DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-159, September 4, 2003 edited by Glenn Hauser 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/dxldtd3i.html For restrixions and searchable 2003 contents archive see http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html NOTE: If you are a regular reader of DXLD, and a source of DX news but have not been sending it directly to us, please consider yourself obligated to do so. Thanks, Glenn NEXT AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1198: RFPI: Sat 0130, 0800, 2330, Sun 0530, 1130, Mon 0030, 0630, 1230, Wed 0100, 0730 7445 WWCR: Sat 1030, Sun 0230 5070, 0630 3210, Wed 0930 9475 WRMI: Sat & Sun 1800+ 15725 WBCQ: Mon 0415 7415 WRN: Rest of world Sat 0800; Europe Sun 0430; North America Sun 1400 WRN ONDEMAND [from Fri]: 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 [High] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1198h.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1198h.ram [Low] (Download) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1198.rm (Stream) http://www.k4cc.net/wor1198.ram (Summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1198.html [soon] WORLD OF RADIO ON WINB. Trying to confirm the new time of 0130 UT Thu, Sept 4, found absolutely no signal on 12160; then tried 9320, and voilà, there I was, with last week`s WOR 1197. Contrary to what we had been told, WINB has resumed 9320 already for the later evening hours, switching from 12160 at 0100, per one mention on their website http://www.winb.com while another page makes no mention of 9320! A new program schedule by time effective Sept 7 has already been posted, and evidently already in effect, showing the new WOR time, as well as DXPL moved to Sat 1730 on 13570; since both of us have been Overcome, UT Sun 0000-0100! AWR Wavescan remains UT Sun 0100, but now that too will be on 9320, in case Adrian hasn`t heard about this either. These and other changes have been taken into account in the Sept 4 revisions of: DX/SWL/MEDIA PROGRAMS: http://www.worldofradio.com/dxpgms.html RADIO SCHEDULES: http://www.worldofradio.com/radioskd.html MASTER TIME SCHEDULE: http://www.worldofradio.com/wormast.html UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIAL Every so often I get a request like this, so this is a good time to make the point again (gh) Dear Sir: I am writing to you to ask your expert opinion on what are the top three SW receivers on the market in the $800 - $1,500 range. I am interested in purchasing a new receiver and wanted your opinion. Are you aware of any reviews for the top three you list? I got your email address from Monitoring Times magazine, but I remember reading your reviews and such from many years ago. Didn`t you used to be with a radio station in Knoxville, Tenn.? I attended UT there in the 90's, and miss it very much. Anyway, could you also send me information by email on your World Of DX club. I am interested in that also. Thanks in advance for your help, (Steve Gerberding, KA9FPR) Hi Steve, Yes, I was with WUOT in the 1970s and 80s. However, I have a standing policy of not giving receiver or other equipment advice, since I often have no personal familiarity with the equipment in question. I have only done a few receiver reviews myself over the years, when I actually owned the equipment, and they were hardly in the price range you mention. I publish comments and reviews from elsewhere occasionally in DX Listening Digest. These are grouped near the end of certain issues under the heading Receiver News. You can look thru individual issues having this topic, via http://www.worldofradio.com/dxldmid.html -- That covers 2003 issues only; there are links at the home page to previous years. I also used to group the Receiver material into a separate file, but it got to be too much work. You can check the older files thru 2001 at http://www.worldofradio.com/rxtips.txt It may be less trouble to search on the receiver models you are interested in at Google followed by site:worldofradio.com There is no `World of DX Club`. I produce a radio program WORLD OF RADIO, and I have a website where everything I publish may be freely accessed. Regards, Glenn Hauser ** ANGOLA. Radio Nacional de Angola, fortísima, en 4950 kHz, el 02/09, a las 0516 UT. SINPO 3/3-3/2. Con el programa "Mañana [Amanhã] informativa" (Adán González, Yaesu-FT890/ Antena TH3MK3, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. One of my favourites on R. Australia, Lingua Franca, has been retimed again, and now the only airing, no longer Fri 2332 or Sat 0532, at least during weekends is: UT Sat 0045 LINGUA FRANCA - about language. This week: "Aussie English". Whatever happened to 'how do you do?' or why we greet each other with 'G'day'? Jeremy Jones on patterns of politeness in Australian spoken English. [%] Per John Figliozzi`s previews. Previous issue showed it also at 0620 Wed; not sure if that is before or after the changes go into effect. Anyhow, I keep intending to catch up on shows I`ve missed via the R. National audio archive indicated by [%]. Catch up on some of the other RA changes, at John previews for Sept 5-8: http://www.topica.com/lists/swprograms/read/message.html?sort=d&mid=1714391693&start=18014 (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** AUSTRALIA. CRITTENDEN BACK ON AIR --- By Marcus O'Donnell ABC management has ordered broadcaster Stephen Crittenden back to work although it upheld a finding of `serious misconduct` against him. . . http://www.ssonet.com.au/showarticle.asp?ArticleID=2572&x=18&y=3 (Sydney Star-Observer [gay], via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** BELARUS`. Radius FM, 4982-DSB, via Belarusian military transmitter, 1000 UT Aug 10. Jingles, city`s news, pop music charts,. Russian \\ 5134-BDSB [sic], SIO 343 (Robert Petraitis, Klaipeda, Lithuania, Sept BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) Last night (2-9-2003 0310z) on 3355 kHz SSB (USB & LSB) another channel with a Russian language broadcasting station. Looks like the usual relay of BC stations by a Belarus` Military station? Anybody is able to ID the station relayed? Nothing on the 5134 kHz which carried these relays (Belarus` BC) some time ago. 3355 kHz is a new channel? or just a channel with other operating times? Any further background info about these relays? about the "service" who does the relay? only the BLR's do this? Or also some other CIS MIL "Services" ? 73, (Tom, DL8AAM, had-core-dx via DXLD) I've often heard Belarus` on 3355 relaying R St. Stalica, Minsk local programme. While we are at it, maybe somebody finds useful to remember that Belarus` local programmes can be still heard on SW on regular basis. The transmitters are mainly 5 kW units, according to WRTH. I noted last week in weekdays (Monday-Friday) the following programs during local time slot 1500-1600 UT (During Summer Time/DST season, at least - time might change as the DST is over) 6040 Radio Hrodna (sounds like Radio Hrodno) 6080 National network 1 OR R St Stalica (One day Stalica was indeed here, broadcast apparently thru whole national network, other day it was BR1. There was no time to find out the logic of system, in a time period of one week it wouldn't be revealed however.) 7110 Radio Hrodna 7145 Radio Mahileu (sounds like Radio Magileu) Hrodna has poor audio quality, and it sounds exactly like good old Soviet time broadcasts, while R Mahileu has a good modulation and a modern programming that reminds of R Rossiya of today, commercials included. 73's (Jari Lehtinen Lahti, Finland, hard-core-dx via DXLD) ** BOLIVIA. 4780.9, R. Tacana, Tumupasa, Depto. La Paz, 2108 Sept. 02, Spanish, program "Sentimento y música", music and talk OM (Mario Yarari) 45444. OM "...banda de 60 metros, onda corta, Radio Tacana anuncia sus nuevos horarios a partir del día de hoy. Debido a instabilidad de la luz, en la noche hemos tenido serios problemas eléctricos; casi nos quema el equipo, apesar de tener los estabilizadores. Para evitar problemas, entonces en una reunión ya prevista por nuestro director, hemos previsto el horario de 6 de la mañana a 13 horas, una de la tarde para compartir con ustedes y de las 15 horas a 18. Estos son los nuevos horarios de Radio Tacana para todo el país que sintoniza este medio de comunicación; en la noche, pues, ya no estamos con ustedes..." RADIO TACANA Nuevo Horario 1ª. Tx 10:00 - 17:00 UT 2ª. Tx 21:00 - 22:00 UT 73 (Rogildo F. Aragao, Quillacollo - Bolivia, Sony ICF-2001D - Lowe HF-225E, LW 50m, WORLD OF RADIO 1198, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** BRAZIL. Gravei há pouco a abertura do programa internacional da R. Nacional do Brasil em português para a África, conforme anunciado anteriormente pelo Célio. Programa em 0500 UT, freqüência 9665 kHz, SINPO 34344. Receptor Icom R75 + Loop Coaxial 90 cm, Formato MP3 de 280 Kb de tamanho: http://planeta.terra.com.br/arte/sarmentocampos/BrasilOC.htm (Sarmento F. Campos, Rio de Janeiro, WORLD OF RADIO 1198, radioescutas via DXLD) I should clarify the schedule for the RNB African service, as in 3- 158. M-F it`s a variety of programming at 1900-2100 UT, repeated at 0500-0700; weekends expanded to 1800-2200 with futebol, 0500-0800 music. Another clarification: in 3-157, the BRAZIL item under 5045: the first paragraph is about R. Guarujá Paulista, newly on 3235 and 5045. The second graph is about a totally different station, R. Guarujá Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, subject of a DXer visit about QSL policy (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) El otro día mandé a la Lista una dirección para escribirle a Radio Guarujá pero no era la que corresponde a la nueva Guaruja Paulista, sino a otra homónima. Aquí va la nota aclaratoria que envió Dario Monferini: "Rádio Guarujá de Florianópolis opera 5980 kHz y no tiene nada que ver con la nueva Rádio Guarujá Paulista 5045 & 3235 kHz. Rádio Guarujá FM de Santos también no tiene nada que ver con esa nueva emisora que se encuentra en Guarujá. Hay 3 emisoras que se llaman Guarujá, pero sólo una opera en 5045 & 3325 kHz." (Arnaldo Slaen, Sept 4, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** CANADA. MONTREAL (CP) - Eight Quebec radio stations, including the province's leading AM broadcaster, have been sold to private investors after a planned sale to a subsidiary of Quebecor Inc. was turned down by the federal broadcast regulator. The general manager of Montreal's CKAC and another investor will pay $12 million for the stations in a deal announced Tuesday with seller Astral Media Inc. The buyers of the seven AM stations and one FM station are investor Gaetan Morin and Sylvain Chamberland, president and general manager of CKAC-AM and the Radiomedia network. MONTREAL, Sept. 2 /CNW Telbec/ - Astral Media Inc. (TSX: ACM.A/ACM.B) and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) approved trustee, Paul-Emile Beaulne, have agreed to sell Astral's AM radio stations in the province of Quebec as well as CFOM- FM in Quebec City to a business venture formed by Mr. Gaetan Morin, owner and President of Groupe Morin, a holding company, and Mr. Sylvain Chamberland, President and General Manager of CKAC-AM and the Radiomedia network. Mr. Morin and Mr. Chamberland will be acquiring these radio assets for $12 million. Closing of the sale of these assets is subject to regulatory approvals, and is expected in the first quarter of the 2004 calendar year. "We are very pleased with the efficiency with which we were able to identify a new buyer for these stations," said Ian Greenberg, President and CEO of Astral Media. "We are particularly pleased that there will be continuity in the management of these stations with the participation of Sylvain Chamberland in the transaction, who has been at the helm of CKAC for the past year and a half." Subsequent to the closing of the transaction the following stations will be held by the Morin/Chamberland venture: Morin/Chamberland Venture - New Holdings: CKAC - AM (Montreal) CHRC - AM (Quebec City) CJRC - AM (Hull/Gatineau) CKRS - AM (Saguenay) CHLT - AM (Sherbrooke) CHLN - AM (Trois Rivieres) CKTS - AM (repeater station, Sherbrooke) CFOM - FM (Quebec City) Astral Media is a leading Canadian media company active