DX LISTENING DIGEST 3-173, September 30, 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 1200: RFPI: Wed 0730, 1330 on 7445 WWCR: Wed 0930 on 9475 WRN ONDEMAND: http://new.wrn.org/listeners/stations/station.php?StationID=24 OUR ONDEMAND AUDIO [also for CONTINENT OF MEDIA, MUNDO RADIAL]: Check http://www.worldofradio.com/audiomid.html WORLD OF RADIO 1200 (high version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1200h.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1200h.rm (summary) http://www.worldofradio.com/wor1200.html WORLD OF RADIO 1200 (low version): (stream) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1200.ram (download) http://www.w4uvh.net/wor1200.rm FIRST AIRINGS OF WORLD OF RADIO 1201: Wed 2200 on WBCQ 7415, 17495-CUSB Thu 0130 on WINB 9320 (maybe) Thu 2030 on WWCR 15825 Sat 0130 on RFPI 7445 BOB BODELL Glen, sad news out of Oregon. Bob Bodell is dead. I received the news this morning. He had not been to work for a few days. They found him dead in his home. He was the one that taught me how to really listen to shortwave radio and will be missed (Bruce MacGibbon, Gresham, OR, Sept 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Bob, as well as Bruce, will be remembered as editors of SPEEDXGRAM ** AFGHANISTAN. KABUL RADIO STARTS BUZZING AGAIN KABUL: Two years ago, Massood Sanjer was reading the news in English for the Taliban's Radio Shariat. Today he is one of Kabul's popular disc jockeys, broadcasting from a studio adorned with posters of Shakira and Destiny's Child. Sanjer works for Arman FM, the nearest thing the Afghan capital has to MTV, with a mix of music, chat and jokes. For a country starved of entertainment through years of war and repressive Taliban rule, Arman FM is like a breath of fresh air. "Once a colleague of mine on Radio Shariat made a mistake translating something," Sanjer recalled. "They locked him up in a container for three days with just one piece of bread and a boiled potato." Sanjer, who put up the posters himself, cannot begin to compare his old and new lives. These days, he says, he can say anything he wants on air. But what makes Arman FM even more exceptional in this conservative Muslim land is that half its presenters are women, Sanjer shares his morning show with Zarlasht Madad, a soft-spoken young women recently voted the station's most popular. Arman FM was the brainchild of Afghan-Australian brothers Saad, Jahid and Zaid Mohseni and their cousin Najib Thamas. But its success since its launch in April has surpassed their wildest dreams. The presenters get 500 letters a day from Kabulis, 100 emails and when the lines are working, 1,500 phone calls, says Saad Mohseni, a former investment banker from Melbourne. "We just wanted to give people what they want," he said. "But the response has been phenomenal, What people want is mostly Indian music, songs from their favourite Bollywood movies, according to the requests which pour in every day, Sanjer says. Western music also gets a look in, especially Shakira's Arabic- influenced pop. Madonna goes down well too. But Mohseni cannot resist a plug for Australian culture. "We play a lot of Kylie Minogue," he said. "She is very popular, and given that she's also from Melbourne we like her." The Mohsenis put up half of the $500,000 to launch Arman; the name means Hope in the Dari language. The other half was supplied by USAID, the development arm of the US government. But Saad Mohseni, who plans to expand to other parts of the country when funding allows, insists the station is run like a business and is already making a profit from advertising. But it also aims to put something back by stimulating Afghans to start recording music again. Auditions are already being held for the 2003 Arman awards for local groups and singers, the winners will get the chance to cut their own CD. One of Arman's strengths is that it allows people to escape their problems and entertains rather than lectures. "Most people believe they don't have to hear about religion on the radio," Mohseni said. "I'm sure on other outlets they can hear more politics and religion, so we concentrate on general information and music." Sometimes though, problems of an entirely different nature do crop up. The station will soon start a kind of "agony aunt" advice show, after a young couple wrote in threatening suicide because the woman's parents were planning to marry her off to someone else. In the early days, Arman was criticised because some of its presenters used the slang Dari of the streets rather than the formal language used by broadcasters in the past. Its irreverent attitude and jokey manner also alienated some people. "The criticism is like a drop in the ocean," Sanjer insists. "It was the first time Afghans listened to a radio station with men and women chatting and laughing, but now they have got used to it. We don't get criticised any more." Judging by the reaction in the streets of Kabul, Arman FM has got it just about right for most people. White-bearded shopkeeper Farouq danced among the bolts of brightly- coloured cloth in his store as he described his love of music. "Arman is very good music radio, without much news, so we can forget our problems while listening to it," he said. "You can see I look old, but I enjoy my life like a teenager." - Reuters (via Mike Terry, DXLD) ** AFGHANISTAN [non]. 15615, APA R. Amani, *1632-1730*, Fridays [only] Sep 12 and 19. Carrier was ready 1630, but audio delayed. Dari until 1702, then Pashto. IDs: "Radio Amani", political talks about Afghanistan and Taleban, mentioned the BBC and Deutsche Welle, Afghan folksongs, 1726-1727 statement in Russian and a Russian song, 1729 Pashto ID, musical interlude and cut off, 45444 (Vashek Korinek, RSA and Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window Sept 24 via DXLD) ** ARGENTINA. 2760 harmonic, AM 1380 La Voz, QTH? (2 x 1380) 1045 Sept 24. Finalmente identificada con promo por locutora, con música chamameseña sobre programa de los sábados, que difunde este estilo musical, identificando también la emisora como AM 1380, La Voz. QRK 3. Lindo regalo para mi cumple, hoy (Horacio Nigro, Uruguay, set 24, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** BRAZIL. Mais uma excelente contribuição de Paulo Roberto e Souza, desde Tefé (AM): a atualização dos dados da Rádio Jornal da Transamazônica, que emite desde a localidade de Altamira (PA). Em 5025 kHz, a emissora está no ar entre 0900 e 0300. A direção está a cargo de Ana Cláudia Souza. A direção postal é a seguinte: Rua 1º de Janeiro, 1359, Catedral, CEP: 68371-020, Altamira (PA). Telefone e fax: +55 93 515.1182, +55 93 515.4899 e +55 93 515.4411. Endereço eletrônico: radioetv@valedoxingu.com.br Parabéns Paulo por mais este trabalho voluntário de contato com a emissora! BRASIL - Saiu o novo esquema de transmissões, em ondas curtas, da Rádio Transmundial. Anote: em 11735 kHz, passa a emitir entre 0900 e 1500. Já em 9530 kHz, emitirá das 1500 às 0300. Em 5965 kHz, estará no ar entre 0900 e 2100 UTC. As informações são de Carlos Felipe, apresentador do programa Amigos do Rádio. BRASIL - E o trabalho do Paulo Roberto e Souza, de Tefé (AM), nem sempre recebe boas respostas. Ele entrou em contato com a direção da Rádio Cultura do Pará, de Belém (PA), que emitia em 5045 kHz. Resultado: a emissora não pretende mais transmitir em ondas tropicais. De acordo com uma funcionária, de nome Silvene, a Cultura do Pará está reduzida a uma emissão em FM (Célio Romais, Panorama, @tividade DX Sept 28 via DXLD) ** CAMBODIA. 11940, National Radio Cambodia from Phnom-Penh again inactive (Roland Schulze, Mangaldan, Philippines, Sept 5-9, BC-DX Sept 23 via DXLD) ** CANADA. Montreal Gazette (Sept. 24) profiled journalist who works at CJWI 1610. Was radio announcer in Haiti, faced death threats there. Didn't expect such threats here too. Side note: AM DXers reports CJWI is slightly off-frequency (on the high side) Found at 1610.3 kHz (Bill Westenhaver & Sheldon Harvey, CKUT International Radio Report Sept 28, notes by Ricky Leong, via DXLD) At ``C-PAM 1610``, Jean Numa Goudou (sp?). knows that sometimes death stalks you; star radio journalist at 31, fled Haïti in March after house and car were torched. Is now news show host on north-end Montreal station. Got a call 8 days ago at the station, in Creole, a man identifying as `Lavaltian`? supporter of Aristide`s party complaining he was biased against Aristide, and asked if he knew they also burned their opponents here in Montréal? Not the first unhappy call he got, but a clear, menacing threat. Was one of top radio reporters back in Haïti on R. Metropole, Port-au-Prince`s most listened-to radio station. Now reads news from Haïti on CJWI weekdays 6-9 am ET, rounded up from internet news sites in Haïti. Last month was granted official refugé status; settling into new apartment donated by new friends in Montréal. Earnings doubled what he earned in Haïti to $300 a week. Sends home what he can to mother, brother and sister still in the country (CKUT International Radio Report Sept 28, notes by gh for DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC [non]. Glenn, I miscredited the Radio Ndeke Luka item in Contact you used in DXLD 3171/2 to Joe Talbot; it should have been credited to Edward Kusalik [both Albertans], apologies. I was working to complete the column, and catch the last post to send it to the printers. I had items from both gentlemen I was adding and miscredited the Ndeke Luka one (Mike Barraclough, UK, Sept 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** CHINA [non]. CLANDESTINE? from USA [HAWAII] to CHINA, 9930, Dafo Hao, 1612 Sep 30 checking out this program. Chinese talk some short English excerpts. No sign of any jamming in Wyoming, wonder if it is jammed by the Chinese? Richard Lam, can you tell us if the program content of this one differs from their other broadcasts? (Hans Johnson, WY, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** COLOMBIA [non]. FARC station: see VENEZUELA ** ECUADOR. A través del espacio "Aventura DX" (dentro del programa Club de Amigos) del domingo 28 de septiembre de 2003 por HCJB La Voz de Los Andes, Quito-Ecuador, se transmitió la primera realización de la AER-Asociación Española de Radioescucha (Apartado 4031, 28080- Madrid, España). Entre las informaciones emitidas, se destaca el posible cierre de las transmisiones en español de IRIB La Voz de la República Islámica de Irán que podría extenderse a otros departamentos idiomáticos. Pude captarlo en sus dos presentaciones, a las 2245 UT en 15140 Khz y a las 0245 UT en 9745 y 6050 Khz. El espacio duró aproximadamente cinco minutos y fue interrumpido abruptamente a las 2250 y en su repetición a las 0250 por un larguísimo cántico cristiano que se prolongó hasta las 0300, cuando se identificó la emisora. Lo atribuyo a una falla de operación técnica ya que el corte se produjo mientras repetían la dirección electrónica: http://www.aventuradx@a... [truncated] donde pueden dirigirse los comentarios y colaboraciones (Rubén Guillermo Margenet, Argentina, Sept 28, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** ERITREA [non]. 5925, Voice of Democratic Eritrea, via Jülich, Germany, 1515-1558, Sa Sep 20, Tigrinya talks about Africa, songs from the Horn of Africa, talk often mentioning Eritrea (pronounced as "Ertra" in Tigrinya!), more local songs and a talk about democracy. There was no Arabic program 1530 as scheduled. 45444. 9990, Voice of the Eritrean People, via Kvitsøy, Norway, *1730-1757*, Sun Sep 21, 1729 Merlin I/S, 1730 open carrier, 1732 program began with martial music and ID in Tigrinya: "Ezi dmtsi hzbi Ertra eyu". Ethnic song and ID again, mentioned two wavelengths, news. Ex 7530. 45444 (Anker Petersen, DSWCI DX Window Sept 24 via DXLD) ** ETHIOPIA [non]. 12120, Voice of Ethiopian Medhin, via Samara, Russia, *1830-1905, Sun Sep 21. Carrier was on 1826, 1828 one test tone, 1830 Flute and a man gave ID in Amharic three times: "Yih Ye Ethiopia Medhin Dimts Now", frequency announcement, Horn of Africa song and news. 45454. 