programming with locally produced news and other programs and adding an English-language component in order to expand the audience. MHz NETWORKS and Russian World TV look to sign an additional content agreement, which would create an original weekly production for MHz's upcoming series "Capital Cities." "Capital Cities" will explore cultural differences between countries through the eyes of their respective capital city residents. "This programming agreement gets the ball rolling for much larger opportunities between our organizations," says Thomas. (MHz currently has commitments for "Capital Cities" programs with Berlin and New Delhi). © 2003 MHz NETWORKS ® In addition MHz is connected with a channel called "Colours" which airs all over the USA via the Dish Network on channel 9407. This is one of 12 free "public interest" channels Dish Network provides to all subscribers of at least their basic $25 per month package. Here is the link to the Colours site: http://colourstv.olympusat.com/ You can see from this table that the schedule appeals to a wide swath of ethnic diversity. ~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-., (Joe Buch, DE, Aug 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) -*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^'~*-.,_,.-*~'^ ** VENEZUELA. Hola Glenn, Saludos. Armónicos: Radio Nacional, Antena Informativa 1310 kHz, se repite en los 2620.41 kHz. Escuchada a las 0652 UT, el 07-08. SINPO 2-2 (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) En WRTH 2003 hay dos repetidoras de 630 en 1310; ¿Cuál será? -- YVSM, Barcelona, 10 kW --- YVSL, Guri, 1 kW (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VENEZUELA. El 08-08 a las 2237 UT, Radio Amazonas, 4939.66 kHz, transmitía "discursos" de dirigentes del otrora partido de masas Acción Democrática. En dichos "discursos" se tildaba al presidente Chávez de "malandro", es decir, "de delincuente". Habría que preguntarle al colega Glenn Hauser lo que pasaría si un dirigente político estadounidense llamara "malandro" a Bush en un programa de la ABC o la CNN. O a los colegas colombianos, por ejemplo, si a un conservador se le ocurriese bautizar tan "peculiarmente" al presidente Uribe, en vivo y directo, por radio o TV. Después muchos "estresados" oposicionistas se quejan de que en esta patria no hay libertad de expresión. 73s y buen DX (Adán González, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) CONVENTIONS & CONFERENCES +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Saludos amigos: Hoy les anexo mi resumen tradicional del pasado encuentro dx en Tizayuca, Hgo.; ojalá les agrade y como siempre quedo a la espera de sus comentarios y correcciones. 73 desde Tepic. ING. IVAN LOPEZ ALEGRIA NDXC-001 NOVENO ENCUENTRO DE RADIOESCUCHAS Y DIEXISTAS, TIZAYUCA 2003 Llegó el último día de julio y con ello el inicio del encuentro dx en México, ésta vez nos dirigimos a la ciudad de Tizayuca en el estado de Hidalgo; una hora en autobús al norte de la ciudad de México con dirección a la capital, Pachuca. Como era de esperarse, se tuvo una nutrida participación en éste evento. A la convocatoria acudieron escuchas, diexistas, emisoras de radio nacionales y extranjeras, una compañía comercializadora de artículos electrónicos y público en general. El estado de Hidalgo se ubica entre los 19 36` y 21 24` de latitud Norte y los 97 58` y 99 54` de longitud Oeste. Está enclavado en tres provincias fisiográficas: el Eje Neovolcánico, la Sierra Madre Oriental y la llanura costera del Golfo de México. Tiene aproximadamente 20 905 km2 de superficie, que representan el 1.1 % de la superficie total del país, y aproximadamente 2 500 000 habitantes. Limita al norte con San Luis Potosí, al noreste con Veracruz, al sureste con Puebla, al sur con Tlaxcala y el Estado de México, y al oeste con Querétaro. La situación geográfica de Hidalgo y su cercanía a la capital de la república le ha beneficiado grandemente en el aspecto comunicaciones, lo que se traduce en avance industrial, actualmente sus polos de desarrollo en este aspecto, se ubican principalmente en Tulancingo, Ciudad Sahagún, Tula de Allende, Pachuca, y Tizayuca. Tizayuca significa: ``lugar donde se prepara la tiza``. Es un lugar intermedio entre México que está a 53 km y la Capital Pachuca a 42 km, famoso por sus balnearios y otros sitios de interés como el templo del Divino Salvador, que fue construido en el siglo 17 en cuyo interior conserva pinturas al óleo