in specialty, pay and pay-per-view television, radio and outdoor advertising. Astral Media's solid and dynamic presence in the country's major markets rests on its commitment to offer a unique combination of high-quality targeted media for all its audiences (via Harry van Vugt, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, DXLD) More about this: REVITALIZING AM RADIO http://www.canada.com/montreal/story.asp?id=C37D113E-A09B-45EB-A6EF-78D08FDEB445 (via Brent Taylor, NB, NRC-AM via DXLD) ** CANADA. CBC CENTRE WILL BECOME A DESTINATION Paula Simons, The Edmonton Journal, Tuesday, August 26, 2003 CREDIT: Greg Southam, The Journal New CBC studios are under construction at City Centre. Edmonton. City of shopping malls. We put everything in malls: skating rinks and grocery stores, ferris wheels and farmers' markets, churches and dolphins, dentists and libraries. So is there a more fitting place for Edmonton's new CBC/Radio-Canada broadcast centre? The CBC's new studios will open this November in the Edmonton City Centre mall. With its main doors next to Winners and across from Coast Mountain Sports, the new facility fronts right on to the shopping centre. The new broadcast centre will bring together, for the first time in Edmonton, all CBC staff and services: English and French TV, English and French radio in one building and one newsroom. It's the first time the CBC has built studios and offices in a retail space. And the new facilities are designed to take every advantage of their public "interface." For years, the CBC has been located in the southeast of the city. The radio studios are in an industrial park on 51st Avenue, just north of Whitemud Drive, the TV studios on 75th Street in residential Kenilworth. Neither was easy for the general public to run across -- and neither was designed to welcome casual visitors. The TV building looked like a fortress, the radio building like a bunker. They were not what you'd call tourist destinations. All that will change this November. The new CBC facilities will be as open to the public as the old ones were closed. Eric Wagers, one of CBC Edmonton's senior technicians, recently led me on a tour of the construction site. We started in the "interactive" lobby facing the City Centre mall. The floor, Eric tells me, will be dotted with the logos of all the TV and radio services, local and national, English and French. Above each logo will be a parabolic dome. As you stand on the logo, you'll hear the broadcast -- and only that broadcast. The lobby will have six Web stations where visitors can access any CBC or CBC-linked Web site. And there will be TV monitors galore, including a huge one, which Wagers calls a "liquid crystal monster screen." The monitor will swing out into the mall for people to crowd around during major news or sporting events. The glass walls fronting on to the mall, he shows me, are sliding doors. When it's appropriate, the CBC will open the doors, set up bleachers in the mall and broadcast to a live audience at City Centre. The new facilities won't just face into the mall, but out to Churchill Square. From the sidewalk, you'll be able to look right through the glass walls and into the main floor French and English radio studios, where the local program hosts, such as Ron Wilson of Edmonton AM, and Peter Brown of Radioactive, will broadcast their shows. If they're interviewing the premier or chatting with Jann Arden, people will be able to watch. Soundproofing such studios was a challenge, says Wagers. "I was really worried, with all these windows. But the sound is pretty good." Nonetheless, the street-front studios won't be used to record music; that will be done in a truly silent interior studio. Upstairs, on the third floor, the French and English TV studios look right out over the square. From that vantage point, you realize how close to the action the new location will put the CBC. Out the window, you can see City Hall, the Court House, Chancery Hall and Canada Place -- not to mention the art gallery, the Winspear, the Citadel, and the Milner library. The CBC facilities are being designed by HIP Architects, the same firm that's working on the Churchill Square redesign. And the two projects are designed to dovetail. The plan, says Wagers, is to run a fibre-optic cable underground, connecting the studios to the square, so that the CBC will be able to record and broadcast effortlessly from the civic square. What will all this cost us, the taxpayers? CBC Toronto, our public broadcaster, refuses to release the budget for this public project. It's not corporate policy. But millions would be an easy guess. Still, as long as the corporation is spending our money, there's no doubt Edmonton will be the big winner. The splashy, interactive CBC will draw more people downtown and take full advantage of the energy bubbling up from the city centre. Standing in the TV studios, looking down on the construction in Churchill Square, you can imagine a real downtown renaissance. We're not there yet. But the CBC's big investment in the urban core should give us all a little extra hope. (c) Copyright 2003 Edmonton Journal (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** CANADA. Hello and welcome to our new season. Quirks & Quarks kicks off its 29th season this week with: BC Is Burning - are we all next? The wildfires in British Columbia this summer have burned with a violence and intensity that firefighters have seldom seen before. But forest scientists think this may be a sign of things to come. Thanks to climate change and our suppression of wilderness fires for the past century, the conflagrations of the future may be bigger and more destructive than they've ever been before. Plus - Hubble wobble points to a planet's hobble. All this and more on Quirks & Quarks, Saturday right after the noon news, on Radio One. Bob McDonald, Host, Quirks & Quarks, CBC Radio One Saturdays at 12:06 online at http://cbc.ca/quirks Science mailing list Science@interact.cbc.ca http://interact.cbc.ca/mailman/listinfo/science (via DXLD) Fan of Q&Q? Suggest you subscribe this list, as we won`t always quote in DXLD (gh) ** COLOMBIA. Cada vez más fuerte el armónico de Radio Mundial, Bogotá D.C., en 2740 kHz, el doble de 1370. Mejor hora: a partir de las 0400 UT. 73's y buen DX (Adán González, Yaesu-FT890/ Antena TH3MK3, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** COLOMBIA, 6010, L V de [tu] Conciencia (presumed), 0922-0930, Sept. 2, Spanish, Ballads and up-beat music, announcer between songs, booming signal until 0930 sign-on of co-channel HCJB German service, then battle for dominance between the two. Glenn, Best reception in months here in the mountains of NH this AM. Got me all fired up for the upcoming DX season! (Scott R Barbour Jr, NH, Sept. 2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CUBA. Seguidamente, una información para los cazadores de QSL's: Radio Habana Cuba está otorgando una QSL especial con motivo de estar realizando pruebas en 3 nuevos transmisores de onda corta de 100 kW, los que actualmente están en fase de pruebas. Las frecuencias son: 9550 kHz, 0000-0500 (y otros horarios), con antena dirigida al Área del Caribe (conjunto de dipolos faseados con un patrón direccional muy amplio, que cubre también México y el Sureste de los Estados Unidos de América. 0500-0700 en inglés. 9600 kHz, 0000-0500 con antena dirigida a 127 grados de acimut (Caracas) 11760 kHz, 0000-0500 con antena dirigida hacia el Este de los Estados Unidos de América (acimut 020 grados, centro del haz en el corredor W’ashington, Nueva York, Boston). Esta frecuencia desde fines de Agosto, la continúan con inglés entre 0500-0700 en forma experimental. Como información adicional, RHC ha reanudado tras reparación de su transmisor, las emisiones en 11875 kHz, la que luego de casi dos décadas de servicio momentáneamente sale al aire a 0400-0500. (Fuente: Arnie Coro Antich, Cuba, Asesor Técnico, Dirección de Radio Habana Cuba en email personal) Personalmente, estuve monitoreando estas frecuencias, pero el pasado 1/9/03 solamente la escuché hasta las 0300. Luego de ese horario, solamente continuaba en el aire la frecuencia de 15230 con sus antenas dirigidas especialmente hacia Buenos Aires, frecuencia que sale en // a las 3 anteriormente citadas. 73's GIB (Gabriel Iván Barrera, Argentina, Conexión Digital via DXLD) Algo digamos muy extraño pasa aqui en la Florida; no es para nadie un secreto que Miami es la ciudad de ultramar donde mas hermanos Cubanos habitan despues de la Habana. No hay una frecuencia que sea confiable para sintonizar a RHC en español en esta área como sucede con las transmisiones en inglés para New York y el centro de los EEUU. Aun con los nuevos transmisores que están anunciando, no encuentro una señal que valga la pena. Técnicamente hablando, pensaba que por la cercanía con la Habana deberíamos sintonizar al menos los 6000 kHz fuertes aqui. Esto NO sucede; esta frecuencia está llena de ruidos y la emisora a penas se escucha. Quisiera ver alguna explicación de los técnicos de la emisora a esta situación (Dino Bloise, ibid.) Tsk tsk Qué tal Gabriel. En relación a tu información, acabo de chequear las frecuencias que están activas en este momento de Radio Habana Cuba y mi resultado es el siguiente: 9550 --- señal muy baja con ruidos é interferencias. 9600 --- no se oye nada. 11760 --- no se oye nada 15230 --- frecuencia no mencionada, pero por aquí la estoy escuchando en forma regular. 11705 --- frecuencia no mencionada, pero el domingo pasado a las 1330 UT estaba con señal muy buena. Atte: (José Elías, Venezuela, Conexión Digital via DXLD) I also checked 11760 after 0500 UT Sept 3, but nothing (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1198, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The 2030 UT broadcast in English (to Europe?) on 11760 puts in a beautiful signal here (Chris Hambly, Victoria, UT Sept 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) English version of the above: Radio Habana Cuba is offering a special QSL card for reports about 3 new transmitters on SW's. This are 9550, 9600 & 11760, and according to its schedule, they are on air from *0000-0500*. Heard this three transmitters on September 1st, with SIO 252, 353 & 242 respectively, and all in // to 15230 with SIO 454 in Spanish. When I check this frequencies, I noted on Sept 1, abrupt s/off at 0300, then, continue only on 15230; 11760 is testing currently at 0500-0700 in English. All the news, according to a personal e-mail from Arnie Coro to me (Gabriel Barrera, Japan Premium via DXLD) Now back to the real world: ** CUBA. THREE MORE JOURNALISTS START HUNGER STRIKE | Text of press release by Paris-based organization Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) on 3 September Reporters Without Borders expressed great concern today about a hunger strike begun by three independent Cuban journalists - Manuel Vázquez Portal, Juan Carlos Herrera Acosta and Normando Hernández González - in Boniatico prison, in the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba, to protest against their conditions of detention. Since they started the protest on 31 August, they have been transferred to another prison in an unknown location. "This is the second hunger strike in the space of a month by journalists jailed in Cuba," the press freedom organization said. "They are being held in very bad conditions. Most have been sent to prisons hundreds of kilometres from their families, sanitary conditions are dreadful, food inadequate and medical care for ailing prisoners is minimal." It called on the authorities to immediately tell the families where they had been transferred to and to allow them to visit as soon as possible. Vázquez Portal, of the Grupo de Trabajo Decoro news agency, Hernández González, of the CPIC agency, and Herrera Acosta, of the APLO agency, as well as three political prisoners, began the hunger strike to protest against what they called "unfair" and "inhuman" treatment in Boniatico prison, including solitary confinement, no access to TV or the press, their distance from their families, dirty conditions and bad food. Yarai Reyes, wife of Hernández González, said the food was often rotten, they had no electricity in their cells and were being refused any medical care. Herrera Acosta's wife, Ileana Danger Hardy, said the journalists were also protesting against the disciplining of one of them. The three journalists, along with one of the political prisoners, were taken to the new prison on 1 September. Reyes said the aim was to separate them from other prisoners and force them to end the hunger strike. She said she was "extremely worried" that reprisals might be taken against them. Three other jailed independent journalists - Mario Enrique Mayo, Adolfo Fernández Sainz and Iván Hernández Carrillo - began a hunger strike on 15 August to demand the right for chronically ill prisoners to receive proper medical treatment and suitable food. They ended the protest on 25 August when the authorities agreed to give Enrique Mayo a proper diet. Fernández Sainz reportedly lost 15 kg. Source: Reporters Sans Frontieres press release, Paris, in English 3 Sep 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** CZECH REPUBLIC. Richard Reynolds, Guildford, comments about Tony Rogers` inter-modulation and uses the example of ``5055 kHz R. Prague: 6200 x 2 = 12040 minus 7345 = 5055, at 0219 UT. Sounds easy, but R. Prague uses these two frequencies for English, Czech and Spanish services and there would also be phase distortion due to the difference in propagation of these two frequencies.