12120, Dejen R, via Samara, *1700-1800*, Sat Sep 13, test tones from 1658, opens with a shouting man and flute, 1702 and 1705 Tigrinya ID's "...Dejen Radio...", website: http://www.ethiopiancommunicator.com which asked listeners to send money order to : Liberty Bell Communications Inc., P. O. Box 792, Indianapolis, Indiana 46206, talk about globalisation and the WTO meeting in Cancun, Horn of Africa (HOA) song, mentioned VOA, closed with HOA martial song. 45544 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window Sept 24 via DXLD) 15670, Voice of Ethiopian Salvation, 1602-1605, Su Sep 14, Amharic comments and music, 24432 (Nicolás Eramo, Argentina, DSWCI DX Window Sept 24 via DXLD) ** FRANCE. The 1400 UT English broadcast from RFI put in such a nice signal Sept 30 on 17515 that with its British accent, one could easily mistake it for the BBC until ``here in Paris`` references. A bit of flutter and echo, however (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) RFI Paris heard in French at 1251 on 25820, OM doing an interview, full ID at 1256, then off with good signals (Ron Trotto, Waggoner, Illinois, WDX4KWI, Sept 28, GRDXC via DXLD) English 1200-1230 ** GERMANY. "Clandestines" via DTK/Julich B03 (Tentative!!! based on previous season schedules/days of the week) [all dates 261003 to 280304 u.o.s.] 1= Sun 2=Mon etc... 7=Sat 2330-0030 1234567 Dem. V. Of Burma 5945 1700-1759 1 34 6 V. Of Oromo Liberation 9820 1630-1659 3 6 R. Xoriyo/V. Of The Ogadeni People 9820 1600-1659 1 5 V. Of Ethiopian Salvation 9820 0700-0759 1 V. Of Dem. Path To Ethiopian Unity 17655 1830-1929 4 V. Of Dem. Path To Ethiopian Unity 7220 1500-1559 7 V. Of Dem. Eritrea 5925 1700-1759 2 5 V. Of Dem. Eritrea 9820 0900-0959 7 R. Rainbow/Kestedamena 6180 from 1 Nov 1900-1959 6 R. Rainbow/Kestedamena 11840 from 1 Nov 1330-1430 1234567 New Horizon Radio 9585 1500-1559 1 7 Radio Rhino Int. 17870 1500-1530 3456 Radio Rhino Int. 17870 (compiled from DTK schedule by DXA375-Silvain Domen, Belgium, Sept 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** GIBRALTAR. I know you normally don't cover utility stations (unless they "interfere"), but I guess many DX-ers would like to hear such a small territory as Gibraltar. And it is very easy to pick up. All you need is a SSB receiver, a computer and a decoding program. The latter could be JV Com or another you can load down from the Internet. The navy station GYU is heard round the clock on among others 8625.9 kHz. This is 75 Bd/850 RTTY transmissions which you tune about 1.9 kHz below listed frequency in USB mode or about 1.9 kHz above listed frequency in LSB mode. Reports sent to Royal Marine, Communications Centre, HM Dockyard, Gibraltar are likely to be verified. The transmissions consists of ID and channel status information (Karl-Erik Stridh, Sweden, WWDXC BC-DX Sept 29 via DXLD) ** GUINEA. 7125, R Conakry, a daily catch but often plagued with too much fading and usually a lot worse than R Rurale, Labé, 1386 MW. It was heard at 2208-2226, Aug 22, newscast in French. 54433 (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, DSWCI DX Window Sept 24 via DXLD) ** GUYANA. 3291.1, GBC, Sparendaam, was a usual catch during late Aug and early Sep, e.g. at 2325-2344 on Aug 23, English, jazz music, songs and a QRM-free signal at times. 53342 (Carlos Gonçalves, DSWCI DX Window Sept 24 via DXLD) ** HAITI. See CANADA: CJWI ** HONDURAS. Re HRMI: By the way, they have been off the air during this weekend. I checked 3340, 5010 and 5890 several times on Saturday, Sunday and Monday (Sep 13, 14 and 15 ), for instance at 1200 when transmissions should start, then again at intervals of two hours (14, 16, 18, 20, 22), but there was nothing to be heard. I will try to call them today and find out what's happening (Élmer Escoto, Honduras, Sep 16, DSWCI DX Window Sept 24 via DXLD) ** INDONESIA. Re 4919.89, RRI Biak: Former schedule: 2000-0030 0730- 1500 (Ed Anker Petersen, DSWCI DX Window Sept 24 via DXLD) 4919.89, RRI-Biak again active. (ex-6153) at 2000 UT Sept 7th, presumably s-on time. "Oleh Jesus Christ", ID and IS at 2030 UT. 35543. Also from 0910 UT onwards til approx. 1200 UT, when covered by co-channel China and India on 4920 kHz, Sept 5/6/7th. From Iran Jaya: 4606.4 RRI Serui regular on air, also 4790 RRI Fak Fak, 4869.98 RRI Wamena, 4870.92 RRI Sorong, v7114.8 RRI Fak Fak, relay of FM program; 9743 RRI Sorong is still active. V of Indonesia Jakarta not heard on Sept 5th till 7th, but on Sept 8th with "Kang Guru Radio English" program on 9680 at 0700-0730 UT (Roland Schulze, Mangaldan, Philippines, Sept 9, BC-DX Sept 23 via DXLD) 4920 RRI Biak, 1230 Sept 27, return to own program after Jakarta news. Over a surprisingly weak AIR Chennai as well as Lhasa. Also at 1048 Sep 17 with ID at end of local news, and at *2002 Sep 14 mid Jakarta relay. 7115 RRI Fak-Fak, no sign yet of their daytime channel here in south- eastern Oz. Reported in the Philippines by Roland Schulze who has a proximity advantage. 7290 RRI unID, 0903 with call to prayer in progress, first noted Aug 30 on a daytime frequency. Probably allowed to overrun its schedule by a sleepy technician. Since then it has either relayed 0800 Jakarta news with prompt s/off at news end or even gone off prior to 0800 as happened Sep 28. TC's in waktu Indonesia Timur. Most likely candidates are RRI Serui (would be ex-7173), RRI Biak, RRI Nabire, RRI Tual or RRI Manokwari. Heard this once for just 8 mins a year ago on Sep 23 2002 at 0829-0837* (David Foster, Australia, DXplorer Sept 28 via BC-DX via DXLD) ** IRAN [non]. 4375.8, Voice of the Communist Party of Iran, *1700- 1800*, Sep 20 and 21, Signed on with "Internationale" and closed with a choir of men singing another socialist song. 1702 Farsi ID by woman: "Seda-ye Hezb-e Komunist-e Irana" and talk about Iran // 3880.6 (SINPO 25333). At 1708 both frequencies suddenly jumped about 5 kHz down to 4370.8 and 3876.0 and both drifted slightly downwards after that. But at 1757 both were back on the original frequencies again. I wonder, if these "jumping" transmitters are the same that are used for the Voice of Mojahed ??? 35343 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window Sept 24 via DXLD) See also KURDISTAN ** IRAQ. RADIO FREEDOM RESUMES BROADCASTING | Text of report by Iraqi Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) newspaper Al-Ittihad on 30 September After an interruption of several weeks due to technical problems, Freedom Radio [Arabic: idha'at al-hurriyah] resumes broadcasting to its listeners. While apologizing for this long interruption, the station resumes broadcasting in a new format as regards broadcast time and quality of output. Freedom Radio will resume transmission on Wednesday 1 October 2003 from 0830-1730 [local time]. The station will broadcast on 96 MHz, FM. Source: Al-Ittihad, Baghdad, in Arabic 30 Sep 03 (via BBCM via DXLD) ** IRAQ. HARRIS CORPORATION RADIO TRANSMITTERS SELECTED FOR IRAQ REBUILDING EFFORT --- PR Newswire - Monday, September 29, 2003 Company Establishes New Iraq Initiatives Office http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story.asp?StoryId=Cp3EUqbWbrKXnmda1 http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030929/flm005_1.html MELBOURNE, Fla., Sept. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Radio transmitters and related equipment from Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS) will be used to help rebuild the communications infrastructure of Iraq, bringing listeners news and entertainment programming from the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) Radio SAWA, Radio Free Iraq, and Voice of America broadcast services. The contract, awarded to Harris under the auspices of the BBG International Broadcasting Bureau, includes Harris Quest(TM)-1 1kW FM radio transmitters, Z10FM(TM) 10kW FM radio transmitters, and Z5FM 5kW FM radio transmitters, along with accessories and additional equipment from Orban, Inc. for various sites in Iraq, including the city of Baghdad. Harris recently created an Iraq Initiatives Office that pools the products and resources of its five communications businesses to address the business opportunities related to the rebuilding of Iraq. "Harris offers a broad spectrum of innovative, assured communications products that are ideally suited for rapid deployment and infrastructure development," said Howard L. Lance, chairman, president and CEO of Harris. "Our products have been deployed in developing nations around the world, and we are addressing the specific needs of Iraq where infrastructure development is lacking or nonexistent." Heading the company's new Iraq Initiatives program is Managing Director Youssef (Joe) Sleiman. Mr. Sleiman, who was born in Lebanon and educated in the U.S., has been with Harris for 26 years in varying domestic and international positions. "Joe has exceptional government contracting experience, as well as a personal understanding of the Middle East," said Bob Henry, senior vice president of Harris. "He is the point man in our efforts to provide a variety of broadcast, microwave, network support, and integrated communications systems for U.S.-funded contracts, as well as programs arising from the rebuilding efforts by the new Iraqi government and by free-enterprise initiatives." Harris Corporation is an international communications equipment company focused on providing product, system, and service solutions for government and commercial customers. The company's five operating divisions serve markets for government communications, tactical radio, broadcast, microwave, and network support systems. Harris provides sales and service to customers in more than 150 countries. Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at http://www.harris.com SOURCE Harris Corporation /CONTACT: Tom Hausman, Harris Corporation, +1-321-727-9131, or tom.hausman@harris.com/ /Web site: http://www.harris.com / (via Artie Bigley, Jilly Dybka, DXLD) see also KURDISTAN ** IRELAND. R2 has been readjusted and is now back on 612. I read this is operated by two 50 kW senders installed in the mid 1970's - not by the old 566 transmitter (Noel R. Green, UK, BC-DX Sept 22 via DXLD) RTE's 612 kHz Athlone transmitter is again radiating off channel at approx. 611.8 kHz today (Wednesday 24th), having briefly reverted to 612 kHz some time yesterday (Tuesday 23rd). So we're back to a howl on the channel this evening. I understand that RTE has two 50 kW 1970s transmitters in use at Athlone for this frequency, so it may be that one or both of the two units is faulty. The signal strength seems very weak at the moment, I'd be surprised if it is radiating anywhere near full power. Does anyone know the email address of RTE's transmitter maintenance department? 