muy valiosas. Es una superficie plana cuya altura es de 2270m, muy considerable y no es de extrañar que su temperatura promedio sea de sólo 15ºc. Los que vivimos en alturas menores, hemos resentido el clima fresco de Tizayuca y muy en especial al anochecer. Bien, a continuación les comentaré lo que hicimos por estas tierras Hidalguenses a lo largo de los 3 días en el noveno encuentro: JUEVES 31 Arribamos a la citada Tizayuca vía terrestre procedentes de la ciudad de los Palacios al mediodía del jueves 31 y de inmediato me dirigí a mi hotel. Hago notar que es el único hotel en el centro de la ciudad y su capacidad es algo limitada por lo cual hubo necesidad de reservar una habitación con varios días de antelación. Tuve que caminar unos cuantos metros de la parada del autobús a la recepción del hotel (como 40) así que pude llegar cómodamente hasta allá. Luego del ritual del registro (confirmar reservación, datos personales, días de uso y etc.), pude pasar a la habitación para tomar una esperada ducha. Después de refrescarnos me dediqué a recorrer las calles cercanas para conocer un poco más de la que sería mi anfitriona por los 3 días siguientes. Llegué a la plaza principal y había una pequeña feria con puestos ambulantes en la que pude observar la artesanía local y de otros Estados así como una infinidad de antojitos. Hice una pausa para ir a comer ya que era necesario antes de llegar al salón ``la cascada``, lugar en que se desarrollaría el encuentro. De regreso al hotel para la comida, conocí a un amigo radioaficionado de la ciudad de México y saludé a mis buenos amigos Jeff y Thaís de Radio Miami; también saludé a John Killian y su esposa. Un aviso en un negocio me llamó la atención: ``venta de pastes``, incluso pensé que se trataría de algún error ortográfico al escribir pero en fin, me dirigí a ese local para averiguar de que se trataba. Pude saber que éste antojito es un tipo de empanda en cuyo interior es rellena de diversos alimentos como carne, pollo, etc. Es muy tradicional en ésta parte por lo cual no me quedé con las ganas de degustar algunos. Alrededor de las cuatro de la tarde me trasladé al salón para observar los preparativos y claro poder auxiliar en el mismo. Al primero que pude ver fue a Rafael (que raro), ya estaba ayudando a Martín con algunos detalles finales. Me encontré con un par de caras conocidas pero la gran mayoría no lo eran. Había muchas personas de distintas edades que estaban en el lugar; luego me enteré que eran miembros de la rondalla y del ballet que amenizarían el primer día de presentaciones. Alrededor de las 17:00 horas, la rondalla magisterial del Valle de Teotihuacán nos interpretó varias melodías, iniciando con una muy popular: ``reloj``. Me hizo recordar mis días mozos (hace ya varios veranos) en los que llevábamos serenata a las agraciadas chamacas que conocíamos. Fuera de programa y luego de su presentación, les comenté que nos quedaban a deber algunas otras ``clásicas`` como: página blanca, historia de un amor, tres regalos y gema. Vaya que me hicieron llegar muy buenos recuerdos y como dice la canción: tuve una novia a la edad de 14 años... Después nos encaminamos a un restaurante cercano para disfrutar de una magnífica velada acompañada de una ``taquiza`` (hubo tacos de carne con papa y chicharrón); no podía faltar la música y nos acompañó por un buen rato un trío huasteco que hizo las delicias con sus interpretaciones en especial para algunos compañeros que vienen de esa región. A un costado del citado restaurante se localiza el hotel, así que no hubo mucho que caminar a éste; yo pasé por una tienda para adquirir algunos víveres y mucha agua. Conocí a la representante de la Radio Internacional de China, Wei Lijun Luego de una pequeña merienda y una ducha para quitar el calor, me dirigí a la azotea del hotel en la cual ya estaba instalado el equipo para recepcionar las emisiones de DRM (Radio digital mundial). Rafa y César trataron de hacerlo, esperamos un buen rato pero no tuvimos suerte ya que la computadora no funcionó como debía y fue imposible captar alguna emisión. Así que nos quedamos con las ganas de escuchar las transmisiones por ese día, a pesar de estar soportando un fuerte viento y un clima muy fresco. VIERNES 1 La inauguración estaba agendada para las 10 de la mañana y en el lugar había mucha gente esperando que iniciara, solamente faltaba el Sr. Presidente municipal de Tizayuca; mientras tuve tiempo para saludar a los amigos y la gran