`` (Open to Discussion, BDXC-UK Mailbox, Sept Communication via DXLD) ?? Since the 5055 mix emerges from the transmitter and antenna, rather than being produced in the ionosphere, or receiver, the difference in phase between the two intended frequencies would be irrelevant. The mix is propagating independently (gh, DXLD) ** CZECH REPUBLIC [and non]. PAVEL TIGRID DIES IN PARIS The former Czech culture minister, writer, journalist and dissident in exile Pavel Tigrid has died in Paris at the ago of 85. The former Czech president Vaclav Havel said he had received the news with a heavy heart, describing Mr. Tigrid as a good and brave man who had left behind a precious legacy. Culture minister Pavel Dostal described him as a legend of Czech journalism. Pavel Tigrid emigrated from his homeland twice: once during the Nazi occupation and again after the communists took power in 1948. During the war he worked as a journalist for the London based Czechoslovak government in exile, and in later years he worked for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. He returned to Czechoslovakia after the fall of communism in 1989. Veteran writer, politician and broadcaster Pavel Tigrid dies aged 85 The Czech Republic woke up to some sad news on Sunday (August 31st) - the death at the age of 85 of the veteran writer, politician and broadcaster Pavel Tigrid. Tigrid spent much of his life in exile, and many Czechs remember him for his broadcasts on the BBC during the Second World War, and later Radio Free Europe during the Communist era. For full version, please go to: http://www.radio.cz/en/article/44731 Radio Prague, Vinohradska 12, 120 99 Prague, the Czech Republic tel (+4202) 2155 2971 , fax (+4202) 2155 2971 http://www.radio.cz/ Notice of Copyright --- All rights reserved. Radio Prague grants the right to redistribute this information in electronic or in printed form, in whole or in part for non-commercial use only; distribution must include this copyright notice, the date of publication, and Radio Prague's postal or e-mail address *unless specific agreement is reached with Radio Prague* For uses of this material not covered by this notice, please contact us at cr@radio.cz (via Chris Brand, UK, DXLD) ** DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Radio Pueblo, desde Santo Domingo, transmitía música rock en español --- parecía religiosa --- el 01/09, a las 2234 UT. SINPO 3/3, 5009.79 kHz (Adán González, Yaesu-FT890/ Antena TH3MK3, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FINLAND. Scandinavian Weekend Radio, 6170, 1000 UT Aug 2, info about changing of anennas, rock music, English, Finnish, Sio 343 (Robertas Petraitis, Klaipeda, Lithuania, Sept BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) And thus a timely reminder of their next monthly broadcast, which should last 24 hours starting at 2100 UT Fri Sept 5; details at http://www.swradio.net or specifically http://www.swradio.net/fin/tietoja.htm (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1198, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** FRANCE. A partir de la fin du mois d'octobre, Jacqueline Papet proposera de revivre l'histoire de RFI. Du "Poste colonial" inauguré en 1931 à aujourd'hui, ce sont plus de 70 ans d'histoire au rythme de l'actualité du monde que vous pourrez entendre et (éventuellement) revivre en écoutant RFI. Vous pouvez également participer à cette émission en confiant vos témoignages à Jacqueline Papet. Une histoire qui sera contée en 20 épisodes de 20 minutes à partir de la fin du mois d'octobre 2003. Cette histoire de plus de 70 ans qui s'inscrit dans l'histoire tout court est comme celle-ci faite de moments dramatiques et de périodes de détente, d'espoir et de désillusions. La radio extérieure française s'est appelée "Poste colonial", "Paris ondes courtes", "Paris Mondial", "Voix de la France", "Service des émissions vers l'étranger", "Direction des relations extérieures", "Direction des affaires extérieures et de la coopération" et enfin, depuis 1975, "Radio France Internationale". Elle a parlé de nombreuses langues - bulgare, danois, espéranto, finnois, grec, hongrois, italien, japonais, macédonien, néerlandais, norvégien, slovaque, slovène, suédois, tchèque, yiddish - qui ont laissé la place aujourd'hui à d'autres langues adaptées à de nouveaux auditeurs, 19 langues, précisément. Il a fallu vivre la Seconde Guerre mondiale, le conflit indochinois, le drame algérien, les dictatures d'Espagne, du Portugal et de Grèce, les excès du communisme , la guerre dans les Balkans et d'autres conflits encore avec toutes les souffrances que l'on peut imaginer. Mais les émissions vers l'étranger ont toujours été aussi une source d'information et une respiration pour tous les "désinformés" de la terre (site de RFI via Union des Ecouteurs Français via Frank Parisot dans http://fr.groups.yahoo.com/group/ondescourtes/ - 01 septembre (informations issues de http://perso.wanadoo.fr/jm.aubier via DXLD) ** GERMANY. No sign of AWH via DTK on its supposed first day of operation, Sept 3 at 1500-1530 on 17555. Propagation OK as Israel was in on 17545, 17535. Sept 4 at the same hour, there was an extremely weak and unstable carrier on 17555 --- ionospheric Doppler? (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1198, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GERMANY [and non]. The 693 DRMer is heard here too as a disturbing hiss under the BBC. 729 has been active again for some time and mostly is covering everything else on the channel. When 855 is active reception of other stations is difficult. 531 is heard at times and is not as loud as 729. 1485 also has an annoying background hiss. 1296 is broadcasting in DRM for one or two hours until 2400 and is covering everything else. The problem with DRM is the high energy content and the fact that every watt put into the signal ends up as noise when received in the AM mode. As the energy density is rather constant over the whole bandwidth the noise level affecting adjacent channels is high (Olle Alm, Sweden, BC-DX Sept 2 via DXLD) BBC Reception Advice - reception@b... [truncated] has sent the following reply in response to my complaint about the ongoing DRM interference on 693 kHz (it was really bad again last night): Dear Mr Kenny, Thank you for your Email about recent interference to R5Live on 693 kHz during the hours of darkness. Circumstantial evidence suggests it may be due to some short-term digital AM radio transmissions timed to coincide with an international radio exhibition in Berlin, Germany. These transmissions are scheduled to finish Wednesday 3 September. Concerned about the effect these transmissions may have had on reception of our services, we have passed your comments onto DRM (the organisation with overall responsibility for organising tests of this type) in order that the problem can be assessed and ways sought to minimise the likelihood of a recurrence. Thank you for letting us know of your experiences. I hope that this is helpful. Thank you once again for contacting us. Best regards, Teresa O'Gara, BBC Reception Advice (via Dave Kenny, BDXC-UK via DXLD) See also DRM at IFA report below ** GERMANY. Im neuen BR - Bayerischer Rundfunk Munich - Senderverzeichnis 2003/2004 steht der KW-Sender Ismaning als Titelbild im Vordergrund; eine grosse Detailaufnahme eines Reusen-Ausschnitts der KW-Sendeantenne. Der Text dazu klingt eher nach klassischer Kurzwelle wie z. B. Versorgung der Straende rund ums Mittelmeer, Empfangsberichte aus aller Welt. DRM wird im Dokument nicht erwaehnt (nur kurze Begriffserklaerung im ABC). In der letzten Ausgabe (09/2002) war hier ja noch von Einstellung und spaeterer Wiederaufnahme mit Option DRM die Rede. http://www.br-online.de/br-intern/technik/sv_2004.pdf (1.8 MB) (Wolfgang Reiswolf, Germany, A-DX Sept 2 via BC-DX via DXLD) ** GHANA. GBC is currently operating on 4915 only. This follows the breakdown of the Radio 1 transmitter (on 4915) because of a burnt-out valve. They have transferred he Radio 2 transmitter to 4915, thus stopping all broadcasts on 3366 and 6130 kHz. The programming of Radio 1 and Radio 2 was subsequently merged into a single service (in English) and local languages) on 4915. Eventually they would like to repair the broken-down transmitter, but that all depends on getting the necessary funds. (confirmed by Chris Greenway on 9 August in response to an enquiry from Mauno Ritola quoting an original report from Charles Wompiah in Ghana)(DX News, Sept BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** GREECE. TURKISH RADIO STATION IN GREECE CLOSED http://www.cascfen.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=775 Turkish Daily News - A radio station, broadcasting in Turkish in the town of Komotoni (Gumulcine), Greece, is undergoing a legal struggle after being closed by the Greek Radio Television Institution. The radio station, Yildiz FM, has been broadcasting mainly to western and eastern Thrace and western Bulgaria. General broadcasting director Kenan Mustafa said that Yildiz FM is the only radio station that broadcasts beyond the Greek boundries. "I have been trying to bring the problems of Turkish people living in western Thrace as European Union citizens to the agenda, via the radio. Unfortunately, in December 2002, the decision for closure was taken due to a lack of legal documents. Later, we learned that the radio was closed because of complaints of Greek politicians against us," said Mustafa, adding that they have applied to the State Council for the cancellation of the decision. The State Council is reported to be currently making a decsion on the issue. Mustafa said that even if the council confirms the closure, his station will continue broadcasting, in Greek if necessary. Posted on Wednesday, September 03 @ 19:25:33 CDT by adm CASCFEN © 2002-2003. Please credit CASCFEN while using materials from this web site and feel free to republish a part or full of this material (via Artie Bigley, DXLD) ** GUYANA. GBC, 3291.09, Aug 30 0120-0300+ English, GBC ID. Variety of lite instrumental music, local island music, reggae music, steel drum music. YL announcer. Not on the air at 0700 check but heard at 0840 tune-in on 3291.25 with Hindu music, birthday wishes. Fair level but noisy conditions making reception difficult at times (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) 3290, V. of Guyana, 0906-0917, September 2, English, Birthday wishes at tune-in and a PSA to "..love one another.." "Voice of Guyana, Guyana Broadcasting Corporation" ID, ad for Western Union, then "Early Bird" program, sponsored by Kentucky Fried Chicken (as it was this past winter); announcer introduced local music circa 1967. Fair with mild QRN (Scott R Barbour Jr, NH, Sept.2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** HONDURAS. La estación de 3340 kHz, se identificaba como Radio M.I., el pasado 30/08, a las 0341 UT, SINPO 4/3. Era audible hasta pasadas las 0430 UT (Adán González, Yaesu-FT890/ Antena TH3MK3, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) HRMI, 3340, Aug 30 0305-0435+, Spanish religious programming with contemporary Christian music, 0401 ID as ``Radio Misiones Internacionales``. Fair; barely audible on \\ 5010 (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Theory: they prefer 5010, but sometimes peak the transmitter on 2/3 of that, 3340 instead, because of all the co-channel on 5010 (gh, DXLD) ** INDONESIA. 