73s (Dave Kenny, UK, BDXC-UK via DXLD) What does it howl against on 612.0? (gh) Glenn, Can I rest assure your listeners that RTÉ's 2FM mediumwave transmitter in Athlone was purchased from Japan in 1979 - these were in fact two 50 kw transmitters. The old 1950's vintage went off the air around 1974 when the 500 kw transmitter opened in Tullamore. When 2FM started in 1979 most of the listeners were on mediumwave as FM (or VHF as was known in these parts until the mid 1980s) was a minority hobby. Now FM is the most popular and in recent years mediumwave has opted out from time to time to bring minority interests programmes such as services for asylum seekers etc. It has also be suggested in the recent past, when finances were better, that RTÉ would used the transmitter for a dedicated news/current affairs and sports station along the lines of BBC Radio 5 Live. I came across an interesting website some of your listeners may be interested in as it deals with Ireland's radio history including its shortwave broadcasting experiences. The address is http://radiodx.com/spdxr/irish_mystery.htm Kind regards, (Paul Guckian, Ennis, Co Clare, Oct 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** JAPAN. As previously reported, Radio Tampa will be merged with NIKKEI Media Group on October 1. The name of the company will be changed to "NIKKEI Radio Co. Ltd". The name of the station will be changed on April 1, 2004, the 50th anniversary day of Radio Tampa, to "Radio NIKKEI". The logo will also be changed. The program contents will be focused on medical and health, as well as the information for investors. By the way "Tampa" means SW in Japanese, and "NIKKEI" is the abbr. of "Nippon Keizai" (Japanese Economy). (Takahito Akabayashi, Japan, BC-DX Sept 27 via DXLD) ** KALININGRAD. See RUSSIA ** KASHMIR. See PAKISTAN ** KURDISTAN. Clandestine --- I heard (again) Voice of Komala, 4615 kHz, 1850-1857 UT on Sept 29. The hurring and beeping QRM was terrible and I am not sure if the transmission ended at 1857 or not; I could not get any signal after that. I have not been able to find any information on the whereabouts of the transmitter site; does anyone know the QTH? The signals coming from east of Finland were at the moment kinda good, for example I could hear Tajik Radio on 4635 and All India Radio on 60 metres pretty well that night, so I suppose V.of Komala is coming from the East or South-East Asia. Also my antenna (20 metres of wire) pics signals best from those directions on 60 metres (Matti Ponkamo, Naantali, South-West of Finland, Drake R4-C, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Those 4 MHz band Kurdish clandestines are likely to be close to Kurdistan, adjacent countries, if not within it. According to old info at http://www.schoechi.de/crw/crw-kurd.html for 4600 the transmitter location is IRAQ (i.e. KURDISTAN) (gh, DXLD) ** KURDISTAN [and non]. CLANDESTINE 3928.0, Voice of Komala, 1750-1757*, Sep 10, Farsi, ID just before s/off, QRM from jamming. 32322 (Bjarke Vestesen, Radby, Blommenslyst, Denmark) 4027.6v, Voice of the People of Kurdistan, 0135-0330 (fade out), Sep 10 and 23, Kurdish, nonstop Kurdish-Iranian music, ID at 0153 and mentioned e-mail-address, freq.ann, 0155 Qur`an recitations, 0200 fanfare, Arabic news about Iraq and Tikrit, Arab songs; drifting slowly down to 4025.7. 34343 (Petersen and Vestesen, Denmark). Also heard 1630-1640, Sep 20, Arabic talks with short music inserts, poor (Vashek Korinek, RSA) 4085, Voice of Iraqi Kurdistan, 1800-1900, Sep 10, Kurdish, local and western music. 34333 (Vestesen, Denmark) 4250.8, Voice of Strugglers of Iranian Kurdistan (tentative), *0300- 0355 (fade out), Sep 23, Kurdish announcement, Qur`an recitations, mostly talks by a man about Iran and Iranian Kurdistan, songs, 0347 another man gave announcement and talk in Farsi. Ex 4277. Later fade out than 4027v which indicate a more westerly transmitter location. 35343 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, all: DSWCI DX Window Sept 24 via DXLD) ** KURDISTAN [and non]. IRAQ/IRAN. Two main leaders of Kurdish people in Northern Iraq are M. Barzani and J. Talabani. Their parties "Patriotic Union of Kurdistan" and "Democratic Front of Kurdistan" broadcast now as OFFICIAL radios, not clandestines anymore, as "Voice of the People of Kurdistan" 4023 kHz Ku/Ar s-off at 1658 UT, and "Voice of Iraqi Kurdistan" 4085 kHz, Ku/Ar close down time is different, varies from day to day, like 1825 UT on Saturdays. Observations noted on Sept 13 mainly at 1600-1630 UT in range 3800- 4400 kHz: 3880 and 4380 now "Voice of Revolution" in Kurdish, on air earlier at *1456-1559*. 3925 and 4615 at 1620 carrier only, 1615 IS music from Verdi, 1630 "Voice of Komala". 3970 "Voice of Iranian Kurdistan", jammed by Iran. Extended program in Kurdish till 1630 UT. Persian till 1530 UT. 4163 "Voice of ?Independence?" in Ku/Ar, *1545-1655*. 4235 "Voice of Iraqi Toilers" in Ar/Ku, close-down at various times, in August at 1825 UT, in September at 1625 UT. Ex-4265, now moved to 4250, ID like "Voice of Mojahin of Iran", jammed by Iran. In Pe/Ku/Ar, end at 1656 UT (Rumen Pankov, Bulgaria, Sept 14, BC-DX Sept 23 via DXLD) ** LATVIA. After sending a reception report by E-mail, some hours later I received this answer: ``Hello to all listeners to the SW test broadcast of Radio Seagull, Many, many thanks for all your reception reports on tonight`s broadcast on 9290 kHz SW! Until now, we have received over 100 reports from places like Italy, Germany, Austria, Greece, Scandinavia, the UK and Holland. We even had one from New York! It's great to know that you've been able to listen to our broadcast and even better to know that you liked our music. Thanks for all your SINPO's and you nice comments, it's very much appreciated. Don't forget that Radio Seagull is broadcasting on the Internet around the clock in stereo. Visit our website http://www.radioseagull.com for more information about our radio station and how to tune in to our webcast. We from Radio Seagull hope that you enjoyed listening to us. We from our side enjoyed making the shows for you! Thanks go to our presenters Stevie Gordon and Garry Lee, the staff and technicians in Riga and to everyone else who made broadcast possible. We hope to be able to do this again soon. On behalf of everyone connected to Radio Seagull, Cheers, Adrian. Radio Seagull, P. O. Box 24, 8860 AA Harlingen, The Netherlands. E- mail: info@radioseagull.nl website: http://www.radioseagull.com (via Christian Ghibaudo, France, DSWCI DX Window Sept 24 via DXLD) ** LATVIA. 9290, Laser Radio regular relays will start at 1000 UTC on 4 October (Laser Radio website via Seager ARDXC Sep 30 via Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** LEBANON [non]. CLANDESTINE from CIS to LEBANON, Voice of Free Lebanon (Cumbre DX follow up). Per Bernd's tip, I checked the http://www.tayyar.org/radio/RadioLoubnanAl7oriya/index.htm website. The audio programs and schedule here are for M-F only, so that is a reduction from the daily schedule they once had. I looked all over that site but I cannot find anything giving their current shortwave schedule. I took another listen at 1600 to 11645 today Sept 30 and heard nothing. They were not heard on their previous frequency of 11515 either. Sure seems like they are off to me or on a very different shortwave schedule (Hans Johnson, WY, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** MEXICO. PRUEBAS DAB EN MÉXICO La Cámara Nacional de la Industria de Radio y Televisión, realizará pruebas a los sistemas de radio digital Eureka-147 y En Banda y En Canal (IBOC, por sus siglas en inglés) en FM. Las pruebas simultáneas que se realizarán durante un periodo de aproximadamente tres meses, compararán el desempeño de ambos sistemas en la Ciudad más grande del mundo. El IBOC-FM se probará utilizando un transmisor de 45 kW en transmisión analógica y 4.5 kW de transmisión digital, el equipo será instalando en uno de los edificios de mayor altura dentro de la Ciudad de México. El sistema Eureka-147 se ubicará en el Cerro del Chiquihuite, se utilizará una antena de alta ganancia, transmitiéndose 5 señales diferentes de audio y un canal de datos como es característico en esta tecnología. Uno de los momentos más importantes será durante el desarrollo de la XLV Semana Nacional de Radio y Televisión, en donde se habilitará un salón para la demostración de estos sistemas, además se incluirán otras tecnologías como: la recepción del Sistema de Radio Digital por Satélite (DARS, por sus siglas en inglés) y la demostración del sistema de Televisión Digital en Alta Definición (HDTV, por sus siglas en inglés). Esto permitirá a la Industria de la Radiodifusión en México, autoridades y a la sociedad en general, entrar en contacto y formar su criterio en cuanto a las opciones tecnológicas para el desarrollo de la radio y televisión abiertas (Source? Via Héctor García Bojorge, DF, Sept 29, Conexión Digital via DXLD) WTFK??? ** MEXICO. In case anyone hasn`t already heard, there is a new tropo target in Monterrey NL, according to a press report via Héctor García Bojorge, in the Conexión Digital list: XHMNU-TV 53 with 500 kW from the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, 0700-2300 local time daily. Apparently the power increase went into effect Sept. 25. That`s quite an increase over 0.0 kW in Doug`s database ujpdated Sept 27... :-) 73, (Glenn Hauser, OK, WTFDA via DXLD) ** NEW ZEALAND. A strong case is now to be made for a second transmitter to the NZ government as a consequence of this debacle. (Wolfgang Bueschel, BC-DX via DXLD) Oct 1 NZ time, no 17675 yet (gh) ** NEW ZEALAND [and non]. Arthur Cushen`s QSL collection Hello Anker. In your recent report of the EDXC meeting, you're quoted as saying that Arthur Cushen's QSL collection is one of the four largest in the world and located in Invercargill, NZ. For the record, the Archives of the NZ Radio DX League are currently located at the Hocken Library, in Dunedin, New Zealand. The Archives contain many thousands of QSLs and other radio ephemera from a large number of NZ DXers. In fact, it's estimated that 100,000+ verifications may be in the current collection. Arthur Cushen's QSL collection does not form part of the NZRDXL Archives. It is managed by the Hocken Library together with the NZRDXL Archives because of similarity of material. Whilst Arthur's collection is historically significant, it forms only about 10% of the total material held at the Hocken Library, the bulk of which includes collections from a large number of other NZ DXers. Much more material (an estimated 200,000 + additional QSLs and associated ephemera) is available to be added to the Archives. The Heritage Committee and Administration Committee of the NZRDXL is currently considering proposals to actively manage the NZRDXL Archives. A core part of the project is to catalog and scan for on- line access all current QSLs in the combined Arthur Cushen and NZRDXL Archives collections. This aspect of the project has a budget in excess of Euro 100,000 for which funding will shortly be sought by a newly established non-profit charitable organisation. Work is scheduled to begin in early 2004 as part of a three-year plan. I believe the NZRDXL Archives, even as they are today, are the largest listener based such collection in the world. We're fortunate to have Dr Adrian Peterson (AWR) and Jerry Berg (CPRV) as active members of our Heritage Committee (David Ricquish, NZ, DSWCI DX Window Sept 24 via DXLD) ** NIGER. NIGER SUSPENDS 15 RADIO STATIONS IN REGULATOR ROW The West African state of Niger has ordered 15 privately run radio stations to halt broadcasts after suspending the chief media regulator, who is accused of issuing licences to them improperly. . . http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/s956412.htm (via Artie Bigley, Mike Cooper, DXLD) ** NIGERIA. Glenn, I notice that you still have some information about Salama Radio on your website in "DX LISTENING DIGEST 1-098, July 14, 2001". As a trustee of Harvestime Ministries, an affiliated organisation, I would like to make you aware of the current status of Salama Radio. Dr Jacob Abdalla is still the presiding influence over the radio station and its aims are much the same. However, in August 2002 the operation moved to Jos in Nigeria with the broadcasting being handled by Deutsche Welle in Germany. Currently the station has ceased short wave transmissions due to lack of funds. However, local broadcasts in FM are continuing. I would also like to point out that Ian Simpson and Margaret Perera no longer have any connection with Salama Radio. Jacob Abdalla can be contacted via his email on: admin@salamaradio.org I hope this information is of help to you and that you can update your records accordingly. All the best (Nick Batchelor, Sept 29, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** NIGERIA. 9690, V of Nigeria, Ikorodu, still on here, e.g. 14 Sept 1541-s/off 1558; used for Vernacular programs. 55434. Distorted audio caused perhaps by overmodulation was noted that day. Mornings, 7255 closes at 0956 to be replaced by 9690 at 1000 (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, BC-DX Sept 21 via DXLD) 9690, Voice of Nigeria, Ikorodu, *1000-1558*, Sep 14; it seems that only Vernacular programmes are broadcast. Distorted modulation (seemed overmodulated audio). Some days prolonged broadcast until 1559*. 