suerte de conocer a dos personalidades que representaban a Radio Habana, Cuba: la sra. Emma Almeda y al famoso Manolo de la Rosa; quien no lo recuerda a él y a Malena en aquella Radio Moscú y ahora en Radio Habana. Pasaron los minutos y ya todos estaban desesperados por el retraso y por fin llegó el Lic. Roberto Paredes Jiménez que de inmediato pasó a tomar su lugar en el presidium que compartió con Jeff y Thaís White, Emma y Manolo y Wei Lijun. Luego de la inauguración, apareció el ballet folklórico ``Huehuecoyotl`` (coyote viejo); disfrutamos desde una danza prehispánica hasta bailables regionales de Veracruz, los sones de Jalisco y para cerrar con broche de oro presentaron la ``danza de los machetes`` en una de sus dos versiones; claro que me emocionó mucho al ser algo representativo de mi terruño, Nayarit. Tuve que agradecer y felicitar al maestro (de momento se me escapa su nombre) por su magnífica interpretación de la misma. Debido al desfasamiento de horarios, solo se pudo hacer la visita a la planta cooperativa Boing que se localiza a las afueras de la ciudad. Esta gran empresa ahora tendrá en funcionamiento su nueva planta de Tizayuca para el próximo fin de año con la más avanzada tecnología para la elaboración de bebidas refrescantes de jugo y pulpa de frutas. Nos mostraron todas sus magníficas instalaciones y después del recorrido también nos regalaron un jugo que lleva la leyenda: ``eres el orgulloso poseedor del primer envase de la nueva planta , Tizayuca 2003``. Debo decir que es notable la atención con que nos recibieron aquí y el trato que tuvimos. De nuevo al hotel para la comida, hasta las 16:30 para continuar con las actividades del día. Al reiniciar, le tocó turno a Martín hablándonos sobre el dx, la onda corta y la captación de emisoras de onda corta; tema orientado a todos los amigos noveles que nos acompañaban. Hubo un par de preguntas alusivas y en general todos le brindamos un gran aplauso. Después Rafa presentó su charla sobre el nuevo sistema del DRM, ahora sí hubo suerte y pudimos escuchar una emisión de Radio Nederland en Español desde Bonaire. El presentador del mismo no podría ser otro mas que Jaime Báguena quien nos envió un cordial saludo a todos los asistentes del encuentro. A continuación, Jeff nos habló sobre la NASB (asociación nacional de emisoras de onda corta) de E.U. y nos narró gráficamente por medio de fotos digitales su viaje al continente Africano a propósito de su asistencia al congreso de la HFCC en Johanesburgo, Sudáfrica. Hubo un pequeño sorteo para entregar material enviado por la NASB y Radio Miami. Así concluyó toda actividad por el momento en el salón ``la cascada``. Después de la cena, algunos tuvieron tiempo para hacer algo de dx otra vez en la azotea del hotel y otros aprovechamos para conocer un poco más la ciudad. SABADO 2 (DÍA DEL DIEXISTA MEXICANO) Ya pasaban de las 10:30 y había pocos asistentes, muchos desvelados. Para completar la agenda de éste día, tuve la oportunidad de participar a petición de Martín y pude dirigirme a los presentes sobre un tema espontáneo en ese momento. Tuvieron que soportarme por algunos minutos al hablarles sobre la historia de los encuentros dx en México. Inicié felicitando a todos por ser el día del diexista Mexicano y algunos se mostraron sorprendidos por éste hecho, pero comenté que más adelante explicaría éste significado. A saber, el primer encuentro se realizó en mi rancho, Tepic (capital Cora) en 1995; organizado por el Nayarit dx Club con la finalidad de conocer personalmente a los otros clubes dx Mexicanos y sus actividades. Se trató pues inicialmente de una reunión de clubes con el propósito general de ``revivir`` el dx y la escucha de onda corta en México. Debido al ``éxito`` que tuvimos, decidimos hacer extensiva la invitación a todos los interesados: escuchas, dxers, emisoras, radioaficionados y público en general para los siguientes encuentros. Les comenté que en Tepic iniciamos las actividades ``oficiales`` un 2 de agosto y por consenso decidimos que esa fecha era el inicio del resurgimiento del dx Mexicano; por ser fecha tan significativa, se ``instituyó`` como día del diexista Mexicano. A la pregunta de: ¿por qué se realiza el encuentro a finales de julio y principios de agosto?, respondí que pocos sabían de éste hecho. Se tomó ésta fecha por la sencilla razón de que 3 de los 4 representantes de los clubes somos maestros y tenemos vacaciones en esas fechas. Finalmente se hizo un recuento de los anteriores encuentros y sus organizadores: 1996. Profr. Luis Antero (Miguel Auza, Zac.) 1997. Sociedad de Ing. Radioescuchas (Veracruz, Ver.) 1998. Erika Guerrero (Tehuacán, Pue.); primera mujer diexista que organiza un encuentro en México y quizá en el mundo. 