4000.17, RRI Kendari, 1156-1202 9/2. Vocal music; M announcer at 1159, then SCI; Jak program at 1201 // 4753.45 but not // 9680. Good signal. 9680, RRI Jakarta, 1300+. News relay not heard lately at 1200 or 1300. On Sep 2 noted Japanese program at 1300; on Sep 3 was in Bahasa Indonesia at 1300 with tourist feature on Sumatera Utara. At the same time, 4753.4 had SCI at 1259, then Jak news program at 1300, not // 9680 (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Drake R-8, 100-foot RW, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** IRAQ [and non]. Re 3-158: The September 4th edition of Radio Polonia's Multimedia programme had some information on the relays of Polish Radio in Iraq. Currently Polish Radio Programme 1 is being received in Iraq by satellite and is being broadcast in the canteen on one of the four bases. They plan soon to add further loudspeaker relays at the other bases and have established a studio to insert local programming and contribute to Polish Radio Programme 1. They are looking to establish FM radio stations in the Polish controlled sector in Iraq to carry the programmes. Funding has also been provided for all Polish troops to be given radio receivers so they can listen to the broadcasts. Reception of Radio Polonia at 1230-1300 on 11820 was fine, good strength and no technical problems apart from a somewhat tinny audio but parallel 9525 suffered from low and distorted modulation and the familiar rumbling noise (Mike Barraclough, Letchworth, UK, Sept 4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) POLISH PRESS AGENCY OPENS IRAQ ONLINE SERVICE | Text of report in English by Polish news agency PAP Warsaw, 3 September: The Polish Press Agency PAP [on] Wednesday [3 September] opened an online Iraq service http://www.irak.pap.pl with info on events in the country, and especially in the Polish- administered central-southern stabilization zone. Earlier today Polish stabilization forces officially took command of Iraq's central- southern region. PAP's Iraq service will include current news, pictures, situation maps, charts and tables, the information sent in from a special PAP mission in Iraq. Source: PAP news agency, Warsaw, in English 1420 gmt 3 Sep 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** IRELAND. I have just been reading the Annual Report of Radio Telefis Éireann (RTÉ). It appears that consideration is being given to the possible closure of the following MW transmitters: RTE Radio 1 Cork 729 kHz, RTE Radio 2 Dublin 1278 kHz, RTE Radio 2 Athlone 612 kHz. Don`t forget that the working title of Radio 2 is Radio 2 FM (Ken Fletcher, BDXC, 1 Aug, MW Report, Sept BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) ** ISRAEL. KOL ISRAEL INTERNET AUDIO http://israelradio.org and http://wrn.org now carry the 0400 UT and 1900 UT broadcasts on demand. The israelradio.org webpage text has not yet been updated to show this. israelradio.org still has the 1900 UT live webcast. The IBA's website carries the latest relayed English broadcast. It does not carry the 1900 UT Israel Radio International broadcast. http://bet.iba.org.il/PopUpEnglish.html Once again, the Kol Israel English broadcasts are at 0400 UT, 1010 UT, 1700 UT and 1900 UT. The 1900 UT broadcast is the only Israel Radio International broadcast. The other broadcasts are all relays of local (Israel) broadcasts. Subtract 4 hours from the above times to get Eastern Daylight Time (Doni Rosenzweig, Sept 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** ISRAEL [non]. The offshore station Arutz Sheva Radio (Radio Channel 7) has reactivated its transmitter on 1539 kHz. Heard Sun-Thu 1600- 1800 in French, 1800-2000 English, Sat 1700-2000 Russian (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, Medium Wave Report, Sept BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) Predates report of increased English? ** ITALY. Dave Kenny heard R. Capri during sporadic E activity earlier in the summer; based on the beautiful Italian island, station has a stylish website with artistic photos and minimal text. Broadcasting in French and English as well as Italian, there are audio links, and `No Snob music` is the station slogan, whatever that might mean in practice. http://www.radiocapri.it/radiocapri.htm (Chris Brand, Communication Webwatch, Sept BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) Beware: audio launches automatically, no matter what you may already be listening to. I disdain sites which do that (gh, DXLD) ** ITALY. EUROPEAN MUSIC RADIO 49 METRES 5775 KHZ SATURDAY NIGHT Dear EMR listener, It is time now for EMR to repeat last week`s transmission which had poor conditions and a weak signal. The repeat will be on Saturday night [Sept 6] at 1900 UT on 5775. EMR will be on the air every 3rd Sunday night of the month until April 2004 on the same channel from the 21st of September 2003. Starting in September 2003 EMR will be introducing a new jingle Package and programme schedule. All correct reports via E-mail will be verified with a free QSL card via post. EMR E-mail: emr@blueyonder.co.uk There may be some transmissions on 13840 sometime before April 2004. GOOD LISTENING AND GOOD RECEPTION 73s (TOM Taylor, EMR, Cumbre DX et al. via DXLD) ** LATVIA. /UK [non]. Laser Radio UK is going to resume transmissions via Ulbroka, Latvia (100 kW) on Saturday 20 September (1800-2200 UT) on 9290 (Andrew Yates/LaserRadio in laserradio yahoogroup, 3 Sep 2003 via Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** LIBYA [non]. V. of Africa, 15205, Aug 24 1926-1932 English program about the concepts of the Revolution Committee`s Movement. No regular English news heard; poor-fair, \\ 15315 (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MALAYSIA. 7295, Radio Malaysia, 1004-1036, Sept. 2, English, Dance/ pop music with "Boys of Summer" cover by the Ataris, positive ID at 1011 then announcer with "Woody Woodpecker" zinger and phone numbers for call-in contest between songs. Callers had 60 seconds to (based on what I could make out) ID various artists, music by Madonna introduced at tune-out. Weak but in the clear with propagation fading and mild QRN. Nice to ID this one after weeks of "tentative" logs (Scott R Barbour Jr, NH, Sept.2, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO [non?]. EXCLUSIVE: The World Trade Organization is about to meet in Cancún, México, but the opponents to globalization have been there the previous week organizing ``Contra-Cumbre`` protests and Independent Media Center coverage; more at http://cancun.mediosindependientes.org/ We are informed that there will be special shortwave broadcasts Sept 10 thru 14, on this approximate schedule: Primary: 1700-0500 UT on 15045 Daytime alternate: 1700-2300 on 17552.5 variable Evening alternate: 2300-0500 on 9310 variable Depending on propagation and other factors, the broadcasts may run instead between 1900 and 0700 UT. Band changes will require at least one hour. Note: We are assured this has NO connexion with RFPI, but a frequency near RFPI`s currently inactive channel was apparently chosen deliberately (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1198, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** MEXICO. Hola amigos, Gracias a Julián Santiago Díez de Bonilla, quien me avisó el domingo 31 de agosto, que Radio México Internacional no se estaba sintonizando en la frecuencia habitual de 9705 kHz, si no en 9277 kHz; con señal fuerte y distorsionado. También detecté que en 10133, se escucha, con menos potencia e igual de distorcionado. Ayer lunes 1 de septiembre lo sintonicé en 9300, igual de potente y distorcionado. así como en 10110 kHz con muy baja potencia y sonido. Tampoco puedo sintonizar su frecuencia de 11770 kHz. ¿Que está pasando en la IMER? Saludos (Héctor García Bojorge, DF, Sept 2, Conexión Digital via WORLD OF RADIO 1198, DXLD) The 9 MHz transmitter did exactly the same thing a few years ago (gh, WOR 1198, DXLD) Querido Héctor, está pasando algo de feo, que no debería ocurrír en una emisora estatal de un estado tán importante y seguido en todo el Mundo como es México. Lo siento mucho pero es lo que pienso, latinoaméricano que vive en Europa y que, cada véz que hace DXismo por la noche buzca a RMI: casi siempre, a parte raras, muy raras veces, cacería negativa. Mucho mejor Educación 6185 kHz. Radio Huaya en los 120 metros un sueño; ahora buscando Insurgente en los 49 metros. ¡Que vida dura a del DXista, ¿verdad?! (Francisco Luis Clemente, Udine, Italia, Radiorama/AIR, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** MEXICO. MEXICAN SHORTWAVE SCENE Radio UNAM is not transmitting on shortwave. In past months they did many tests, and they improved their signal a lot, but still with very low power, until they finally burned out a tube. They are waiting on a replacement (rebuilt?) to be able to continue with their test transmissions. Radio UNAM -- particularly the engineers -- have always had an interest in continuing to transmit on shortwave, but they don't have sufficient resources to get a new transmitter. XERTA has had a lack of economic resources, so much that the owner has sold it to a religious organization. XERTA built its own transmitter, which never worked very well. They have never gotten all the parts they need to be able to continue transmitting. For the moment they only have a web page where you can hear their "religious" programming online. Besides, this station does not have an official license to broadcast on the frequency they have used (4810) from the Ministry of Communications and Transportation. Candela FM, 6105, has been transmitting this year. The last time I heard them was about three months ago with a very good signal in the mornings. The station says it has continued to broadcast. As far as Radio Insurgente, I have no news of any DXer having heard the station. On August 8th they said they had not begun broadcasting because the government wouldn't permit it, and locally with loudspeakers their programming and messages could be heard. As far as I'm concerned, in those three days (Aug. 8, 9, 10, 2003) there were no broadcasts on 5800 or any nearby frequencies. Future SW station Radio Tapachula from Tapachula, Chiapas, has obtained permission to broadcast on the frequency of 6120 kHz with the call letters XETS-OC. They hope to begin transmissions in about 2 or 3 months (We understand that Radio Tapachula used to use this frequency back in the 1940's.) Best regards. Héctor García Bojorge (original in Spanish, translation by Jeff White, Sept 3, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) Not that long ago --- I remember it from the 60s or 70s. But a Google search on XETS onda corta got one hit: ``El 1 de enero de 1946 aparece en Tuxtla la XEON de la que se afirma, es la pionera, aunque hay quien dice que antes lo fue la XETS de Tapachula que transmitió en onda larga y onda corta.`` (from EN CHIAPAS HAY 44 RADIODIFUSORAS, 38 PERTENECEN AL GOBIERNO DEL ESTADO - No se sabe si son concesionarias o permisionarias - HUGO ISAAC ROBLES GUILLEN, http://www.ecn.org/estroja/tiemp6-2.htm via DXLD) ** NEW ZEALAND. RNZI Still off air at 1100 UT Wednesday! vy73 de wb (Wolfgang Bueschel, Sept 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Website check 2020 UT Sept 4: still off (gh, DXLD) ** NORWAY. NORWEGIAN LONGWAVE PROJECT SUFFERS SETBACK Plans to build a new longwave station in Norway have suffered a setback. Svenn Martinsen of Northern Star International Broadcasters http://www.northernstar.no/ tells Media Network that Northern Star have just had a message from transmitter operator Norkring. The message says that in view of general environmental considerations, and the decline of AM in Norway, including the bleak prospects for the Sveio shortwave site, Norkring does not consider it possible to make further plans for AM 216 from Sveio. However, Mr Martinsen says the project will continue as Norkring is prepared to operate a longwave service from a different location if one can be found (© Radio Netherlands Media Network 3 September 2003 via WORLD OF RADIO 1198, DXLD) ** PERU. 4975, Radio del Pacífico, 0946-1003, Sept. 2, Spanish, end of intro, "...San Antonio..." presumed religious program, ballad then male with long talk, mentioning "Buenos Aires", prayer then announcers with address for Puerto Rico. Announcer at 1000 with passing mention of "Radio Pacífico" and "Lima" during talks. Fair with increasing QRN by 1000. 