55434 (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, DSWCI DX Window Sept 24 via DXLD) ** NORWAY. Sonnet Radio Europe will be testing on SW from the VT Merlin Communications transmitter in Norway operating at 400kW omni- directionally on Dec 16th & 26th at 19:00 Hrs GMT(Z) for one hour. A Pilot programme will be transmitted with a mixture of music from the 70's - today. From February 2004, Sonnet Radio will be transmitting every night from 19:00 Hrs GMT(Z) until 01:00 Hrs GMT(Z) Frequency information will be posted in the coming weeks, more information at the following website: http://www.rtidigital.com/index3.htm [where Dec 12 was shown by mistake] You can email your enquiries to studio@r... (Please note; if you would like your letter read out on air during the tests, please start your subject line with 'AIR'. Many Thanks, we look forward to any QSL / Reception Reports Submitted (Mike Taylor, Sonnet Radio (RTI Digital Limited), Sept 30, shortwavelistening yahoogroup via DXLD) ** PAKISTAN. Re 3-171: Radio Pakistan is today back on its correct frequency of 21465 kHz for its 0800-1104 UT Broadcast. Yesterday's transmission on 21454.98 kHz must have been due to an incorrect punch- up in frequency at the transmitter site (Graham Powell, Editor - Online DX Logbook, Sept 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PAKISTAN. I managed to obtain this information on the current domestic services from the Frequency Management Controller: R Pakistan Current Affair frequencies are 6225 in the morning at 0200-0400 and 5080 in the evening at 1300-1800. Urdu Prog (Aaina) is 5840 at 1615-1700. Haya Allal Falah was changed to 7105 at 0045-0215. Rawalpindi and Islamabad programme at 0600-1115 is on 9340. Balti and Sheena News on 7145 at 1350-1400 and 1420-1428. Kashmiri service previously was being radiated from Pindi 10kw transmitter 1230-1330 has been shifted to API-2 on 7145. Rawalpindi III (Azad Kashmir R) is still operating on 4790 at 0045- 0215 and 1430-1810 with 100 kW. Pindi (= Rawalpindi? Ed) 10 kw is operating on 4790 at 0230-0430, 1230-1330 and 1345-1430 (but inaudible here. DSWCI Ed) Quetta 10 kw is operating on 5025 in the morning and evening hours while during day time at 0600-1145 on 7155. Peshawar 10kw at 1100-1400 is radiating Chatrali service for the Northern part of the country called Chatral. Frequency was - still is? 7320 (Noel Green, England, DSWCI DX Window Sept 24 via DXLD) ** PARAGUAY [and non]. 9905.4, unidentified Station in Spanish from 0215 to 0242 Sept. 25. Lately I have been hearing an station in this time slot (also noted at 1240 with a strong carrier but virtually no audio) on this frequency. The program consists of ranchero to up-beat dance music with very few announcements, at times just a few words in Spanish. Checked 7370 for a parallel, noted a carrier on 7370.1 with little or no audio. Possibly thinking it might be Radio América, ZP20 I fired off my details to Adán Mur requesting if they where transmitting on any of the above frequencies. Here is his reply: ``I regret to inform that you did not hear our HF transmissions, for the reason that the transmitters are off-air, at present, with the purpose of improving the energy supply, and for the conversion of our permission, from experimental, to permanent. We have tested our new transmitter site, in Villeta, on several frequencies, and have had spectacular results; having received reports from twenty different countries! We hope to resume transmissions, soon, on the frequencies 7370, and 9905 kHz. That, of 41 metres, will serve the interior of Paraguay. That, of 31 metres, will serve the MERCOSUR region. To-date, we have experimented on the following HF frequencies: 2300, 7300, 7370, 7385, 7737, 9905, 9983, 15185, 15483, 15485 kHz. The very best results have come from the 41 metre band. My opinion is that you have heard the University Station, in Managua, Nicaragua, which has recently commenced operations on 9905, with a power of 1 kW. As for the frequency 7370, you may well have captured a carrier a Russian/CIS transmitter. ZP20 Radio América/Radiodifusión América is on-air, the 24 hours, on 1480 kHz, serving the metropolitan Asunción area. We also retransmit our programming, via FM stations, in distinct regions of Paraguay. Recently, we have added a live-audio INTERNET service: http://www.radiodifusionamerica.com.py The Web Site will give you many details, as to our broadcasts.`` I didn't know there was a University Station broadcasting on 9905 from Nicaragua. Anybody else hearing this one? (Edward Kusalik, Alberta, Canada, Sept 29, BCLNews.it via DXLD) See 3-171 ** PERU. 4790, Radio Atlántida, Iquitos 1000-1020 "atencíón San Martin ... cinco en la mañana.... Radio Atlántida" blasting in, excellent signal (Robert Wilkner, Icom R 75, Pompano Beach, Florida, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** PERU. Radio El Sol cambio de nombre: Canal N Radio. Av. Madrid 181, Miraflores, Lima 18, Perú. Telf: 241-2100, e-mail: info@c... [truncated]. Esta emisora retransmite el audio del canal de noticias por cable llamado Canal N, perteneciente al diario El Comercio http://www.elcomercioperu.com.pe Interconecta con la BBC en español (titulares) transmite las 24 horas en onda media, y la frecuencia de onda corta (5970 kHz está inactiva por el momento. Actualmente está realizando transmisiones de prueba en los 88.9 MHz de la FM en Lima. 73s Spacemaster (Alfredo Cañote, Perú, Sept 23, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** QATAR. Qatar Radio, QBS, Doha, 17755, Surprised to see a package from Qatar Radio, RTVC Dept. in the PO box today containing a "Radio Qatar from Doha" booklet (circa. 1991), English service schedule for 27 June, 2003 to First of Ramadan, which of course neglects to mention a single frequency, SW, MW or FM, a personal letter thanking me for my interest in Qatar Broadcasting Service and, most disappointing, "We are sorry about a QSL card because we stopped issuing it." V/S [sic] Jassim Mohammed Al-Qattan, Head of Public Relations, Exchange and Research. This in 441 days for 1 IRC and an English report (Scott Barbour, NH, DXplorer Sept 19 via BC-DX via DXLD) ** ROMANIA. Dear listeners. Our radio station wants to stimulate your curiosity and is trying to offer you a new opportunity to know us better, at home. So, we invite you to participate in a new prize winning contest, directly connected to Christianity`s most important celebration - the Birth of Jesus Christ. We`ve already thought about extending you an invitation under the general heading ``Christmas in Romania``. As usual, you will have to answer a few questions in writing. Stay tuned to RRI, give the correct answers and --- we`ll see you in December in Romania. The competition will be on until November 15 and as usual you wouldn`t like to miss out on quite a few interesting prizes, offered by the Local Councils of Arad and Valcea Counties. The big prizes are two 7- day stays in Romania for two (non inclusive of visa fees and transport fares to Romania) - the winners and one partner of their own choosing, between December 22nd and 28th, in Arad county and Valcea county, respectively. The winners will be given an opportunity to get to see the most interesting places in the two counties and experience, together with their hosts, Christmas as we do it in Romania. Here are the questions: When do Romanians traditionally celebrate Christmas? What`s the name of the river that crosses the county and the city of Arad ? On August 11th, 1999, the city of Ramnicu Valcea was the point of maximum visibility for a major astronomic phenomenon. What was that phenomenon? We would also like to see what you like or...dislike about our programmes, so if you have time, also enclose some recommendations. In case you don`t know how to reach us, here is our address: RRI, 60-64 Gen. Berthelot Street, sector 1 Bucharest, PO BOX 111; fax 0040212232613, e-mail engl@rri.ro Don`t forget; we`re looking forward to your answers which should reach us by November 15th, the mail date. We`ll let you know who the winners are by the end of November. Good luck and don`t forget: if you don`t participate, you`ll miss out on the best opportunity you`ve ever had to see Romania and meet the Romanians at home (via Alokesh Gupta, New Delhi, India, Sept 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) Also have seen versions in Portuguese, Spanish (gh) ** ROMANIA. 9690 kHz, Galbeni, 0400-0657 UT in Romanian. Today Sunday Sept 28th I came across two spurious distorted signals AGAIN, as in previous month. Galbeni produces spurs 57.64 kHz away on 9632.36 and 9747.64. This is my unidentified WHISTLE signal, which I observed in July and August on 9747 (Wolfgang Bueschel, Germany, BC-DX Sept 28) I forgot to mention that I had also heard Romania via 9747 - Wolfie's unID spurious. This was only possible when DW 9750 was less strong during the recent storm. Some of their transmitters are a waste of electricity - note 11830 and 15105. And I've heard 7225 at 0600-0630 putting out only a loud buzz spreading many kHz LF. The 0600-0657 multi-language transmission was also recently heard on 11970 instead of 11940 - another engineer who had mislaid his spectacles! They would be well advised to send these old units to the great transmitter hall in the sky, and to concentrate on those that really work (Noel R. Green, UK, BC-DX Sept 28 via DXLD) Clarification: I actually heard the signal on 15015, not 15105. All the best (Tim Bucknall, UK, harmonics yahoogroup via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. Bolshakovo 1656 ... 1658 kHz. And just now I copied on 1658a kHz with Voice of Russia with a German programme (\\ 1386 kHz) with a very broken modulation? Any spurious? Or also a "Luxembourg effect"? (Anybody knows a "good" (!) webpage with better details about this effect ?) or my RX works not well ? (Tom - DL8AAM, harmonics, Sept 28) Kaliningrad spurious? looks like Kaliningrad is "doing it" again ;-) (Tim Bucknall-UK, emwg / harmonics Sept 28) Formula: 1386 multiply by 2 = 2772 kHz 2772 minus 1116 kHz = 1656 kHz Mixture of 1386 kHz 600/1200 kW unit, and 1116 kHz 75 kW unit at Bolshakovo, Kaliningrad Oblast. Maybe spur symmetrically on 846 kHz too. 1116 multiply by 2 = 2232 kHz 2232 minus 1386 kHz = 846 kHz (73 wb df5sx Sept 28, Wolfgang Bueschel, BC-DX via DXLD) Bolshakovo 1386 kHz is a 2500 kW unit, currently run with 1200 kW, 1116 kHz is a 150 kW unit, currently run with 75 kW. Another typical mixture from Bolshakovo is 171+1386 = 1557 kHz (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, harmonics Sept 29, all via BC-DX via DXLD) ** RUSSIA [non]. Russian International Radio via DTK Jülich, 17705 at 1400-1500: In B-03, to be changed to 9555 at 1500-1600 UT, 115 degrees towards Balkan, Near and Middle East. The service is based on a "strategic partnership" between The Voice of Russia and the Russian Media Group which owns Russkoye Radio. The service will be broadcast on medium wave, short wave and satellite. The head of Voice of Russia expects that the new service could more than double the audience of VOR's Russian language program which is currently 100 million. Russkoye Radio is Russia's number one commercial network which has received an award from President Putin for promoting Russian language and culture (Bernd Trutenau, DXplorer via WDXC-UK Oct CONTACT via Bueschel BC-DX via Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** RUSSIA. Regional state broadcasters in Russia are financed only in part from the federal budget, other parts originate from the respective regional government plus income from advertising. These broadcasters do not have their own transmitters, but are leasing airtime on transmitters owned by RTRN. Since there are "rich" and "poor" regions resp. regional governments, the budgets of the broadcasters vary a lot. Some are broadcasting for many hours and renting a huge network of transmitters, others can afford only a very limited output. In order to cut down in expenses, most stations have meanwhile stopped duplicating programs on MW and SW and are concentrating on FM instead (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, DXplorer Sept 15 via BC-DX via DXLD) ** RUSSIA [and non]. R. Natalie celebrates 05.10.2003 seven years from the date of the beginning of broadcast. In this connection R. Natalie plans be on air 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 October, after 2000 UT on frequency 3916 kHz. It will be possible to be used also Frequency 7473 kHz in different time. Relaying through Power41 is planned. New card QSL can be received for the correct official report 2USdollars or 2 IRC. The new pennant also is ready also; it is possible to receive for 6US Dollars or 5Euro. Transmissions will be also over Radio Europe 7306 USB Saturdays and Sundays during whole October. Order ???????? with own e-mail the address! http://r.mail.ru/cln1956/souvenir.mail.ru (Valentin Jershov, via Dario Monferini, Sept 30, BCLNews.it via DXLD) ** SOMALIA. 