1999. Profr. César Granillo (Orizaba, Ver.) 2000. Martín Iraizos (Oaxaca, Oax.) 2001. José Rivera (Guanajuato, Gto.) 2002. Lucha y Pepe González (Xalapa, Ver.) ; uno de los mejores eventos. Luego le cedieron la palabra a nuestro amigo John Killian quien ya participó de los encuentros de manera consecutiva desde Orizaba pero es la primera ocasión que se animó a presentar su charla; ésta vez nos habló sobre el papel de la radio para aprender otros idiomas. Nos presentó un comparativo muy gráfico de la manera tradicional de aprendizaje (maestro-gramática-práctica) y la radio (escucha- práctica). Pudimos observar las ventajas entre los dos ``métodos``. De manera personal nos dijo que él aprendió el Español por medio de la radio siendo su primer frase que pudo pronunciar: ``ésta es Radio Habana, Cuba; territorio libre en América...``. Muy a propósito de la presencia de la sra. Emma y Manolo, a los cuales agradeció. Hubo un aplauso muy generoso para John pero sobretodo por su gran entusiasmo y esfuerzo por ser participante en Tizayuca. El siguiente en participar fue Manolo de la Rosa, antes Martín nos comentó que ese día era cumpleaños de Manolo así que le brindamos un gran aplauso y nuestras mejores deseos por su 61 aniversario. Su tema abordó sobre la historia de la radiodifusión en Cuba. Muy a pesar de presentar un malestar de garganta, dio lectura al mismo. La sra. Emma complementó su participación con la historia de Radio Habana, Cuba. Continuamos con el foro de emisoras, en ésta ocasión representantes de Radio Habana, Radio Miami y Radio Int. De China estuvieron en el centro de atención por parte de los asistentes comentándonos sobre sus actividades y proyectos. Se tuvo la participación de Ana Cristina del Razo y se hizo una aclaración respecto a su salida el año pasado de la gerencia de Radio México Internacional. Hubo otra charla sobre el DRM para complementar lo comentado y la práctica escuchada del día anterior. Después se escucharon grabaciones presentadas por Manolo. Todos los años se ha vuelto tradicional el tener una pequeña rifa con los obsequios enviados por las emisoras y ésta vez no podía ser la excepción, así que también se realizó ésta vez repartiendo diverso material como revistas y pequeños regalos a los participantes. Hubo reconocimientos para los diexistas que presentaron una mayor cantidad de tarjetas QSL del periodo 2002-2003. DOMINGO 3 DE AGOSTO. Visita a la zona arqueológica de Teotihuacan, muy cerca de Tizayuca como a unos 30 minutos. Algunos pudieron disfrutar de éste interesante lugar mientras otros prefirieron aprovechar para poder dar un último vistazo a la ciudad y por supuesto adquirir lo más típico de la región. La parte última fue la clausura informal de éste noveno encuentro en la cual hubo entrega de reconocimientos a diexistas y personas destacadas que tuvieron participación de éste evento. Se dio a conocer también que el próximo 10º encuentro será organizado por los buenos amigos de la Sociedad de Ings. Radioescuchas, Rafa y César en el bello puerto de Veracruz. Muchas felicidades y en hora buena!, ya estaremos en contacto con ustedes para afinar los detalles. Todos los asistentes nos llevamos una grata impresión al concluir uno más de éste importante evento, el más destacado del año en México y como he comentado en oportunidades anteriores, me alegra que se haya tenido la continuidad de los mismos ya que eso nos hace sentir que el dx Mexicano sigue avanzando. Debemos conservar el lugar que le hemos dado a nivel nacional e internacional. Ya las agendas del dx mundial siempre toman en cuenta el encuentro en México y saben que se sigue realizando cada año gracias a todos los diexistas y entusiastas de la radio. Debo agradecer primeramente a Martín y a su distinguida esposa por el apoyo tan generoso y desinteresado para la celebración del 9º encuentro. También por sus múltiples atenciones de las que fui objeto. Por motivos laborales tuve que abandonar, muy a mi pesar el encuentro el sábado. No pude conseguir boleto aéreo a Tepic, por lo cual me vi obligado a hacer el viaje de 14 horas de regreso por autobús. Como el viaje de Tizayuca al D.F. es vía la autopista México-Pachuca tuve que reservar