4995, Radio Andina, 0936-0946, Sept. 2, Spanish, Up-beat music, either a long song or played continuously, with breaks for announcer with "Radio Andina" IDs. Fair/poor with static bursts (Scott R Barbour Jr, NH, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. HELLO MY DX FRIENDS! A DX LOG I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE ... 73s SPACEMASTER [originally in time order, rearranged by gh who excerpted Perú only; last figure 30 and 31 for dates in Aug] 3172.6, R. Municipal Panao, Huánuco, Perú 0040 44423 S (relay RPP) 31 4386.5, R. Imperio, Lambayeque, Perú 0502 4423 [sic] S 30 4426 , R. Bambamarca, Cajamarca, Perú 0103 44413 S 31 4746.8, R. Huanta 2000, Ayacucho, Perú 2102 54432 S 31 4774.9, R. Tarma, Perú 0107 54513 S 31 4826.4, R. Sicuani, Cuzco, Perú 0111 44423 S 31 4835 , R. Marañón, Jaén, Cajamarca, Perú 2120 44423 S 31 4856.0, R. La Hora, Cuzco, Perú 0112 43423 S 31 4890 , R. Macedonia, Arequipa, Perú 0503 54423 S 30 4890.2, R. Macedonia, Arequipa, Perú 0114 44323 S 31 4940 , R. San Antonio, Villa Atalaya, Perú 0116 44433 S 31 4965 , R. Santa Monica, Cuzco, Perú 0117 54433 S 31 4974.7, R. del Pacífico, [Lima], 0505 44423 S 30 4995 , R. Andina, Huancayo, Perú 0118 44423 S 31 5019.9, R. Horizonte, Chachapoyas, Perú 1632 24232 S 30 5024.9, R. Quillabamba, Cuzco, Perú 1634 33423 S 30 5029.9, R. Los Andes, Huamahuco, Perú 1636 24323 S 30 5110.0, R. Victoria, Lima, Perú 2129 24412 S (harmonic) 31 [of what?? No, must be image from 6020 minus 910] 6020.2, R. Victoria, Lima, Perú 0506 55523 S 30 6115.0, R. Unión, Lima, Perú 1637 44423 S 30 6173.8, R. Tawantinsuyo, Cuzco, Perú 1639 24423 S 30 6188.0, R. Oriente, Yurimaguas, Perú 1640 44423 S 30 6193.4, R. Cuzco, Perú 1641 24422 S 30 6249.3, Voz de Andahuaylas, Perú 2003 24412 S/Q 30 9504.8, R. Tacna, Tacna, Perú 1642 44423 S 30 S: Spanish P: Portuguese (Alfredo Benjamin Cañote, QTH: Chaclacayo, Icom IC-R71A, Antenna: 10 meters long, Copper Wire, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** POLAND. See IRAQ ** QATAR. This is Aljazeera's English website: http://english.aljazeera.net/HomePage (Mike Peraaho, DX LISTENING DIGEST) One of the slants was missing in 3-158 /HomePage optional ** RUSSIA. En la noche de hoy Martes, a la 0143 UT estuve sintonizando con muy mala señal a La Voz de Rusia en la frecuencia de los 9965 kHz con el boletín de noticias. Pude escuchar con dificultad que anunciaron las frecuencias 7350, 6185 así como muchas otras que no logré entender. Lo cierto del caso es que las sintonicé al momento y no se escuchaba nada por las mismas. ¿Que pasa con La Voz de Rusia? Ya no es la emisora que solíamos escuchar por muchas frecuencias con señal poderosa; será que la están dejando morir poco a poco y se han olvidado de repotenciar sus equipos para sacarla de la onda corta? Al programa Frecuencia RM, del querido amigo Francisco Rodríguez, no lo he podido captar más. Luego a la 0146 se comenzó a transmitir un programa religioso (José Elías, Venezuela, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** SWEDEN. RADIO SWEDEN -- Coming up on Radio Sweden: Thursday: "Northern Lights" Friday: Our weekly review Saturday: "Network Europe" Sunday: "In Touch with Stockholm" (SCDX/MediaScan Sept 3 via DXLD) ** SWITZERLAND [non!]. Clare Pinder, in beautiful Cumbria, says, ``I had an exciting few days this month as I had a visit from another pen friend whom I met through `Grapevine``, the programme of Swiss Radio. He has been writing since the 1980s and lives in new Zealand. He worte to say tht he had booked a holiday for himself and his wife which included a week in Sweden, a boat trip on the Rhine and other trips in Europe befroe coming to the UK and returning to his home in Palmerston. They stayed with us in Appleby for three days. Funnily enough I found it difficult to tune int to Radio new Zealand whilst they were here, but once they had gone, the station was heard loud and clear --- although on being asked to retune to 9885 kHz at 0700 following the close of 11820, I found myself listening to R. Prague.`` (Open to Discussion, BDXC-UK mailbox, Sept Communication via DXLD) ** TIBET. 9490, Tibet PBS, Lhasa (presumed), 1127-1136, Sept. 2, English?/ Tibetan, Announcer in presumed English at tune-in with what sounded like the request, "Please write to us at..." Male and female announcer at 1130 with presumed ID over music then talks. Weak, fading out by 1136 (Scott R Barbour Jr, NH, Sept. 2, WORLD OF RADIO 1198, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TOGO. Radio Togo sin señales de vida en 5047v, a las 2239 UT, 01/09. ¿Será que la nueva brasilera de 5045 kHz la anula? (Adán González, Yaesu-FT890/ Antena TH3MK3, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** TOGO [non]. SOUTH AFRICA? 21760, R. Togo Libre? 1303 9/4. News in French; suddenly left the air at 1305. Is Radio Togo Libre still here? Via Meyerton? (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Drake R-8, 100- foot RW. Cumbre DX via DXLD) As I recall Channel Africa itself has a French broadcast abutting this one, maybe running overtime? But TDP doggedly maintains RTL in its client schedule, which appears not to have been updated for three months now, so further chex are in order: M-F 1300-1400 21760; Sun 2000-2100 12125 (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** UKRAINE. RUI, 12040, Aug 30 0000-0100 English news, commentary, local pops; announcing 9810. Weak to fair. No sign of them on either frequency at 0300 (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The move to 9810 was not until UT Sept 1 as Kraig notes ** U K. Late last week, when I was checking out something on the BBC website, I found by accident a link to the page on the radio programme "Just a Minute": http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/comedy/justaminute.shtml At the bottom of the page, there's a link marked "An unofficial guide to Just a Minute." That takes you to the following fan page about the show: http://www.geocities.com/deanbedford/jam.html That page not only has info about the history of the show, but it also has statistics about how often various guests have appeared and, last but not least, transcripts of more than 400 episodes of "Just a minute," with apparently more transcripts being added as time goes on. The gentleman who puts this site together (from his e-mail address, he's in New Zealand) is obviously quite a fan of the show, to say the least. 73- (Bill Westenhaver, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Impressive! --- or, obsessive ** U K. Fantastic plug for Caroline on Radio 2 tonight and "Loving Awareness" announced to the nation --- superb. I hope thousands do a search and find great radio at http://www.radiocaroline.co.uk/ There is a real alternative --- still (after almost 40 years)! (Mike Terry, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Refers to second of 2-parter on pirate radio at 1930-2030 UT Tue, The Radio Revolutionaries --- unfortunately, no sign of either part on the Listen Again BBCR2 Player (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. This just in from the BBC. I have my doubts that we will be able to hear any of the frequencies for the special broadcast, but you never know.... SF THE LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS Romanian soprano Angela Gheorghiu and the American violinist Leila Josefowicz join forces with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers and the BBC Symphony Chorus under the baton of Chief Conductor Leonard Slatkin for the exuberant Last Night Of The Proms. This will be broadcast live on Saturday 13th September 1840-2200 GMT on special short-wave frequencies to Europe, North Africa, West Africa and the Middle East. An edited version of the concert will be broadcast to all regions on Sunday 14th September at the following times: West Africa | Sun 1301; Europe | Sun 2101; East & South Africa | Sun 1802; Middle East | Sun 1101; South Asia | Sun 1501; East Asia | Sun 1501; Americas | Sun 0501 rpt 1901 ********************************************************************** Special Short-Wave Frequencies for The Last Night of the Proms Live: Central, NW and NE Europe (to the south coast of France, including Scandinavia and Western Russia, but not Spain/Portugal, S Italy, or SE Europe from Hungary southwards): 1830-2000 GMT: 12020 kHz 1945-2200 GMT: 9595 kHz Spain, Portugal, S Italy, N & W Africa, SE Europe (incl. Hungary, Romania, Slovenia and all points SE), Middle East: 1830-2000 GMT: 13755 kHz 1945-2200 GMT: 9860 kHz Also you can listen to the Proms online --- assuming of course you have a fast enough internet connection and that you aren't behind a firewall which blocks Real Player programs. http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/ (Sandy Finlayson, swprograms via DXLD) I surely have been, almost every day, enjoying them immensely; the Last Night will also have a video webcast (Glenn Hauser, DXLD) ** U K. RADIO 4 RESURRECTS HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE John Plunkett, Friday August 29 2003, The Guardian It has been 25 years since the adventures of Arthur Dent, Zaphod Beeblebrox and Marvin the paranoid android became an overnight sensation on BBC Radio 4. Now the characters of Douglas Adams' cult sci-fi novel, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, are set to return to the airwaves in a series of brand new adaptations for the BBC. After years of negotiations over the rights to the best-selling books, the second in the five-strong Hitchhiker series - The Restaurant at the End of the Universe - is expected to air on Radio 4 next year. The new adaptations come two years after Adams died, aged just 49. From their humble beginnings on Radio 4, the Hitchhiker books became a global bestsellers, selling 14 million copies worldwide. They were transformed into a BBC2 TV series, records, a computer game and several stage adaptations. The books have long been tipped to be turned into a Hollywood movie but so far without result. The latest director to be linked with the project is Jay Roach, who directed Mike Myers in the Austin Powers films. According to legend, Adams had the idea for the series "while lying drunk in a field in Innsbruck". They recount the intergalactic travails of Arthur Dent after his escape from "an utterly insignificant little blue-green planet" - Earth. There were four sequels in all. The Restaurant at the End of the Universe was followed by Life, the Universe and Everything; So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish; and Mostly Harmless, which was published in 1992. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was nominated as one of the Britain's 100 best-loved books in BBC2's The Big Read event. Independent radio production company Above The Title is making the new adaptation. Adams, who had struggled as a sketch writer on such shows as Radio 4's Weekending, was about to leave the country when The Hitchhiker's Guide was commissioned by Radio 4 in 1978. He had previously written with Ringo Starr and Monty Python's Graham Chapman, and also enjoyed a stint as a script editor on Doctor Who. Adams went on to write two sci-fi detective books starring Dirk Gently and, with zoologist Mark Carwardine, he wrote Last Chance To See, about rare and endangered species. One of the last projects Adams was involved in was h2g2, an interactive web encyclopaedia inspired by the Hitchhiker's Guide. Copyright Guardian Newspapers Limited (via Bill Westenhaver, DXLD) ** U K. BRIAN PERKINS, VOICE OF RADIO 4, STEPS DOWN Matt Wells, media correspondent, Thursday September 4, 2003 The Guardian Brian Perkins, whose silken tones have smoothed the edges of the most unpalatable news stories, is stepping down from Radio 4's microphones after a newsreading career spanning four decades. The BBC said yesterday Perkins was retiring from the BBC's staff but hoped he would continue as a freelance presenter. His departure is a loss. From the Today programme's bulletins through the afternoon shipping forecast to the midnight news, Perkins' voice has come to symbolise Radio 4's calm authority. He started as a broadcaster 40 years ago in his native New Zealand before joining the BBC in London in 1965. He went back to New Zealand in 1969 to play double bass for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, returning to the BBC in 1978. Perkins told the BBC staff newspaper, Ariel, yesterday: "I never had any ambition to climb the management ladder and I've had a very happy time in presentation. Over the years people have come and gone, but I just carry on doing what I've always done." A replacement has yet to be announced but David Anderson, Radio 4's presentation editor, pointed yesterday to a trend for more regional voices, citing a "perceptible change" from five or six years ago. In the 1980s, Perkins appeared on Noel Edmonds' Radio 1 show as the butler in a series of comic sketches, but his cult status was confirmed with the remorseless but reverential lampooning to which he is subjected by the impressionist show Dead Ringers, which portrays him as a mafia boss who takes over the BBC. A favourite line is: "This is Radio 4, I'm Brian Perkins. I'm the daddy." Perkins is bemused by the attention. "I can't understand why I have been plucked out to be lampooned in this sinister way," he joked. Laurence Howarth, a writer for the show, paid tribute to him yesterday. "We have done him right from the start. He's the heart of the show, one of the cornerstones, so this news is almost unthinkable." Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2003 (via Dan Say, DXLD) Another version: HOW 40 YEARS OF RADIO JUST WENT SAILING BY http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-803597,00.html (via Mike Terry, BDXC-UK via DXLD) Thanks, Mike, for the Times angle on this story: you beat me to it as I was going to post the Guardian version. Actually, as so often with these newspaper stories, there seems to be some factual differences between the two accounts. According to the Grauniad, Brian Perkins is currently a BBC staffer, and therefore is leaving because he will soon reach their retirement age of sixty. However, Jon Culshaw maybe need not despair, as he has said he intends to continue working for Radio Four as a freelancer. As to Peter Donaldson, well, I can even remember when he started on Radio Two! I shall miss both these fine-voiced gentleman in an age of very coarse accents on the street (though probably not coming from Radio Four listeners), but it will be good to hear more of the equally mellow tones of Four's distaff side. And there will still be my namesake, Vaughan Savage! Happy listening (MARK SAVAGE, BDXC-UK via DXLD) ** U K. MAN DIES IN 50-FOOT FALL FROM WATER TOWER From RadioAnoraksUk@yahoogroups.com "Hullbridge man Simon Laver 24 sadly fell to his death apparently trying to install a pirate radio station on a water tank in Thundersley, Essex, England. Story from Southend Evening Echo Sept 2nd 2003 --- Respect to all local fm pirates : Y2k / Premier / Renegade / Charge / Hot" [??] (I couldn't find the story on the internet edition of the newspaper, but I did find the following item elswhere, no mention of pirate activity here though, but what else would he be doing up a water tower in the in the middle of the night? - Mike) "A 24-year-old decorator has fallen 50ft to his death while climbing a water tower in the middle of the night. Simon Laver of Hullbridge, Essex, is thought to have been with two other people when the accident happened at Thundersley. Police said Mr Laver was not authorised to climb the water tower but there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. A police spokesman said officers would prepare a report for an inquest and were continuing to investigate the circumstances of the incident. "Mr Laver fell to his death during an unauthorised climb of the water tower," said the spokesman. "There are no suspicious circumstances and the matter has been passed on to the coroner for investigations" http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_815299.html (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** U S A. ANALYSIS: POLITICAL DEBATE HOTS UP OVER US INTERNATIONAL BROADCASTING | Text of editorial analysis by BBC Monitoring Media Services on 3 September 2003 A recent US government review has assessed various new American international broadcasting projects launched in the last two years, among them Radio Sawa in the Middle East, Radio Farda in Iran and the Afghanistan Radio Network. These new services, as well as all other US government and government- sponsored international broadcasting services, are the responsibility of the US Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG). In its July 2003 report to the House of Representatives committee on international relations, the General Accounting Office (GAO) praises the efforts of the BBG to increase the size of listening and viewing audiences in markets of US strategic interest. These new initiatives, the report says, have adhered to the BBG's core strategy "of identifying a target audience and tailoring each broadcast product to market circumstances and audience needs". However, the report warns that the new approach lacks "measurable programme objectives and related performance goals" designed to gauge its success. The report calls on the BBG to address a number of concerns, primarily "how many language services it can carry effectively (with the number rising nearly 20 per cent over the past 10 years) and what level of overlap and duplication in Voice of America and surrogate broadcast services would be appropriate under its new approach to broadcasting". On the overlap issue, the report notes: "Despite a clear articulation of US international broadcasting's resource challenges, the Board and Congress have not been able to substantially reduce the total number of language services or a reported 55 per cent overlap in VOA and surrogate language services." Challenges and solutions The BBG's own strategic plan, on which work began in July 2001, identified various challenges facing US international broadcasting, and a series of proposed solutions to address these challenges. The main challenges, as set out by the BBG, included: - Identifying a target audience is essential to a broadcasting strategy - yet only a few BBG language services have set targets. - Broadcasts are frequently hampered by poor audibility. Placement, where available, is sometimes hindered by poor partner station choices with poor broadcast times. - Audience awareness of BBG programmes is generally low across the world. - The BBG must use multimedia to its advantage. While radio is the backbone, TV is usually dominant and there has been substantial growth in Internet use in many markets. - The diversity of the BBG - organizations with different missions, different frameworks and different constituencies - makes it hard to bring all the separate parts together into a more effective whole. And among the proposed solutions were: - Create a worldwide US international broadcasting system. - Realign the BBG organizational structure. - Launch the Middle East Radio Network and make it a success. - Pioneer anti-terrorism broadcasting. - Upgrade existing shortwave transmitter and support systems to ensure backbone of US surge capability. - Develop a rapid-response capability - low-power, portable AM and FM. BBG response The Broadcasting Board of Governors has broadly welcomed the GAO report as "fair and accurate", while expressing reservations at some of the findings. For example, it does not accept that there is duplication between VOA and surrogate language services, arguing that VOA and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty each have "distinct missions and programme philosophies". The BBG's new priority initiatives, such as launching the Middle East Television Network and expanding the VOA Indonesian service, will have hefty price tags attached. The Middle East TV Network, which is due to launch later this year, is planned as the Arabic equivalent of an American network, with news, entertainment, public affairs and children's programming. It will be available via direct-to-home satellite to the entire Arabic-language speaking world. Media analysts say the network is seen as Washington's response to popular pan-Arab news channels such as Al-Jazeera and Al- Arabiyah. The Middle East TV Network alone will cost 62m dollars to set up, plus 37m dollars annually for operational costs, according to BBG estimates. With the BBG and the State Department sharing an annual budget of about one billion dollars for public diplomacy activities designed "to inform, engage and influence" foreign audiences, the political debate about the funding of and priorities for US international broadcasting seems set to escalate. Source: BBC Monitoring research 3 Sep 03 (via DXLD) ** U S A. WBCQ, Maine, new 5105 at 2340-2400+ Aug 23, oldies program, IDs, strong, very good \\ 7415. Also Aug 30 on 5105.05 with Christian Media Network, not \\ 7415 (Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg PA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) A rally will be held outside the home of racist radio talk-show host Hal Turner [WBCQ] in response to the call for white supremacists to counter the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride that will be in Liberty State Park next month. . . http://www.infoshop.org/inews/stories.php?story=03/09/01/9156832 (via Jilly Dybka, DXLD) Hello Glenn, I have three WBCQ program notes that you might be interested in --- Starting on Sunday, September 7th, WBCQ will feature "The Firesign Theater Hour" at 8 - 9 pm Eastern / Sunday - 5.105 MHz [0000-0100 UT Monday]. This will be a regular feature heard on "Area 51" (heard from 6 pm to Midnight Sunday [Sun 2200-0400 UT Mon]), and is being done in much the same way as we handle "Radio Caroline" and "The Jean Shepherd Show. It will feature the complete works of the Firesign Theater, along with specials and interviews relating to them. The show's creation is the idea of Allan Weiner, who feels that it is time to bring these grandfathers of modern comedy to the short-wave community. Starting on Monday, September 8th, Rabbi Spivak and the EVM Jewish Radio Network expand their programming on WBCQ to include Monday through Friday from Noon till 4 pm Eastern on 9.330 MHz. This will bring their total number of weekly hours on WBCQ to 25.5. Also: Anyone interested is receiving a WBCQ program schedule via e- mail can send to: schedule@wbcq.us This is a completely automated database system that responds immediately and includes all 4 of WBCQ's frequencies. Well, I hope that you had a good Labor day weekend (we got rained out here), and that all is well with you. Thanks, as always for all of you help and support. Take care, (Michael Ketter, WBCQ, Sept 3, WORLD OF RADIO 1198, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Such as: Broadcast Schedule for 5.105 MHz M-F 3:45 - 4:00 PM EDT 1945 - 2000 UT Sign On - Planet World News M-F 4:00 - 5:00 PM EDT 2000 - 2100 UT The Voice Of Reason M-F 5:00 - 6:00 PM EDT 2100 - 2200 UT Allan Weiner Worldwide M-F 6:00 - 7:00 PM EDT 2200 - 2300 UT Radio Caroline M-F 7:00 - Midnite EDT 2300 - 0400 UT The Christian Media Network M-F 12:00 - 12:05 EDT 0400 - 0405 UT Sign Off Saturday: 3:45 - Midnite EDT 1945 - 0400 UT Available Time Slot Sunday: 6:00 - Midnite EDT 2200 - 0400 UT Area 51 (via gh, WORLD OF RADIO 1198, DXLD) ** U S A. The current fortnight`s Ask WWCR features Kim Elliott, gh, and Larry Van Horn on the subject of where SW is at now, and where will it be in the future? Audio linx in various formats at http://www.wwcr.com or see DX PROGRAMS link at top for SW times (Glenn Hauser, WORLD OF RADIO 1198, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. WRVU REORGANIZES, PUTS COMMUNITY DEEJAYS ON HOLD http://www.vanderbilthustler.