7335.00, R Galkayo, 1645-1710, Sep 20, Vernacular talks, announcements, continuous Horn of Africa music from 1658. No specific ID noted but R Galkayo mentioned during the talks. Poor becoming unusable at 1710. Lots of atmospheric noise, so not bad for the reported 0.8 kW (Vashek Korinek, RSA, DSWCI DX Window Sept 24 via DXLD) Also heard tentatively Sep 19 at 1750 with fair signal, but audio level very low and traces of a male voice heard only. But at 1757 he began to sing, and according to Björn Fransson in Sweden it was probably Sam Voron [the announcer] singing the Anthem! (Noel Green, UK, DSWCI DX Window Sept 24 via DXLD) The following interesting information was sent to me in an email from Sam Voron in Somalia. I'd like to share it with you all. 73 from Björn Fransson on the island of Gotland, Sweden --- COPY: Hi Björn, I have been in Garowe the last 2 days to talk with the President of Puntland, Abdulai Yussef during his short stay before he returns to the Somalia Government creation talks in Kenya. I also met the Minister of Information and Telecommunications about Somalia using the human resources in the country to operate a world wide shortwave service which would help bring the country together using all the news sources that have developed around the country. Such an International radio would also give a voice to Africa and to the positive aspect of Islam and to developing nations. The Minister of Information and Telecommunications will approach USA, EU, Russian and other representatives to build such a facility in peaceful Puntland to get on air immediately and which can be expanded into the 4th world wide broadcaster after BBC, VOA and Radio Moscow. The big 800 Watt amplifier is back on line so you can try to listen again. They were using only 15 Watts AM while I was away but I heard them in Garowe which is the Puntland State capital 250 km north of Galkayo. I will most likely leave for Kismayo the following Thursday with a very small chance I might leave this Thursday. Keep listening! Regards, Sam Voron (via Björn Fransson, Sept 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SPAIN [and non]. I was enjoying REE`s classical music show Nuestro Sello via the usually strong signal on 17595, Sept 30 at 1405, but after 1430 Bach et al. were marred by co-channel underneath, with occasional German-sounding words. After REE closed at 1455 this proved to be DW in some South Asian language. Why such an overlap? Some frequency planner believes that the DW signal goes only to S Asia? (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** SUDAN [non]. CLANDESTINE from ERITREA to SUDAN. 6985, Voice of Freedom and Renewal, Voice of New Sudan, 0320 Sep 30 with music, till big clock chimes at 0330. Then multiple IDs in Arabic. Mentioning that this was their morning broadcast (guess they must be on at other times as well still). Man then read the news in Arabic. Via Javaradio Europe. Muddy audio on the Javaradio, but sounds like they were consistently using the complete above ID, not just the Voice of New Sudan as they were using for a while. Into what sounded like Juba Arabic or similar at 0350. I could get a fair amount of words, but just enough non-Arabic to really throw me (Hans Johnson, WY, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** SWEDEN. Pan European Radio, last transmitting via Sweden on 1179 kHz, announced the new (not the one they used, when they tested from Poland) address as follows: P O Box 16913, Beverly Hills, California 90209, USA. V/s Bert VanSchaick confirmed my reception in an email to: receptionreport@hotmail.com 73 from (Björn Fransson on the island of Gotland, Sweden, Sept 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) The following email was received from Pan European Radio by Martin Elbe-D (repost from A-DX mailing list): From : pan_european_radio@h... [truncated] Pan European Radio, P.O. Box 16913, Beverly Hills, California 90209 USA Los Angeles, September 28th, 2003, Dear Sir, Madam, We like to thank you for the reception report concerning our test transmission in the 26th / 27th / 28th of September 2003 on the Medium Wave frequency 1179 kHz. The transmitter is located in Sweden and has been putting out 600 Kw and 300 Kw during a number of two hour periods in the above mentioned dates. Pan European Radio is not a radio station, but facilitates stations looking for output possibilities. We have a number of clients who want to use AM, FM or SW facilities. Around the world we have various frequencies available. Your report is hereby acknowledged and will contribute to the final decision to either use or not use the 1179 in our range of frequencies. Once again, thank you very much. Yours, Bert VanSchaick MD ================================= Comment BT: PER has a P. O. Box in the USA, but is a Dutch-based venture, involving known names of the Dutch media scene (Bernd Trutenau, Lithuania, MW-DX via DXLD) ** TAIWAN. Temporary Schedule Changes, RTI --- Please note the following temporary changes to our program schedule, which are effective immediately: 1) News Talk and Stage, Screen and Studio will be temporarily replaced by Instant Noodles and Hakka World, respectively. 2) Discover Taiwan will be hosted by James Ho. 3) New Music Lounge, the popular music program, will be extended to a 30-minute program, which will air on Wednesdays in Hour Two. 4) Confucius and Inspiration Beyond can now be heard on Thursday as part of the Hour One programming. We apologize for any inconvenience, and thank you for listening to RTI! Central Broadcasting System, No. 55 Pei An Road Taipei, Taiwan. R.O.C. http://www.cbs.org.tw (via Daniel Say, BC, Sept 29, DXLD) ** TIBET. 9490, China Tibet People's Broadcasting Co. 1100 9/30. English broadcast, Tibet promo, news, features, music, in the clear and quite readable most days recently (Steve George, MA, 9/30, Cumbredx mailing list via DXLD) ** TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS. Ex 1570 MW. Reading the MW column in the April issue of SWN I discovered, thanks to Kyriakos Dritsas, the e- mail address of a former manager of Atlantic Beacon now at R Vision Cristiana. As in the past (1987!) I've never received a reply after several attempts to the station, so I decided to try now again sending an e- mail to Mr. Wendell Seymour. He answered me quickly but saying me that at the time he did not see and answer the reception report, so he was not able to help me. I immediately sent another mail writing that I could send that reception report once again as it was in my computer memory! After that Mr. Wendell wrote me: "I think that I could find an original Atlantic Beacon QSL card, send me the report and I will mail you a QSL card". He understood that I WANTED that verification. So after 50 days I finally got my original Atlantic Beacon QSL card and my 166th EDXC Country verified. If you want to count the time from the first report, look well, it's just 16 years and 2 days! Isn't it a record? As it's true that Mr. Wendell was really nice to answer to my e-mails and to send the QSL card, I must thank Kyriakos Dritsas, Ray Browell and SWN for giving me the main information! (Alessandro Groppazzi, Trieste, Italy, Sep 18, DSWCI DX Window Sept 24 via DXLD) ** UGANDA [non]. R. Rhino International Africa finally made it here, on 17555 via Germany, thanks to improved HF conditions, Tue Sept 30 at *1500-1530*, with WHRA 17560 convenient closing just in time. Seemed to be all in English, with IDs and mission statement, music break in the middle. Invited listeners to phone in their opinions to be broadcast on weekend show. Fading down before closing, and signal was still not that great (Glenn Hauser, OK, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. More on UK TV Licensing. Hi Glenn, Further to the interest shown in UK TV licence regulations, here are the conditions copied from the rear of my current licence. Full information is on the TV Licensing website. You need a licence for each unit of accommodation, a house or flat. Mobile homes (caravans) are subject to several restrictions, which would appear to be unenforceable without a high degree of intrusion. -------------------- About Your Licence. What you need a TV licence for - You need a TV licence to install or use any equipment to receive television programme services - for example a television set, video recorder, set-top box, PC with a broadcast card or any other TV receiving equipment. What this licence also allows - Use at the premises (address indicated) by any person working or visiting the premises. Installation/use (A) vehicle, boat or caravan used for touring from place to place (providing the TV is not being used at the licensed premises at the same time) by the persons referred to overleaf and any person visiting them. Use by the persons referred to overleaf, of a TV receiver anywhere providing it is only powered by internal batteries. What the licence does not allow - Premises occupied by you do not include any parts of your premises exclusively occupied by others, such as tenants, lodgers, paying guests and or self contained units on the premises and/or any parts of your premises (except parts of a private dwelling) occupied by others pursuant to contract or other arrangements. Use of a TV in a caravan (other than a caravan used for touring) at the same time as the licensed premises. A black and white licence does not authorise colour installation or use. Conditions of this licence Payment of the licence fee. This licence can be revoked or its terms varied. Our officers may ask to inspect your licence and television equipment at ANY TIME, but you don't have to let them into your home without a SEARCH WARRANT. Your TV licence does not guarantee a good picture. You must not cause interference to any other radio or TV reception with your television receiving apparatus. ----------------- Other information on UK TV and audio licensing - Registered blind people can apply for a 50% discount on their annual TV licence. Hotels have a special licence based on the number of rooms and TV's they have. To play a radio or TV broadcast in a public place like a bar or shop you additionally require a (PRS) performing rights licence. To play recorded music in public, as opposed to relaying an existing station, like a jukebox or disco also requires a licence from (PPL) Phonographic Performance Limited who licence the playing of copyright music. http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk http://www.ceduman.co.uk/licensing/ppl.htm http://www.ppluk.com/ http://www.prs.co.uk 73's (via Andy Cadier, UK, Sept 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** U K. The BBCWS launches DRM MW to Europe... VT MERLIN COMMUNICATIONS UNVEIL UK'S FIRST HIGH POWER MEDIUM WAVE DIGITAL TRANSMITTER --- PRESS RELEASE 29th September 2003 On the 24th September - Simon Tarrant, Managing Director, VT Support