un par de horas ya que esa carretera es de tenerle respeto por el número incontable de automóviles que circulan por ella y máxime por ser fin de semana. Quisiera sugerir también que cuando viajen de México a Tepic por vía terrestre, lo hagan por la línea ``Ómnibus de México`` que es la más segura y una de las más cómodas (aclaro que no me están patrocinando ni dando nada). Así con el suave rodar por las autopistas y una lluvia constante en el último tramo, tras de 12 horas de viaje completamos los 860 kms. Concluiré con la frase célebre de nuestro querido amigo Pepe González (por cierto Pepe, esperamos contar con tu distinguida participación en Veracruz): ``vamos a seguir disfrutando del diexismo...`` Veracruz 2004 allá nos vemos. Y no se les olvide, Tepic 2040! (IVAN LOPEZ ALEGRIA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) BOSTON AREA DXERS 2003 "DX CLAMS" GET-TOGETHER Despite on and off rain and less-than-stellar propagation conditions, those who attended this year's Boston Area DXers (BADX) "Clams" outing still were able to enjoy the most important aspect of it all: good friendship and interesting conversations. About 8 of us assembled for the traditional seafood dinner, this time at Woodman's Restaurant in Essex, MA. This was followed by the excursion out to Granite Pier in Rockport where DXers set up antennas of all descriptions on their vehicles. The prevalent set-up was broadband loop phased against omnidirectional whip for a cardioid pick-up pattern nulling to the west. Drake receivers were in the greatest abundance. A new group of potential medium-wave DXers, members of a Beverly, MA based ham club, joined in the festivities and a lot of good information was exchanged. Some of us took photographs: a few of these will probably wind up on one of my sites or on Bruce Conti's site before too long. A good time was had, even though propagation and weather were against us. There will probably be a similar activity south of Boston this autumn: the DX should be better by then (Report from Mark Connelly - Rockport, MA (GC= 70.622 W / 42.667 N) (Granite Pier), NRC-AM via DXLD) News release FUDGE WELCOMES BOSTON AREA DXER'S "CLAMS" GET-TOGETHER Food Unites DXing Gourmets Everywhere (FUDGE) welcomes the Boston Area DXers as honourary members. Founded gradually by a small group of south-central Ontario DXers over lavish meals of Yugoslav barbeque cuisine, spicy kolbassa soup, smoked salmon on a cedar plank, and other delights, FUDGE mixes gourmet cuisine with spicy, exotic DX from the world over. "The barbeque is as sacred as the Sangean ATS-909 portable," said Saul Chernos, the group's ad hoc spokesperson. "When we lay out the beverage, we include the finest Cabernet Sauvignon from our cellar." Chernos, who just this morning attended a Polish deli and discovered Buskowianka Zdroj, natural mineral water fresh from the Sanatorium Marconi (he kids you not!), said the Boston Area DXers' recent DXpedition clearly demonstrates their understanding that, to improve conditions, there is simply no better method of enhancement than a seafood dinner. "The Boston Area DXers clearly know what they're doing," Chernos said. "The loggings speak for themselves. Just look at all the countries they logged -- and on mediumwave during the summer. Everywhere the fish they ate swam, they logged." (Saul Chernos, ibid.) POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ I was reading the article about BPL (power line broadband) in the August 7 DXLD and noted that the frequency range for BPL is 2-80 MHz. TV channel 2 starts at 60 MHz, going up to the upper part of channel 6 at 86-88 MHz. This means that BPL has the potential to interfere with low-VHF TV (channels 2-6). In my area of California, all five of those channels are actively operating (two in Sacramento, three in San Francisco). This may be our key to getting BPL turned down by the FCC- let the big networks know that BPL threatens their broadcasting stations on TV channels 2-6. KCRA channel 3 in Sacramento already has serious reception problems; BPL will wipe them out for good. Just an idea (Bryan Cowan, Sacramento, CA, Aug 9, DX LISTENING DIGEST) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ QST de W1AW Propagation Forecast Bulletin 32 ARLP032 From Tad Cook, K7RA Seattle, WA August 8, 2003 To all radio amateurs SB PROP ARL ARLP032 ARLP032 Propagation de K7RA Average daily sunspot numbers and solar flux were up this week compared to