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/09/02/3f540dbc1266a (The Vanderbilt Hustler via Charles Gossett Jr, DXLD) WRVU came to our attention as the non-SW webcasting outlet for Ken Berryhill`s music shows also heard on WWCR in the same city. The last we checked, WRVU had stopped webcasting, but we just confirmed it`s active again. I see in the current WRVU grid that his shows are (were?) scheduled: Fri 2-3 pm CDT Ken`s Country (the second half being Classics), and 3-4 pm The Old Record Shop, i.e. 1900-2100 UT. Looks as if these shows may be endangered; must try to catch this week if the stream work. The links on the grid merely lead to his E-mail address, altho a password-prompt pops up! But WWCR still hosts a page about his shows, 6 years old: http://www.wwcr.com/wwcr_old_record_shop.html (Glenn Hauser, OK, WORLD OF RADIO 1198, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U S A. NBC/VIVENDI U.S. television network NBC won Vivendi Universal's marathon show- business auction on September 2 with a proposed merger to create a new entertainment industry giant worth more than $40 billion. NBC, a unit of General Electric Co., clinched exclusive negotiating rights to finalize a deal that would give it a major film studio, more cable channels and theme parks to vault the No. 1 U.S. broadcast network closer to the ranks of such global titans as Walt Disney Co. and Viacom Inc. If the deal is completed, the new company, to be called NBC-Universal, would include Vivendi's Universal Pictures, the Hollywood studio behind "The Hulk" and "The Mummy," and cable television networks USA and Sci-Fi Channel, with NBC's broadcast network and cable channels CNBC and Bravo. NBC Chief Executive Bob Wright would head the new company. Under the terms set out so far, GE would take 80 percent of NBC-Universal while Vivendi would keep 20 percent. Shareholders in the Vivendi Universal Entertainment unit would also receive a $3.8 billion "cash consideration." After four days of marathon sessions over the Labor Day holiday weekend, Vivendi chose NBC over a rival group led by Edgar Bronfman Jr., who sold the Universal assets to Vivendi in 2000. Two years later, he offered a package that included more than $13 billion in cash, sources familiar with the matter said. In an auction that lasted more than three months, NBC fought off competition from some of the media industry's biggest players including media giant Liberty Media Corp., Hollywood's Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. and media group Viacom. (Reuters via SCDX/MediaScan Sept 3 via DXLD) Had Viacom won the auction, we might have seen the Sci-Fi Channel injected with Viacom's considerable Star Trek assets (George Wood, SCDX/MediaScan Sept 3 via DXLD) ** U S A. COURT BLOCKS MEDIA RULES FCC's Ownership Caps Were Slated To Change Today By Frank Ahrens, Washington Post Staff Writer, Thursday, September 4, 2003; Page A01 An appeals court yesterday blocked a change in federal rules that would have loosened restrictions on media consolidation beginning today, granting at least a temporary victory to those who argue that the new regulations would give television networks too much power and reduce local programming... http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A23038-2003Sep3.html (via Kraig Krist, DXLD) COURT DELAYS FCC MEDIA OWNERSHIP RULES Federal Appeals Court Delays Implementation of New FCC Media Ownership Rules ------ for full info go to: http://www.abcnews.go.com/wire/Politics/ap20030903_2101.html (Tom Bryant / Nashville, Sept 3, WTFDA Soundoff via DXLD) FEDERAL APPEALS COURT HALTS IMPLEMENTATION OF FCC OWNERSHIP RULES By DAVID B. CARUSO, The Associated Press, 9/4/03 3:21 AM PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- In a break for small media companies fearful of industry consolidation, an appeals court blocked new federal rules that would relax restrictions on how many TV stations a company can own and lift a ban on owning newspapers and broadcast outlets in the same city. Critics of the Federal Communications Commission rules say the industry overhaul would create a media landscape in which control over what people see, hear and read is in the hands of a few giant companies. In an emergency stay, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sided with a coalition of media access groups that claimed its members could suffer irreparable harm if the rules went into effect Thursday as scheduled. "Given the magnitude of this matter and the public's interest in reaching the proper resolution, a stay is warranted pending thorough and efficient judicial review," a three-judge panel concluded Wednesday. The court did not comment on the merits of the Prometheus Project's complaint. The proposed media shakeup, which would allow a single company to own TV stations reaching 45 percent of American viewers, has stirred fierce debate among an array of groups across the political spectrum. While the Bush administration has fought hard for the overhaul, many influential Republicans are among its most vocal opponents, saying the rules would stifle competition. Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., who, along with Mississippi Republican Trent Lott has been leading a group of senators trying to undo all the FCC changes, said the court's ruling "will give a boost to our efforts." "The ruling recognizes what I hope most of the Senate recognizes: These rules are inappropriate," Dorgan said in an interview. The new ownership rules were approved in June by the majority- Republican FCC on a party-line, 3-2 vote. However, the House voted overwhelmingly in July to block the FCC and the Senate is to vote next week on a resolution of disapproval for the rules changes, a seldom-used maneuver also called a "congressional veto." To succeed, the resolution needs majority approval in the Senate and House and President Bush's signature or enough votes to override his veto. Smaller broadcasters and network affiliates are concerned the FCC rules will allow the networks to gobble up more stations and limit local control of programming. Supporters say the changes will help broadcasters grow and compete in a market changed by cable television, satellite broadcasts and the Internet. An attorney for the Prometheus Project, Samuel L. Spear, praised the decision. He said his clients, who are mostly advocates of low-power community radio stations, believe their ability to broadcast will be hurt by the growth of media conglomerates. "It just allows the big media companies to grow bigger and to monopolize the industry more," Spear said. The ruling followed a two-hour hearing in which the attorneys for the FCC argued that the rules could go into effect as scheduled without any long-term damage to the groups fighting it. An FCC spokesman said the agency was disappointed by the decision and would continue to defend the new rules in court. The ownership rules face other challenges. The National Association of Broadcasters said the changes don't go far enough. The influential industry group filed an appeal last month to block changes to how radio markets are defined and overturn rules that still prevent TV station mergers in some smaller markets. Blair Levin, a former FCC official who is an analyst with the Legg Mason investment firm, said a delay in the implementation of the new rules will likely have little immediate impact on media companies. Newspapers and stations that had been contemplating mergers allowed by the looser ownership rules put most of their plans on hold following signals from Congress that it would try to stop the regulations from taking effect, he said (via Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** U S A. LAYOFFS HIT RADIO PIONEER AS NEW TECH FALTERS By Robert J. Terry, Baltimore Business Journal Sep. 1 http://famulus.msnbc.com/famuluscom/bizjournal09-01-010040.asp?bizj=BAL IBiquity Digital Corp., the Columbia-based developer of digital radio technology, quietly laid off about 35 people last month as lingering sound quality concerns forced the company to delay its commercial launch. The layoffs accounted for about one-fourth of iBiquity's work force. Digital radio receivers manufactured by Kenwood were supposed to be hitting the market but the launch has been pushed back to the end of the year, CEO Robert Struble said. He downplayed the significance of the delay and said it would have no effect on the company's cash position. But the developments are notable because, as the sole government- approved developer of digital radio technology, iBiquity has positioned itself as the catalyst behind one of the most profound changes in broadcasting. The radio industry is being led to a digital future, largely by iBiquity, and observers have begun to question whether the company is up to the task. "We're on track, and focused on the commercial launch," Struble said. "For us, 2003 was always about just getting on the shelves. "We've lost time, but we are full speed ahead again," added Frank A. Adams, an iBiquity board member and managing general partner of Grotech Capital Group in Timonium, one of the company's investors. In recent weeks, iBiquity has changed a key part of its audio architecture, an 11th-hour shift that has drawn questions from some broadcasters and engineers. But a national standards group has endorsed the switch of the system's "codec," a device that uses hardware and software to determine the best way to transmit the top-quality audio signals promised by digital radio technology. The switch made a technical group developing the old codec expendable, iBiquity executives determined. Several senior managers were let go as well. Struble characterized the developments as a "minor bump in the road" that has been fixed to the satisfaction of the company's many stakeholders: The broadcasters transitioning to digital systems, the components makers who will sell equipment to pick up the digital signals and the audio and electrical engineers who expect pristine, CD-quality sound as well as interactive features such as personalized traffic reports. IBiquity, formed three years ago as a joint venture between Lucent Digital Radio and USA Digital Radio to develop what would become "HD Radio," has raised almost $150 million in capital to date from broadcasters, electronics companies and venture capital firms. IBiquity's old codec was developed by Lucent engineers. The company today finds itself transitioning from an organization focused on technology development to one focusing on sales and marketing. "We thought we were there back in February, until this technical problem," Grotech's Adams said. But that hasn't necessarily mollified broadcasters making significant investments in new technology ahead of consumer demand. "The early-adopter stations are very concerned and not just with the AM issues, but it appears to have slowed [iBiquity] down in all respects," said Laura Behrens, senior analyst with San Jose, Calif.- based GartnerG2, a technology research firm. "There's a point at which you have to be able to put the thing in front of people." Struble said more than 200 stations have struck deals with iBiquity to license its digital radio technology, and about 50 are broadcasting digital signals. The Federal Communications Commission late last year approved iBiquity's technology, known as in-band on-channel, or IBOC, as the U.S. digital broadcasting system. The technology enables broadcasters to transmit digital signals over the same frequencies used for analog broadcasts -- and the codec plays a key role in how well the digital signals share the bandwidth with analog signals. An estimated 800 million analog radios, including 200 million car stereos, will transition to digital technology in the coming years, according to industry estimates. The National Radio Systems Committee (NRSC) suspended its standard- setting process in May because of what it felt was poor sound quality on the AM dial. Milford Smith, chairman of an NRSC subcommittee overseeing digital audio and a vice president with East Brunswick, N.J.