Services and Benny Ammar, Head of Go Digital, BBC World Service jointly unveiled the UK's first medium wave Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) transmitter. The event took place at VT Merlin Communications site at Orfordness, East Anglia. The new transmitter joins the current analogue BBC World Service transmitters for Western Europe (648 kHz and 1296 kHz) located at the same site. The opening ceremony was attended by 60 guests from around the world, who watched Benny Ammar start the first official transmission. This £500,000 project was the first major investment in new transmission plant since Merlin Communications was acquired by the VT Group in 2001. The DRM digital radio system allows for crystal clear high fidelity reception of radio in the short, medium and long wave bands, and overcomes the problems of interference, fading and poor audio quality often associated with "AM" radio. The transmitter and associated digital equipment were supplied by Canadian Manufacturer Nautel, and German companies Telefunken and Fraunhofer Institute. The transmitter will allow high-quality reception of World Service in the Netherlands, much of Belgium, Luxembourg, and Northern France. During night-time the 1296 kHz signal may also reach Germany. Over the next year, engineers will accurately evaluate the coverage parameters. NOTES TO EDITORS About VT Merlin Communications VT Merlin Communications, part of the VT Group plc, is a leading provider of critical communications services to customers in the space communications, defence and broadcast industries. Our range of critical communications services includes technical support services, facilities management, as well as project and programme management. VT Merlin has extensive experience in the design, build, operation, maintenance and support of facilities worldwide. Customers include The European Space Agency (ESA), BBC World Service, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) and QinetiQ. Operating the world's leading short wave network, VT Merlin transmits over 1,000 hours of both short and medium wave broadcasts every day. VT Merlin's global network provides broadcasters with exceptional coverage of the world's most populous regions, and offers capacity to deliver your programmes globally. Currently VT Merlin broadcasts for major international broadcasters including BBC World Service, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, NHK (Radio Japan), Radio Canada International, Radio Netherlands and Voice of America. About VT Group PLC VT Group is an international Government services provider. The Group is divided into two businesses - support services and shipbuilding. Together, these activities employ 10,000 people. Turnover is approximately £600m. VT Support Services - comprising activities in both the military and public sectors - now accounts for over two thirds of turnover. Military support is tri-service and includes training, platform and equipment maintenance and facilities management, while services for the public sector focus on training and education, careers guidance, and secure communications. VT Shipbuilding designs and builds a wide range of vessels for the Royal Navy and navies throughout the world. Smaller boats are also supplied to the commercial market. Specialist marine equipment is provided to both the naval and commercial sectors. Technical notes: A Fraunhofer (German research institute) ContentServer is used to assemble the digital stream at Bush House in London allowing the transmission of data such as web sites, news stories, programme associated data, rds, .jpg pictures alongside the audio service. The data is sent to the transmitter site via satellite (Hotbird 6). A Telefunken Sender Systems Berlin modulator is used to drive the 70 kW (DRM power) 200 kW (AM power) Nautel MF transmitter operating on 1296 kHz. The antenna is a directional antenna focusing a beam across the North Sea towards the Netherlands. For further information about this press release, please contact: Anna Foakes, Marketing Executive, VT Merlin Communications Ltd Tel: +44 (0)20 7969 0000 Email: annaf-@merlincommunications.com [truncated] Web: http://www.merlincommunications.com (via Richard Cuff, swprograms Sept 30 via DXLD) ** U S A. RADIO FREE ASIA Developments. RFA has introduced two new relay sites at USSURIYSK and IRKUTSK for increased coverage of Korean programing. Ussuriysk uses 648 mediumwave 1500-1600, and Irkutsk is on 7210 1600-1700. The TAIWAN relay currently uses 11605 for Vietnamese 1400-1500 and 2330-0030. Seemingly Mandarin service at 2300-2359 UT via Taiwan 7315, 11935, and 11995 have been ceased. Due to decreasing sunspot figures, also the frequency changes on Sept 6th/7th, 2003 marked as J03[til Sept 6th] / S03[from Sept 7th], are included. RFA introduced two new additional broadcast hours in Cambodian programing at 1130-1229 and 2330-0029. But canceled this RFA Khmer service after a two month test in mid August already. Additional tests observed in the Far East on mediumwave 1350 kHz at 1300-1500 UT, location not known, probably from either Ussuriysk-RUS, Poro-PHL, or Taiwan. RFA schedule in A-03, valid til Oct 26th, 2003. RFA currently broadcasts from 1100 to 0700; there are no transmissions between 0700 and 1100. Daily programming includes Mandarin for 12 hrs, Cantonese increase from two to four hrs, Uighur for two hrs, and Tibetan for eight hours. J03=til Sept 6th. S03=from Sept 7th, 2003. RFA uses IBB txs in HOL/H=Holzkirchen Germany, IRA/I=Iranawila Sri Lanka, SAI/S=Saipan & TIN/T=Tinian NoMariana Isls. And Merlin relays TWN/N=Taiwan and UAE=Al Dhabayya-UAE, as well as irk=Irkutsk-RUS and uss=Ussuriysk-RUS relays. Additional transmitter sites have been researched but deleted from this list upon request of RFA to suppress this info, to avoid pressure from China upon the host countries. Are we to assume that China has no way to find out this sensitive info except through DX publications? [gh] RFA A-03 updated schedule of September 20th, 2003. 0000-0100 LAO 12015I 13830 15545T 0030-0130 BURMESE 11540-S03 13680T 13820I 15660 17525-J03 17835S 0100-0200 UIGHUR 9350 11520 11895UAE 11945UAE 15405T 0100-0300 TIBETAN 9365 11695UAE 11975H 15225T 15695 17730 0300-0600 MANDARIN 13670T 13760T 15150T 15665T 17495 17525 17615S 17880S 21690T 0600-0700 MANDARIN 13670T 13760T 15150T 15665T 17495 17525 17615S 17880S 0600-0700 TIBETAN 17485 17510 17720 21500T 21690UAE break 1100-1200 LAO 9355S 9545T 15560I 15635 1100-1400 TIBETAN 7470-S03 11590 13575-J03 13625T 13830-S03 15510UAE 15695-J03 17855H-(from 1200) deleted ***** 1130-1230 CAMBODIAN 13730T 15535I 1230-1330 CAMBODIAN 13645T 15525I 15625 1300-1400 BURMESE 11540-?S03 11765T 13745T 15680-?J03 1400-1500 CANTONESE 9775T 11715S 13790T 1400-1500 VIETNAMESE 9455S 9635T 9930W 11510 11520 11535-S03 11605N 11765T 13775P 15705-J03 1400-1500 KOREAN 7380 11790T 13625T 15625 1500-1600 TIBETAN 7470-S03 11510 11590-J03 11705T 11780UAE 13835 1500-1600 MANDARIN 7540-S03 9905P 11765T 12025S 13690T 15510T 15680- J03. Deleted 11945T. 1500-1600 KOREAN 648uss 9385S 13625T 1600-1700 KOREAN 7210irk 9385S 13625T 1600-1700 UIGHUR 7465 9350I 9370 9555UAE 11780T 13715I 1600-1700 MANDARIN 7540-S03 9455S 9905P 11750T 11795T 12025S 13690T 15510T 15680-J03. Deleted 11945T. 1700-1800 MANDARIN 7540-S03 9355S 9455S 9540T 9905P 11750T 11795T 11995S 13690T 15510T 15680-J03. Deleted 11945T and 17640T. 1800-1900 MANDARIN 7530-S03 7540-S03 9355S 9455S 9540T 11520-J03 11740T 11995S 13680T 15510T 15680-J03. Deleted 11945T, 11955T and 17640T. 1900-2000 MANDARIN 7530-S03 7540-S03 9355S 9455S 9905P 11520-J03 11740T 11785T 11995S 13625T 13680T 15510T 15680- J03. Deleted 11945T, and 11955T. 2000-2100 MANDARIN 7530-S03 7540-S03 9355S 9455S 9850T 9905P 11520- J03 11700T 11740T 11785T 11935T 11995S 13625T 15515T 15680-J03. Deleted 13670T. 2100-2200 MANDARIN 7540-S03 9455S 9850T 9910P 11700T 11740T 11935T 11995S 13625T 15515T 15680-J03 2200-2300 CANTONESE 9355S 9955P 11785T 13675T 2200-2300 KOREAN 7460 9455S 9850T 11670S 12080T 2230-2330 CAMBODIAN 7455-?S03 9490I 9930P 11570-?J03 13735T 2300-2359 MANDARIN 7540-S03 9910P 11785T 13640T 13800S 15430T 15550T 15680-J03. Seemingly Mandarin service via Taiwan 7315, 11935, and 11995 have been ceased. 2300-2359 TIBETAN 7470 7550-S03 9365-J03 9395-S03 9805UAE 9875H 15695-J03 deleted **** 2330-0029 CAMBODIAN 7490I 13735T 2330-0029 VIETNAMESE 9975-?S03 11540-?J03 11560 11580 11605N 11670T 12110I 13735S 15560P (various sources, updated on Sept 20, BC-DX Oct 1 via DXLD) ** U S A. Did anyone else note some odd interference during the WBCQ "Area 51" program on Sunday evening (0000 UT Monday hour 9/29/03) on 5105 kHz? This was during their "Firesign Theatre" hour, and seemed to stop during (or at the start of) the following hour of Allen Weiner's radio-receiver discussion. (The latter was very interesting, by the way; hope he airs repeats you can catch later this week.) I had never encountered interference just like this: it was a periodic noise burst, usually about three seconds long, like a hiss or high- audio-frequency buzz, that happened at intervals. The intervals varied from about 20 seconds to 45 seconds between incidents, with some gaps of over a minute at times. It almost sounded like it was part of the original audio; since the Firesign Theatre plays around with sound effects, when I first tuned in about 10 minutes into the hour's program, I actually thought it was part of the program, something intended to make it sound like poor radio reception. But then it obscured enough of the content that I decided that could not be intentional in the original. Yet it DID stop when the programming changed over to the next hour! Could it have been some digital artifact in the program recording? I know little of digital audio, MP-encoding and the like. If no one else heard it, I suppose it would have to be local RF interference, but it is a new one and the fact that it seemed linked to the program content argues against it being random electrical noise. Very confusing (Will Martin (St. Louis, MO), swprograms via DXLD) ** U S A. 1710, unID pirate. 0130 Man talking in Yiddish; 1030 Religious talk in English, mentioning "Lubavitcher hassidim," i.e. Hassidic Jews adhering to the extreme orthodox Lubavitch sect. No ID's heard over several hours. Stories in that tradition, e.g. about how bad it is for one's daughter to marry a non-Jew. A web search of "1710 kHz" turned up an FCC web page at http://www.fcc.gov/eb/FieldNotices/2003/DOC-237849A1.html noting action against an unlicensed broadcaster in Brooklyn, NY in Jan. '03: "Agents again observed unauthorized radio broadcast on 1710 kHz, and identified the source as 1236-1244 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11216. The agents obtained access to the roof of 1236 Atlantic Avenue, where they observed a vertical antenna with a coaxial cable leading across the roof into a locked equipment room ... Eliyahu Ezagui, residing at 1227 President Street, was the responsible party...." The FCC assessed a $10,000 fine. Fadeout at local sunrise, consistent with propagation from NY (though maybe from a different address!) to my location (Steve George, MA, 9/30, Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** U S A. Radio K marks 10 years of student-run music September 30, 2003 By Chelsie Hanstad http://www.daily.umn.edu/articles/2003/09/30/6752 Radio K, the University`s student-run radio station, will celebrate its 10th anniversary in October. Over its 10 years in existence, Radio K has helped build a sense of community, both in the University and in the greater Twin Cities, Radio K marketing director Tracy Labernik said. The radio station was first formed in 1993 from two smaller stations already at the University. The first, KUOM, was the oldest radio station in Minnesota and was acquired in the 1920s. Students created the other, WMMR, in the 1940s. WMMR broadcast through a cable into residence halls, Radio K programming director Mark Wheat said. A budget crisis in the mid-1980s caused the Board of Regents to consider selling one of the stations. One student, Jim Musil, said they should not sell. He suggested they run KUOM as a student radio station. The regents combined the two stations, and on Oct. 1, 1993, students took over KUOM. Radio K is now one of the largest college radio stations in the country, with between 2,000 and 3,000 student listeners. It employs five full-time professional staff and 17 part-time student employees. The station also has larger facilities and a greater listening audience than many college stations. ``In the top 10, you might find two or three bigger,`` Wheat said. ``And none raise as much money.