last. Geomagnetic indices remained about the same. The quietest day was Tuesday, August 5, when the planetary A index was 9, the high latitude College A index was only 3, and the College K index actually was 0 over two of the three-hour reporting periods and one during four of the periods. Tuesday was followed by the most active geomagnetic day, Wednesday, August 6, when the planetary A index was 43 and the planetary K index rose as high as 7. Normally the high latitude geomagnetic indices are higher than the numbers at lower latitude. The planetary A and K index are derived from observatories worldwide, and reflect both high and mid latitude measurements. But on August 6, the high latitude College A index (from the University of Alaska at Fairbanks) was 37, actually lower than the planetary A index of 43 and about the same as the mid-latitude A index of 34. A day with numbers closer to the norm for a stormy space weather day on earth was Friday, August 1, when the mid-latitude A index was 28, the planetary A index was 37 and the high latitude College A index was 74. Because quiet geomagnetic conditions indicated by low geomagnetic indices seem to correlate with better high frequency propagation, one will often hear Alaskan radio amateurs complain during extended periods of high geomagnetic activity that they just can`t work or hear anything. You can see the mid and high latitude and planetary A and K indices for the past four weeks at http://www.sec.noaa.gov/ftpdir/indices/DGD.txt Scott Cameron, KA1MUY lives in Maine and wrote to report increased noise to the north during periods of high geomagnetic activity. He notices a big difference if the A index is high, when he can point his beam to the north and see a big jump in noise to over S9 on his S-meter. He is fairly far north in Maine, at 43.89 degrees north latitude, although not as far north as this author at 47.67 degrees. Although folks on the east coast may think of Maine as the far north, Seattle is actually about 260 miles closer to the North Pole than Scott is in Pemaquid. The furthest north point in Maine is 47.4596 degrees north, which turns out to be about 14 miles south of this author`s location in Seattle, in terms of latitude. This brings to mind some words from the late Jack Bock, K7ZR when writing in the ``Totem Tabloid,`` the newsletter of the Western Washington DX Club. He often referred to locals as ``Suffering Sevens,`` probably expressing envy for our brethren in a lower latitude location such as the 5th call area. So what does the forecast show for the next few days? This weekend is the Worked All Europe DX CW Contest, but the predicted planetary A index for August 8 is 40 and 25 for August 9. This could be a problem for amateurs in the author`s area, because the path to Europe is polar. The predicted solar flux for Friday through Monday, August 8- 11 is 130. The expected geomagnetic activity would be caused when the earth moves into a solar wind from one of the sun`s coronal holes. The last good hope for the weekend is that the interplanetary magnetic field is pointing north, and the earth seems more affected when it turns south, as it did on Friday, August 1. A good review of the interplanetary magnetic field is on the Spaceweather web site at http://spaceweather.com/glossary/imf.html Don`t miss the Perseids meteor shower, which peaks on August 12-13. And be certain not to miss gazing up into the sky this month to marvel at a brighter and closer Mars. On August 27 at 0915z, Mars will be nearer to earth than at any time in the past 59,620 years. The last time it was this close was around September 12 in 57,617 BC, when it was 34.62 million miles from earth. This time we`ll have to settle for Mars being 34.65 million miles away, nearly as close, and in a light polluted environment that our distant Neanderthal ancestors never dealt with. For more information on propagation and an explanation of the numbers used in this bulletin see the Propagation page on the ARRL Web site at http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/propagation.html Sunspot numbers for July 31 through August 6 were 65, 85, 95, 144, 138, 136, and 155, with a mean of 116.9. 10.7 cm flux was 102.1, 107.3, 111.4, 120, 122.5, 130.6, and 128.7, with a mean of 117.5. Estimated planetary A indices were 32, 37, 21, 15, 14, 9, and 43, with a mean of 24.4. Copyright © 2003, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved (via John Norfolk, DXLD) ###