-based broadcaster Greater Media Inc., said the new sound quality is a "giant improvement over the old." Copyright 2003 American City Business Journals Inc. (via Jilly Dybka, WORLD OF RADIO 1198, DXLD) ** URUGUAY. 6140, Radio Montecarlo, Montevideo, 1400-1415, reportada de lunes a viernes con un programa especial preparado por la RAI, para esta Radio Oriental y Radio Carve y retransmitida en la onda corta de CX4. El espacio consta de 5 bloques o segmentos de 5 minutos cada uno, en idiomas italiano, portugués y español, con noticias y actualidades. Se irradia también a las 2200 UT, anunciándose la frecuencia de 11735 para esta transmisión y 9535 para la emisión de las 0200 UT. Norberto Pugliese nos comenta que la emisora es totalmente inaudible en estas dos últimas QRG`s y transmisiones (Norberto Pugliese, Argentina via Arnaldo Slaen, Sept 3, Conexión Digial via DXLD) Onda corta de CX4, no la tenía, cual es? (Horacio Nigro, Uruguay, ibid.) Perdona, Horacio y disculpen amigos. Error propio. Me refería a la onda corta de Montecarlo, por los 6140, que es la única frecuencia, en definitiva, en la que pudo captar este programa el clega NP (Arnaldo Slaen, ibid.) ** VENEZUELA. Hola Glenn, Saludos desde Catia La Mar. Inactivas en Venezuela: Radio Táchira (4830) y YVTO (5000 kHz). (Adán González, Yaesu-FT890/ Antena TH3MK3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Later: YVTO ha sido reactivada este 02/09. Pude captarla a partir de las 2238 UT, aproximadamente, en 5000 kHz. SINPO 5/4. La diferencia es que ahora no está sobremodulada como en otras ocasiones. Se abren las apuestas, estimados colegas diexistas, para ver cuánto dura esta reactivación. Ojalá pase de una semana. 73's y buen DX (Adán González, Sept 3, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** VENEZUELA. Armónico muy débil de Radio Ideal, "la emisora romántica de Venezuela", en 2259.98 kHz, segundo armónico de 1130. Escuchado el 02/09, a las 0445 UT. Es una de las tantas emisoras tomadas por la secta "Dios es amor". Antes se ubicaba en Maiquetía, Estado Vargas. Ahora transmite desde el oeste de Caracas, si no me equivoco. ¿Qué dice el WRTH? (Adán González, Yaesu-FT890/ Antena TH3MK3, Catia La Mar, VENEZUELA, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Caracas ** VIETNAM [non]. CLANDESTINE, 7380, Degar Radio not heard this morning 9/4 1300-1330. Checked old frequency of 7115 and there was a Chinese station (VOA?) not previously noted there. Did Degar move freq again? (John Wilkins, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Drake R-8, 100-foot RW. Cumbre DX via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED [non]. Here`s the item I was searching for regarding the unID on 6072+; it was just in 3-157; we also had reports recently of this slightly above 6070 (gh) KOREA NORTH. 6072.34, R. Pyongyang, A het long before 1100 30 Aug, then 1101 M announcer briefly followed by the R. Pyongyang IS. Fairly strong but weak modulation and QRM from 6070 (Dave Valko, PA, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 7160, 1211 UT July 25, continuous R. Caroline recordings (Dave Gascoyne, Staplehurst, Kent, Alternative Airwaves, Sept BDXC-UK Communication via DXLD) There it goes again ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RECEIVER NEWS +++++++++++++ GAS VS ICOM I always love filling up my VW next to a guy with a gas guzzler SUV and even at near $2 a gallon, still less than $20 for a fill up (gets me 500 miles) while he coughs up near $90. I guess I am missing something. 5 fill ups of an SUV could get you a nice shiny new ICOM R75 (Bob Montgomery, Levittown PA, Sept 2, swprograms via DXLD) DRM +++ Now I can offer my own report from the DRM presentation at the IFA fair: There were two pieces of the Mayah 2010 DRM receiver, prototypes that were ready just in time. The set needs a 12 volt supply and must consume quite a lot of power; a place on the case where the DSP circuitry must be placed becomes quite hot, so it is hardly feasible to operate this receiver with battery power. Reception: The local LW/MW outlets could be received of course, but not much on shortwave, Sines 15440 and Jülich 6140 provided reception with frequent interruptions only. And this with an antenna outdoors. A look at the DRM outlets themselves: Zehlendorf 177: This frequency was tested in an AM/DRM simulcast mode. Roughly speaking a DRM signal is carried in the upper sideband with a "mirror" in the lower sideband of an AM signal plus carrier. Demodulating this signal with a diode (no SSB demodulation modes) would give only the AM component of the signal as audio output. So much for the theory. In practice a floor of white noise is still audible, the level varies from set to set; I heard that the results are especially poor on cheap radios. And this for a DRM component of only 11 kbit/s, basically sounding like AM but with a noticeable lack of transparency and so being of poorer quality than the AM signal would deliver if it would be undisturbed. In my opinion this mode is simply nonsense. It appears that some broadcasters are interested in this mode to broadcast digital in order to broadcast digital, but without losing the existing AM audience. Word is that Deutschlandradio seriously considers doing so on 177. The simulcast mode tests with Voice of Russia on 603 were already over by yesterday. Zehlendorf 693 and Berlin-Frohnau/Schäferberg/Rüdersdorf 1485: These frequencies had 20 kbit/s monaural audio. Music sounded not bad, but there were still quite distinctive artifacts on speech. The quality could be described as sufficient for small loudspeakers of portables. Berlin-Britz 855 and 25470: The latter frequency was a temporary 100 watt test outlet. Both had stereo audio of 23 or 25 kbit/s. This is of course no full two channel signal but so-called low complexity stereo. It appears to be questionable if stereo with such bitrates makes much sense. Re. 855, the Telefunken TRAM 25 transmitter installed at Britz for DRM is now operated at full power after the splatter problems extensively reported two years ago could be solved. Now they use the TRAM 25 for both DRM tests and AM broadcasts; previously still the Nautel was used for AM. (Actually it would make sense to use the Nautel for 990 now, but it appears that still one of the PDM tube transmitters drones here, unless they removed the audio highpass that used to be typical for 855 from the Nautel rig.) Burg 531: Transmits 16.5 kbit/s audio, some pictures ("multimedia content") and a separate audio book channel with a special voice codec at a mere 2 kbit/s. Well, you can understand what is being said, but that's about all. Shortwave: The most stable reception was provided by Sines -- but with a 16QAM robust mode and an audio bitrate of only 14.5 kbit/s, not enough to match the "close to FM quality" promotion claim. Reception of the 64QAM transmissions from Jülich, Wertachtal and Junglinster was fragile and subject to interruptions; Flevoland could be caught only temporarily. And IBB Briech: 9.5 kbit/s, the same bitrate than a GSM phone -- are they serious? DAB (Eureka-147 system): During the IFA various additional programs were aired via DAB in Berlin, including what appeared to be the "Digital 1" bouqet from the UK transferred to and retransmitted at Berlin as it is. I found the audio quality not convincing; it is notable that as many programs as possible were squeezed into the bouquet by reducing the bitrate, and all music-orientated programs use heavy soundprocessing. This has nothing to do with CD quality. From the receivers shown, a very small portable is especially notable, a price of 250 EUR was mentioned for this rig. But I was told that the performance of this set is poor; it turned out to be a problem to receive even the VHF transmissions inside Berlin. DVB-T (terrestrial Digital Video Broadcasting): I found the picture quality of the DVB-T transmissions at Berlin quite disappointing; a colleague said that this looks like a RealVideo internet stream. The cheapest DVB-T receiver available at a large store in Berlin sells for 109 EUR at present, noticeably less than a Sangean ATS 909 (179 EUR). So equipment expenses are no problem, but the picture quality is hardly sufficient for high quality TV sets. Apparently four TV programs are a bit too much for a single TV channel. So much for now (Kai Ludwig, Germany, Sept 4, DX LISTENING DIGEST) more above: GERMANY CONVENTION & CONFERENCES ++++++++++++++++++++++++ THE ERKRATH - RADIODAY ON SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 13TH 2003 That Saturday we organise the meeting for radio makers and listeners again in the rooms of the observatory. The event is scheduled from 12.00 noon to 20.00 hours [UT +2] in the rooms of the Observatorium of Sternwarte Neanderhöhe at D-40699 Erkrath. From Düsseldorf railway station one can get there with train S 8, direction Wuppertal/Hagen. You leave at stop Hochdahl-Millrath and walk the road in direction of the train to small way on right hand named Hausmannsweg. After a few hundred meters you see the observatory. By car you leave Autobahn A 46 at exit Haan West to Erkrath; in the town the way is marked "Observatorium". See map at http://www.radiocaroline.de/ The thematics of this year: SHORTWAVE - MEDIUMWAVE - LONGWAVE Shortwave: Radio Marabu introduces themselves to their audience Mediumwave: the Netherlands after the new frequency allocation, Radio Caroline takes a balance. Longwave: MusicMann 279 from the Isle of Man. Special guest: Paul Alexander Rusling, chief executive of the Isle of Man International Broadcasting plc. This new station for Europe is in talk for many years. What happened there really, will the station come on air, why today investing in longwave radio? Paul Rusling will give answer to such questions on a specially technical interesting project with pictures and videos, not without a look back to the MV Communicator of Laser 558! The entrance fee is 7.- [euro?] (3.50 for Caroline Support Group members). Preliminary registration or requests please to: Jan Sundermann, Millrather Weg 74, D-40699 Erkrath, Germany or call Freddy Schorsch at 0211 - 248813 (later than 20.00 h) (via Mike Terry, DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 03 - 29 SEPTEMBER 2003 Solar activity is expected to range from very low to low levels during the period. There is a slight chance of isolated moderate activity from old Region 431 (S13, L= 194) when it returns on 04 September. No greater than 10 MeV proton events at geosynchronous orbit are expected during the period. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux is expected to reach high levels on 05 – 07 September, 10 – 12 September and again on 20 – 22 September. The geomagnetic field is expected to range from quiet to major storm levels. A coronal hole high speed stream is expected to produce active to minor storm conditions on 03 – 05 September. Minor storm levels are possible from a smaller high speed stream on 08 – 09 September. Later in the period a third coronal hole high speed stream is expected to return with active to major storm levels possible on 17 – 21 September. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2003 Sep 02 2211 UTC # Prepared by the US Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, Space Environment Center # Product description and SEC contact on the Web # http://www.sec.noaa.gov/wwire.html # # 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table # Issued 2003 Sep 02 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2003 Sep 03 110 25 5 2003 Sep 04 120 20 4 2003 Sep 05 125 15 3 2003 Sep 06 130 12 3 2003 Sep 07 130 12 3 2003 Sep 08 130 25 5 2003 Sep 09 130 20 4 2003 Sep 10 130 20 4 2003 Sep 11 130 15 3 2003 Sep 12 125 15 3 2003 Sep 13 120 15 3 2003 Sep 14 115 15 3 2003 Sep 15 115 15 3 2003 Sep 16 115 15 3 2003 Sep 17 120 35 6 2003 Sep 18 120 30 5 2003 Sep 19 120 30 5 2003 Sep 20 118 25 5 2003 Sep 21 118 20 4 2003 Sep 22 118 15 3 2003 Sep 23 120 12 3 2003 Sep 24 120 12 3 2003 Sep 25 115 12 3 2003 Sep 26 115 12 3 2003 Sep 27 110 10 3 2003 Sep 28 110 10 3 2003 Sep 29 110 25 5 (http://www.sec.noaa.gov/radio via WORLD OF RADIO 1198, DXLD) ###