`` Twice a year, the radio station holds a pledge drive to raise money to meet its $500,000 operating budget. The most recent drive raised more than $85,000. Radio K often helps bring recognition to local groups. ``It brings attention to artists who normally don`t get it,`` said Danny Sigelman of the Electric Fetus in Minneapolis, a store that sells local bands` CDs. ``It`s an obvious contingent. People will come in and say, `I heard this on Radio K, do you have it?` `` In a time when corporations buy many local radio stations and decide which music to play, Radio K gives local musicians an opportunity to be heard in their hometown, local musician and promoter J.G. Everest said. ``No band really gets big in town without the help of Radio K,`` Everest said. Labernik said Radio K also provides many opportunities for high school students. It hosts an annual battle of the bands for high school musicians. The Breakfast Club is the station`s show for high school students` participation. Radio K is also involved in the timeshare of an FM station in St. Louis Park, Minn., with St. Louis Park High School, Labernik said. The high school uses the station during the day and Radio K uses it nights and holidays when school is not in session. The station also hosts several events for local charities, Labernik said. To celebrate its 10-year anniversary, the station organized a month-long celebration. Thirteen concerts featuring local bands, as well as special on-air programming, will go on through October (Minnesota Daily Sept 30 via Artie Bigley, DXLD) WTF --- K??? ** URUGUAY [and non]. Re 3-172: Glenn, Original info was mine, not from friend Colacce, and was delivered via Conexión Digital. Dorner doesn't mention the original source. That's not really important but what is new to me is the info about Radio Américas. Fqcy? SW? Didn't have that... ``Recently Radio Americas, a powerful shortwave station and AM station operated by Protestants began operations in Uruguay, a small country of about 68,000 square miles on the central Atlantic Coast.`` 73 (Horacio Nigro, Montevideo, Uruguay, Sept. 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) I bet this was confused with the R. América in PARAguay, and it`s anything but powerful! (gh, DXLD) He is right. Paraguay. Rush of getting it out on Sat a.m. I read Conexión Digital and saw something regarding Nigro's piece, but it did not strike me that it was clear about the pending purchase by the Church. I no longer have that issue (I think), but I remember thinking that this would be interesting if true. I do not know in what issue he reported on that; it was in the middle perhaps of all my computer trouble and certain items were lost out of e-mail and could not be retrieved. Perhaps what I saw was a later report on the developments, but again it was uncertain. Colacce did report the item to me, and did mention that Nigro had written it in CD, too. But he wrote me that HE, Colacce, had read the items in the Montevidean papers; I cannot access the archives of the newspaper that first reported the news, and had no success in finding the information in the other daily. I did find the item on the Uruguayan portal. If I had heard the item from Nigro, or saw it clearly as an actual development reported by him, I would have credited him. But the news came from Colacce on Saturday morning; that was my first reception of a clear item from anyone about the station. Mr. Nigro does not read CRU/RCD as far as I know; I have no contact with him at all. That should set the record straight. There are a lot of questions about this. Exactly who in Italy is funding it is interesting -- the Bishops Conference? Radio Maria? An quasi or independent church agency? Or the Italian office of a church worldwide organization such as Church in Need? Matters like purchases of stations are always delicate; the Latin American Church, in addition, is not noted for openness with the press (Mike Dorner, LA of CRU, Sept 30, DX LISTENING DIGEST) No problem for the credits! It goes just for clarity on the most interesting facts about this item, for now: This stops my queries I have already started here in the Uruguayan radio field. And, secondly agree that the inner story of this transaction between R. Oriental and the Catholic church whatever be their branch is still a matter of dilucidation. Greetings and congrats to both you for work in your respective areas covering media developments (Horacio Nigro, Uruguay, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ** URUGUAY. 6042.5, R Sarandí Sport, Rivera, 2239-2305, Aug 30, finally identified in a Spanish program with songs, advertisements, pops and talks on sport. 42331 with the "2" standing for adjacent QRM. (Carlos Gonçalves, Portugal, DSWCI DX Window Sept 24 via DXLD) ** VENEZUELA. Actualmente Venezuela tiene tres señales en onda corta: 4830 kHz. Radio Táchira, reactivada recientemente, lo participó el colega Malm. 4940 kHz, Radio Amazonas, actualmente con señal distorsionada y mucho ruido. 5000 kHz, YVTO, Observatorio Naval Cajigal, su señal es buena y estable. Estas tres señales fueron monitoreadas a las 1140 UT; solamente Radio Amazonas está presentando problemas, incluso su señal se está corriendo hacia 4930, 4945, y 4950. Esperemos que corrijan pronto esta anormalidad (José Elías, Venezuela, Sept 24, Conexión Digital via DXLD) ** VENEZUELA [and non]. Dial full of YV's in Illinois --- With low A and K indices it is amazingly auroral here 35 miles NW of Chicago. The lower 3/5 of the AM dial has some pretty darn good signals from Venezuela and the entire dial seems hit by AU conditions, although as the evening progresses the AU effects are lessening. New tonite are YVKE 550 with a political sounding discussion finally mentioning Caracas and Venezuela several times, and YVMD 900 over/under XEW which is reasonably nulled by E-W BOGs, with "...Ritmo..La onda de alegría" now with Ven. type music. 1110 Carupano was huge earlier as was 750 RCR hammering WSB. YVRQ 910 is in well as are others. There still isn't much high latitude skip and I have yet to hear WQEW 1560 for example. What on earth is the bubble jammer type sound that was hammering WTAM 1100 ?? 73 KAZ (Neil Kazaross, IL, Sept 29, amfmtvdx via DXLD) ** VENEZUELA [and non]. TERROR CLOSE TO HOME -- IN OIL-RICH VENEZUELA, A VOLATILE LEADER BEFRIENDS BAD ACTORS FROM THE MIDEAST, COLOMBIA, AND CUBA --- Nation & World 10/6/03 By Linda Robinson The oil-rich but politically unstable nation of Venezuela is emerging as a potential hub of terrorism in the Western Hemisphere, providing assistance to Islamic radicals from the Middle East and other terrorists, say senior U.S. military and intelligence officials. Bush administration aides see this as an unpredictably dangerous mix and are gathering more information about the intentions of a country that sits 1,000 miles south of Florida... ...The FARC's principal camp in Venezuela is in the Perijá mountains near an Indian village called Resumidero, according to maps and testimony from FARC deserters. The Resumidero base is home to one of the FARC's top leaders, Iván Márquez, and can accommodate 700 people. Márquez commands 1,000 fighters and, according to one deserter's account, oversees the training of hundreds more would-be guerrillas. A clandestine FARC radio station is located about 30 miles away, on the Colombian-Venezuelan border. Resumidero, which has 100 huts and three houses for Márquez and other leaders, is two days' walk from another camp called Asamblea, near the city of Machiques, which is about 35 miles inside Venezuelan territory. That camp, which has 25 houses and even Internet access, is used to train still more more fighters... [Tnx to a tip from Henrik Klemetz, from a much longer article at http://www.usnews.com/usnews/issue/031006/usnews/6venezuela.htm via DXLD) ** VIETNAM [non]. CLANDESTINE from CIS to VIETNAM, 7380, Radio of the Voice of the Degar People via Chita, Russia, e-mail thankyou note from v/s Kok Ksor, President of the Montagnard Foundation Inc (MFI). He says he usually presents the program which is produced by MFI and in turn which is financed by the Transnational Radical Party of which he is a General Council member. There is a connection, though unclear, with Radicale Radio in Italy, plus with an unnamed HQ in London (Merlin?) which Kok Ksor contacts in case of reception problems. Reply in 16 hours from degar@montagnard-foundation.org (David Foster, Australia, DXplorer Sept 28 via Bueschel BC-DX via Cumbre DX via DXLD) ** ZIMBABWE. 5975.0, R 2, 2155-2205, Sep 20, Afro pops and Vernacular announcement, at 2200 TC and NA followed by a rhetoric by Mugabe on the occasion of his vice president's demise. Still noted on at 2250 but gone at re-check just after 2300. This is the only Zimbabwean SW outlet at the moment and the schedule is somewhat irregular, usually on by 0500 and often off by 1900 or 2000 (Vaclav Korinek, RSA, DSWCI DX Window Sept 24 via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 3910, 1850-1910, Sep 21, religious program in U.S. English with address in Detroit, Michigan, Bible quotations and talks. I do not think it is the Irish pirate previously reported here. 35333 (Anker Petersen, Denmark, DSWCI DX Window Sept 24 via DXLD) UNIDENTIFIED. 5833.39 v. to 5834.15 --- Better signal 1000-1130 than 0000 to 0100, weak Sept. 30 at 1000-1112. Does not seem a Cuban Harmonic or Central America. Fades before Guatemala 60 meter band stations (Robert Wilkner, Icom R 75, Pompano Beach, Florida, DX LISTENING DIGEST) UNIDENTIFIED. Re 6069.97, DXLD 3-171: On the same split, 6069.97 kHz, I have CFRB Toronto(Canada). 73s de (Björn Malm, Quito, Ecuador, DX LISTENING DIGEST) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ POWERLINE COMMUNICATIONS ++++++++++++++++++++++++ PLC THREAT IN AUSTRALIA I've got permission from Phil Wait to place this report on the Powerline Broadband Conference held by Buddecom in Sydney on 17th September 2003. You can view it at http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~vk5vka/stopbpl.htm Radio Scanner users will be disappointed to know that frequencies up to 100 MHz could be affected if the roll-out goes ahead in a big way. (Which it probably will because lots of money is involved) )-: I also urge you to download this PDF document from the ACA web site http://www.aca.gov.au/radcomm/frequency_planning/radiofrequency_planni ng_topics/bdplcs.htm (Stephen Newlyn, VK5VKA. G'day from the City of Elizabeth, South Australia. Visit the Drake R8 List Home Page http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~vk5vka/draklist.htm Visit my Home Page at http://homepages.ihug.com.au/~vk5vka/ (via aus.radio.scanner via Richard Jary, ARDXC via DXLD) PLC THREAT IN BRITAIN I am forwarding this message from the RSGB about PLT (Power Line Telecoms?) - i.e. internet via electricity cables. This is potentially a very serious issue for DXers as I have heard that trials in the UK a while ago showed that it could cause severe interference right across the shortwave bands.... Sunday 28 September, 2003 IARU SUBMITS PAPER TO EUROPEAN COMMISSION PLT WORKSHOP Listeners may have seen an item on the Internet where the European Commission is calling for input papers for a PLT workshop for national regulators to be held on the 16th of October in Brussels. PLT remains a major threat to HF communications. IARU Region 1 has submitted a detailed paper for the workshop to the European Commission, setting out the problems that PLT creates for HF communications in general, and radio amateurs in particular. The paper argues for sensible emission limits from PLT systems, and backs up its assertions by referencing work done by a number of organisations, including the RSGB, to monitor and assess the trials of PLT that have taken place in a number of countries over the last few years. Although it will not be allowed for amateur radio to be represented in person at the workshop on the 16th of October, the IARU hopes that its paper will carry some weight in the discussions (via Dave Kenny, BDXC-UK via DXLD) BPL AND OTHER SPECTRUM THREATS I'd like to make three points here: 1. Steady, continuing pressure is better than a large single emotional outcry. Why? They, the ones who wish to implement whatever just wait for the storm to blow over, so to speak. 2. Our collective power is votes, not money. Yes, make your well reasoned and hopefully technically sound comments to the FCC, but also write your representatives in Congress. It may also be helpful to write to the ones who are in charge of "oversight" committees. A concerned voter is a registered voter and may not vote for the incumbent if their concerns are not addressed. Final hint: mention/list memberships in relevant clubs, now you are a group and have group power. Strange as it might seem, power perceived is power achieved. 3. Finally the "sky is falling" commentaries occur are too often and too fatalistic. This causes people to throw up their hands and give up. Far too many people do not participate in government at any level anymore because they believe that it won't count. It does count, but don't expect to see instant results. An entity as large as a national government moves slowly. There are checks and balances, Congress will react, if it is properly motivated. Right now Chairman Powell is facing strong backlash from Congress over actions taken earlier this year. 4. We are approaching an election year. Candidates right now are grasping for issues to talk about to gain support for their campaigns. Opportunity knocks once again. Obligatory SWL connection: Our hobby makes us better informed. We know the Japanese tried and abandoned BPL and lost much money in the process. We know the problems some European countries are currently having with BPL. Why? We listen to shortwave radio and talk to each other. 73, (Mark N3IRJ Clark, Sept 25, swl at qth.net via DXLD) BPL COMMENTS I have sent the following letter to all five FCC Commissioners, all 3 congressional representatives and both senators from West Virginia, President Bush and Vice President Cheney. Please feel free to copy it, add your comments and send them on as well. We need to make some noise against this very bad idea before the FCC just sticks it down our throats. A google search for White House, Senate, House of Reprehensive, and FCC will get you the addresses for your respective congress person or senator. Please take the time to forward this on to them. The more contacts they get against this the better chance we have of stopping it. Larry N4SEA Cover letter: I am enclosing a copy of an e-mail letter I sent to each of the five FCC commissioners. The letter expresses my feelings concerning the BPL or Broadband Over Power Line issue. An issue I'm afraid the FCC is only looking at from one side. I would appreciate it if you could take the time to look at this and address it. It does require immediate attention. I also urge you or one of your staff to check out the links in the message to the FCC. They support my arguments against this very bad idea that the FCC seems very ready to put into being. Thank you. Larry R. Fravel, RT 1 Box 143 A, Shinnston, WV 26431-9722, 304-592- 0072 Actual letter: As an amateur radio operator and an internet/computer enthusiast and user I want to state that I am completely and utterly in disagreement with you comments concerning Broad Band over Power Lines (BPL) and its implementation. This so called great opportunity is only a great opportunity to those that would sell and provide the services. The amateur radio community, the short wave broadcast industry, the short wave listeners of the world, and to some extent the AM broadcast band broadcasters and listeners it will be a complete disaster. It has been proven in numerous tests conducted by the ARRL and others that BPL will and does cause harmful interference to licensed radio services to such an extent that in some instances the services become unusable. Now the NTIA has expressed similar concerns regarding this cash cow for the utility companies. As a licensed radio operator I am required by law not to cause harmful interference to any other licensed service, and Part 15 of the FCC regulations require that unlicensed radiators do not cause me or other licensed services harmful. Interference. When a signal between the frequency ranges of 2 MHz to 60 MHz is transmitted along thousands of miles of unshielded wire the wire becomes on giant antenna that radiates that signal in an omni-direction pattern and the signal overrides any other signal weaker than itself. This causes lack of reception of the weaker signal. That means that leg mate amateur radio communications that just might be in the process of providing disaster communications, homeland security communications, or assisting a ship or boat in danger of sinking is interrupted with terrible results. All because someone had to have that "faster download and connection speed". The reverse is also true. The power line wires also become giant receiving antennas and any transmitter that emits a signal greater than the one being carried on the power lines has the potential to interfere with the signal being carried over the power lines. The only difference here is that the signal being transmitted through the air and interfering with the BPL transmission is a licensed radiator and according to FCC regulations the owner of the receiving device has the onus on them to shield their device or replace it with one that will not receive the interference. Are you also going to require that the power companies, businesses, and all home owners replace all power cables throughout the country with coaxial cable, properly grounded of course, in order to help eliminate the interface from licensed radiators? I think not. Cable Television Operators have made the AM Broadcast band almost unusable in most areas of the country because of the high leakage interference and nothing is done about that. It is more "cost effective" (translated cheaper) for the cable company to ignore the problem rather than repair it until they are required to by the FCC - a very rare occurrence. It is next to impossible to get a power company to come out and investigate a case of power line interference without persistent complaints that sometimes take months to get through because "they are under staffed". Are you going to require the power companies the provide the proper staffing levels to handle the complaints? If you do any profit from this so called "Nirvana" will be eaten up in labor costs shortly after the first download is completed. Please refer to http://www.arrl.org/announce/regulatory/et03-104/ and http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/plc/ BPL is bad for all the reasons listed above and many more. It will cause devastating interference to those that are now licensed to use the radio spectrum. It will also cause the licensed users of the same radio spectrum to interfere with the BPL users. I urge you not to allow this to happen. Technology is a wonderful thing when properly applied and used. BPL is not one of those cases (Larry R. Fravel N4SEA, Rt 1 Box 143 A, Shinnston, WV 26431-9722, Sept 27, MW-DX via DXLD) RECEIVER NEWS +++++++++++++ DEGEN DRM RECEIVERS Review of Pre-production Degen DE1102 (Kaito KA1102 in US): http://radiointel.com/review-degende1102.htm It's interesting to note that Universal Radio will be selling the KA1101 at $64.95. That's $5 below list price on Kaito USA's website http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/portable/1101.html http://www.kaitousa.com/KA1101.htm Review of the Chinese version of the 1101 (Degen DE 1101) - already mentioned: http://www.passband.com/pages/receivernews.htm and the KA105 which has digital tuning, but I think is only Single Conversion as opposed to the 1101/1102 $44.95. Also $5 below list. http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/portable/0105.html http://www.kaitousa.com/KA105.htm I also didn't realize that the Grundig YB550PE is now for sale http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/portable/0550.html (Doni Rosenzweig, NY, Oct 1, DX LISTENING DIGEST) PUBLICATIONS ++++++++++++ DOUG SMITH`S TV STATION DATABASE Has just been updated Sept. 27 in time for fall tropo season(?) USA, Canada and Mexico – nothing like it! http://home.earthlink.net/~w9wi/tvdb/index.htm (Glenn Hauser, DX LISTENING DIGST) BDXC WEB SITE UPDATES These sections have all been updated recently: Africa frequency lists - by country and frequency. DX Diary. DX Programme Guide. Links. UK Radio Museums. http://www.bdxc.org.uk (Dave Kenny, Sept 24, BDXC-UK via DXLD) OFFLINE DX LOGBOOK The October 2003 edition of the Offline DX Logbook in .pdf format is now available for free download at http://www.shortwave.org.uk This month's edition consists of 14 Pages with over 500 loggings (Graham Powell, Wales, Editor - Online DX Logbook, SWBC topica list via DXLD) PROPAGATION +++++++++++ Geomagnetic activity ranged from quiet to minor storm levels. The period began at quiet to occasionally active levels on 22-23 September. Geomagnetic activity increased on 24-25 September as a coronal hole rotated into geoeffective position producing mostly unsettled to minor storm levels. As the coronal hole high speed flow began to wane on 26 September activity was at unsettled to active levels. Activity form the remainder of the period, 27-28 September was at quiet to unsettled levels. FORECAST OF SOLAR AND GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY 01 - 27 OCTOBER 2003 Solar activity is expected to range from very low to low levels with a chance of isolated M-class events. Region 464 has the potential for isolated M-class activity early in the period before it rotates beyond the west limb on 03 October. Region 471 rotated onto the visible disk on 30 September and is most likely old Region 456 (S08, L=222), which was quite active as it rotated beyond the west limb on its last rotation. Region 471 may keep activity levels somewhat enhanced. No greater than 10 MeV proton events at geosynchronous orbit are expected during the period. The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to reach high levels on 02 – 05 October, 07 – 09 October, and 17 – 26 October. The geomagnetic field is expected to range from quiet to major storm levels during the period. A returning coronal hole is expected on 05 – 08 October and could produce active to isolated minor storm levels. A large coronal hole is due to return on 14 – 22 October and is expected to produce major storm levels. :Product: 27-day Space Weather Outlook Table 27DO.txt :Issued: 2003 Sep 30 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 30 # # UTC Radio Flux Planetary Largest # Date 10.7 cm A Index Kp Index 2003 Oct 01 125 20 4 2003 Oct 02 115 15 3 2003 Oct 03 110 12 3 2003 Oct 04 105 10 3 2003 Oct 05 100 10 3 2003 Oct 06 100 20 4 2003 Oct 07 100 20 4 2003 Oct 08 95 15 3 2003 Oct 09 95 12 3 2003 Oct 10 95 12 3 2003 Oct 11 95 10 3 2003 Oct 12 95 10 3 2003 Oct 13 100 30 5 2003 Oct 14 105 45 6 2003 Oct 15 110 35 6 2003 Oct 16 112 30 5 2003 Oct 17 112 25 5 2003 Oct 18 120 20 4 2003 Oct 19 125 20 4 2003 Oct 20 125 15 3 2003 Oct 21 130 30 5 2003 Oct 22 130 25 5 2003 Oct 23 130 20 4 2003 Oct 24 130 10 3 2003 Oct 25 135 10 3 2003 Oct 26 135 10 3 2003 Oct 27 130 10 3 (from http://www.sec.noaa.gov/radio via DXLD) ###